Stuff you learn(t) the hard way by being your own mechanic

[The Ouzo]

3 minutes ago, thebob said:

If it ain't broken, don't fix it!

I still struggle with that one.

most of us do

[MrJacques]

43 minutes ago, TheoG said:

Not so much something I learnt, but rather something I want to learn .... 

I ordered a replacement Garbaruk cage for my Sram GX AXS derailleur and is looking for an instructional video to remove and replace the cage with the new one.

So far my searches on the inter web turned out nada .... .

Can any one please point me in the right direction?

Not AXS specific, I think, but might help:

Installing Garbaruk RD cage on SRAM rear mech | Garbaruk Online Store

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by MrJacques

[TheoG]

Just now, MrJacques said:

Installing Garbaruk RD cage on SRAM rear mech | Garbaruk Online Store

 

 

Thanks, I saw that.  Its for the Force (RD) so not sure its exactly the same as for the GX AXS?

[droo]

24 minutes ago, TheoG said:

Thanks, I saw that.  Its for the Force (RD) so not sure its exactly the same as for the GX AXS?

Same for most RDs really. Remove the stop, release spring tension, remove fixing bolt, remove cage. Installation is the same in reverse.

[M L]

On 8/23/2022 at 9:51 AM, thebob said:

A positive story from my side. My GX Eagle derailleur clutch went pap. Looked all over the web and confirmed the clutch cannot be serviced or repaired, which is pretty piss poor IMO. So I took the plunge and ordered up an SLX rear derailleur. Fitted everything up on Friday afternoon, got the limit screws set, b-tension and cable tension without much fuss. GX Eagle shifter, GX Eagle cassette (10-52) and an X01 chain which should not work, if the people from the brands are to believed. Turns out everything works smoothAF. First ride on the Saturday and I am back to riding a stealthy bike with no chainslap and lovely smooth shifts!

Running almost exactly the same setup. Works very lekker 👍.

Edited March 16, 2023 by M L

[MrJacques]

Shimano and SRAM used to have different pull ratios, but I think they are now the same / similar enough for 12x that you can mix and match like that without issues.

[MrJacques]

Stuff I knew, but didn't really do:

Get a decent chain checker (e.g. Parktool cc-4) or accurate ruler and keep an eye on your chain wear and replace the chain before it's too far gone or the cassette and chainring(s) will probably be as well.

Use a decent chain lube on a clean chain. A more expensive chain apparently also lasts longer and could cost less in the long run.

 

 

Edited March 23, 2023 by MrJacques

[AkwA]

3 minutes ago, MrJacques said:

Stuff I knew, but didn't really do:

Get a decent chain checker (e.g. Parktool cc-4) or accurate ruler and keep an eye on your chain wear and replace the chain before it's too far gone or the cassette and chainring(s) will probably be as well.

Use a decent chain lube on a clean chain. A more expensive chain apparently also lasts longer and could cost less in the long run.

 

 

Also not worth running light chains like the KMC SL, I pretty much only run chains designed for ebikes, last much longer

[ChrisF]

Just now, AkwA said:

Also not worth running light chains like the KMC SL, I pretty much only run chains designed for ebikes, last much longer

 

Worth adding KMC has a very decent e-bike specific chain in their line-up.

 

Actually still short supply on 11-speed ebike chains.  And more often than not, only the 116 link, i.e. too short ....

[MrJacques]

21 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Worth adding KMC has a very decent e-bike specific chain in their line-up.

 

Actually still short supply on 11-speed ebike chains.  And more often than not, only the 116 link, i.e. too short ....

I was looking at their normal X12 chain and I see the X12E version is twice the price. I wonder if it would last more than twice as long on a normal bike?

[ChrisF]

19 minutes ago, MrJacques said:

I was looking at their normal X12 chain and I see the X12E version is twice the price. I wonder if it would last more than twice as long on a normal bike?

 

Close on 5 000 km now on the ebike, and still under 0,5 wear.

 

About 4 000 km on the roadie, and still no wear to measure.

 

 

PS - using the KMC 11 speed ebike chain an 11 speed setup. 

Edited March 23, 2023 by ChrisF

[The Ouzo]

15 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

 

About 4 000 km on the roadie, and still no wear to measure.

 

My view (and i could always be wrong), is that a chain is cheap item to replace compared to the rest of the drive train. As long as its not badly designed and causing more wear than it should, then buy a cheap chain and replace often. Sacrifice the chain rather than the rest of the drivetrain.

My current KMC X11 has done 3 874km, and according to my IceToolz chain wear tool it is showing no signs of wear.

[mazambaan]

Ok, something new to me. I have been riding in mud and long grass a lot recently and decided to clean out the Giant ebike belly pan; a flimsy bit of ill fitting plastic holding a rat nest of randomly coiled wires and held on with allen screws usually seen in a cheap watch. One of these toy screws is behind the chain ring so this has to come off to access the screw 👿.  But all good, cleaned out and replaced with limited cussing although the countersunk little allen screws have cracked the paper thin retaining tabs (not me but some other ham fister). Holding though.

Then replace the chain ring but find that it's easier to remove the chain guide upper and outer plastic cover to get the ring in place then Loctite on the retainers and torque to 10Nm.

Proceeding, try and put the chain guide outer back only to find that there is a loose nut behind it and, luckily, this has only slipped down in the groove not departed to the cobwebs under the work bench. But getting it back proved a bastid as it had to be fished up with a pick then there isn't space to hold it in place, I ain't taking the chain ring off again so have to rely on serious cussing plus a small screwdriver and Presstick. Finally got done, breath sigh of relief and try to remember for next time. Bastid thing.

 

[Steady Spin]

Not all chain checkers are the same..

CC2 vs CC3.2 vs CC4

[dasilvarsa]

38 minutes ago, Steady Spin said:

Not all chain checkers are the same..

CC2 vs CC3.2 vs CC4

Gives a good average.

Edited March 25, 2023 by dasilvarsa

[The Ouzo]

When looking for parts, make sure you reach out to the correct manufacturer.

 

The padding in my helmet is starting to come apart in a few places, I thought I'd start investigating replacement costs for the padding.

Jumped onto the Livall website, could not see padding listed so popped them a message.

One of the representatives contacted me via whatsapp, asked for pictures of my helmet, all I had was a picture of the model number which I sent him.

He responds with " I dont recognise that model, are you sure its a Livall, or a Limar".

Ooooppsss. I contacted the wrong manufacturer, dont know why my brain was telling me its a Livall.

But I must commend him, even after I apologised for the mistake, he still offered to assist in finding suitable replacement pads should I not come right with Limar.