• Front derailleur issues

    From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to All on Mon Apr 14 19:53:19 2025
    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The
    Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to Catrike Ryder on Mon Apr 14 20:11:59 2025
    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.
    --
    Andrew Muzi
    am@yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Tue Apr 15 04:18:42 2025
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The
    Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed
    modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path
    It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to Frank Krygowski on Tue Apr 15 07:42:02 2025
    On 4/14/2025 10:15 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
    On 4/14/2025 9:11 PM, AMuzi wrote:

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a
    simple journal, often steel on steel, which will show a
    bright red dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and
    some are ceramic sleeves.  All of them run better, quieter
    and longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and
    oil it.

    After one muddy tour I had a squealing idler pulley. I took
    the ball bearing idler out of the ancient Huret Svelto
    derailleur in my parts box and used it as a substitute.
    IIRC, that's still working well on the bike.

    I do have some sealed bearing idlers in a drawer somewhere.



    +1 to vintage ball bearing rollers. The ones on my Svelto
    are still running fine with minimal occasional attention
    over many many years.

    That said, they're rare now, haven't been made in 50 years.

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    am@yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to Catrike Ryder on Tue Apr 15 07:44:11 2025
    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The
    Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed
    modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path
    It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    am@yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Tue Apr 15 09:35:51 2025
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return >>>> the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The >>>> Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed
    modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path
    It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of
    the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to Soloman@old.bikers.org on Tue Apr 15 12:52:29 2025
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift
    deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts >>>>> up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return >>>>> the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install >>>>> the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though >>>>> it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's
    just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The >>>>> Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed >>>>> modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path
    It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of
    the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing
    I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Merriman@21:1/5 to Frank Krygowski on Tue Apr 15 20:18:51 2025
    Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
    On 4/14/2025 9:11 PM, AMuzi wrote:

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple journal,
    often steel on steel, which will show a bright red dust if it's been run
    dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some are ceramic
    sleeves.  All of them run better, quieter and longer with some oil on
    the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are seldom noisy and
    run a very long time with factory grease under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    After one muddy tour I had a squealing idler pulley. I took the ball
    bearing idler out of the ancient Huret Svelto derailleur in my parts box
    and used it as a substitute. IIRC, that's still working well on the bike.

    I do have some sealed bearing idlers in a drawer somewhere.


    I’d suggest folks ride in cleaner and dryer environments! I not only get Jockey wheels that wear down ie teeth loose their edges, but also the
    bearing or possibly bushes do get to the point that they get sticky, can
    lube them and so on, which keeps them going a touch longer but it’s fairly futile effort really as well essentially it’s shot, and will keep on squeaking/starting to jam.

    Not every year but every other or so.

    Is only the MTB/Gravel bike, the commuter bikes i can’t remember changing them though both have new rear mech’s one is new ish bike the other had
    Cues drive chain last year or so.

    Roger Merriman

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  • From Radey Shouman@21:1/5 to Frank Krygowski on Tue Apr 15 17:18:10 2025
    Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> writes:

    On 4/14/2025 9:11 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red dust if
    it's been run dry.
    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some are
    ceramic sleeves.  All of them run better, quieter and longer with
    some oil on the sleeve.
    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are seldom noisy
    and run a very long time with factory grease under the seals.
    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    After one muddy tour I had a squealing idler pulley. I took the ball
    bearing idler out of the ancient Huret Svelto derailleur in my parts
    box and used it as a substitute. IIRC, that's still working well on
    the bike.

    I do have some sealed bearing idlers in a drawer somewhere.

    I have had one of the sealed bearing jobs fail suddenly in a walk home
    sort of way. It had been exposed to several seasons of road salt.

