Back out on the Specialized Creo 2 for a post op steady ride.

 

Well I am finally back out on my bike after a short break out of the saddle. I was just building my weekly mileage to over a 100 each week but I am back to the start again. After some rather crap weather and a visit to Sunderland Royal Hospital last Wednesday for a procedure, yesterday was the first day of getting some normality back in my body again. So today I thought I would give the bike a go and see how I got on. I also wanted to try out the new Sram XX1 chain and new Sram front chainring to make sure everything was working ok. After heavy overnight and early morning rain the tracks n trails are back to mud, puddles and slop again. Not to mention the hail showers, torrential rain, thunder and lighting recently. I had a steady spin down to Durham, around Durham and over to Maiden Castle. Up and down the Trod then back into Durham and around Frankland, The Sands and back home. All in 14.50 miles in 1hr 13mins with 750ft of climbing. The semi slick gravel tyres were not enjoying anything off road so it was an even better excuse to take it steady. All was well I made it back home. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon - 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Bearing Hammer Puller Set. Blind Hole Internal Kit Inner Slide Remover 8-32mm (Part 1)

 

About a month or so ago the front bearings on my second Hunt wheelset had gone. After removing the end caps there was an inner sleeve fitted in the middle of the hub between the bearings so I could not knock them out from the other side. After some googling I worked out I needed a bearing puller tool. Main brands for a good set costs a small fortune and for the amount of bearing replacements of this type I would never get my money back. I then found individual sized bearing puller tools but each size of bearing you had order a new different tool. So I went on ebay and found these cheapo sets from numerous sellers. I am always a little dubious on these cheapo tool sets but at the end of the day if it removes the bearings without damaging the hub shell that will be a win. 

It arrived the next day which was very quick and there are numerous sizes of adaptors in the kit. I found the right size for the bearings I was removing. There was no instructions in the box on how to set up the tool and how to use it. I gave it a go and could not work it out so went back on the listing on ebay and the instruction sheet was on there, see below. Once I had set up the tool correctly on the first bearing it just need two or three sharp pulls and it popped out. I loosened off the tool and removed the old bearing from the adaptor and it was ready for the next side. This took seconds to pull out as I knew what I was doing now. For the money including next day delivery I cannot fault the set and is there ready for anymore internal bearing removals on my numerous wheelsets. 

Part 2 to follow next Sunday and Part 3 the Sunday after that on the replacement bearings and the bearing press tool kit.

RRP £?? but I paid £21.48 inc 24 p&p from Ebay 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Features：

1. It can be used to remove the guide bushing bearing from the blind housing, etc

2. Professional and DIY use

3. Split collet type blind plate/internal/bearing puller

4.Number of Pieces：12

 

Application:

For pulling jobs requiring an internal pull, Blind / Internal /Bearing Puller, fit a wide range of applications

 

Usage Tips:

Insert collet and expand it to fit the hole, then attach the slide hammer assembly

 

Collets Sizes:

8-10 mm (5/16"-13/32")

10-12 mm (13/32"-15/32")

12-14 mm (15/32"-9/19")

15-17 mm (9/32"-11/16")

17-20 mm (11/16"-25/32")

20-24 mm (25/32"-15/16")

25-29 mm (1"-9/8")

30-32 mm (19/16"-5/4")

 

Package included

9 * Inner Bearing Puller

1 * Slide Hammer

1 * Box

Fresh Goodies - Sram X-Sync 107 BCD Chainring, Sram XX1 Eagle Chain, Joes No Flats Presta valve cores & Romneys Kendal Mint Cake

 

The other week when I gave all my bikes a good clean and once over I checked the KMC chain on my Creo 2 gravel bike and it was off the scale for stretch. I have KMC on quite a few bikes and they have lasted well but this time it has not. So I have opted to go back to a Sram chain but a better model - XX1 Eagle. I went for the gold option in 126 link 12 speed. RRP £89.00 and I paid £62.50 inc 48he p&p from Merlin Cycles. 

Then I thought if I am changing my chain why not change my front chainring at the same time. I never use the bottom end of the cassette and if you know County Durham is rather hilly to say the least. I checked what was the smallest tooth chainring you can fit to a Creo 2 and it was 42t. The chainring from factory is 44t so not much difference but a little. I looked at Wolf Tooth chainrings but could not find one to fit in a sale. The Sram original one in Blast Black colour was discounted from a staggering rrp £100.00 down to £73.19 inc 48hr p&p from Winstanley Bikes. Even at that price I cannot see where the money is. 

Next up is some replacement tubleless presta valve core replacements. For some reason I either loose them when taking them out to top up the sealant or they clog up. I bought these Joes No Flats ones from Inspiral Cycles at Bishop Auckland RRP 99p each.  

And whilst I was at Bishop Auckland I also nipped into the Army shop for some more Kendal Mint Cake bars 65p each. 

As ever folks I will do a Fresh Goods Sundays on the items once fitted and get a few miles on them. 

I ride over to Seaburn in very mixed weather conditions

 

The rain on Saturday was unreal, I could not even get the dog out for walk, don't blame her! Yesterday was alot better and had a look through to the Farmers Market at West Auckland. Had a lovely sunny but cold walk after teatime. 

Back out again this morning on the bike after some very heavy early morning rain. I set off in the sun, then it clouded over, it was freezing cold and by the time I hit the coast at Seaburn I was riding into a 25+ mph headwind and drizzle. The waves were breaking over the pier and path walls. I had four tops layers on and was just about keeping the cold off me. By time I reached the top Seaburn that was enough and I turned and headed back. Then it started raining again then it stopped. What a ride in all weathers. The tracks n trails were wet and muddy with plenty of puddles. I had to take it steady as I had my slick'ish gravel tyres on, lost the front and back end a couple of times in silty patches. All in just over 20 miles in 1hr 38mins with 950ft of climbing. enjoy the snaps below from the ride and hopefully more soon-