WRENCHING FOR A CAUSE

Over the past few years I've found out it's almost as fun working on well built race bikes as it is riding them.  Using some really good tools and working on higher level components makes the job easier and usually ends up with better results.  Cat 1 team mate Evie had a grocery list of issues with her Race level  ASR and I offered to run through it piece by piece and let her concentrate on training (since I'm not).

Overall, the '07 or '08 ride was in good shape.  DT Swiss wheels were still running true with no bearing issues but the cassette engagement mechanism shows some hostility later while under big ring load.  Likewise the Fox fork and rear shock showed no signs of leakage, serious scratches or wear.  Just dropped a little air pressure based on the manufacturer's recommendations and confirmed topside Float Fluid.  Headset was well, -set. 

Here's what we ended up doing to smooth the ride.

BOTTOM BRACKET NOISES

Bottom bracket was replaced with a brand new XTR level bracket left out of a press in carbon frame build.  Teflon taped threads to insure good thread engagement.  Bearing adjustment and crankarm bolts set per Dr. Shimano.  Theory is the creaking left with the old BB.

SHIFTS LIKE SH&%

Bike shop trick is to buy miles of  5mm cable housing and use it for both brake and shifters.  New correctly sized Jagwire 4mm housings full-length coverage installed along with new cables and minor re-routing.  High/Low derailleur adjustments were good.  Slap on a new SRAM 991 nickel plated chain and we're back to actually having 27 usable gears!

BRAKES=FRICTION......FRICTION=WEAR

Stoppers got a DA sanding on the rotor surfaces, caliper re-centering, new pads and a couple of  un-needed inches of  front hose removed.  Shimano Rotor Locks torque down just like  the cassette lock ring and the Topeak D-Torque-DX torque wrench gives an audible "beep" when we hit 40 N/m.

ALL THINGS RUBBER

The DT Swiss XR 4.2D rims have tubeless tire rim strips and and valves installed.  Most of the tire sealant had evaporated or squirted out sandburr punctures.  A lightly used pair of Mountain King 2.2s were mounted along with a healthy dose of Stan's sealant. Thank god for compressors.

A Topeak bottle cage replaced the generic alloy holder and a new set of Ergon grips have been prescribed before Nathrop.  A pair of Crank Brothers SLs replaced the SPD pedals.

Go get'm Evie!!