Bike Maintenance Arvo

Well today I was finally able to take the Giant Elwood in for its FREE 3mth maintenance check. A bit late really, but, Bill was OK about it. All the bearings repacked etc. Brakes re-centred.

Bill said the chain and rear sprockets were close to needing replacement.

How could that be? I had managed to clock-up over 7,000kms since I bought it new in early February 2007. (see below XXXX) Doesn't seem like it was possible but after adding up all the trips. A minimum of 20kms/day with only a couple of days off when I "Had to Work" and many of them 40-60kms trips and days with multiples. Aside: It's been strange that even during the wettest part of the year here. We have not had any of those days where it rained solidly all day. Maybe it's the "Climate Change" or just an unusual year.

I looked at getting a new saddle today and it looks as though i might of found one. It will allow me to adjust it back a further 3.5cm. I might not need the full 3.5cm but would like to see what 2.5cm might do for my cadence.

Speaking of cadence I also looked at the possibility of altering the rear gear ratios from 132-12 to 132-11 which will give me a little more top end speed. I cant get the Elwood to pull past 36km on a flat wind free run, (I can push it to 40km for a spurt but can't keep it up for long) and a slightly higher top speed might allow me to feel safer in those tight sections where the traffic gets a little hairy.

Note XXXX: No Punctures, crashes or either tyre worn-out . Just general wear and tear, a few spots of corrosion on both alloy and steel parts but spokes and rims are ok!