RogueMechanic

The Latest Haterade

I thought that I'd share with you the latest "haterade" comment that I received.  As you might guess, it's about the Campagnolo Ultra Torque non-issue....

"There weren't enough failures showing up in the field yet for this relatively new part to cause market flashback". It appears from the email that the author experienced this alleged issue in 2010. Ultra Torque was released in 2006. Its now 2012. How many ultra torque cranksets do you think have been sold in this time? A google search still shows just you and your pathetic little campaign. No "market flashback" yet. Meanwhile... in the real world: http://forums.cervelo.com/forums/p/2519/15292.aspx Read it and weep. You're fooling nobody. Idiot.

Thank you for your comment.  I'm sure that you have more experience than I do with this.  What flavor is that kool-aid?

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One of My Best Tools

I've been asked numerous questions about the short video of my Crest Ultrasonic cleaner that I posted on YouTube a while back, so I figured that I'd post some info about it and some things that I learned using it.

Efficient

This single piece of equiptment has made probably the biggest difference in my productivity.  It allows for me to essentially "work" on two bikes at once.  I can get a start on one bike by removing the drivetrain components, which typically include the cassette, chain, front and rear derailleurs as well as the crankset, while I continue to work on the bike that's on stand #1.  Gone are the days of taking those said components to the parts cleaner and scrubbing away with a brush.

Does a Dang Good Job.

I'm not going to get into the science behind how ultrasonic cleaners work beyond the fact high frequency sound waves cause "tiny explosions" or cavication bubbles on the surface of the item that's being cleaned.  Bottom line is that it works (better if you use the right solution and temperature).

Solution

I've tried alot of different solutions in my ultrasonic cleaner at different concentrations and at different temps.  Some definitely work better than others.  Temperature certainly makes a difference in the end result as well as the time required to clean the item.  After trying everything from off the shelf Simple Green to even a few products that are ultrasonic cleaner specific, I have come to really like Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner.  This stuff really works.  Unfortunately, it's not as easy to obtain than the regular Simple Green product is, and it also costs more.  I get mine from Simple Green Guy.  As far as the concentration, this is powerful stuff.  Don't be fooled.  A little goes a long way.  I typically use a 1:4 or 1:5 concentration and add more solution or water as necessary. 

Bottom Line

If you can afford one, get one.  You're going to wonder why you waited so long...

 

OH: Campagnolo Ultra Torque Discussion

 

My take on the new Campagnolo Power Torque System

After watching the 1:56 minute video of the new Power Torque System that can be found here in their Lab Tech section of the Campagnolo website and looking beyond the stunning video clips and the driving music, I had a handful of questions.  But first, take a look at the video....

 

Initially, these specific things came to mind...

0:55 - Integrated Axle in the Right Crankset  hmmm... where have I seen this before?!?  Oh that's right... Shimano, SRAM, Truvative, FSA...

1:00  - Coupling System that Cancel Any Possible Play  Possible play?!?  Really?!?  you mean like this..

 

Na... it can't be.  All of that axial play is completely normal.  (here, you look thirsty, have some more Kool-Aid...)  Anyway, what I'm getting at is that the folks at Campy with this statement wouldn't be admitting any possible problems with the Ultra-Torque System design... would they?!?

1:05 - Optimized Spacers for an Extremely Light and Stiff Axle  For the life of me, I can't see what optimized spacers have to do with the axle being light and stiff... Maybe I'm missing something... help please?!?

1:10 - Easy and Quick Assembly and Maintanence  Really?!?

Note to video producers: At approx 1:14 you forgot to install the holding clip (fig 9 in the installation manual and at approx 1:19, you forgot to install the spring under the gasket (fig 11 in the installation manual).  Just wanted to bring that to your attention.

1:31 - Without any Additional Dedicated Tool... Well, that's kinda accurate, for assembly, but make sure that you have a 14mm hex handy.

Now when you want to perform maintanence, you will need a good quality gear puller/extractor, a cloth (so that you don't chew up the NDS crankarm), AND the Campagnolo UT-FC090 tool.  Wait a second... I thought that you won't need any "dedicated" tools?!?  I think that kids these days call this a "fail".

