My Very First Recumbent is a V20

[Frito Bandito]

I agree with you Benphyr. Dry chains have very little chance for dirt to do any damage. On a microscopic level dirt could get inside, but since it is dry it will fall out more quickly than if the inside had any kind of wet lube in it. As you wrote, I am very meticulous with wiping down the chain often so that is the main reason I get so much life out of a chain. Riding in mostly dry conditions helps too. I simply don't have the space for the various parts needed for waxing, and I am much lazier now even though waxing has been proven to save a few watts over even the best wet lubes. Once the SO gets rid of some of her stuff and I have 2 or 3 chains to swap out then I will give it a try.

I compared the 2 wheels today and found that the chain is skipping off the Campagnolo end cap. I put the offending wheel on my T1 and the Campagnolo chain was even skipping off the cap when in the tallest gear. It might even be a fake one since I bought it used at a bike shop.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Maybe the V20 is easier on chains? I have not replaced mine on the V20 yet at just over 5000kms, but I was planning to shortly. I think it was reading 0.5% when I checked it about 1000kms a go. I normally like to replace before 0.75% (on my DF bikes). I find if I let it go more than that, the chainring wears and it gets really noisy with the new chain on worn chainrings. Also it starts dropping the chain on big ring and small cassette if I pedal backwards (like I often do when stopped at lights to get my clipped in foot to a good starting position). I have on order a 155mm crankset with 52/36 rings (I am 50/34 currently). I will put a new chain on when that goes on.

Also I am using the ceramicspeed UFO squirt on wax these days. Not sure if that is better or worse for chain wear.... but it is much cleaner for changing front wheels! It is nice not to get grease all over you whenever you touch the chain.

It could be easier on chains since it is a bit higher and since it is forward it doesn't get bombarded with the dust kicked up from the front wheel. I have heard that Ceramicspeed wax is good, and what I plan on using when I take it up. 5000km seems a bit short, but our riding conditions are probably quite different. The roads here are pristine. Even if they aren't swept often the rain cleans them up.

 

[vosadrian]

I'd love to know what the stretch % is on your 15000km chain. I measure chain wear every time I lube the chain. When it gets to just before 0.75%, I change the chain. For me in the past on my road bike this was around 5-7000kms using traditional lubes and riding in all conditions, but lubing once a week. I would wipe it off, apply the lube and then wipe as dry as I could get it. As I said previously. I killed a couple of chain rings by letting the chain go out to 10,000kms, and chains are much cheaper than rings!

The chain wear on the V20 seems to be following the same trend at the moment (with the stock KMC chain that came on the V20). I did the first 2000kms with traditional wet lubes. Now I use the Ceramic speed UFO. It is a lazy man's wax. You apply it like a wet lube, but just leave it to dry overnight. It requires very little effort but runs dry like a wax. I hear it is supposed to be a very low friction wax... but I like it just because it is so clean and dry and the V20 required chain handling when removing the wheel. So far I recommend the product... but if my chains are wearing out quicker, that may change.

 

[Frito Bandito]

I don't have a dedicated chain wear indicator, but will check if I can find 1 easily. If I recall correctly there is a way to use a ruler or tape measure from pin to pin. If I do it over a long enough section of the chain then it should be pretty accurate.

As I sit here drinking my coffee I am thinking it makes more and more sense to just put on a new chain and cassette (11/30) today while I am off, then I won't have to mess around with it for a few months. I can't say just yet that I will go with Ceramix Speed UFO because I still have a brand new can of WD40 to go through, but the next go swap will definitely go that way if the UFO wax doesn't costs an arm and a leg here.

 

[Don1]

don't waste yer money look at this first
the fastest stuff you can use, jus sayin

 

[Frito Bandito]

don't waste yer money look at this first
the fastest stuff you can use, jus sayin

Love Oxcycle. He has a lot of very useful info.

