The Gearie: A kind word

[wooglin-at-home]

My other ride is a Sugar 2. By any measurable standard, its a far better bike than my SS, and yet it sees little use. I last rode it in early August, and before that in June. But now the SS is on the injured reserve while I await a new drive train.

So tonight I rode the gearie. It was everything I expected. And dreaded. It was creaky -- in need of new bushings or a new BB perhaps -- and clanky when the chain slapped the stays. And the cockpit was just as cluttered as I remembered. But there was one thing I didn't remember, and it made the ride as memorable as I could ask for despite the cacophony and all too familiar trails. The gearie has a big ring, and there's something to be said for that. Even a lot. Grabbing a big gear, getting on top of it and really putting the hammer down has a grin factor all its own.

I think the gearie needs to get out more.

[una-velocidad]

I think you wasted your money on the Sugar. But that's just me.

[wooglin-at-home]

Originally posted by una-velocidad
I think you wasted your money on the Sugar. But that's just me.

:)

Could be. Live and learn. Nice bike though.

[riderx]

Originally posted by wooglin-at-home
By any measurable standard, its a far better bike than my SS, and yet it sees little use. Yes, I know what you mean. My gearie is an Ibis Mojo w/ a Zoke, but it collects dust. I was forced to ride it a couple of weeks ago when I discovered a cracked crank on the Surly. Darkness was right around the corner and it was ride the Ibis or don't ride that night. Gears, squishy fork, ugh... Came home and promptly cannabilized the crank and put the Surly back in action. Prior to that, the last time the Ibis was ridden was in April, before that in November when I blew up a rear wheel on the Surly. I've put 1600 trail miles on the Surly in less than 10 months, maybe 100 on the Ibis in the same time. She's a beautiful bike, but it's not the same kind of ride.

[JerseyDevil]

Yes, children...

....come to the dark side....

[wooglin-at-home]

Originally posted by JerseyDevil
Yes, children...

....come to the dark side....

Got beer?

[JerseyDevil]

No, but we have candy!

[riderx]

Originally posted by wooglin-at-home
Got beer? Single Speeders always have beer (unless we drank it all!)

[wooglin]

Originally posted by riderx
Single Speeders always have beer (unless we drank it all!)

Yes. It was a test. JD failed miserably. The shame.... :p

[wooglin-at-home]

I take it all back. The SS is up and running and the Sugar is again relegated to gathering dust. I think it'll make a nice clothes rack.

[riderx]

Originally posted by wooglin-at-home
I take it all back. The SS is up and runningIt's about time!

[jake]

Wooglin , what type of drive train did you go with and what kind of frame do you have?

[wooglin]

It is about time. Jake, its a '91 Stumpy frame. DT is an 18t DX cog joined to a 36t unramped Vuelta ring (reversed for better chainline) with a PC-1 chain. Thirty somthing bucks plus shipping from Harris Cyclery; who can argue with that?

A pic. Yes, I've since centered my ring to take up the chain slack...

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/mtbr/gallery/pictures/ss6a.jpg

[jake]

Wooglin - very nice - looks like fairly good chain tension. You'll probably get more life out of the DT with less chain tension anyway.

My latest DT rebuild, I went with a new 18t shimano freewheel on my Paul word hub and ordered a Spot Brand 34 ring - that ring is extremely hardened steel and guaranteed to last for quite some time.

I can't wait to get back out on the trail - I've been out of the saddle for quite some time due to some health issues -

Hope you are getting some trail time -

Jake

[wooglin]

Originally posted by jake


My latest DT rebuild, I went with a new 18t shimano freewheel on my Paul word hub and ordered a Spot Brand 34 ring - that ring is extremely hardened steel and guaranteed to last for quite some time.

Excellent. See, I'm a cheap bastard....

Now heal up and get back in the saddle!

[jake]

I like cheap bastards..... will take your advise and get my butt back in the saddle asap. Thanks for the encouragement.