Bio-Mechanics Cycles & Repairs E.News
VICHOTMANIA!
In This Issue
New in store
D-what?
Pete's Tip 'o' the Day: Protecting Your Hanger 
Now, that's just asking for trouble.
The Tour Down Under brings many things to our doorstep: Italian tourists who rail against our compulsory helmet legislation; bicycles destined for the Challenge ride despite being festooned with spiders and rust; tales of legendary Lance Sightings - like Bigfoot but chattier (roadie snobs: see D-BMAD article to your right); and many, many, many bent rear derailleur hangers. Thus we're dedicating this column to the delicate art of protecting your gears, because they suck when they don't work.

Firstly, what is a rear derailleur hanger? It's a machined piece of metal which attaches the derailleur to the frame.

One of many, many, many, many hangers

Trivia point 1: there are about a kabillion different hanger shapes (thanks, bicycle industry!) so the one that fits your bike probably won't fit your friend's bike.

Trivia point 2: the hanger is a sacrificial part, so when your bike gets a knock, the hanger bends instead of the derailleur. Why? 'Cause it's a lot cheaper to replace a hanger than a derailleur.

"How can my hanger be out? My bike hasn't had a knock!" 
Are you sure?

This is also asking for trouble

If you've ever:
- had your bike stacked in a pile outside a cafe;
- parked your bike at work in a cage or locker;
- parked your bike anywhere other people are parking their bikes (e.g., Central Markets); or
- transported your bike inside your car,
there's a good chance either you or someone else has tapped the area, which is enough to put the hanger out and make your gears misbehave.


"Is there any other way it could have been bent? I swear, it's not been touched by anyone. When it's not being ridden, my bike's suspended in a custom-made lambswool harness with a radial clearance of ten feet."
 
Well, it's far less common, but poor shifting technique can also be a culprit. Some hanger designs are particularly soft and even the force generated by shifting with too much load on the pedals is enough to send them out of alignment. To prevent this, pretend you've got eggs between your foot and your pedal when you're changing gears, until the gear engages.

So what have we learned? 

1. Be careful to not lean your bike's rear derailleur section against or on top of anything.

2. Avoid stacking your bike with others, unless you're super, super, super careful. And even then, we'd still say not to do it.

3. Don't take your irritation out on your gears - they're your friend, so shift with care.

Good luck!

So's this.
Dear Subscriber,  
The Tour is done. The National MTB Championships are done. You've had Australia Day off, and the day after to recover, and now it's back to work. Before we leave the TDU insanity behind and get into what's new, however, we would be remiss not to mention some inspired cycle fandom: the surprise Arthur Vichot fan club!

Tired of the usual Nothing But Lance (And A Bit Of Cadel) Tour coverage, BMCR riders Dan Searson and Alex Bates decided to take a random unknown rider and create their very own fan club. Arthur Vichot was selected, word was spread, customised t-shirts and signs were printed, and Vichotmania was underway. Vichot's initial reaction to being greeted by members of his very own fan club can be best summed up in this picture. Happily, he soon realised the genius of the plan, and the Facebook fan club now has a whopping 1300 members. See the full story here. Dan and Alex, we doff our hats to you!
New in store
All the cycling ladies, all the cycling ladies, put your hands up! Now, who needs a backpack that fits properly instead of squashing your lady parts into origami shapes? Then claspBuilt by a robot, for a robot the Vaude Roomy 17+3 to your previously-constricted bosom! Not only is it shaped to suit you rather than a dude, it's also got a pocket organiser, removable zip pouch, mesh side pockets, "softly" padded sunglass pocket, padded hip belt with (yet another) pocket, helmet holder, reflective elements, and a care manual which sports gems such as, "Cut down on the mutant life forms that will decorate your pack if you store it wet: dry it!" and tells you to "never, never" wash it in a washing machine. Ah, Vaude. You inhabit our dreams.

When you fear to leave your bike outside the pub, even if it's locked up, it's probably time for a security upgrade. What about some Kryptonite? Even if their looks weren't Take this! And that! And one of these!enough to send would-be thieves shrieking into the night, the Evolution shackle locks also boast a reinforced cuff, double deadbolt locking mechanism, multiple keys (one lighted), mounting bracket, and a lifetime warranty. We've got the Evolution LS plus its little brother, and can also order stuff in if you want something different. (Seen the New York chains? Good lord, they're scary.) With Kryptonite, you'll be able to leave your precious in the darkest of corners with confidence.

Should you be a ROACA (Rider Of A Certain Age), it's likely that the chestnut, "I'm getting too old for this," may have crossed your lips. Don't hang up your cleats just yet: Cycling Past 50 will prove you wrong. It's a cornucopia of advice for every roadie, mountain biker, or track racer50 is the new 40, right? whose birthday cake may require candle scaffolding. The text covers: training principles; advanced workouts for endurance, climbing, and sprinting; a pre-race program; injury prevention; nutrition advice; tips for endurance events and multi-day tours; and physical adjustments to keep you comfy. It even looks at an oft-neglected side of cycling: the mental aspect and the importance of a positive attitude. As a bonus, Cycling Past 50 is a handy size to hit anyone over the head who insinuates that your best days in the saddle are behind you. Check out an excerpt here! And then come in and buy one.

Due to popular demand, we're now carrying Look pedals, both roadie and mountain! Our initial offering comprises Look! It's a pedal!the Keo Classic road pedal (solid platform, adjustable cleat retention, oversized axle, and almost as light as carbon for much less money) and the Keo Quartz mountain bike pedal (large contact surface for maximum pedal power, betterLook! It's...er...another pedal! stability and pedalling efficiency, and sheds mud like a stripper sheds underthings). "But I need cleats!"  Well, it's a good thing we've got those, too. "Got any strippers as well?" Ummm.... no.
Golf claps all 'round
BMCR riders have been doing us proud all over the place lately! Put your gloves together for Ryan Jeanes, who won Expert Men in the downhill, and Merlin Spranz, who came 4th in Under-23 Men's XC and 19th in Elite Men's XC, both at the recent Australian MTB Championships. Woo! Adding to the green pride is Joe Mullan's performance at Tasmania's Wildside, where he came 19th in the Men's Open category. Well done, guys!

Props must also go to the following BMCR customers who wrestled Wildside to the ground: Andrew Burford, Tom Burford, Marty Krieg, Brendan Scarborough, Evan Hayes, Chris Tate, and Brian Scarborough (who came 4th in Super Masters). Congrats to all!
D-BAD Month
Have you ever offered a greeting to a fellow cyclist and been faced with stony silence in response? Has a pack of roadies in matching kit ever refused to acknowledge your presence?Tim, thwarted in road relations We're tired of this strange elitist attitude that seems to breed in some people as soon as they slip into their knicks. If you are too, then take a stand with BMCR, for we have declared February to be Don't Be A Dickhead Month. We could argue about how camaraderie on the road contributes to cyclist solidarity, etc., but forget that: D-BAD is about elementary politeness. (And if you're a rider who ignores other people's cheery 'hullo's, then hang your head in shame. You don't have to share your gel, just say 'hi!' Jeez.) So take to the streets, hold your head up high, and say "howdy" to others. And if they don't respond, you are authorised to call them a dickhead.

* We're thinking about getting stickers made; let us know if you're interested...
And there we go for February, which has distinguished itself so far by setting a new record for the number of wheels arriving with broken spokes. At one point, it looked like a nightclub line-up. (Doof doof.) What will March bring, we wonder?

While we ponder, keep riding, and stay safe.

Cheers!

Pete, Lia & Andrew
Bio-Mechanics Cycles & Repairs
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