Got my V20 chain and new cassette ready, as well as my commuter bike chain ready for when I take off the OEm Claris 7 or 8 speed and install a 10s Tiagra 4700. The V20 shifts okay now, but it is going to have to wait until next week to get the new running gear. I have 1 more ride on it on Thursday and golf with an Ozzy, a Brit and a Scot this Friday

 

[Don1]

Please tell me you'll all work into a bar and a joke happens or something. Like a termite asks is the bartender here?

 

[Frito Bandito]

Oh! Our jaws hurt every round from so much laughing. The Ozzy, AKA "The Bandit" somehow manages to empty our wallets while at the same time not having his handicap cut. Another funny thing is that he nicknamed the Brit "The Lip" for his Gatling gun talking style, yet everyone has to raise a hand to get a word in edgewise because "The Bandit" talks even more than "The Lip." The Scot, "Granto" is probably the quietest of this week's group, but that isn't saying much. There are about 8 other international members of "The Friday Flubbers" that sometimes play throughout the yearly competition that sometimes has Summer rounds in Hokkaido, and a few of us play in Thailand in the Winter. Worst score in Hokkaido has to play in a the next round while wearing a Muumuu, and in Thailand the worst score has to play in a MASSIVE beer hat. When the sun is right, the shadow makes it really hard to concentrate. 3 of the World Cup competitions had a "Best Dressed" prize. I won all 3

 

[Don1]

Lol, of course!

 

[Frito Bandito]

Still shot an 88 while wearing a chicken costume in June hahaha. The hippy costume and wig was a bit harder to score well though.

 

[vosadrian]

don't waste yer money look at this first
the fastest stuff you can use, jus sayin

That is quite the effort!! I don't mind spending a few bucks to save that hassle. Just a few minutes every couple of weeks with the UFO and claims to be one of the quickest around! UFO aint cheap, but a bottle lasts a while. Compared to the cost of tyres and other wearing parts on the bike, it is nothing.

 

[jond]

That is quite the effort!! I don't mind spending a few bucks to save that hassle. Just a few minutes every couple of weeks with the UFO and claims to be one of the quickest around! UFO aint cheap, but a bottle lasts a while. Compared to the cost of tyres and other wearing parts on the bike, it is nothing.

vossi I use this method. Once set up it’s easy. Yes it’s an effort to set up and strip a new chain. But after it’s very easy. I won’t go back to oil ever. Clean chains rule. And they last 7000 - 9000klm plus easy . I put a new chain on at 75% wear. I run two pots. One wax and paraffin oil the other wax plus ptfe powder. See you soon. Edit and I picked up the crockpots off the side of the road

 

[vosadrian]

vossi I use this method. Once set up it’s easy. Yes it’s an effort to set up and strip a new chain. But after it’s very easy. I won’t go back to oil ever. Clean chains rule. And they last 7000 - 9000klm plus easy . I put a new chain on at 75% wear. I run two pots. One wax and paraffin oil the other wax plus ptfe powder. See you soon. Edit and I picked up the crockpots off the side of the road

Glad its working for you Jon... but have you tried the newer squirt on wax options? They are $$$ for sure, but they are not oil (snake or otherwise!!). They seem to offer the same benefits in performance and cleanness of your setup... but with a covenience cost for application in a few minutes without removing a chain. UFO is US$45 for around 30-35 coatings. So make it US$1.5 a coating... for 300kms (should last me over a year). So about $5 per 1000kms. My tyre cost for 1000kms is about $20.... so I consider it a nothing cost in the grand scheme of bicycle maintenance costs. Unfortunately my main bike costs at the moment are upgrade costs rather than maintenance.... so I have to stop that!!

When are we hitting the track? I did some laps of Regatta centre today at moderate pace. Should be not too hard to do >40kph for an hour or so there if there is not much traffic. Not sure how it compares to adcock?

 

[cpml123]

Glad its working for you Jon... but have you tried the newer squirt on wax options? They are $$$ for sure, but they are not oil (snake or otherwise!!). They seem to offer the same benefits in performance and cleanness of your setup... but with a covenience cost for application in a few minutes without removing a chain. UFO is US$45 for around 30-35 coatings. So make it US$1.5 a coating... for 300kms (should last me over a year). So about $5 per 1000kms. My tyre cost for 1000kms is about $20.... so I consider it a nothing cost in the grand scheme of bicycle maintenance costs. Unfortunately my main bike costs at the moment are upgrade costs rather than maintenance.... so I have to stop that!!

