W&OD ride from Leesburg to Purcellville

[divingbiker]

Well, Tam, I am thoroughly humiliated by how disgustingly dirty my drive train was. I just spent an hour cleaning it, and I'm sure it won't be truly clean (like yours) until I do it a few more times. Honest to god, there were hunks of crud in the rear derailleur--ick! I did the best I could with the brushes I had (rags weren't going to cut it on their own) but I'm going to have to find a better system. Even after all the cleaning and several rounds of Rock'n'Roll, I was getting lots of black crud off the chain. I think I'm going to have to learn how to remove the chain and give it a good soaking.

I hope I never let it get that dirty again. Thank you for showing me the light.

[Kalidurga]

*smacks Janice on the forehead with her open palm* "Hallelujah!! Ye have seen the light, and your dirty drivetrain is hee-yald!"

That probably didn't come out as funny in text as it did in my head Good luck getting that puppy clean. It might take something like Simple Green to get it to the point that the Rock'n'Roll will be effective. If we lived closer together, I'd be happy to come over and help you scrub!

Once it's done, a quick run of the chain through a rag after each ride, and a periodic re-lube, should be all you'll need to keep it that way. And just think-- You'll never have black smudges on your calves (or arms ) again!

On the flipside, though, I'd bet it's easier for me to keep my drivetrain clean since I probably don't put anywhere near as many miles on my bike as you do on yours. I was looking at my BikeJournal log, and I've only had 19 rides so far this year. My bike's clean, but sadly neglected in other ways

[Zen]

*smacks Janice on the forehead with her open palm* "Hallelujah!! Ye have seen the light, and your dirty drivetrain is hee-yald!"

That probably didn't come out as funny in text as it did in my head

It worked for me

Good luck getting that puppy clean.

You're not kidding. It's amazing the gears still function
that thing was a mess

[7rider]

Tam, Did you give Janice a hard time about her chain?

But, geez...how was the ride?? Where did you go for lunch?
I logged on to check out the IMPORTANT things. Not gunky derailleurs.
Sheesh people!

[Kalidurga]

Tam, Did you give Janice a hard time about her chain?

We'll give you a low-down on our ride, Regina, if you regale us with tales of wallpaper peeling

And, yes, I couldn't restrain myself, especially after I rubbed my arm across Janice's chain when we were loading the bikes Nothing that can't be rectified, though, with some degreaser, a whole lotta rags, and a good self-cleaning lube.

Glad you got the joke, Zen. I hate it when my already weird humor falls flat

Oh, and Janice, I looked up the specs for Zen's bike. According to this, her handlebars are a Bontrager FIT VR w/Bzzz Kill. I may have to consider those, too, if I go with the idea of having a new bike made.

[Zen]

... if I go with the idea of having a new bike made.

What?
What's this?

I have sent an email to the owner of this bike (the Mariposa) it's my size...but that's about all I know so far. Here's the body of her post to the bike club:

I have an old custom-made bike I'd like to sell. I bought it approx 25years ago when high quality off-the-shelf bikes weren't available for small women (Terry started a company, I just bought a bike). It's a Mariposa, made by two Canadian former racers. It has Campy hubs and some other classic components, and is approx a 47cm size frame (about 261/2 inches from the ground to the top tube). The basic design is that of a touring bike; it has skinny tires, touring geometry and custom made fenders. In addition, it has fairly new tires and a Cateye computer (wired). There are also a few dings. It does need some work, new wheels if you're a purist or new spokes if you're not and, at least, a basic "tune up." The frame is steel and is exquisitely put together (really) but is not light weight...(I'm talking myself out of selling this bike :-)... Anyway, I've moved on to an off-the-shelf Trek with tighter geometry that I like a lot. It would be a good deal at $150, but I'll be happy if someone gives me $100 and promises to put it back on the road to be enjoyed. If you get the impression that parting with this bike is like letting go of an old lover, someone whose happiness I still wish for, you've got it about right.

I also have an old Terry that is about the same size. I bought it used a few years ago for $100. and simply don't need it anymore. This one could be had for any reasonable offer.

I may beg borrow or steal $100 for this bike.

[Kalidurga]

Wow, that's one heck of a deal, Zen!

[divingbiker]

I think I may have figured out why I'm having difficulty with my handlebars. If you look at the Salsa Pocos, they've got the ergo shape--part of the curve is removed and they angle back more steeply.



With Zen's bars, the Bontrager FIT VR bar, they are curved, so that puts your hands closer to the levers.



I may be totally off base, but that's what it looks like to me. Just musing here.

[divingbiker]

*smacks Janice on the forehead with her open palm* "Hallelujah!! Ye have seen the light, and your dirty drivetrain is hee-yald!"

You have no idea how much religion I've got now!

Tonight I put the commuting bike and the MTB on my car rack and thoroughly cleaned and lubed them, too. (They weren't nearly so bad as my road bike.) I will never be like you, Tam, sitting on the floor cleaning them for hours, but I am going to try to be better about maintenance.

Thank you for showing me the way, the truth, and the light.