Categories: Accessories and GearThe Rules

On Rules #26 and #65: Spring Theory

Always store your bike in the mechanic's position: small-small to ease tension on the derailleur springs. Photo: Pedale.Forchetta

To hold opposing truths in one’s heart is a beautiful thing; to find resonance within contradiction is a liberating force that opens one’s mind to a wide world of possibilities. Life lived in black and white is a bland, simple world, after all: everything interesting in life happens in the gray space in between.

There is nothing outwardly in conflict between Rules #26 and #65, but within the application of Rule #26 we run the risk of violating Rule #65. Whenever storing one’s bicycle, whether for the evening or for an extended period of time, one is to take care to place the chain in a little-little configuration. This is done by Pro racers out of respect for their mechanic by making their life just a little bit easier when they remove the wheels before getting the bike a clean and sparkling for the next day’s training or racing.

We, the humble plonkers, presumably don’t have a personal or team mechanic who rubs our beloved steed with a diaper post-ride. But there lurks another reason why this practice is an important one to undertake: leaving the chain in the big dog and mid or high cassette as we would when gussying our girl up to be photographed puts the springs in the derailleurs under tension, causing them to wear out more quickly. Placing them little-little leaves them nice and relaxed, all rested up for your next soul crushing session.

I can not overstate that this in no way allows us to photograph or allow someone else to photograph our steed in this relaxed state, much like we would not allow ourselves to be photographed while laying on the couch wearing compression socks and moaning about our guns.

[rule number=26]

[rule number=65]

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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Days says:

Jan 6 2016 at 6:58 pm

@frank

@Oli

Over ten years or so it might make a minute difference, but it’s certainly nothing to concern anyone.

Exactly, precisely why a Velominatus should be doing it.

You've lost me. We should be doing it because of the minute difference, or simply because it is of no concern? Just wondering.
EBruner says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:12 pm

@Oli

I have always done it in hopes of keeping it in adjustment. Wrong or right, I have hoped the cables would not stretch, seat, housing compress, what the fuck ever they do, if they were not under constant tension. Shit, I even do it on my eps equipped bikes. An old habit I suppose.
Philonius says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:21 pm

I like this suggestion as it shows proper devotion to the bike, and must humbly admit to having missed out on this bit of wisdom for lo, these many years. But given this, shouldn't the 35 year old springs on my nine bike's derailleur by dead by now?
Puffy says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:36 pm

Huh. Well I must have been hanging around here long enough that I am finally starting to learn something. I came to this very conclusion - little/little overnight - a mere few weeks ago.

So far being lazy told me to leave it in little - big to make the roll off at the start of the next ride easy, but that not the way of the Velominati is it.
Puffy says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:37 pm

@Ccos

I have been told the little-little set up does “not much” for extending the life of derailleur springs.

Even if it is "not much", it makes it worth doing.
Barracuda says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:43 pm

@Days

@frank

@Oli

Over ten years or so it might make a minute difference, but it’s certainly nothing to concern anyone.

Exactly, precisely why a Velominatus should be doing it.

You’ve lost me. We should be doing it because of the minute difference, or simply because it is of no concern? Just wondering.

Because of why we come to this site. Every second, every minute, every nut, every bolt, every noise counts. Regardless of how pedantic or redundant it is.
frank says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:56 pm

@Days

@frank

@Oli

Over ten years or so it might make a minute difference, but it’s certainly nothing to concern anyone.

Exactly, precisely why a Velominatus should be doing it.

You’ve lost me. We should be doing it because of the minute difference, or simply because it is of no concern? Just wondering.

Out of respect for the machine that labors for you. You are resting the springs, and the cables aren't under tension at that. Even if it makes no difference, it is still a kind gesture.
frank says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:58 pm

@Philonius

I like this suggestion as it shows proper devotion to the bike, and must humbly admit to having missed out on this bit of wisdom for lo, these many years. But given this, shouldn’t the 35 year old springs on my nine bike’s derailleur by dead by now?

They are worn out; the parts are just so well made that it doesn't really make a difference. If you have them rebuilt with fresh springs, you'll see the difference.

@Puffy

Huh. Well I must have been hanging around here long enough that I am finally starting to learn something. I came to this very conclusion – little/little overnight – a mere few weeks ago.

So far being lazy told me to leave it in little – big to make the roll off at the start of the next ride easy, but that not the way of the Velominati is it.

This is the obvious place to leave it. And yes, it is Not The Way.
frank says:

Jan 6 2016 at 7:59 pm

@Puffy

@Ccos

I have been told the little-little set up does “not much” for extending the life of derailleur springs.

Even if it is “not much”, it makes it worth doing.

This.

@Oli

@frank

Of course you’re right. And even though I know it makes no difference I still do it every time I put my bike away.

You're my boy, Blue!
uptitus (a guy) says:

Jan 6 2016 at 8:40 pm

note for @frank...Rule #65 has a typo, last sentence: "...your breathing begins to adversely effect the enjoyment..." I believe affect is correct. Just sayin'.

Always leave it in 39/21 (on a 12-25), the gearing I want when I mount after carrying it down from my 2nd floor condo. No muss, no fuss. Hop on, clip in, tricky sidewalks, then gone. Campy derailleurs w/61,000km each and still work like a dream. Some rules deserve to be trumped.