Category Archives: Drivetrain

Giant Defy

A little taster of what’s being going on at Andy’s Bike Clinic this week. First up, a Giant Defy which had lost its drive. Not only had the chain worn, but the rear gear cable had broken in the shifter. Vexing isn’t the word. After a bit of investigation and dismantling, the cable was retrieved and binned, being replaced with a lovely Fibrax Limited item. Fibrax Limited also provided some stopping power at the rear with some of their super-sticky pads. The chain was swapped out for a KMC Chain USA 10 speed beauty and it was all topped off by an Interim Service. Full working order once more

Keep your jockey wheels clear

This is what was mangled in to the jockey wheels of the aforementioned Specialized Tricross. Nasty, nasty combination of oil, mud and road debris. This stuff eats chains, so try to keep your jockey wheels as clear of rubbish as you can (not easy at this time of year I grant you!)

Norco Valence

Only the second Norco through the doors (I think!) and this one’s a road bike! Norco’s renowned for its excellent mountain bikes, but it seems they know their way round a tarmac basher too, Fully Shimano Road 105 equipped, this is one quick bike. Unfortunately, due to a snapped rear gear cable, it wasn’t going as quickly as it should. So, a replacement Fibrax Limited inner and outer was finished which immediately improved matters. Gears adjusted correctly and the owner’s already put a couple of 100kms under its wheels.

Frog

Next up we have one of the excellent Frog bikes. A real competitor to the likes of Islabike…nice light frames with excellent componentry. This one was purchased on-line and arrived with skipping gears. Rear derailleur adjusted and cable tension amended and all gears were accessible with lightning changes.

Saracen Tufftrax

Busy week after being off for a couple of weeks convalescing. First up there’s a Saracen Tufftrax that came off second best to a chunk of rock…well, it’s rear derailleur did anyway. The gear hanger needed adjusting to bring everything back in line, and a new Shimano MTB Tourney rear derailleur fitted. Gears adjusted and it was off again.

Specialized Sirrus

Specialized Sirrus in for some ‘sirru-ious’ work. When collected, the rear derailleur was in pieces and wrapped around the rear spokes. Derailleur extricated, gear hanger gently corrected back to its original orientation, replacement gear cable and derailleur fitted and rear wheel trued and it was back to commuting duties for this one. Oh, and a new chain…always best to try and keep on top of these things if you possibly can.

Specialized Sirrus