Marking History

This post is more for me than anybody reading.  I've found this blog to be an invaluable reference for myself.  A running history of sorts, so I plan to update it occasionally ... just for me (but you're welcome to read).  I also recommend blogging the experience to anybody venturing into their own bike build.

1.  I switched to tubeless tires in August 2017, going with a Stan's NoTubes kit and Tubless Easy Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires, on my non-tubeless Andra 210 rims.  There was some swearing involved, but I got them mounted.  I also learned enough where I could do it again with an 80% reduction in cuss words.  So far, love them, and can run 'em at a lower pressure for a more comfortable ride.  Zero flats is particularly nice, too.  Half the weight of the Marathon Plus tube set  up.

2.  In preparing for a 12-day tour, the Ergon GP-1 grips got swapped out for GP-5's with bar end grips.  Didn't find much use for them on tour.  The alternate hand position was nice but the bar ends felt far too wide to be comfortable.  I'm going to slide the brake levers, shifter and grips farther onto the handle bars to test a slightly narrower hand position.  I might be shortening the handlebars ... or not, depending on how the test goes.

3.  The original NSBike pedals gave out a few months ago.  They were cheap but I honestly expected more durability from them.  When the creaking first started I thought the chainring bolts were loose ... nope.  Then I swapped out the bottom bracket but the creaking continued.  I now have VP Vice pedals.  They have three bearings in each pedal so they should last longer.  They can also be rebuilt with a $20 rebuild kit.  Oh, and I got them for about half the retail price.

4.  [KNOCK ON WOOD] The belt and brakes keep on ticking without issue. [/KNOCK ON WOOD]  I have no idea if or how a belt shows its nearing end of life.  Does it just suddenly break?  Does it start to wear?  Does if show cracking?  Who knows?  I'm ordering a replacement for whenever its demise comes.  Honestly, I didn't expect hydraulic brakes to be this maintenance free.  I'll I've done is replace pads.

5.  Rohloff now offers splined rear sprockets that install with a C clip.  No more threads.  They also have a new carrier so existing hubs can use the splined sprockets ... and it works with belt-specific sprockets too.  Got a new carrier and splined sprocket in my parts bin for when the time comes.