Bridgestone MB-4 and Jamis Supernova racked and ready to go to the bike shop
Today, I’ve got present at traffic court to answer to a judge for the particulars of a citation a local policeman issued to me back in late August. Proof of registration and financial responsibility may serve to keep me from having to pay a fine; that’s the outcome I’m hoping for in the matter.
Since I’ve had to schedule the time, I also plan to use the day to pick up the Miyata 610 from the bike shop, about 45 miles distant, where I left it last week to get the hubs serviced and whatever is bent near the back axle corrected – derailleur, hanger, I don’t know what. The wheel’s been a bear to reinstall when I’ve removed it for cleaning, the last couple of times. Furthermore, when riding on the middle ring, in front, and shifting while pedaling hard up a hill to the small front ring, the chain tends to bang down onto the smallest of the freewheel cogs at the back. On steeper hills that I know I’m able to climb on the Miyata, I’ve lost headway and had to walk a couple of times. It’s irritating.
Because my local bike mechanic (this town has no local bike shop) has had to go back to working nine-hour days with only two 15 minute breaks during the workday (that doesn’t sound legal, does it?), he hasn’t had the time, energy, and joie-de-vivre necessary to tackle the problems that arise when a 33 year-old bike gets ridden an hour or two daily on good to crummy pavement.
Yesterday, the bike shop called and told me the Miyata is ready for pickup – they were able to service the hubs, so the races were probably not blown, I think the term is. Additionally, the caller said the shop was able make necessary adjustments to ensure proper shifting, this at no cost. Good, yes?
Today, I will take them the Jamis Supernova for complete tune-up and Mavic hubs service (if that works, I won’t get a new wheelset for the bike for awhile), and the Bridgestone MB-4 to see about getting the headtube refaced and another Tange Levin headset installed if the one I installed cannot be salvaged. I don’t hold out much hope for my installation. Finally, I think I’ll see if they can install the little replacement dials for the shifters.
MB-4 and Supernova on the repair stand for examination
It’ll be at least a week before I get the bikes back and it’s been rainy the past four five days with not much prospect of drier weather for the next few days. I will probably ride the Miyata in the wet, although the Jamis is the bike I’d hoped to subject to inclement weather. Ordered some Tri-Flow last week on the advice of my mechanic, to replace the waxy chain cleaner/lubricant I’ve been using. Perhaps that will offer better wet-condition protection to the Miyata’s moving parts.
Christov_Tenn 