A Lesson in Bicycle Maintenance

peteriegelRCMBB Founder

I had what was to be a pleasurable 10 mile measurement ride entirely on flat bike paths yesterday. At mile 2 it began to feel like I was riding uphill. Something was jamming my back wheel and it wasn't the brakes dragging. I managed to slog through the final 8 miles in a lower gear and a slower speed. When I got home I found that the rear axle had broken, and everything was held together by the through-the-axle tensioning rod.

I replaced the axle, then tried to adjust the rear brakes. I then noticed that the rear brake cable was about gone - only two strands of wire left.

Bike is now in the shop getting new cables all around and a new chain. I bought the bike in 1995 and shamefully neglected it.

It should last me for a while now. Boy, that ride yesterday was awful.

Careful maintenance is the lesson here. Still, would checking the axles for stress cracks be something I could have caught? This was a new one for me.

4/25/086:19 AM

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jimgerweckMember

Pete the parts failure can only be attributable to your powerful legs, the kind which are usually only found on TdF winners like Armstrong and Indurain.

4/25/086:37 AM

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peteriegelRCMBB Founder

Could be! I had a feeling akin to 'roid rage when I finally finished that miserable ride. I'll have to cut back on those dietary supplements.

4/25/086:41 AM

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