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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frank says:

Jan 7 2016 at 4:18 pm

@pistard

And how the fuck do we reconcile this heresy with Rule #90?

This isn't for riding, it is for storage. Sheesh, try to keep up!
frank says:

Jan 7 2016 at 4:20 pm

@wiscot

@pistard

If you really want to “rest” the springs, you should remove both derailleurs, disassemble them, and allow the springs to uncoil completely. (Careful they don’t take a eye out.)

I do this between every ride to optimize springiness.

I’d do the same, but my bikes prefer to repose on the airbed covered in think down-filled pillows, in a meticulously maintained 72 degrees at 50% humidity. That way they are well rested before the next ride!

+1 badge to you!
wilburrox says:

Jan 7 2016 at 5:11 pm

And to think that I could have gone on placing my bikes in the garage for another 40 years without ever having known the proper way to do that !? However, this only now has me questioning how much I still don't know that I don't know. Cheers all
Ccos says:

Jan 7 2016 at 5:41 pm

@Gianni

OK, I’m going to write a post on wiping off one’s tires after riding through debris. Does it help anything? Probably not. Do I keep doing it? Yes. Will I keep doing it even if I know it makes no difference? Yes. Will I instruct everyone else do the same? Hell yes.

Yes please, write it. We did this religiously until my buddy got his hand jammed between his tire and seat tube on his new Tarmac some years back. He came to a quick and hilarious stop followed by an equally funny flop onto his side with his hand still jammed in place (funny at least to me). These aero bikes are fucking with some old habits I'll have you know.
EBruner says:

Jan 7 2016 at 6:02 pm

@Ccos

That's what he gets for riding a Tarmac......
ILCapo says:

Jan 8 2016 at 12:45 am

Rule #65 is of high importance, more so when you are limited to space, i.e - during/post ride @cafe stop where there is no option other than to lean ones bike against another bike. Not only must this be executed is a precise manner but also with an extremely delicate touch. Otherwise you are likely to get mouthful or a serious face off.

NB: Above
Teocalli says:

Jan 8 2016 at 1:06 am

@Ccos

@Gianni

OK, I’m going to write a post on wiping off one’s tires after riding through debris. Does it help anything? Probably not. Do I keep doing it? Yes. Will I keep doing it even if I know it makes no difference? Yes. Will I instruct everyone else do the same? Hell yes.

Yes please, write it. We did this religiously until my buddy got his hand jammed between his tire and seat tube on his new Tarmac some years back. He came to a quick and hilarious stop followed by an equally funny flop onto his side with his hand still jammed in place (funny at least to me). These aero bikes are fucking with some old habits I’ll have you know.

Sensible me read that in the original post as cleaning them after a ride. Cleaning with your hand at speed during a ride seems like the sort of stupidity worthy of Darwinian Selection.
PT says:

Jan 8 2016 at 2:16 am

A good friend gave me a proper workstand for Christmas. So, from now on I will wash my bike properly and regularly. That will be enough of this arcane nonsense without delving into spring fatigue rates and the resting heartrate of carbon fibre....
RobSandy says:

Jan 8 2016 at 3:04 am

@PT

A good friend gave me a proper workstand for Christmas. So, from now on I will wash my bike properly and regularly. That will be enough of this arcane nonsense without delving into spring fatigue rates and the resting heartrate of carbon fibre….

Ok, I have what I'm sure is going to sound like a complete dullard question regarding the use of workstands.

If you have a bike in the stand and take the wheels off - how do you put them back on and be sure the axles are seated properly in the drop outs?
Teocalli says:

Jan 8 2016 at 3:40 am

@RobSandy

@PT

A good friend gave me a proper workstand for Christmas. So, from now on I will wash my bike properly and regularly. That will be enough of this arcane nonsense without delving into spring fatigue rates and the resting heartrate of carbon fibre….

Ok, I have what I’m sure is going to sound like a complete dullard question regarding the use of workstands.

If you have a bike in the stand and take the wheels off – how do you put them back on and be sure the axles are seated properly in the drop outs?

Always check with the bike back on the ground.