Fixed again
Today was the day. The studded tires came off the Cross Check. And the Shimano Nexus 8 internally geared drivetrain was replaced with the Dingle Cog fixed gear (or fixed wheel) drivetrain.
It took me a good part of the day to change it all out. I'm the world's slowest amateur bike mechanic. But I'm getting better. I'm not breaking things anymore!
Here's the sorry state of the winter set-up. I am happy to say the Nexus 8 was the perfect set-up for me for my winter commuting needs. It gave me the gear options I was looking for to get up the snow covered hills of Duluth. And it was low maintenance with the straight chain line. I couldn't be happier with the decision to go this route. However, I decided mid-winter that I didn't want this set-up for year round commuting. So I returned to the fixed wheel for the next 6 months.I had planned to get in 50 or so miles today. By time I got out on the road I only had time for 35. It was a really good 35 with the completely silent tires and drivetrain. I don't miss the sizzling bacon (as Scott describes it) sound of the studs. It was like a different bicycle with all the changes, plus a good cleaning. It felt very good to be back to the fixed gear.
I also decided to go fatter for summer tires. I picked up a set of Schwable Marathon Plus 700 x 35 tires at Hiawatha Cyclery in February when I was down there to pick up my LHT. Past years I rode 700 x 28 Continental Ultra Gatorskins. Duluth roads are horrible with holes and cracks and uneven pavement. I thought the fatties would give me a nicer ride.
Hard to believe how easy it is to stay warm in 40 degrees with light breezes after a winter of commuting by bicycle everyday. I reveled in the sunshine and warmth.
April: 301 mi
2008: 1,952 mi
posted by Doug @ 6:29 PM
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9 Comments:
I've been dieing to know how you like the 8 speed IGH. :) How is the dingle cog with a single chain ring I would thing you would have problems with the fenders and chain length.
Oolong...I have two chain rings, a 38T and a 41T. In the picture you can't see the smaller chain ring very well, it's hidden behind the Rocket Ring on the outside. With the 17/20T dingle cog I can change gear sizes without changing the chain length.
I am a HUGE fan of the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I switched to them for a 700x28 set up. They are bullet proof and very much needed on the Chicago streets. I have yet to get a flat in them and I used to get flats weekly with gatorskins, albiet they were skinnier 700x23c.
I also like the Bontrager Race Lite triple layered or something or other...also nice and tough.
The weather is all relative isn't it? 45 is not bad at all for now. But we'll soon be pining for 60, then 70, then 70 again.
Doug - How cold does the Internal Hub work well, before you start seeing a drop-off in performance where it gets sluggish? How cold did you run it down to?
Just wondering about running mine in the winter next year - MN winter as well, but cities.
I took down to -10 a couple of times. It works,but the shifting is really sluggish at those temps. Since I have a Pugsley that is winterized, I began using that to commute when the temps got below 0 degrees. Above 20 degrees is works great. 0-20 degrees I start noticing some sluggishness in the shifting. Other than the slow shifting, it seemed to work fine. I'm guessing I put over 2,500 miles on it this winter, all cold weather miles, -10 to 40 degrees. I'm planning on using it next witer again.
Thanks for the info - Also, do you have to leave your bikes outside at work, or do you get to keep them inside. I'm just wondering if the hub was outside the whole time, or just for your commute?
Thanks again for the info
I leave it outside all day while I'm at work. I work an 8 hour day. Funny thing is the hub shifts better after it has stayed outside all day then it does in the morning when it starts warm after sitting in my 50 degree basement all night. It seems more tempermental while it cools during the morning commute.
Interesting, thank you very much for the info.
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