Double trouble: wet chain lube and spoke

padyjoe

It started as an ordinary day, out for a spin in the wet. I did my usual route but there was a metallic bang at 40k. I felt I'm in for trouble on the rear wheel. Didn't see anything. I turned around and headed home then I noticed a rear tyre started to rub the mudguard. I got off the bike and there was the culprit: one spoke snapped off the axle on the cassette side. Is it a usual thing to break a spoke after 2200 kms? I'm a big lad around 100 kgs and can apply some force to the pedals. I have factory wheels: Defy SR2 or 4. I wonder are they good enough or they're sturdier wheels out there? My main goal still is to lose weight so I'm happy with setup and I don't want spend money unless badly needed. I need to bring in my rear wheel to my LBS to get it fixed (no tool for casette removal neither knowledge of wheel building. I'd like to learn later on how to!)

Holy God the amount of road dirt and grime on the bike was enormous! I'm happy to clean my bike but here my other problem: Fenwicks wet type chain lube! It's doing my head in once it gets on my hand there's no cleaner to get rid of it completely then it all over on the chain stay and other related components and if I'm not careful gets smeared all over the frame. And it's not easy to get it off. I wonder was I wrong getting a wet lube instead of the dry type one? Or what can I do?

I'm thinking about throwing the towel in for the winter. I can stand the cold but the wetness, damp clothes and the dirt everywhere not my cup of tea. (Too much dampness in my apt. already I don't want more.) I'm not a whinger but my opportunities to dry my things are very limited.

Ah, forget about it! I was frustrated a small bit. Whatever the weather it's great to be on the bike. Do you wash your bike after every wet spin? Or when one thinks it needs a wash?

Sorry for being long and thanks for your inputs!

531

1. LBS should be able to sort the broken spoke and true the wheel.

2. It sounds like you may be applying way too much lube.

3. I have nothing to offer re damp, Irish, Winter weather!

BremoreDave

Baby wipes for cleaning ,I tried them after others mentioned it and find them great for getting grease off.
As for washing, it will depend on how mucky the bike is but I try to wash it at least once a week. I wipe the wheels and rims down after each spin just to get the bits of stone/grit out of the tyres.

crosstownk

I've a Giant Defy 4 with S-R2 wheels. I've popped a few rear spokes in less than 4,000km. I'm 69kg.

My honest opinion is that a bike like my Defy 4 is entry level and that's reflected in the wheel quality to some extent. The wheels are OK but not great and I suppose it's expected to snap a few spokes every now and then. My LBS replaced them FOC once they were happy that the rim showed no impact damage.

I subsequently ordered a pair of Campagnolo Zondas to replace the S-R2 wheels. I haven't fitted them yet but I'm hopeful that they'll perform better than the stock wheels.

Cee-Jay-Cee

1. I use dry lube all year round, just apply it regularly and clean the chain regularly. It helps if you have a KMC quick link or similar for easy removal of the chain.

2. Mudguards. I fitted Mk2 cruds earlier this year and they're only brilliant. I was out a few weeks ago in very wet conditions and remained completely dry as did most of the bike (road was very wet but it didn't rain while I was out) They do tend to get a bit clogged with road debris as they're fairly close fitting and so you get a bit of rubbing but it's minimal and doesn't create any additional resistance.

3. The bike gets washed/cleaned every few weeks but I usually hose up under the mudguards when I get home to remove any mud which dries out and cakes on the inside if left a few days.

Koobcam

For the chain lube, the best thing to do is, first make sure the chain and cassette, chainrings etc are clean. Then drip the lube on to the chain until you've covered the whole chain-try to make sure to let a drop get in each link. Then leave it for ten minutes or so and wipe the chain with a cloth. The wipe again.
For cleaning, I normally give the bike a quick rinse with a garden hose if it's been mucky out and would clean the bike once a week. Muc-off or something similar is quite handy as you can rinse the bike, apply muc-off and rinse again, then give the bike a quick wipe, all in 10-15 mins.

padyjoe

The tips and techniques are very much appreciated! Keep them coming!

As for the 'chin up' I took it as a keep on going, don't give up. I was scratching my head why it's 'not nice' as I'm not a native english speaker but looking at the last post it shed some light on it that it was related to my figure.:eek:

Believe or not that 100 kgs comes with 187 cms and I admit having a wobbly bit around my waist but the first thing I've lost was my chin when I started. My face went from round to square. All in all no offence was made!:) (Like the puns myself.)

joxerjohn

Racing wheels are generally weight rated and many can be around the 100kg max mark which could explain your broken spoke. However it may also just be down to spoke quality on your wheels as the sub 70kg man also had same problem.

I would say fix the spoke for now and see how you go but consider having a wheelset made up using Mavic Open Pro Rims with 36 spokes, these will carry you very well and should be very reliable.

Try and avoid going out in the rain but don't give up, nothing like going for a spin on a bright crisp winters day once you are suitably attired.

not yet

Just as a matter of interest, do you lads think cycling is a good way to keep the weight down...

I've been avg over 150km a week during the summer and stayed at 104kg whilst not changing my diet..

With winter here and less cycling I'm dreading next spring and being 106+.

BremoreDave

not yet wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, do you lads think cycling is a good way to keep the weight down

Not for me, but I haven't been watching my diet. My goal was not to put on weight after giving up the smokes and just get fitter ,and so far so good. Baby steps.

not yet

BremoreDave wrote: »

Not for me, but I haven't been watching my diet. My goal was not to put on weight after giving up the smokes and just get fitter ,and so far so good. Baby steps.