When are we hitting the track? I did some laps of Regatta centre today at moderate pace. Should be not too hard to do >40kph for an hour or so there if there is not much traffic. Not sure how it compares to adcock?

I am wondering if you notice the ufo coating flakes off as you ride? I have to say wax flaking off the chain is the only annoying issue I have with waxing chain. It's especially annoying when I bike indoor on the trainer. I have to make sure they don't get on the carpet, or my wife will be really mad. Garage riding is too cold.

 

[jond]

Glad its working for you Jon... but have you tried the newer squirt on wax options? They are $$$ for sure, but they are not oil (snake or otherwise!!). They seem to offer the same benefits in performance and cleanness of your setup... but with a covenience cost for application in a few minutes without removing a chain. UFO is US$45 for around 30-35 coatings. So make it US$1.5 a coating... for 300kms (should last me over a year). So about $5 per 1000kms. My tyre cost for 1000kms is about $20.... so I consider it a nothing cost in the grand scheme of bicycle maintenance costs. Unfortunately my main bike costs at the moment are upgrade costs rather than maintenance.... so I have to stop that!!

When are we hitting the track? I did some laps of Regatta centre today at moderate pace. Should be not too hard to do >40kph for an hour or so there if there is not much traffic. Not sure how it compares to adcock?

hey vossi anytime you like adcock park mate. Let’s organise this or next weekend with dome. I’ll phone soon.

mate last bottle i used was gold. Not tried UFO but I was once abducted.

 

[jond]

I am wondering if you notice the ufo coating flakes off as you ride? I have to say wax flaking off the chain is the only annoying issue I have with waxing chain. It's especially annoying when I bike indoor on the trainer. I have to make sure they don't get on the carpet, or my wife will be really mad. Garage riding is too cold.

when you wax a chain it needs to be scrupulously clean. The wax does not flake at all. See the video series above . Wax sticks coats metal. If it’s hot you wipe clean. Sparkles. Ooh shiny.

 

[vosadrian]

I've not noticed UFO flaking. I have got a bit of wax build up in the bottom bracket area just from spillage when applying. I have not tryed to clean it yet. Hopefully it washes off easily.

Jon, looks windy saturday. Sunday morning looks like best wind.

 

[cpml123]

when you wax a chain it needs to be scrupulously clean. The wax does not flake at all. See the video series above . Wax sticks coats metal. If it’s hot you wipe clean. Sparkles. Ooh shiny.

I guess I have not been doing it correctly. I have been using molten speed wax. I don't wipe after dipping the chain. I think that's why they flake off in big amount. Also MSW has the black stuff, which makes it look dirty. I will be looking for some paraffin wax and ptfe next time!

 

[Frito Bandito]

Replaced the chain today and here is the chain stretch on a 118 link chain after about 15,000km in almost exclusively dry conditions and using only WD40 about every 400-500km.



Next up is replacing the sealed cartridge bearings on the front 50mm Bullet. I removed all of the OEM grease and replaced it with Shimano's Premium grease.



I am also switching from the 12/27 cassette to an 11/23 for several reasons. 1 is that I don't plan on climbing anytime soon with my V20. Another is that I switched from a 52/36 to a 52/34 which should help a little in climbing. Also, the 11 should get me a bit higher top end speed on my usual flat rides when the conditions are ripe for me to be on the 11t.

 

[Frito Bandito]

I pulled the head rest bars out a couple of inches so my head is not poking out in the breeze as much. I also installed a Medium Topeak underseat bag to the headrest bars between them and my neck. That filled in the gap between my neck and the bars nicely, and gave me a bit more storage room. I don't know what I will put in there, but at least it should be more aero and have a bit more storage. Here is a pic of the gap, and I'll post a pic of the bag in a bit.