Filthy Bike
Does anyone else ever have this problem?? Apparently not, having talked to dozens of other cyclists riding on the same road in the same conditions. For some reason my bike picks up ten times as much gravel and sand and mud and crap when it is raining. It becomes so bad that I lose my gears, starting with top gear. I had to stop repeatedly to clean them off with a toothbrush, but with little effect. I was using expensive high-tech lubricant so the chain and all stayed immaculately clean most of the time. But look at the brakes and frame, too! It certainly wasn't the oil I was using. Eventually I discovered that I could douse the entire chain and gear assembly with several bowls full of water and I could at least ride in something other than lowest gear again... Thank god! I was seriously wondering if I'd ever be able to complete the last 100 km if I remained constrained to first gear! Ugh!
Filthy Bike
Does anyone else ever have this problem?? Apparently not, having talked to dozens of other cyclists riding on the same road in the same conditions. For some reason my bike picks up ten times as much gravel and sand and mud and crap when it is raining. It becomes so bad that I lose my gears, starting with top gear. I had to stop repeatedly to clean them off with a toothbrush, but with little effect. I was using expensive high-tech lubricant so the chain and all stayed immaculately clean most of the time. But look at the brakes and frame, too! It certainly wasn't the oil I was using. Eventually I discovered that I could douse the entire chain and gear assembly with several bowls full of water and I could at least ride in something other than lowest gear again... Thank god! I was seriously wondering if I'd ever be able to complete the last 100 km if I remained constrained to first gear! Ugh!