akmal's digital depository of his cycling adventure | on road and offroad, on and off the saddle.
akmal's bike park
Friday 30 July 2010
Smashed
Monday 26 July 2010
One More Parking Space
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Climbing Tips
Monday 19 July 2010
18.07.2010 - Batu Pahat Berani Ride
Bike Lanes
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Northern Connection
He's residing in Changlun, and having missed a couple of months of riding due to bad drivetrain on his Avanti, nowadays he brings along his bike in the car every day for a daily night ride opportunity. That's the same Gjoe who gave me the best bike-related present so far (hint hint).
Monday 12 July 2010
11.07.2010 - Seri Alam Offroad
Thursday 8 July 2010
RTW 08.07.2010 - relaxed, and a bit shorter
Out from home | 0706 | hours |
Arrive office | 0745 | hours |
Door-to-door | 39 | mins |
Ride time | 35'51" | |
Distance | 11.94 | km |
Ave. speed | 19.9 | km/h |
Max speed | 37.0 | km/h |
Odometer | 4514.7 | km |
Good doggies | 3 | |
Mode | knobbies | , mask |
Tuesday 6 July 2010
RTW 06.07.2010 - mental bliss
Out from home | 0702 | hours |
Arrive office | 0744 | hours |
Door-to-door | 42 | mins |
Ride time | 32'34" | |
Distance | 12.55 | km |
Ave. speed | 18.9 | km/h |
Max speed | 33.5 | km/h |
Odometer | 4487.8 | km |
Good doggies | 5 | |
Mode | knobbies | , masked |
Friday 2 July 2010
Chainsuck Sucks
This diagram by Jonathan Levy summarises chainsuck. Read the whole article to understand fully.
Here's my quest for answers:
What actually is chainsuck; what causes it?
What's the effect on the drivetrain (and my pocket?)
How to cure it, and how to avoid it?
Apparently, his article is being referred to (and some are republished therein) in other links.
The in-depth explanation about chainsuck by Mr. Levy would be a comprehensive read for us to understand all we need to know about chainsuck. It is rather long and refers to a lot of links (necessary to explain relevant terms and mechanisms), but go slow with it and you'll get through at the end of it with "Owhh... so that's why...".
Go here for a much shorter article (with photos!).
Mind you, Mr. Levy's article covers all aspects pertaining to chainsuck. So, have a go about it before you suffer any chainsuck at all.
So, what do I understand about chainsuck?
Well, it's not caused by chain wear, rather by the chainring wear. Inche Panjang was correct, in our short discussion yesterday evening. In my case it's the granny ring, which, as pointed out by Levy, is the usual suspect.
You may experience chainsuck even if the chain is new.
The chainsuck occurs with the presence of mud and grit which adds friction to the chainring – chain interface. Well, there were copious mud and grit during the bash last Sunday, effectively stripping off the lube on my chain.
The mechanism of chainsuck, in the words of Mr. Levy:
When Tooth-Wear, and Low-Stretch (New) Chains, and High Friction (eg Mud) are present in various combinations, they cause the chain-ring's bottom teeth to be loaded or overloaded, and also resist disengagement of the chain. The chain does not have enough weight to disengage itself from the bottom teeth of the chain-ring in these circumstances, nor can the rear-derailleur spring provide enough tension after the chain starts being dragged up. The links are carried around and up the rear of the chain-ring under continuing load ...the chain sucks !!
The cure?
A cheap remedy would be to file the tooth profile of the ring so that the 'hook' is removed thus making the chain disengaged from the ring when it goes past the bottom point.
Or, the granny ring can be reversed as it is usually symmetrical and flat (without ramps and pins for shifting).
The better remedy (of course) is to get a replacement ring, and it is recommended to change your chain when you do so.