Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Prairie Dog]

Oh, yeah, wandering up the long winding, curvy road to the Banff Hotsprings with wonderful view. And there was some old lodge we stayed at that had a hot tub on the roof - Deer Lodge maybe.

We walked by the Deer Lodge during our stroll down to Lake Louise. It’s undergone major renovations since your stay and looks fabulous from the outside. Our overnighter at Paradise Lodge and Bungalows was relatively quiet with exception of the morning traffic. Next time we may rent one of the stand-alone cabins farther away from the main road.

 

[Prairie Dog]

While getting my gashed tire and tube replaced at the local shop I looked at a variety of their night lights. But decided, really, when are you going to ride at night again! So I stopped dreaming and headed to the repair and the tire was done. Little did I know the next morning it would take me an hour to get the damn wheel back into the rear derailleur. I cursed mightly. I watched another video. My derailleur would not yield to the gears and disc brakes.

I have to admit that the light system on the Trance might be overkill for most but I won’t compromise when riding the trails at night. I tend to ride all year round and winter/spring night riding offers up different challenges when having a clear view of the trail becomes even more paramount.


It’s much easier removing the wheel if you pre-shift to the smallest cog on your cassette. Release the clutch mechanism on your rear derailleur and then pull back and down on the pulley/tensioner assembly. Re-installing the wheel is the reverse procedure with the chain resting on top of the small cog. Easier said than done I know and it takes a bit of practice to get it right. Don't forget to re-engage the clutch when your done.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

While getting my gashed tire and tube replaced at the local shop I looked at a variety of their night lights. But decided, really, when are you going to ride at night again! So I stopped dreaming and headed to the repair and the tire was done. Little did I know the next morning it would take me an hour to get the damn wheel back into the rear derailleur. I cursed mightly. I watched another video. My derailleur would not yield to the gears and disc brakes.

Did you release the clutch?

 

[ActionJackson]

The Pines single track in particular

Great video! I was half expecting a Sasquatch to come out during the ride.

 

[kahn]

I have to admit that the light system on the Trance might be overkill for most but I won’t compromise when riding the trails at night. I tend to ride all year round and winter/spring night riding offers up different challenges when having a clear view of the trail becomes even more paramount.
View attachment 97527

It’s much easier removing the wheel if you pre-shift to the smallest cog on your cassette. Release the clutch mechanism on your rear derailleur and then pull back and down on the pulley/tensioner assembly. Re-installing the wheel is the reverse procedure with the chain resting on top of the small cog. Easier said than done I know and it takes a bit of practice to get it right.

You and Stefan mentioned the CLUTCH and I have to admit: CLUTCH? I'm not familiar with a clutch on my bikes!!!!

Creo, so where's the clutch and what do I release???? Yesterday, I recalled reading about them but the video I reviewed did not help me locate it.

 

[reed scott]

You and Stefan mentioned the CLUTCH and I have to admit: CLUTCH? I'm not familiar with a clutch on my bikes!!!!

Creo, so where's the clutch and what do I release???? Yesterday, I recalled reading about them but the video I reviewed did not help me locate it.

Many derailleurs do not have a clutch. If yours does it is a small lever on the device and if you can see thru any dirt ( wipe it off) there is an 'off' and an 'on' label. The small lever only moves like an inch or less.

The on position on an equipped derailleur just increases tension on the chain. Useful if riding on bumpy ground.

 

[ActionJackson]

You and Stefan mentioned the CLUTCH and I have to admit: CLUTCH? I'm not familiar with a clutch on my bikes!!!!

Creo, so where's the clutch and what do I release???? Yesterday, I recalled reading about them but the video I reviewed did not help me locate it.

Look on top of your rear derailleur and you will see usually a gray lever. Shimano. Don’t know about SRAM.

outside of the top

 

[kahn]

My Creo: Rear Derailleur

Shimano RX812 GX, Shadow Plus, 11-speed

I will look.

FOUND IT. Okay, chalk it up to the OLD guy who has been pedaling about 60+ years and never dealt with a clutch (outside of a car and even that's been a while now) on a bike! The switch certainly did not have any resistance as I moved it. Did not futz with the derailleur - too early for grease. A BELT drive next time

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Shadow Plus means the clutch. The little gray piece shall be pushed forward to release. Then you will be able to move the derailleur cage forward, and thus you can install the wheel.

The clutch in the released (unlocked, off) position allows moving the derailleur cage forward.

P.S. Just returned from my vacation. Most of Poland is flooded with heavy raining. It was a long trip.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Great video! I was half expecting a Sasquatch to come out during the ride.

Thanks for the heads up. I checked for Yeti advisories before leaving the house and was relieved to hear of no recent reports. Just the odd encounter with a few bats.

