Last year I noticed the Viner's left downtube cablestop adjuster was frozen solid with corrosion. I just used the rear derailleur screw instead and forgot about it. Then a few months later I tried loosening it with penetrating oil, whacking it, and finally applying some torque, but the adjuster screw broke in two. The cable had an odd angle but it seemed to shift ok so I kept using it despite being broken.
Then last month the rainy season arrived and I decided to finally fix it. The aluminum screw remnant wouldn't move so I drilled it out and installed some nice Jag-wire steel adjusters. The shifter cables were trashed so I replaced all the cables and housing, then rewrapped the bars with Cinelli cork ribbon. I even scrubbed the frame (I think that may have been the first time I've done more than hose the mud off). Simple stuff but now it feels like a new bike. If it doesn't rain tomorrow I'll give it a proper test ride.
Edit: went for a spin to Malnisio and San Martino- shifts smoothly as new. About the only difference I feel with the new setup is the brake cable housing on the back of the bars instead of front. This routing made it easier to get rid of the crossed-derailleur cables under the down tube. Never did care for those- looks much cleaner with cables parallel.
 |
| This is the side I drilled. Luckily I didn't drill out the threads. |
 |
| Close up of Jag-wire adjuster |
 |
| New Cinelli cork ribbon |
Stuff like this happens when the corrosive sweat which collects in places like this is not flushed away with clear water after a proper wash job. For some reason this is even worse with riders who consume a lot of drinks sweetened with artificial sweeteners. A clean bike is a happy bike!
ReplyDelete