In closing, I wonder if or when Power Torque is going to replace Ultra Torque... Why have two different systems when one is supposed to be so much better than everything else out there.  Hmmm...just wondering...

So, these are just my thoughts.  As always, I welcome any comments.  Please tell me where I might be off-base.  Thanks for checking in!  -John

Clarification: The RogueMechanic Ideology, of sorts.

I just wanted to do a quick post to clarify my position on where I stand when it comes to Campagnolo.  First off, I'm not a Campy hater.  I think that this is the impression out there based on some of my rants and probably more specifically my focus on the Ultra-Torque thing that I got myself involved in.  Just because I have an issue with the design of their crankset/bottom bracket system, doesn't mean that I dislike everything that Campagnolo produces.  That's clearly not the case.  I think that even a blind man would love the innovation and typical Italian design throughout the Campagnolo component lineup.  What's not to love about Italian design... besides the cost...and maybe the additional maintanence...and let's not forget the compatibility issues?  Sorry to digress...

Anyway, it's safe to say that I get torqued-off with any company that brings to market a product that is less than perfect and does next to nothing to make it right with the comsumer, let alone charge a premium for it.  I think that Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo are guilty of this charge. Some more than others.

If you take the time to search this blog, you will find that my frustrations are not only aimed at Campagnolo.  Unfortunately, there has been quite a few products and/or companies that have been in my crosshairs at some point in time.  I feel that it's my "duty" to my clients and readers of this blog to "speak with no forked tongue" or to say it like it is.  Fair and unbiased. 

In closing, I always try to put myself in my customers/readers shoes.  I'd want my mechanic to speak the truth.  Finding someone with integrity, that's honest, and is knowledgeable seems to be the Holy Grail these days, and I try to keep those attributes front and center.  Thanks for reading.  -John

I hope Power Torque is better than Their Translators

Case in point...

This is from Campagnolo's June 10th press release that I found on their website:

This time, the axle is in a single piece firmly fixed to the right pedal crank of the crankset. The perfect coupling between central pin and pedal crank is ensured thanks to the particular geometry of the two components; this solution also makes it possible to eliminate the potential play between the different materials...

I mean... Come on.  Seriously.  Can't they run the ad copy by someone in their North America office to do a little "touching up"?!?  It almost seems as if they employed the services of the same folks who write the ads for the Taiwanese component manufactures that are found towards the back of the BDS publication...  I guess that I expect more in this day and age from a international company of Campagnolo's caliber.

You can find the official press release here.

Coming up... What's up with Power Torque?

Things do change.

I was kinda affraid that it would come to this... The "this" that I'm speaking of is the Leadville 100 MTB Race.  With the recent popularity of the event because of Lance and the Race Across the Sky movie, I'm sure that Ken and Merilee were flooded with applications for the 2010 race. 

As you can imagine, there are a lot of rumblings coming from those who "didn't make the cut".  I understand that that's going to happen.  Things have certainly changed from the first time I did the race in 1997 and the last time in 2006 (and 3 other times in between...).  That, I guess is to be expected. 

A buddy of mine who I went out to crew for last year, applied for the 2010 race.  He even volunteered a whole day marking the course.... Still, no dice. (You are supposed to get preference in the 2010 entry process).  Anyway, here's something that he just sent me that he found posted on the LT100 message board:

I have a friend that has started this race endeavor alongside me 9 years
ago. He's finished 4 LV100's. Then he was injured when he hit a guard rail
training for LV100 and had to take a couple of years off for the bone to
heal and other important family matters. He has been volunteering in the
foot race and the bike race over the last 4 years whether he raced or not.
Hell, he even scrambled to pick up and deliver the musette bag Lance fumbled
and dropped at the Twin Lakes Aid Station two years ago while he flew
through the checkpoint. He applied this year ready to race and finish. He
didn't make the cut.

In his 'Dear John' email from Merilee they said 'sorry, you didn't make it,
but basically you can buy your way in by forking out a wad of cash via
Carmichael's Train Right program. Obviously the corporate machine has its
teeth sunk into this cash cow. I see too many political similarities here
that came down from the State level.

