Strange chain sounds after the ride today

Wheels of Happiness

I checked the bike today, after sleeping to check how it is doing.  Lo and behold it was not functioning well. It was noisy.

Checked:      cable tension, the alignment of the chain with the cogs.  Nothing was wrong.  

Found out that the chain guard moved and was rubbing vs the chain.   So I had to loosen and adjust it to be nearer the frame.   Problem solved. 

Thorough washing and disassembly of bikes needed after Marinduque viaje

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 12, 2018

                                                 Sobra kalawang noong Lunes at Martes


Although I sprayed silicone oil 2x on my Bianchi Freccia, the chain showed signs of rusting as I arrived home Monday.  On Tuesday, the rusting had affected the entire chain.  I sprayed water again (gagalitin ang salt spray further)  And then just as I was starting to remove the bottom bracket (ISIS type)  as I looked at the FB I saw an urgent PM from Jess urging us as per advice of supremo to service the bottom bracket and the axle hubs.  Di ko kaya ang sealed bearing. Sana Ok na.

I discovered too that the dust had caused looseness in the bearing of the BB and may get worse in next two months (due for servicing?)  I polished the races of the bearing with fine 2000 sand paper.  And hoped that the play will diminish.  (Diminish pero meron pa rin)

So far, with diesel and detergent as advised, the rusting of the chain stopped.  I hope others have serviced their bikes that came from Marinduque. Some fun, plenty of hard work after

Keeping the bike always in tip top condition

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 12, 2016

Today I went to Villamayor Bike Parts to have the Bianchi road bike put in tip top condition.  There were two tasks to be done:

1,  Add length to the chain.  It would not shift to 53 x 32 because the chain was stretched to the limit.  There was an extra length that I cut.  I wanted the mechanic (Betoi) to do this for me to lessen the likelihood that there would be cut chain in the rides.

2.  Adjust the bike wheel, or derailleur so that it would shift to 39 x32.  The shift was no longer possible after I had the rear wheel re aligned for slight wobble and up and down play.  The alignment of the wheel was correct but of the cogs not ok.

#1 was easily and effortlessly done by Bitoi. But the #2 job took a while about almost an hour.  He reversed the axle, and realigned the wheel next. After reversing the axle, the wheel stayed close to the right side.  So he realigned the wheel by increasing the tension to the left side so that it would stay away from the right side to the left side.  That meant he would release the tension on the spokes at the right side (now I am learning about truing)   The increasing and release of tension was about one turn only.

It was job well done. I can fully use all the cogs and there would be unnecessary tight tension on the chain

I spent an extra P100.00 wasted on earlier alignment and truing.  The mechanic was not well experienced  yet and could not think of the solutions to the problem he created.  Always go for the best, albeit the most expensive mechanics.  You save more money that way

My newly installed 10 speed chain broke at Diversion and I had to do a triathlon on the way home

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 12, 2016

I was supposed to be simple uenventful ride a recovery one, a light ride to Baras, could have been back by 10 am.  But I arrived at 11:30 because I did a triathlon.  On the way back from Morong, going via the diversion road, my newly installed chain  snapped.  I had to look for somebody with pliers to get back the chain together.  I found one at a vulcanizing shop before Callahan. I managed to get the chain back.  My plan was to walk up the hill, and then coast down, put the gear in low low ratio so as not to force the weak chain connection.  So I did that in Callahan, Look, and LLDA.  It was fine going until Darangan when I had it fixed by a bike shop.  I shifted up before Pantok and the chain was left on the road.  Fortunately, I found it.  I had to walk till Bilibriran.  From Bilibiran till Pag asa, the Villamayor Bike Parts, The installation was made in Angono and Vito said the there was poor fit of the pin. I had to shove my legs on the road (a la trolley scooter) to speed up the face and lessen damage to the biking shoes.

So next time, always bring a chain tool, even if you have a brand new chain.


