Last post, I still had some action items to prepare my MTB for another trip, one of the actions remaining, the fabrication of a protection for the rear derailleur. The other major issue was tuning the bike and we're all set now, my front derailleur woes should be resolved based on my test ride yesterday. Two key issues discovered with the front derailleur:
MTB shifting issues resolved:
- Most significant issue was the front derailleur attached too high, the derailleur cage was riding too high above the chain rings. When downshifting the chain struck just under the 'pop in' on the cage's outer plate. It took a few tries to find the ideal cage alignment with the downshift issue presenting itself only off the bike stand.
- Cable tension, this was easy to resolve only after the derailleur clearance and alignment issue is ideal.
Lesson Learned:
- re enforce previous conclusions:
- be militant about maintenance before heading to the high country, identifying and correcting the derailleur issue took 90 minutes
- with the bike is dialed in, we need a creative solution to ensure the derailleurs don't get whacked out of alignment in transit. I'll take take measurements with the rear tire off, and think some more.
- it's easy to forget the order of operation for adjusting the derailleurs, so I don't try:
- re-watch videos on YouTube
- adjust the bike's derailleurs when you have plenty of time
- use an ideal sized screw driver
- suck it up and use a fine tip sharpie to mark the frame where the front derailleur should ride up/down and side to side...when it gets out of whack again, this will help identify the issue and save time re-aligning
- the brake caliper shim issue - (don't remember the exact source) internet, someone recommended plastic toilet shims. I picked these up from Lowe's today and they work perfectly, $3.99 for an 8 pack...very good tip if you need to transport a bike with hydraulic brakes..
- spend quality time with family
- give Kathleen a break from 23 month old son
- knock out some honey dos
- work on action items to be more prepared when weather improves
- review material from CPA Mountain Flying - High Elevation Airport Operations Ground School
Took Liam to the O-HO (his word for the airport) yesterday afternoon:
- visited Pom-Pom's (grandpa) hangar, he was busy fitting new shoes on the T-18, he'd flown toward Wilkerson Pass earlier in the morning and it was turbulent
- chatted with a CAP pilot who'd just returned from Corona Pass (bumpy)
- taxied the Cheetah to self-serve to add some fuel (@41 gal), ideally we carry 37 (tanks are 52 gal capacity)
- improved my weight and balance process with use of digital baggage scale
Dial in my weight and balance
I've been using weight calculations formulated from a bathroom scale(with a very liberal rounding methodology). Though I was certain the weights were over actual; bottom-line I'm not certain. Right now, it's just me in the Cheetah and I'm well inside the envelope, but before taking someone else and their gear on-board this needs some sharpening.
I've sorted out my gear in the hangar by station and will use a digital baggage scale to record exact weights for everything riding in the cabin with me. Then build a weight and balance menu for my personal items and gear.
| Weighing my iPad, cameras, maps and assorted sundry items, put all the small items in a garbage bag and weigh them together Item/s |
Actual Weight |
Rounded Weight |
Station |
| Bicycle Tool box | 10.11 | 11 | Cargo |
| Yellow bicycle gear backpack | 8.9 | 10 | Cargo |
| tow bar and wheel chocks | 4.43 | 5 | Cargo |
| Survival Backpack | 7.36 | 8 | Rear seat |
| MTB Hydration pack(empty water) + helmet and gloves | 4.82 | 5 | Cargo |
| Bicycle tire pump | 2.4 | 3 | Cargo |
| Bicycle stand | 12.05 | 13 | Cargo |
| Cargo tie down straps (blue x 2) | 0.59 | 1 | Cargo |
| Electronics and trail maps | 6.01 | 7 | Rear seat |
| Booster seat | 6.65 | 7 | front or rear seat |
| Purple Stroller | 12.32 | 13 | Cargo |
| 2 QT of Oil and tie down kit | 8.02 | 9 | Cargo |
| Travel tool kit (small) | 5.82 | 6 | Cargo |
| Rear Seat back rests | 10.38 | 11 | Rear seat |
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