Bottom line is that we want things be "more popular" or more "mainstream", but we don't want things about it to change... That rarely happens.  Thanks for reading.  -John

Chain Links: My quick take.

I was recently asked by @justinbrennan on @twitter what my opinions are regarding the different designs or techniques for connecting chains that are currently out there and if I had any preferences.  Well, as you can imagine, I do have some opinions as well as preferences. 

I think that it's best to first preface this with saying that no matter how good the design is, if you do not do the installation properly, you are more than likely going to experience some sort of failure, so do it right.

Let's break this down into brands...

Shimano HG & IG Pins:

I have no issues with this design.  It works for the useful life of the chain... unlike their Quick-Link design issue that I noted here.  I like this simple, low cost design.

Campagnolo C-10 HD Link:

Besides the fact that it's the most costly (approx $30US for just the Link Kit) and the big $'s for the Campy chain tool, it's also the most time/labor intensive design... Hey, you have to pay to play especially when it comes to Campy....  I think that because of this, folks are more likely to do a half-ass chain cleaning job with the chain on the bike instead of the more thorough approach associated with removing the chain.  I'm ok with this, but I have a hard time looking folks in the eye and telling them the cost...

Campagnolo 11s:

See above but more $$$.

SRAM Powerlink:

Simple, cost effective, and it just plain works.  I like it.

SRAM PowerLock:

This connector link for SRAM 10spd chain differs, besides dimensions, from the 9spd Powerlink in the fact that it is not reusable.  I don't have a problem with that.  It works and I like the design.

Wippermann ConneX 9&10:

I just can't get excited enough about this product to use it or even recommend it...as long as there are other options out there.

KMC Missing Link:

See previous comment.

So there you have it.  I hope that this helps, and remember, this is my opinion that is based on first-hand experience.  Thanks for checking in.  -John

Thoughts about Race Across the Sky Movie

As probably all of you know, the premier showing on the big screen of Race Across the Sky happened last Thursday in many theaters nationwide.  Up front, I have to admit that I was fairly pumped to see it, especially after watching the trailer more than once.

This years LT100 race was different for me than the other five that I had attended over the years.  This is because it was the first time being there for the event and not racing.  My reason for being there was to prep some bikes the day before and to crew the day of the race.  I have to admit, that it was pretty cool seeing it from a different perspective and worlds easier.

Now, after seeing it and letting it sink in for a few days I'd like to share with you my perspective.  First, let me say that I can't really complain about ANY movie on the big screen having to do with the LT100.  How cool is that! I bet Ken and Merilee are thrilled to have this amount of exposure for the event that they put a ton of effort into.  I am very happy for them.  But..... I would be lying if I said that I wasn't more than a little disappointed when the screen when black after Ken pulled the trigger on the scattergun, and here's why.

I think that the producers might have missed focus about what this race is all about for the vast majority of those who go out to tackle this event.  We all know that Lance, Wiens, and Brown can ride fast and kick butt on any given day.  Why focus the vast majority on them?  They ride for a living.  The rest of us who suffer like dogs do not.  I'm not blind to the fact that having Lance in the movie will definitely sell tickets and put butts in the seats, and that can't be ignored.  So, here are a few things that I think were missed (or ended up on the editing floor) that I believe might have played a significant role it the other "ninety percenters":

• Signing in at the starting line, and the nervousness of the start mid-pack and back...
• The bare-knuckled narrow rocky descent back down from the columbine checkpoint when you have riders pushing their bikes on your left...
• The first aid tent at the finish...
• Merilee draping the finishers medals on the riders after they cross the finish line.
• The awards ceremony with the handing out of the buckles and the sweatshirts with your name and finishing time...
• Something about the rider(s) who can see the finish line when they hear the BOOM.
• The Last Ass Over the Pass award (Last rider to finish under the 12 hour mark)...

To wrap this up, all in all, it was good, but I thought that maybe having the Last Ass over the Pass winner and the person who was the first to miss out on the coveted La Plata Grande with Lance, Dave, Travis, et al during the discussion after the movie would have been the icing...