Parts Spending. Do it wisely (Rear derailer)

I: Why do you change from 7 speeds to Deore 9 speeds groupset.
The person I met in LBS: Because it is 7 speeds!?

 
Impulsive spending
Occasionally I walked into LBS and walked out with something I didn't have intention to buy at the first place. It could be something that I never realize I need it until I saw it. It is like window shopping in ACE Hardware.  However my impulsive spending is limited to cable end, cable housing end, chain lube, shifter cable, brake cable and other consumables.


Parts upgrades
When the part deteriorated in performance or functionality, I'll go for better part replacement. Say that my RD need replacement, well at this moment I have 1 weak reason for it which is the jockey wheel becomes pointy. Since current RD is Shimano XT, better part would be XTR but exorbitant price may not allow my hands on it. So very likely I'll go for XT of the newer model.

For a start, there are 6 variants from current Shimano XT RD which make my choice become harder.  Check out the following: -

1. Top normal, Shadow, Long cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

2. Top normal, Shadow, Medium cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

3. Top normal, Long cage, Straight pull (RD-M771-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

4. Top normal, Medium cage, Straight pull (RD-M771-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

5. Low normal, Long cage, Straight pull (RD-M770-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

6. Low normal, Medium cage, Straight pull (RD-M770-GS)

source: bike.shimano.com

Top Normal - resting pulley is on top i.e. smallest cog (eg. 11T). Downshifting on the shifter requires pushing your thumb on the lever.

Low Normal - resting pulley is on low i.e. biggest cog (eg. 34T). Downshifting on the shifter is by 'release' action by your index finger

Shadow - Non-protruding RD.

Direct Routing - cable comes from top to down.  I believe this overcoming issue with Straight pull.

Straight Pull - cable comes from behind to front, thus the loop with potential to hook on something on trail.

Medium Cage - for chain capacity up to 33T. Eg. 32T/22T chainring, 11T/34T cassette = 33T

Long Cage - for chain capacity up to 45T. Eg. 44T/32T/22T chainring, 11T/34T cassette = 45T

Chain Capacity (aka Total capacity) - result of (biggest cog - smallest cog) + (biggest chainring - smallest chainring)


Decision making
Long or Medium Cage
I'm currently running 36T/22T chainring and 11T/32T cassette on my Kona Cindercone thus my chain capacity is 35T.  This means I can only use Long Cage if I were to use 36T chainring and 32T at any point of time. 
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS, RD-M771-SGS, RD-M770-SGS

Top or Low Normal
Since I'm used to Top Normal, using Low Normal requires some adjustment for my brain to register and react subconsciously.  As a matter of fact, all my bikes run Top Normal thus Top Normal would be my choice.
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS, RD-M771-SGS

Shadow
Shadow is associated with Direct Routing.  While I like the RD to be less protruding, it comes with a perk of Direct Routing, features that I believe address issue with Straight Pull.
Shortlisted: RD-M772-SGS


Verdict
Top normal, Shadow, Long cage, Direct routing (RD-M772-SGS)

source: bike.shimano.com

Cycling is expensive hobby?

Celebrating 2 years in cycling, I try to summarize my spending in cycling, for your consumption & judgment.
In the keen interest of cycling, I'm indulged and being happy about it.

How does it start
Prior July 2007, a number of time, I been approached by Jazlan to take up mountainbiking. I had a keen interest but forking RM2000 for a bike wasn't that easy at that point of time. An angel came down in a form of human and gave me RM2,500 soft loan for a kick start.

Initial "investment"
I bought myself Scott Scale 70 for RM2.3k from BikePro (thanks to Big Mac for his time and consultancy). Immediately I went to KHS for a Limar 911 helmet at RM280, the only helmet that fits my big head at that point of time. The list go on an on. Glove, bladder, allenkey toolset, spare tube, shoes, cycling jersey, lycra pants, and more tools. After spending a total of RM3k, I may become insane keeping the record of my spending list.

More spending
Soon enough, I endo during first night ride in RRI, bent my saddle (body injury will recover, parts injury won't). So I replaced with Velo Carbon (new, RM120).
Weekend ride dosage seems insufficient, bought blinker and light in order to ride at nite.
Cassette and chain worn, replaced.
Straight handlebar caused numb wrist, replaced.
Running shoe double as cycling shoe caused slippery pedal grip, bought HiTech trail shoe (new, RM240).

Even more spending
V-Brake failed on me, bought Avid BB7 (new, RM350).
Joined the clipless bandwagon, bought SPD pedal and shoe (used, RM250).
SPD design flaw caused numerous stupid falls, changed to Crank Brothers pedal (used, RM100).
Another clipless shoe, Shimano MT41 (new, RM240).
Bought Spesh frame from Big Mac to inflict others in the family (used, RM250).
Bought bundle parts from Jazlan to assemble Spesh (used, RM100).

