Sir Lancelot, my Surly Long Haul Trucker received today his first winter service at 2,621 km / 1,628 mi. Winter services are scheduled every 500 km and consist of:
- Degreasing the chain using a Park’s Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Scrubber and Australian Export degreaser;
- Application of Rock and Roll Gold chain lube to the chain;
- Checking of chain wear with a Park Tools CC-3 Chain Wear indicator -Â no issues on this front;
- Checking the tension on all bolts and screws on Sir Lancelot. Found two of the stem face plate bolts are showing signs of rust. Will need to replace these with stainless steel bolts.
- Cleaning the bike. I ensured that I covered the Garmin Edge GCS-10 sensor this time with a plastic bag to avoid it getting wet. It seems to have done the trick.
No other issues where noted. Tyre wear is okay, brake pad wear is okay and the derailleurs and brakes are holding their adjustments okay.
Wow, degreasing and lubeing the chain every 500kms! I do mine with a chain washer every week (or so) and it’s not even as special a bike as the Surly.
Chain checking is a good idea too. I recently replaced my chain after knowing it was stretched for a year… and wow what a difference that makes!
Cheers
Gus
Hi Gus. Are you suggesting that is too often (about every two weeks for me)? In summer/spring this goes out to 1,000 km as we experience little rain; I suspect like yourself.
Andrew
Wow, degreasing and lubeing the chain every 500kms! I do mine with a chain washer every week (or so) and it’s not even as special a bike as the Surly.
Chain checking is a good idea too. I recently replaced my chain after knowing it was stretched for a year… and wow what a difference that makes!
Cheers
Gus
Hi Gus. Are you suggesting that is too often (about every two weeks for me)? In summer/spring this goes out to 1,000 km as we experience little rain; I suspect like yourself.
Andrew
That’s interesting. I was noticing that those same four bolts on my LHT were rusting and was planning on replacing them with stainless. There are no other signs of rust anywhere else on the bike that I’ve noticed.
That’s interesting. I was noticing that those same four bolts on my LHT were rusting and was planning on replacing them with stainless. There are no other signs of rust anywhere else on the bike that I’ve noticed.
Hi Ken. Same here. Just those bolts showing signs of rust. Bit disappointed with that.
Hi Ken. Same here. Just those bolts showing signs of rust. Bit disappointed with that.
I wouldn’t worry about the rust, it’s only suface rust. As long as you grease the threads occasionally. When you remove the bolts you can check them then most of
the rust inside the hex slot will be removed by the allen key. Also a tiny bit of CRC on the head after retensioning helps.
I wouldn’t worry about the rust, it’s only suface rust. As long as you grease the threads occasionally. When you remove the bolts you can check them then most of
the rust inside the hex slot will be removed by the allen key. Also a tiny bit of CRC on the head after retensioning helps.
Andrew,
I took a closer look at my LHT over the weekend. I have a few more places that are showing rust.
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/2009/07/29/surly-long-haul-trucker-showing-some-rust-at-500-miles/
(Please don’t mock me for my low mileage. I’ve had a bunch of projects to knock out. I promise to do better.)
Perry,
Thanks for the words of comfort. I know it’s not a big deal, but it still hurts to look down and see rust, no matter how harmless.
Andrew,
I took a closer look at my LHT over the weekend. I have a few more places that are showing rust.
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/2009/07/29/surly-long-haul-trucker-showing-some-rust-at-500-miles/
(Please don’t mock me for my low mileage. I’ve had a bunch of projects to knock out. I promise to do better.)
Perry,
Thanks for the words of comfort. I know it’s not a big deal, but it still hurts to look down and see rust, no matter how harmless.