    I prefer squealing to failing.
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to Soloman@old.bikers.org on Wed Apr 16 13:02:21 2025
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:52:29 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>
    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift >>>>>> deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts >>>>>> up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return >>>>>> the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install >>>>>> the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though >>>>>> it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's >>>>>> just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The >>>>>> Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed >>>>>> modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path
    It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of
    the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing
    I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    The new Microshift 50/39/30 front derailleur came in this morning and
    it took me 45 minutes to change them out and get the new one dialed
    in. I know the guys who do that regularly could have done it in half
    the time, but that I had no trouble was good for my ego after all the
    problems I had getting the old 53/39/30 derailleur to work.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to Catrike Ryder on Wed Apr 16 12:32:45 2025
    On 4/16/2025 12:02 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:52:29 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>>
    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift >>>>>>> deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts >>>>>>> up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return >>>>>>> the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install >>>>>>> the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though >>>>>>> it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's >>>>>>> just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The >>>>>>> Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed >>>>>>> modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path >>>>> It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms,
    and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be
    wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today. >>>>>
    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of
    the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing
    I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    The new Microshift 50/39/30 front derailleur came in this morning and
    it took me 45 minutes to change them out and get the new one dialed
    in. I know the guys who do that regularly could have done it in half
    the time, but that I had no trouble was good for my ego after all the problems I had getting the old 53/39/30 derailleur to work.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Yes, faster usually, but we cheat.

    We move work so it's between elbow and shoulder, in a good
    light, and we can work from either side. Recumbents just
    take more time.

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    am@yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Wed Apr 16 13:45:59 2025
    On Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:32:45 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

    On 4/16/2025 12:02 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:52:29 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>
    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>>>
    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift >>>>>>>> deraileur, I rode today without touching it. It performed all shifts >>>>>>>> up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to return >>>>>>>> the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and install >>>>>>>> the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even though >>>>>>>> it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's >>>>>>>> just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are shot. The >>>>>>>> Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my proposed >>>>>>>> modifications. The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves. All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path >>>>>> It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms, >>>>>> and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be >>>>>> wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today. >>>>>>
    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well. And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of >>>> the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing
    I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    The new Microshift 50/39/30 front derailleur came in this morning and
    it took me 45 minutes to change them out and get the new one dialed
    in. I know the guys who do that regularly could have done it in half
    the time, but that I had no trouble was good for my ego after all the
    problems I had getting the old 53/39/30 derailleur to work.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Yes, faster usually, but we cheat.

    We move work so it's between elbow and shoulder, in a good
    light, and we can work from either side. Recumbents just
    take more time.

    I moved the Catrike & workstand out into the sunlight so I had good
    light, and with the bottom bracket sticking way out in front, swapping
    sides was very easy. No, it was my inexperience that made it take so
    long.

    The last few parts for my workstand modifications will get here
    Friday, so that's another project. I'm going to put it on locking
    castor wheels and make it height variable.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mark J cleary@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Wed Apr 16 15:34:04 2025
    On 4/16/2025 12:32 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/16/2025 12:02 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:52:29 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>
    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
    wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift >>>>>>>> deraileur, I rode today without touching it.  It performed all >>>>>>>> shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to >>>>>>>> return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and
    install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even >>>>>>>> though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's >>>>>>>> just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are
    shot. The
    Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my
    proposed
    modifications.  The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves.  All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it.

    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path >>>>>> It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms, >>>>>> and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be >>>>>> wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today. >>>>>>
    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well.  And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products.

    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many
    years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of >>>> the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from
    what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be
    loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing
    I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    The new Microshift 50/39/30 front derailleur came in this morning and
    it took me 45 minutes to change them out and get the new one dialed
    in. I know the guys who do that regularly could have done it in half
    the time, but that I had no trouble was good for my ego after all the
    problems I had getting the old 53/39/30 derailleur to work.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Yes, faster usually, but we cheat.

    We move work so it's between elbow and shoulder, in a good light, and we
    can work from either side.  Recumbents just take more time.


    I always say the I am a competent bike mechanic and in time can do just
    about everything I need to do. I don't make frames or components but
    otherwise can do most anything. What separates me from the shop mechanic
    is that I am not so fast. If I have not done the job in a while it is
    going to take me longer and in general I take longer. The main thing is
    to be self-sufficient if you can. Although the local shop wanted to hire
    me because I could build and true wheels that at the time needed that
    skill. I think only the head guy could do it. Those catrikes would be
    hard to move around and deal with I would think.

