Maple Leaf Test Rides

The continuing saga of test riding a Supercycle SC1800 (Canadian Tire product # 71-1556)

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

km 22835.1

22310 base





Observations are now taken from Cateye odometer that was repaired around mid-February, 2012.

Then, on March 2, 2012, the back derailleur was replaced with a Shimano RDTX35 (DATT model) (MEC part sku#264068 $12). A new drivetrain was hooked up from spares that included a new freewheel (MEC part#5020159 $13.50) and chain (MEC part 5006382 $14.50). This means the SRAM PC-830 was installed for 2431km, though it really was indicating worn out around 2000km. At that time the Filzer odometer indicated 6486km + 16000 (base km) which means the procedure was performed at interval 22486 km.

At that time the new Cateye odometer was indicating 176km which means there is 22310 base km to be added to future observations. The Cateye odometer is the same as a previous unit, except that it took this long to figure out how to change a battery (2032 type) to an instrument that is glued to the handlebar with cyanoacrylicate. Suffice it to say, it involves dental tools and patience. This procedure was performed just before the battery in the Filzer unit failed around the 23000 km mark. This means the unit ran for almost 6500 km at an average of about 20kph which means a run time of about 325 hours for the Filzer Dz2L with OEM battery.

Todays mileage reading is at 525.1 which means the machine has travelled 22835.1km.

To follow up on a previous observation: On May 13, 2011 a new back wheel and drivetrain was installed at interval 20055.1 km. The back wheel is spec'ed as [single wall aluminium rim, 36 spoke, Q/R aluminium hub] (MEC part sku#286592 $42). It was replaced as the solid axle in the old wheel was badly bent due to damaged dropouts. The dropouts were repaired and the new wheel is working out ok except that the brake surface is already 50% worn with 2780km on it. Also there was a single broken spoke repaired on March 2, 2012 at km22486, it seemed to fail due to having an 'elbow' of about 3mm even though the hub flange is only 2mm! Also on the same service interval the chain [SRAM PC-830] (MEC part #5016386 $14.50) and freewheel [Sunrace MF-M20] (MEC part #5020159 $14.50 at that time) were replaced.

The other maintenance involves disassembling, cleaning and lubricating the Shimano brand brake calipers. There is a bushing that corrodes quite easily and means that they can be closed to apply brakes, and then will not spring back to the open position. With regular maintenance this is not a problem, except that this services is being performed seasonally. Tried three different types of lubricant on the brake caliper bushing the results are the same. Stay posted to see if the 'Phil' brand grease will keep it from corroding by mid summer.

Other than all that maintenance, the rig is running quite right and tight with mightily gripping brakes and a solid hookup from the gears. The clock on the instrumentation is running on daylight savings time.