More Newbie questions

[drplasma64]

When you count your cadence manually, do you essentially just count 1 leg...like you increase the count every time your left leg goes down?

Also, how do I avoid the LOVELY grease marks on my right calf?? Is that from too much lube on my chain??

[Grog]

One rotation = one complete turn of the crank. So yes, every time your left knee goes up, for example.

--

As for the marks... although you should wipe off your chain after oiling it***, you will probably get marks if you press your calve on the chainring. I tend to do it when I stop at a red light, or when for some reason I stand with my back turned to the bike.

You'll have less of a mess if you clean your bike every once in a while, oil it lightly (only so much is needed), wipe off the chain afterwards and wait until the next day to ride. I usually wash my road bike every 300-400 km (or after a ride on a very dirty road), after a ride when I feel thankful for cycling, admiring the clean bike gleaming feels even better.

*** And not oil it THAT often, i.e. every 300 km is way enough, and just the chain, not all the cogs, and put the oil on a clean chain as much as you can - don't know if there's been a discussion about cleaning your drivetrain on this forum but I'd guess so. If you don't find one and need to know, feel free to ask!!! - Sorry this message is a bit disorganized!!

[SadieKate]

Also, how do I avoid the LOVELY grease marks on my right calf?? Is that from too much lube on my chain??

Easy, clip out with your left foot.

[Trek420]

Sadiekate, that's too easy, that's too simple, that's too logical

Dr, a clean bike is a happy bike and last longer. Here's a start on how to clean a chain

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...cleaning+chain

[drplasma64]

I think Grog was right that I'm probably doing it when I stop...there's one place on my route where I have to scoot over to the pedestrian cross signal button, than scoot sideways to get positioned near the curb cutout to cross. I bet that's it.

Chain cleaning, huh? Heard of it, never done it Seriously, I've been thinking about getting one of those chain cleaning dohicky's (thanks for the link Trek) and they just went up higher on my priority list. I have been sort of wiping the gunk off every once in awhile, but I haven't wracked up many miles yet.

SadieKate, I'm such a newbie I don't even have clipless pedals!

Thanks again for responding.

[bikerchick68]

the chain cleaners are amazingly easy to use and well worth it! I clean my chain with Simple Green and then lube with Tri Flow (there are lots of brands of lube, I use this 'cause it was the one recommended by my LBS)... having a clean chain will increase the life of your chain, cogset and chainring... as well as improve the performance of your shifting... I clean after every century (or any long ride) or when I have compiled 100 miles in rides... also after going thru water or bad weather...

I was also told to rotate each leg at stops... so right foot down at one stop, left foot down at next... this allows you to stretch EACH IT band and muscles in the leg set down... rotating helps ensure BOTH legs benefit from whatever forced downtime you have!

[SpinSis]

I'm still a newbie road cylist, so I can't comment on how to lessen the grease on the chain (but I do appreciate the cleaning comments on this thread and other TE locations-thanks).

I can comment, however, on the wonder of WetOnes for cleaning up the chain grease. Having spent this past Friday night elbow deep in chain grease as I put my rear tire back on after a tube replacement (erg), my container of WetOnes was welcome relief for wiping away the core of the mess (also good on wiping up the bike frame). I now carry some individual ones in my saddle bag for roadside repairs. It doesn't get the junk out of the cuticles, though...

...but that's why I got a manicure on Saturday: coral pink. Weee!

PS. Also appreciate the cadence question: my bike computer is worthless in that respect, so I'll try the manual. Do folks count for a full minute or just 10 or 30 seconds?

[SpinSis]

...oops...let me clarify...I mean, I use the WetOnes to clean ME not the chain! I just realized that my post didn't clarify. Duh.

[Pedal Wench]

Easy, clip out with your left foot.

Arghh - I do, but I still get covered. They call them 'rookie marks', but I've got about 4000 miles this year, and I still get them. Did a week long tour and actually cut myself somehow, repeatedly, with my chainring. I didn't feel it happening, and felt like a klutz. I'm just resigned to having one, and thinking about getting a permanent tattoo there!

[Grog]

I was riding back home about two hours ago when I see one of my students from last year, so I slow down and stop and chit chat with him about his future plans for about 10 minutes. I had no marks before from the previous hour of hills climbing and nearly no stop lights. Then while talking I look down and I am definitely imprinting my chainring mark on my right leg. I did it repeatedly as I was talking, quite unconfortably sitting on my saddle, shifting my weight from one side of the bike to the other. Great discussion though.

I prefer to meet my students in my office, after all, then on the street with me wearing lycra, a pink polka dot sleeveless top, a helmet and dark sunglasses!!! Plus: my office chair leaves no marks.

[drplasma64]

with those silly marks.

SpinSis, in addition to wetones working great...diaper wipes (which we have LOTS of in my house!) work well too as I found out tonight. I'm going to put some in a ziploc to take on the road. Thanks for the good idea.