de-stress derailleurs - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

09-20-2004, 08:10 AM

"gds" wrote: (clip) slip the chain of the front chainrings (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There are actually two different sets of springs--dropping the chain off the
front relaxes the chain tensioning in the rear derailer, but it does not
ease the cable tension to either deraileur.

This thinking is similar to the argument that one should never leave a gun
or a camera shutter ****ed, because the springs will lose their tension
over time. Springs do not lose tension--they are designed to operate well
below the yield stress of the steel.

But, I do agree that Valium, properly applied, can lower any stress
associated with bicycle parts. :-)

09-20-2004, 11:57 AM

Dan Daniel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
> rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
> cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
> then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.
>
> Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
> good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

The benefit to the derailleurs would probably be offset by the
increased chain and sprocket wear caused by starting off in the
small/small combination.

--
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])

09-20-2004, 11:57 AM

Dan Daniel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
> rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
> cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
> then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.
>
> Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
> good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

The benefit to the derailleurs would probably be offset by the
increased chain and sprocket wear caused by starting off in the
small/small combination.

--
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])

09-20-2004, 11:57 AM

Dan Daniel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
> rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
> cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
> then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.
>
> Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
> good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

The benefit to the derailleurs would probably be offset by the
increased chain and sprocket wear caused by starting off in the
small/small combination.

--
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])

09-20-2004, 11:57 AM

Dan Daniel <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Years ago there was talk of leaving the derailleurs in the smallest
> rear and front gears because this left the least pressure on the
> cables and reduced stretching. I don't know if this had any validity
> then, but today's cables are much less prone to stretching.
>
> Theoretically I guess leaving the derailleurs unstressed would be
> good. Personally I'm not going to go out of my way to do it.

The benefit to the derailleurs would probably be offset by the
increased chain and sprocket wear caused by starting off in the
small/small combination.

--
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])

09-20-2004, 04:01 PM

"David L. Johnson" <david.johnson@lehigh.edu> wrote in message
news

an.2004.09.20.14.31.42.620273@lehigh.edu...
> On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:21:22 +0000, MikeYankee wrote:
>
> > I store my bikes with the front derailleur on the small chainwheel and
the
> > rear on one of the smallest cogs. This relieves tension on the
> > derailleurs' springs. I'm not convinced this is really necessary, but
> > have always done it this way and enjoyed good component life. It can't
> > hurt.
>
> I mix a little Valium into the oil I put on the derailleurs. They are
> totally stress-free.

I don't believe in using chemicals, which is why I promote bicycle
meditation for stress-free derailleurs.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Personal page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-20-2004, 04:01 PM

"David L. Johnson" <david.johnson@lehigh.edu> wrote in message
news

an.2004.09.20.14.31.42.620273@lehigh.edu...
> On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:21:22 +0000, MikeYankee wrote:
>
> > I store my bikes with the front derailleur on the small chainwheel and
the
> > rear on one of the smallest cogs. This relieves tension on the
> > derailleurs' springs. I'm not convinced this is really necessary, but
> > have always done it this way and enjoyed good component life. It can't
> > hurt.
>
> I mix a little Valium into the oil I put on the derailleurs. They are
> totally stress-free.

I don't believe in using chemicals, which is why I promote bicycle
meditation for stress-free derailleurs.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Personal page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-20-2004, 04:01 PM

"David L. Johnson" <david.johnson@lehigh.edu> wrote in message
news

an.2004.09.20.14.31.42.620273@lehigh.edu...
> On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:21:22 +0000, MikeYankee wrote:
>
> > I store my bikes with the front derailleur on the small chainwheel and
the
> > rear on one of the smallest cogs. This relieves tension on the
> > derailleurs' springs. I'm not convinced this is really necessary, but
> > have always done it this way and enjoyed good component life. It can't
> > hurt.
>
> I mix a little Valium into the oil I put on the derailleurs. They are
> totally stress-free.

I don't believe in using chemicals, which is why I promote bicycle
meditation for stress-free derailleurs.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Personal page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-20-2004, 04:01 PM

"David L. Johnson" <david.johnson@lehigh.edu> wrote in message
news

an.2004.09.20.14.31.42.620273@lehigh.edu...
> On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:21:22 +0000, MikeYankee wrote:
>
> > I store my bikes with the front derailleur on the small chainwheel and
the
> > rear on one of the smallest cogs. This relieves tension on the
> > derailleurs' springs. I'm not convinced this is really necessary, but
> > have always done it this way and enjoyed good component life. It can't
> > hurt.
>
> I mix a little Valium into the oil I put on the derailleurs. They are
> totally stress-free.

I don't believe in using chemicals, which is why I promote bicycle
meditation for stress-free derailleurs.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Personal page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
See the books I've set free at: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]