It was triathlon because there was biking event, walking, and then dousing oneself with plenty of water. (swimming)

Vito reinstalled the chain using the missing link this time. Upa- pang kape

Several challenges during the ride to Tagaytay today, January 19 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines   | January 19, 2014

                                   Edgar crashed while avoiding an MTB at Amadeo highway

Several challenges (difficulties were with us today) on a our ride to and from Tagaytay.  They were minor though:

1. a  Ados chain broke on the way up through the Amadeo highway.  Fortunately, he knows how to repair the link.  However, he and VM did not have the chain remover/tool.   I had.  So solved.  He connected the chain anew at the Petron station in  Tagaytay

b.  He had a flat tire in Daang Hari, and we had to supervise him and eat while he was repairing his flat.

2.  Edgar crashed while avoiding a HS MTB, he suddenly crossed his path on the way down Amadeo highway.  Fortunately it was minor scratch on his shoulder, legs and just bruised ego.

Inspect your Chains to Avoid More Troubles in your Rides

Bike and Save the Earth

I had two experiences with broken chain:

1.  On the way up km 5l, right near the post, I broke a chain, the rivet got caught in a brand new l05 derailleur, it was yanked out of the drop, the drop broke, and the frame twisted.  I had to spend more because when I was fetched, they asked for lunch costing us a thousand.

2.  On the way to Tagaytay (which I did solo not knowing the companions did not push through) I broke the chain twice at Bicutan.  Mr. Raffy Calderon was kind enough to repair the chain for me.  But I was not comfortable with the chain ever since.  I swore  I will have  the chain replaced (it is an Ultegra chain) or have it inspected by a mechanic.

I knew that when Boogie Villamayor (a pamangkin) broke his chain near Queen Mary, he fell on his right side and the chain ring dug into his calf injuring him.  So chain maintenance is a must say, replacing it every 2 years?

Holy Week gave me time to inspect chain

As I prepared the bike for tomorrows;s ride to Real, I cleaned it and focused on the chain.  I used cotton buds to remove the grit in the middle.  And lo and behold, on the bike that broke the chain, half of the chains were loose!

>To determine the loose, spray WD 40.  Those that are not loose, would not have the WD 40 oozing out;

       l.  the chain bearings on the rivet would have unusual play;

       2.  you would see visually the looseness, about l/4 mm.

>To tighten, the best tool to use is your chain tool.  Set the chain and tighten the chain (not push the rivet) by l/4 and 3/4 turn.

> AVOID CROSSING YOUR CHAINS AS RIDING 34 X 12, OR 53X 25.  consult your proper chain ratios.  Crossing the chains stresses/bends the chain and loosens it prematurely.

I guess the whole inspection made me a lot more confident. I guess the chain would last for another year?

I have been hearing a lot of crackling sound everytime, the chain is is stressed by:  sudden acceleration, and or ride up a hill.

Why dont you maintain your chain now?

                                      The chain tool

                           You can see the gap at the topmost chain;  it is loose

                          Inspect your chain now before it breaks and causes more trouble

Pay Close Attention to the Driveline

Bike and Save the Earth

If there is anything that you must pay attention to in your bike, it is your drive line:   your shoes, your cleats, the pedal, the crank, the chain ring, the chain, the sprocket and the rear wheel, its hub and bearings.  They are the ones constantly subjected to wear and do a lot of constant repetitive cyclical motion when   you ride.

For instance, if your current cycling shoes weigh 600 grams and you can buy one that is 400 grams.  You multiply the weight loss per pedal stroke as savings in effort/energy.  Say you pedal  5000 times during your ride, youi have saved a total of  l,000,000 grams or l,000 kg or a ton of effort.  That is substantial.  The pedal weight, crank arm length (l70, l72.5. 175) are critical.

There was a champion biker used to 172.5 crank length.  However he heard everybody shifted to l75, and he shifted to l75 on a raced day.  All was well until the last l0 km when his legs gave way under him.  He could not pedal anymore and all the vigor was gone.  The 2.5 mm difference in length, though how tiny it was blew his effort to be first.  2.5 mm extra crank length multiplied by number of revolutions would have mean great energy effort more for the poor cyclist and former champion