Categories: The Bikes

That New Chain Feeling

Chain Breaker. photo-Cor Vos

I replace my chain every year, more or less. It tends toward less as I don’t have a set anniversary for new chains. Usually I notice the shifting is lagging a second and it dawns on me that the chain is in need of replacement. In my youth I would keep the same chain on the bike forever. I even used to take it off, and reinstall it inside out (?!) thinking…thinking that I was a cheap idiot. The result of that was the rear cogs were always ruined too, reinforcing the cheap idiot thing. Since replacing the chain on a yearly basis I’ve never had to replace a cassette. I’ve heard that the Fabian Cancellara’s of the pro peloton get a new chain once a week. The pros are fifty-two times more mighty.

This most recent chain replacement had me using a Campagnolo Chorus chain I had attempted to install on another bike and failed. I shamefully put the chain on a shelf until I had stocked up on Campagnolo’s special bullet shaped, don’t drop this on the shop floor or you will never find it, you only get one shot at this, very special chain pin. Maybe it’s like redoing your handlebar tape or filing taxes; these jobs only done once a year never go perfectly. Installing the Campagnolo chain is like what I imagine arming a field tactical nuclear weapon is like. It is cramped. It requires small hands. It requires excellent vision. It requires mechanical skills and you only get one shot at it. Luckily, for me, the whole mess was contained with a KMC 11-speed quick link, whew, done and dusted.

My point is, when one changes just one component on one’s bike, the change is very noticeable, The first few pedal strokes out on the road with a new chain is a subtle revelation. It feels different. It feels better. Damn it feels excellent.

Or is it all in the mind. This article was linked in the Velominati posts a while back. In a world full of anecdotal evidence I do enjoy an article where our perceptions are put to the test. Maybe my new chain feeling is all in my head? Who cares, I can still enjoy it and “in my head” is where enjoyment happens anyway.

Gianni

Gianni has left the building.

Next Roubaix: Anatomy Of A Shithole »

Previous « Velominati Super Prestige: Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2015

View Comments

TommyTubolare says:

May 5 2015 at 12:38 pm

@Oli

Thanks Oli. To be honest I immediately knew somebody like you might appreciate this little encrustation.
TommyTubolare says:

May 5 2015 at 12:43 pm

@tessar

@ChrisO

Indeed, but despite Mavic’s warnings, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to use faster tyres from other manufacturers on those wheels. Besides, since these inserts are raceday-only items, I reckon they can’t cause much harm to the sidewalls anyway.

Mavic’s prototype CXR clincher tyres apparently tested quite well, but I’m not sure if the same holds true for the production version (and is definitely not true of the tubulars). Might indicate that the compound itself is good, but held back by butyl tubes inside the casing. I wonder what Katusha and other Mavic-sponsored teams are using.

Veloflex and FMB. What else is there really? Depends who though. Paolini had FMB, Kristoff had Veloflex.

Anyway, pick a name and win.
TommyTubolare says:

May 5 2015 at 1:00 pm

@tessar

Have you ever ridden Barum tubulars? How do they compare to modern tubulars, let's say Vittoria or Veloflex.

Any differences I might be missing?

Why Corsa Evo is still in production if Open Corsa is nearly identical? How near is nearly?

How romantic is peloton today with all these power numbers, EPS, Di2 and robotic racing? How come they decided to keep romantic tires and not something as romantic as down tube shifters?
Nate says:

May 5 2015 at 1:16 pm

@TommyTubolare

@tessar

@ChrisO

Indeed, but despite Mavic’s warnings, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to use faster tyres from other manufacturers on those wheels. Besides, since these inserts are raceday-only items, I reckon they can’t cause much harm to the sidewalls anyway.

Mavic’s prototype CXR clincher tyres apparently tested quite well, but I’m not sure if the same holds true for the production version (and is definitely not true of the tubulars). Might indicate that the compound itself is good, but held back by butyl tubes inside the casing. I wonder what Katusha and other Mavic-sponsored teams are using.

Veloflex and FMB. What else is there really? Depends who though. Paolini had FMB, Kristoff had Veloflex.

Anyway, pick a name and win.

Truth.

@TommyTubolare

@tessar

Have you ever ridden Barum tubulars? How do they compare to modern tubulars, let’s say Vittoria or Veloflex.

Any differences I might be missing?

Why Corsa Evo is still in production if Open Corsa is nearly identical? How near is nearly?

How romantic is peloton today with all these power numbers, EPS, Di2 and robotic racing? How come they decided to keep romantic tires and not something as romantic as down tube shifters?

They best way to judge a tubular is not by its coefficient of rolling resistance, but by the lyrical sound it makes whizzing over the pavement.
Teocalli says:

May 5 2015 at 1:23 pm

@Nate

@TommyTubolare

How romantic is peloton today with all these power numbers, EPS, Di2 and robotic racing? How come they decided to keep romantic tires and not something as romantic as down tube shifters?

They best way to judge a tubular is not by its coefficient of rolling resistance, but by the lyrical sound it makes whizzing over the pavement.

Main reason being that they can ride on them (relatively) safely with a puncture to pick when they can hook up with the team car?
Nate says:

May 5 2015 at 1:25 pm

@Teocalli

@Nate

@TommyTubolare

How romantic is peloton today with all these power numbers, EPS, Di2 and robotic racing? How come they decided to keep romantic tires and not something as romantic as down tube shifters?

They best way to judge a tubular is not by its coefficient of rolling resistance, but by the lyrical sound it makes whizzing over the pavement.

Main reason being that they can ride on them (relatively) safely with a puncture to pick when they can hook up with the team car?

The main reason being that they are immeasurably superior to all other tires.
TommyTubolare says:

May 5 2015 at 1:35 pm

@Nate

Immeasurably superior answer comparing to what I was gonna say. Very close though.
Nate says:

May 5 2015 at 1:52 pm

@ChrisO

Further to what @TommyTubulore said, get yourself some Veloflex Master/Criteriums, preferably aged 6 months. There will be a date code on the basetape.
ChrisO says:

May 5 2015 at 9:58 pm

Yes I might try the Veloflex, thanks.

As for the immeasurable superiority, at least on my current setup, you're right there - I can't feel any superiority which could be measured.

If I put the Veloflex on and a heavenly host appears singing hosannah I'll be sure to report back though.
TommyTubolare says:

May 5 2015 at 11:19 pm

@ChrisO

I don't think you compared apples with apples in your recent test.