Good stuff, I gave them up 2 years ago and put on 8kgs, at my age it's getting harder to lose it.

Alek

I've been avg over 150km a week

It depends how hard do you ride, not how long.

Works for me this way, but I am watching calories a bit.

not yet

Alek wrote: »

It depends how hard do you ride, not how long.

Works for me this way, but I am watching calories a bit.

Suppose The fact I gave up gigs didn't help..

I did find during the summer I felt much better, just finding it harder to out this weather. Anyway next year I'll drop 10kg if it kills me.

padyjoe

not yet wrote: »

Suppose The fact I gave up gigs didn't help..

I did find during the summer I felt much better, just finding it harder to out this weather. Anyway next year I'll drop 10kg if it kills me.

What music band you played in? :-)

I'd say it's not uncommon slowing down in losing weight. I think it has to do something with the body getting used to the new conditions and hopefully the flab is turning into muscle. I too feel much better after being around 120 kgs at the heaviest. I have smaller size clothes now the ones I used to wear before are too baggy now.

I'm not watching the calories strictly but I know despite of the extra training it's not a good thing to eat much more because I've burnt more calories today. If you go for a spin try harder, climb more hill and you will notice the change. Or go and find different exercises (I swim, plan to do weights too) which you like. You must know white is sh!te so cut down on junk too. (not completely you can reward yourself with a smaller amount). The calorie deficit shouldn't be more than 500-1000 calories a day. Main thing: never give up, if you feel you've eaten too much burn it off later. (What I often do I make myself feel guilty in that way I keep telling myself I had too much.)

The wheelset was brought to my LBS should be ready by tomorrow. (Front one is ok but getting it checked out as well) To be honest I failed to get bike checked after it was bedded in (reaching 200 kms) as I'm able to service most of it except the spokes.

arybvtcw0eolkf

not yet wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest, do you lads think cycling is a good way to keep the weight down...

Yes, without a doubt.

In 2010 I broke my ankle (actually dislocated my foot completely) in a Judo training accident and I ballooned from -/+ 100kg to just under 130kg in just a few months.

I was completely out of Judo training for 18 months, and away from competition for two years.. Oh, I cycled for many years prior to this to supplement my judo training and simply because I love being on two wheels.

Last May/June I got back on the bike again, starting at 126kgs I'm down to 110kgs (I'm lean at this weight) and looking at competing again at -100 kg in 2015.

I've barely adjusted my diet (apart from cutting back on the few cans of beer at home), I've returned to competition training ~ but mostly I put the weight loss down to cycling.

CramCycle

MOD VOICE: While no one seemed to get offended, thankfully, personal abuse (unless the person is a triathlete), is not tolerated. Several posts deleted.

not yet

Caleb Spicy Lounge wrote: »

Yes, without a doubt.

In 2010 I broke my ankle (actually dislocated my foot completely) in a Judo training accident and I ballooned from -/+ 100kg to just under 130kg in just a few months.

I was completely out of Judo training for 18 months, and away from competition for two years.. Oh, I cycled for many years prior to this to supplement my judo training and simply because I love being on two wheels.

Last May/June I got back on the bike again, starting at 126kgs I'm down to 110kgs (I'm lean at this weight) and looking at competing again at -100 kg in 2015.

I've barely adjusted my diet (apart from cutting back on the few cans of beer at home), I've returned to competition training ~ but mostly I put the weight loss down to cycling.

Fair play. that's some weight loss..

I went from 90kg in my 20s (really fit) to 96-98kg in my 40s, just seems since giving up cigs 2 years ago It's harder to keep the kgs off.

As I said next year I am going to do 7500km and watch my diet.

padyjoe

I've ended up using GT85 for cleaning the chain as was mentioned before in topic related to cleaning. And rubbing my hand with that stuff then applying washing up liquid and hot water is the cure for wet lube soiled hands. I took the chain off as well it gives me easier access to the chainrings and derailleur.

arybvtcw0eolkf

not yet wrote: »

Fair play. that's some weight loss..

I went from 90kg in my 20s (really fit) to 96-98kg in my 40s, just seems since giving up cigs 2 years ago It's harder to keep the kgs off.

As I said next year I am going to do 7500km and watch my diet.

Cheers ~ thanks.

Losing weight have never been a problem for me, I've been competing in martial arts at various weight categories for years so its not unusual for me to gain and drop lots of weight.

However the older I get the easier it is to gain fat

Well done on giving up the smokes, thats got to be pretty tough.

not yet

Caleb Spicy Lounge wrote: »

Cheers ~ thanks.

Losing weight have never been a problem for me, I've been competing in martial arts at various weight categories for years so its not unusual for me to gain and drop lots of weight.

However the older I get the easier it is to gain fat

Well done on giving up the smokes, thats got to be pretty tough.

Yeah it was...

Smoked for something like 33 years and just got to the point were I felt crap every day. Felt great during the summer and was getting in 3-4 40k rides a week, even hired a bike in Lanzorote and did a few 40k there. But as said I am finding it harder to keep the weight down........

I'm am a lazy fcuker though so maybe that's the problem:)

padyjoe

Sorry for bumping but I don't want to open a new thread. Would you recommend me some better pedals? I have the stock Wellgo M085's. The axle is plastic on it, it looks flimsy too me. I think would make sense to upgrade them for more pedal power. I'm happy with the toe straps not planning to go clipless yet and wear trainers for spin. I've got a big feet size 46. Thanks!