Category Archives: Components

The Saga of the Broken Derailleur

Guest poster Don Blount has been dealing with a frustrating situation. It is never comforting to show a mechanic or an experienced cyclist a broken bike part and hear them respond: “Oh wow, I have never seen that one before.” … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Components, Maintenance

My Equipment

After four years of riding my bike, a 2008 Specialized Allez Elite Compact, it hasn’t changed, but some of the accessories have. I got to thinking on yesterday’s ride about what’s different on the bike than when I bought it. … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Accessories, Components, Equipment

Cassettes – Wide or Tight?

I met up with my biking friend John T after work today. He was excited because he made a major change on his bike: he got a new cassette. He’s excited about it because the largest cog on the cassette … Continue reading

18 Comments

Filed under Components

Backpedaling – With a New Old Crankset

I put in considerably fewer miles in January than in the last few months of 2010, mainly because the weather was so uncooperative.  But even so, I did come to one major conclusion about my bike: I have to change … Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under Components

Compact Double or Triple? You Have Alternatives

My posts comparing triple cranksets with compact doubles continue to get a lot of views on an almost daily basis.  Clearly, riders are interested in comparing the two versions to try to determine which is best for them. Now, I’ll … Continue reading

9 Comments

Filed under Components

Downgrading: A Tough Decision

I’ve written about my recent efforts to upgrade my bike.  So have my guest posters, Don Blount and Jeff Hemmel.  So after my problems Saturday, I faced a difficult decision. As you’ll recall, I broke my right shifter — the … Continue reading

13 Comments

Filed under Components

Upgrading the Bike

Guest poster Don Blount has been making improvements. I am really enjoying my new bike. At the same time I am not missing my old bike. That’s because my new bike is my old bike but improved. I did the … Continue reading

5 Comments

Filed under Components, Equipment

Triple vs. Compact Double — Again!

A distant relative has been going through the same biking metamorphosis that I went through a few years ago. He wants to get a new road bike, to replace the hybrid he’s been riding. But he’s agonizing over the purchase. … Continue reading

29 Comments

Filed under Components

It must be the wheel

A couple of weeks ago, after I groused about my warped tire, my friend David suggested I come over and borrow one of his spare wheels. He recently bought them for his five-year-old Fuji, but then he decided to upgrade … Continue reading

7 Comments

Filed under Components, Equipment

Sometimes it’s not what it seems

I showed up for the Sunday morning B ride feeling somewhat apprehensive. The rear tire on my bike had a noticeable warp. It wasn’t really a bulge, but the main tread of the tire got off center at one spot. … Continue reading

7 Comments

Filed under Components, Maintenance