Recent years..
Before I blow a candle celebrating 2 years in cycling this August, I have 2 full fledged MTB for trail ride, and 2 rigid fork MTB with slick tires for tarmac ride. Now, contemplating to sell off my Spesh for my bed space. Obviously, I need space to sleep.
Proper sleep prior to next morning rides is important!

First and forth wives live happily ever after.

p.s:

• Angel, knowing your preferences to be below the radar, I shall not mention your name you here but you know who you are.
• LHDN, I had received your additional deduction to my salary. Nothing left here, move on!
• Thief, you took my son's BMX, please return it to him. He's not tall enough for my MTB. Thank you in advance.
• Potential thief, you may be electrocuted if you try something nasty. BTW, alloy is a good conductor.

How did I replaced front hub cartridge bearing?

Where did I get this spoilt hub?
I bought front wheelset from Mr Beskal for a darn cheap price. He warned me that the hub need replacement and I may just end up able to make use of the rim and spokes only. Truth been told, the right side cartridge bearing has some freeplay.

How did I reached "the point of no return"?
I did some reading on the Net to get some idea on how to remove the bearing on this particular WTB Momentum front hub but to no avail. I asked my bike repair guru (Uncle ABC), LBS’s owner of Advance Bicycle Centre in Sri Damansara for some tips, he mentioned that some type can, some can’t be removed. Fair enough, I grabbed plastic mallet on my way home and decided to give a try. After all, I can’t do more harm to a spoilt bearing. If I failed to remove it, get a new hub. Fail or succeed, I’ll learn something. Either learns on how to do it the right way or how to mess it up.

The SOP
Here's the pictorial SOP for my own reference in future.

Step 1

The “OK” side of the hub


Step 2

The ”spoilt“ part of the hub. Notice that rusty sludge? Loosen the nut, hammer tap the spindle with plastic mallet.


Step 3

Bearing on the other side of the hub poked out.


Step 4

Pull the spindle all the way out.


Step 5

The hub anatomy minus the hub body and skewer.


Step 6

Use vernier scale to get the measurement of Outer Diameter (O.D), 26mm.


Step 7

Inner Diameter (I.D), 10mm.


Step 8

Thickness, 8mm.

Step 9

Vital stats for part hunting.

Step 10
At this stage, I need to check if this bearing readily available on the Net. If it is, high chance I can get it from an outlet at Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur.

Keyword search in Google.com .......
cartridge bearing 10 26 8

And here you are!!

Cartridge bearing of this particular dimension is also known as 6000 in it's industrial code.

Where did I found this 6000 cartridge bearing?
I was traversing Jalan Ipoh for SKF and before I stepped into their office, I was courteously stopped by a staff offering helps. According to him, SKF office do not keep stock and he asked me to try the shop next door, Brighton Bearing (M) Sdn Bhd (check out the location on Google Maps here).

The hunt is over :)


A relieving sight of solution

A nice uncle attended me with my Q&A. After exchanging friendly conversation with that nice uncle, I left the shop with a pair of 6000 cartridge bearing.


RM8 per piece.


The old bearing on the left. New NSK bearing on the right side.


The SOP (resume)
Step 11

Tighten the nut to press the bearing into the spindle (not shown here).
To insert the outer bearing into the body hub, I put spoke wrench on the bearing and tap with rubber mallet to give an even pressure.

Step 12

Slip in the "water jacket" until it snap into the groove.

Step 13 (optional)

Truing the wheelset for a perfect roundness

Kedai-kedai basikal di Lembah Klang

Senarai kedai basikal di Lembah Klang (akan dikemaskini dari masa ke semasa), klik sini untuk semua: -

1. Kedai Samy
Pemilik: Mega
Telefon: 019-3539007, 03-61862653
Apa yang istimewa disini: Parts ranging mid to slightly below top range at reasonable price.
Apa yang aku beli kat sini: 661 Mullet, tube, Avid BB7, Avid Speed Dial 7, Shimano LX shifter, alloy handlebar, dirt cheap handlegrip
Lokasi: Batu Caves
Peta:

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2. Bicycle World
Pemilik: Nathan
Telefon: 019-2112002, 03-41066749
Apa yang istimewa disini: Cannondale's dealer, excellent workmanship
Apa yang aku beli kat sini: tube, wheel truing, grease (with gun)
Lokasi: Taman Melawati
Peta:

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3. Advance Bicycle Centre
Pemilik: Uncle ABC
Telefon: 016-2702691, 03-62724691
Apa yang istimewa disini: Low to mid range parts on bargain, all year round.
Apa yang aku beli kat sini: Continental Explorer, Truvativ stem, Shogun's frame, alloy handlebar
Lokasi: Sri Damansara
Peta:

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