Waking up to SRAM news is always a good way to start the day in my book. As of today, February 1st, SRAM has announced details for their new Red group. Along with redesigned function comes new aesthetics and a number of new features which promise to make the 2012 incarnation of Red one of the best mechanical groups on the market.
A few posts on various forums have popped up recently about the poor design of the Garmin GSC-10 speed/cadence sensor. One of the issues that people have been having is the method of attachment for the sensor itself, and some have had problems with sensors falling into the spokes and being destroyed. There must be some way to prevent this, right?
Garmin's method of attachment is a pair of simple zip ties. The sensor is (supposedly) prevented from rotating around by a small rubberized strip on the bottom of the sensor itself. While this typically works just fine, if the zip ties are not snugged down as tight as they can get or if you have chainstays that are oddly shaped, there may not be enough friction to keep it from rattling loose (especially on rough or unpaved roads.) While some people have rectified the problem by drilling small pilot holes in the chainstays and the bottom of the sensor case and screwing the sensor to the chainstay. For those of you who aren't in the business of taking a drill to your multi-thousand dollar frame there's a simple solution that costs nothing more than a few scraps of old bartape.
By simply strapping a couple scraps of bartape to the chainstay under the zip ties, the zip ties can be tightened up enough to keep the sensor from moving around. Not only does the bar tape prevent the ties from slipping, they also compress and provide extra pressure on the zip ties, ensuring they stay tight. This will allow the sensor to be positioned more precisely, prevent the speed sensor arm from being ripped off by the spokes and prevent the entire unit from rattling loose and falling into the spinning spokes.
Who ever though something so simple could be so effective (and get scraps out of the garage.)
[dc]P[/dc]art of the problem with the winter/off season is that most cyclists suffer from withdrawal. There's a dearth of riding outside in the fresh air, sunshine is distinctly lacking, our well earned tan lines are fading, people are missing their mid-ride social stops with their buddies and miles are generally of the long, steady distance and are performed on a trainer. While some take to the sofa to put on their winter weight (much like a hibernating bear,) some take to online forums to discuss the latest news and gadgetry and some hit the slopes or the gym to get their endorphin fix, you CAN spend time with your bike and not hate it. This time spent can be of the intimate type (get your mind out of the gutter) that will let you appreciate your bike more when the time comes to climb back on and shed those accumulated winter pounds.
Even the most well tuned and perfectly aligned derailleurs can drop a chain every now and then. Rough roads, poor shifting technique and just freak occurrences can lead to chains dropping off the inside chainring. This circumstance is annoying in the least, delaying your ride and forcing you to mount the chain back on the drivetrain. At worst, the chain may damage the bottom bracket when it comes off, or become jammed into the drivetrain (ask Andy Schleck about jammed chain woes.) Preventing dropped chains is as simple as installing a chain catcher (sometimes called a chain watcher) on the front derailleur braze on clamp. This simple little part will help to prevent chain drops in even the nastiest road conditions; in fact, they are so effective that the vast majority of ProTeam racers use them in the spring classics. If it's good enough for the pro peloton, it's certainly good enough for me.
Since the Hudson Valley has been in the midst of a mid-February thaw, that means that all of us who have been stuck on trainers for the majority of the winter have been scrambling to put in as much time on the open roads as possible. Frankly, I'm shocked that I've been able to do all of my weekly rides outside (hills make MUCH more entertaining intervals than watching them on a DVD.)
The best part of the melting snow is the salt being washed off the roads, which means that the road bike is free to roam asphalt again. But of course, there's always the downside of riding during the thaw: cinders, mud, gravel and a lot of water running across the roads. Of course, since mounting fenders on a racing bike is flat out sacrilege, this means that crap will be flung all over your bike. That's where Pedros Green Fizz stepped in and saved the day.
Click through the jump to catch my review of the fizzy green wonder and get a link to buy it yourself:
