Barry

Yikes! Thanks for the heads-up. So 2016 or next year?

Certainly I want hydraulic on my gravel rig because I ride a ton of singletrack on it. But I really feel the need desire for hydraulic on the road as well, particularly on some of those hills along the TdH, and what I call "fun hills" in the West Lake Hills area. I remember during the TdH last year I was riding with a group for a bit as we all hammered down a hill to be greeted with a kind of blind and near 90° curve at the bottom. Everyone agreed that we were super happy for really strong stoppers.

Too bad you weren't there earlier. My buddy James was handing out his freshly smoked pulled pork. It was a great, if very small "I."

Reminds me a bit of Kaki King without the slap percussion. Her best version of this song was always on Letterman.

Thanks for the reminder about Eagle 12 speed chain. I'll try one next rotation. I've heard before that they run quieter and perhaps shift better, but always forget to try it out. Edit: shit, I better remember to get a spare master link or 2!

I'm using 11 speed largely Shimano drivetrains, but I use SRAM PC-X11 chains. And while I'm not waxing (although technically Smoove is wax in a suspension), I do regularly remove my chains for a number of reasons, so I suppose the question applies to me. If I drive in the rain I'll ofen remove it. I remove it for occasional degreasing with Smoove. And I remove it every damn time I remove Chamois Hagar's rear wheel because it's otherwise an exercise in frustration to remove because of the saddle tube clearance. So the question, do I reuse the master link? Yes. But I occasionally regret it. Over time they wear so much that you can remove them by hand, like the old 9 speed days. And when that happens, you know you had better swap it out for a new one, because it's getting close to failing. Although I've used 11 speed chains for 6 years (20 billion miles) I've only had 3 or maybe 4 occurrences of them failing during a ride--but they do eventually fail. I pack 2 pairs of spares at all times.

Now I'm feeling self-conscience.

I used ProLink for probably 15 years. Largely in NY, and then for a bit in TX. But when I couldn't get through more than 10 miles of Palo Duro without having to re-apply, I knew I had to start looking. At the time I started using Prolink in the wetter months and FL Dry in the dryer months. But then in the worst of the mood dust at WC, I was having trouble getting through one of my typical rides without either lube collecting the dust and hearing the chain protest. I appreciate that my process sounds like a lot, but on average it's way less time than I used to spend re-lubing after every ride, or sometimes during rides. More often than not now, I just hang the bike up after a ride. I used to never get away with that. And when I do apply it goes a lot faster because the lube is so thick, you can spin the chain fast to get it on every roller without spilling it everywhere. The added chain life is just bonus. The other bonus is going though about $25 of lube every year instead of $60+. I'm not saying that Smoove is for everyone. But I ride all over the state. A lot. And so far as I can tell, it's the easiest/best/fastest/cheapest solution for me.

You see crazy claims about Smoove online. Folks saying 700 miles per application. Folks saying they lube once and it lasts the lifetime of the chain. That seems like nonsense to me. But I do rekon between my bikes and her bikes, we're getting 8000-10,000 miles per bottle. How many miles per bottle do you think you're RocknRolling?

I love a good fish and chips. And once again I'm pissed about Uptown Opal Divine's closing. Guess this will have to do.

I get it from Amazon. Using a chain checker, I used to pull a chain at about 900-1000 miles for me, and a little more for @Jessica. Now I'm going around 1300 and the checker still says its good! I change them anyway just to be sure. This is my process. When I get a new chain I go ahead and put it on. I like to get 1 to 2 rides off the factory grease. It's free and works spectacularly well for a short time. And super quiet. Anyway, after that ride or 2, I pull the chain off and degrease. I'm currently using WD40 Degreaser, but simple green works well. I like to use a zip-lock to minimize the amount of degreaser needed. I then flush it with water and allow to dry completely in front of a fan. If I'm in a hurry, I'll saturate it with alcohol to displace the water before putting it in front of the fan. That dries real fast. Smoove seems to apply even easier if you heat it up. I run water into a mug from my Keurig and put the bottle in for a few seconds. The application is the simple 1 bead per roller rule, and it takes about 30 seconds. Then you spin the chain through a couple of times and DO NOT wipe the chain. I do wipe off the rollers and chainring though. Then I hang the bike up for tomorrow's ride. I have applied it in the morning for an afternoon ride, but if you're one of those folks who like to apply lube at the trailhead before a ride, Smoove ain't for you. Smoove seems to work better and quieter with multiple applications. And I don't do the degrease process unless the chain gets really messy. Maybe after 500 or so miles. And if gunk starts building up on the components, you're applying too often.

Guess I don't pay good attention. From your post I thought you were still an avid motorcyclists. While haven't ridden a moto since my teens, I still have a passing interest. But I have absolutely no bandwidth for additional hobbies. Do you plan to get back into it at some point? Also, cable management dude!

I was tempted to go the wax route before I started using Smoove. Now between my bikes and my wife's, we're getting about 6000 miles out of a bottle while somehow managing to increase chain life by about 30+%. I used to apply various lubes after each reasonable ride, and now it's about weekly--or about every 4 or 5 rides. And the application is much faster than other lubes as well.

Nope, according to their Facespace.

@notyal that post belongs in the "what are you drinking" thread. Except instead of the post, just tell us what you're drinking. Also reminds me of that Dirty Harry quote about the guy with a knife in one hand and a hard-on in the other.

So far as I'm aware, that's not a cross section of people which exist in significant numbers.

For town and trail, the fattest Rekons you can fit.

True. But that depends on how you do it.

Yes! If you're comfortable riding the rigid bike at Walnut, you can handle the NORTHERN Dale Ball loop. This one: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4445842 There is some chunk, but it's the exception. Do not ride the southern part... there is some easier trail trail there, but there is also some gonzo tech. Here's my Dale Ball adventure. I didn't really take any photos of the smooth trail. And you'll have no problem riding all of Galisteo. I rode it on ChamoisHagar and it was great. And most of La Tierra will be just fine as well. And no matter the bike, I don't recommend skipping Hustle & Flow. You may not nail the tabletops, but it'll still be a blast.

I'll reply in the Sante Fe thread.

Nice transition back to the topic. What am I drinking? A nice spot of Wee Beastie out of my Ardbeg mug during a mid-ride contemplative refuel at the trail head on Dale Ball Trails. It’s a good day.

The only way the song could possibly be improved upon is by an interpretive riff of ‘Her Majesty.’ I hear she’s a really nice girl.

Like Korean BBQ. It's like when you go to a concert and they stick out the microphone and try to get the audience to sing. No asshole! I came here for YOU to sing/cook/pour!

So...uh...wow. I'll say this, it includes one of the more interesting "drum" solos you'll ever see.

My best guess is that early this afternoon will be a bit messy. It didn't get a ton of rain yesterday, but the dirt was quite saturated (though still good) before the afternoon showers. If we get a bit of sun and wind today, things MAY be okay this evening. And tomorrow should be great. But don't be afraid to go give it a shot (and report back)! Just be willing to bail to a paved path spin if you're picking up mud in your tires.