    --
    Deacon Mark

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to mcleary08@comcast.net on Wed Apr 16 17:32:09 2025
    On Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:34:04 -0500, Mark J cleary
    <mcleary08@comcast.net> wrote:

    On 4/16/2025 12:32 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/16/2025 12:02 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:52:29 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:35:51 -0400, Catrike Ryder
    <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

    On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:44:11 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >>>>>
    On 4/15/2025 3:18 AM, Catrike Ryder wrote:
    On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:11:59 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
    wrote:

    On 4/14/2025 6:53 PM, Catrike Ryder wrote:

    After several rides where I stopped to fine tune my old Microshift >>>>>>>>> deraileur, I rode today without touching it.  It performed all >>>>>>>>> shifts
    up and down quietly with no problems.

    "So, my wife asked when I relayed that to her, are you going to >>>>>>>>> return
    the new one that's due here tomorrow?"

    "Of course not," I answered. "I will rip the old one off and >>>>>>>>> install
    the new one that's designed for a big ring of 50 teeth."

    The old one sits way to high above the 50 tooth ring, and even >>>>>>>>> though
    it's never overshifted the chain off the outside in my tests, it's >>>>>>>>> just wrong.....

    I also have an idler making noise. I think it's bearings are >>>>>>>>> shot. The
    Catrike will go back on the repair stand tomorrow without my >>>>>>>>> proposed
    modifications.  The parts for that are not here yet.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Most common roller noise is a dry sleeve. It's just a simple
    journal, often steel on steel, which will show a bright red
    dust if it's been run dry.

    Better designs are steel on bronze or oilite bronze and some
    are ceramic sleeves.  All of them run better, quieter and
    longer with some oil on the sleeve.

    There are miniature cartridge bearing models which are
    seldom noisy and run a very long time with factory grease
    under the seals.

    Replacement is seldom necessary. Clean out the crud and oil it. >>>>>>>
    THis idler is very old. It's one without teeth and on the return path >>>>>>> It used to be mounted between the bottom bracket and the crossarms, >>>>>>> and now it's the first one from the rear deraileur. It seems to be >>>>>>> wobbling on it's mount, so I suspect it's shot. I'll check it today. >>>>>>>
    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Ah, a mounted chain idler, not on a derailleur.
    Some low end models are steel on nylon and those don't last
    well.  And yes, if it's flopping side to side just replace it.

    I get them from TerraCycle
    https://t-cycle.com/products/sport-return-idler
    ...and they are very high quality. FWIW, I recommend their products. >>>>>
    I replaced the bearings on the original toothed drive side idler many >>>>> years ago, and it survived to where I finally retired it with the
    teeth worn down to sharp little points. Somewhere I've got a packet of >>>>> the bearings and if it looks like I can replace it, I will, but from >>>>> what I saw when I stopped to check on it, the bearing appeared to be >>>>> loose and the idler body is flopping around on it.

    Simple fix. I disassembled the idler and found the side of the bearing >>>> I couldn't see all rusty and coming apart. I found the one remaining
    bearing in my stash and put it in. Now it works fine. I guess I'd
    replaced more than the one I mentioned, or else I lost some of them.

    FWIW, the bearings are skateboard bearings. I ordered some more..

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L8795LS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    The new Microshift 50/39/30 front derailleur came in this morning and
    it took me 45 minutes to change them out and get the new one dialed
    in. I know the guys who do that regularly could have done it in half
    the time, but that I had no trouble was good for my ego after all the
    problems I had getting the old 53/39/30 derailleur to work.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    Yes, faster usually, but we cheat.

    We move work so it's between elbow and shoulder, in a good light, and we
    can work from either side.  Recumbents just take more time.


    I always say the I am a competent bike mechanic and in time can do just
    about everything I need to do. I don't make frames or components but >otherwise can do most anything. What separates me from the shop mechanic
    is that I am not so fast. If I have not done the job in a while it is
    going to take me longer and in general I take longer. The main thing is
    to be self-sufficient if you can. Although the local shop wanted to hire
    me because I could build and true wheels that at the time needed that
    skill. I think only the head guy could do it. Those catrikes would be
    hard to move around and deal with I would think.

    Some bike shops are a great place to get parts, but the only one near
    me is mostly about selling bikes, not supplying parts or working on
    them. Ordering parts takes twice as long as if I order them on line
    and they have to search through their sources to find if they can get
    what I want, and sometimes they can't.

    I'd no sooner drop my bike off there for maintenance than I'd take my
    laundry to them.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)