 

[reed scott]

My Creo: Rear Derailleur

Shimano RX812 GX, Shadow Plus, 11-speed

I will look.

FOUND IT. Okay, chalk it up to the OLD guy who has been pedaling about 60+ years and never dealt with a clutch (outside of a car and even that's been a while now) on a bike! The switch certainly did not have any resistance as I moved it. Did not futz with the derailleur - too early for grease. A BELT drive next time

Same here. Dint know nuffin bout no clutches til about 6 months ago.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My Creo: Rear Derailleur

Shimano RX812 GX, Shadow Plus, 11-speed

I will look.

FOUND IT. Okay, chalk it up to the OLD guy who has been pedaling about 60+ years and never dealt with a clutch (outside of a car and even that's been a while now) on a bike! The switch certainly did not have any resistance as I moved it. Did not futz with the derailleur - too early for grease. A BELT drive next time

One can also adjust the tension of the clutch as shown in the video below. If your Creo has an XT derailleur as in my case, it’s a simple matter of turning the Allen screw on the bottom of the housing.

 

[ActionJackson]

it’s a simple matter of turning the Allen screw on the bottom of the housing.

Yes, & Joe Biden thought an Afghan pullout was a breeze!

 

[kahn]

Shadow Plus means the clutch. The little gray piece shall be pushed forward to release. Then you will be able to move the derailleur cage forward, and thus you can install the wheel.
View attachment 97532
The clutch in the released (unlocked, off) position allows moving the derailleur cage forward.

P.S. Just returned from my vacation. Most of Poland is flooded with heavy raining. It was a long trip.

I guess, now after the fact, I am surprised I was able to even get the wheel re-seated. A second set of hands might have helped. But I was trying to force the derailleur out and back and it was fighting me the entire time as I was trying to thread the wheel into place. Live and learn.

Also make sure before leaving the house that the Through-axle can be moved and loosened by a mere human being. I guess if I had been able to remove the through-axle, I would have had to create a boot/patch for the tire gash. And with Covid, I no longer carry any cash (dollar bills)!!!!

 

[kahn]

Same here. Dint know nuffin bout no clutches til about 6 months ago.

That and through-axles! WHAT??? are those???

Disc brakes were on my mt bike so I knew not to touch the brake levers.

 

[kahn]

One can also adjust the tension of the clutch as shown in the video below. If your Creo has an XT derailleur as in my case, it’s a simple matter of turning the Allen screw on the bottom of the housing.

[

Very funny!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What is problematic with removing the thru-axle?! Lovely idea: it makes the rotor always precisely get between the brake pads without the need for adjusting the disc brakes. Also making the bike laterally stiffer.

Note: The wheel replacement is easier with the bike upside down. And as everything else, it requires practice.

 

[reed scott]

What is problematic with removing the thru-axle?! Lovely idea: it makes the rotor always precisely get between the brake pads without the need for adjusting the disc brakes. Also making the bike laterally stiffer.

It's just ( or was ) a new thing to us old timers with older bikes. I agree they are much better.

 

[kahn]

What is problematic with removing the thru-axle?! Lovely idea: it makes the rotor always precisely get between the brake pads without the need for adjusting the disc brakes. Also making the bike laterally stiffer.

Note: The wheel replacement is easier with the bike upside down. And as everything else, it requires practice.

My rear through-axle was tightened by a super strong giant and would not yield to firm human efforts to loosen it. I finally had to zetz it with a heavy duty rubber mallet three times.

But we probably should return this thread to wonderful scenic pictures and terrific descriptions of places visited by members and talk about clutchs and klutzes in another thread.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Pentapedal Locomotion …

And, as with everything else, it requires practice.

Gailes Golf Club, Brisbane​

Yesterday, as I neared the end of my ride, I spotted these golfing enthusiasts next to the quiet road that the authorities have seemed 'safe enough' for cyclists (it isn't, but that's another story involving bikeway funding).

Golf clubs saving money by employing wildlife to mow their greens is nothing new. I almost ignored them, but thought that it might be interesting to show our group how these fellows move around when great bounding leaps aren't the order of the day.

The eastern grey kangaroo so determined to hop out of the image has her – note the bulging pouches – forepaws extended and just off the ground. The tail has been lifted and all of her weight is on the hind legs. Three 'legs' on the ground.

The roo behind her has already made that move and is now moving her hindlimbs forward whilst supporting her entire weight on her forepaws and tail. Again, three-on-the-ground in contrast to bounding through the air, propelled by synchronised hindlimbs.

Effectively, five-legged gait: pentapedal locomotion!

Kangaroos ain't backward: come to think of it, for them moving in reverse isn't one of life's options.