Talon Quick Link Removal Tool and Other Misc. Items

[Prairie Dog]

I added one of these to my kit bag. It’s a compact set of multi-link pliers which also holds a spare link and does double duty as tire levers.

https://www.granite-design.com/talon

https://www.amazon.ca/Granite-Lever...&keywords=granite+talon&qid=1617681633&sr=8-2

Speaking of kit bags, I picked up a lightly used Blackburn corner bag for $15 off of Kijiji. I had to retrofit a longer lower strap as the original version wouldn’t reach around the circumference of the battery.

I also had a few scraps of 3M film left over from a previous project so I used a larger piece and applied it to the bottom surface of the battery which tends to receive plenty of flak thrown up from the front tire. I’ve already noticed a few abrasions on that side so the film should provide a good layer of protection. I find the scraps of film are great to apply on parts of the bike that tend to experience more wear/abrasion.

 

[RandallS]

I've got the same levers - only in orange. They have worked well as tire levers.

That bike is too clean - just sayin'.

 

[Johnny]

I added one of these to my kit bag. It’s a compact set of multi-link pliers which also holds a spare link and does double duty as tire levers.

https://www.granite-design.com/talon

https://www.amazon.ca/Granite-Lever...&keywords=granite+talon&qid=1617681633&sr=8-2

Speaking of kit bags, I picked up a lightly used Blackburn corner bag for $15 off of Kijiji. I had to retrofit a longer lower strap as the original version wouldn’t reach around the circumference of the battery.
View attachment 84015
I also had a few scraps of 3M film left over from a previous project so I used a larger piece and applied it to the bottom surface of the battery which tends to receive plenty of flak thrown up from the front tire. I’ve already noticed a few abrasions on that side so the film should provide a good layer of protection. I find the scraps of film are great to apply on parts of the bike that tend to experience more wear/abrasion.
View attachment 84016View attachment 84017

Very nice looking bike and very clean.

In one of my bikes, I also covered the front side of the down tube with 3M paint protection film. Not only it protected the paint but also it made cleaning easier.
In your case, you may also install that film on the top tube since you have a bag attached to it.

I will probably do it for my newer bikes too. Just too lazy atm.

Btw, what kind of solution do you use for the installation? Two separate solutions , ipa/water and BabyShampoo/water, or just one solution?

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've got the same levers - only in orange. They have worked well as tire levers.

That bike is too clean - just sayin'.

Yes, the Trance does get cleaned up between rides if it's really filthy and it does see more than its fair share of mud as you very well know. I try my best to keep it off the paved pathways and hit the trails as often as possible. No Johnny Watts for me.....just sayin'.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Btw, what kind of solution do you use for the installation? Two separate solutions , ipa/water and BabyShampoo/water, or just one solution?

Yep, I use a diluted solution of shampoo and water to apply and isopropyl/H20 to allow the film to adhere.

 

[RandallS]

Yes, the Trance does get cleaned up between rides if it's really filthy and it does see more than its fair share of mud as you very well know. I try my best to keep it off the paved pathways and hit the trails as often as possible. No Johnny Watts for me.....just sayin'.
View attachment 84023

Earlier today,
Johnny Watts or Nobby Nics or Maxxis Forekasters?
Can you tell? There are indeed JWs underneath all that.



Man o' man there was mud flying around when I got out of there.
Softball+ size wodges of mud crammed into fenders and seat stays.

I had to clean it out by hand to keep going.
I also had to warn walkers coming my way for the first 100 metres after I climbed out of that ravine - there were clumps flying everywhere.
Fun though...and bike is pretty clean now.

 

[Prairie Dog]

That's exactly what my tires looked like on my last ride with an added layer of leaves from the MTB park just to make things a bit more challenging. That sticky mud clings onto anything regardless of what tires you’re running on. It slows down your progress and also creates issues when trying to obtain traction. No other choice but to stop and scrape off only what you can get at.