My Three Wheeled Adventure…

I spent the last year going over gear inch calculations, trying to determine what would be better - a new “monster” rear end or larger chainrings.

I currently ride with a tripple chainring 30/42/60 and found that I don’t use the 30, and that I could replace the 60t with something a bit bigger.

I’ve decided that I’m keeping the Micro rear end, the smaller wheels (17″ diameter), the Capreo rear hub, 9-26 cluster (going on year 3 with it) and adding the larger chainrings (42t/61t), this will give me a range similar to a 50/34 on a 25″ wheel with a 11-28 cluster (26 - 112 gear inches).

The money saved by not going with the monter rear I’ve put into new parts, bearings, and the new powder.

Once its all done, I’ll have pictures posted.

Also, the money spent on quality ceramic bearings will pay for themsleves over time since they will last 5 - 10 times longer than steel bearings.

Ceramic bearings that is…

Thought I’d share my experience with ceramic bearings…

I love them!

This past June I swapped out the 6001 12×28x8 cartridge bearings with equivalent “hybrid” ceramic bearings in the front hubs of my Trice Micro and have noticed better performance from of these wheels.

I have also changed out the 1/4 loose ball steel bearings in my Capreo with equivalent ceramic loose ball bearings two weeks ago.

Currently riding on a trainer, all I can say about the rear bearing change is that the bearings run quieter and the wheel rolls easier (my heart rate isn’t as high for the same amount of effort).

The “Hybrid” Ceramic bearings I use are 6001 2RS 12×28x8 sealed cartridge bearings with Si3N4 Ceramic ball bearing with metal races. The loose ball ceramic bearings are 1/4 Si3N4. Both sizes of bearings I purchased from www.vxb.com, very good website and good prices.

Things reported on ceramic bearings:

1) Last longer than steel
2) More “round” than steel
3) Harder than steel - retain shape longer
4) Will tend to polish metal races
5) Will tend to prevent corrosion
6) Ligher than steel bearings (two 1/4 Si3N4 loose ball bearings weigh as much as one steel bearing)

I’ll have more to report as I get more road time with the bearings.

Well, almost…

I’m having the powder redone, swapping out old parts with new ones.

My trike is 6 years old and has over 24,000 miles - and it shows. There are several areas that are showing corrosion and nicks in the current powder. Current parts are showing their age.

Going over the costs for a new trike versus overhauling my Micro, the overhaul is the better deal.

So for the month of October I’ll have my trike completely rebuilt.

The plan is as follows:

Order labels from Inspired Cycle Engineering - done

Order replacement parts - completed today. The internet is amazing - through four companies, I was able to find all the parts needed to rebuild the trike. They should all arrive by mid October.

Parts ordered:

Front and rear Ultegra deraileurs
Dura Ace bar end shifters
FSA crank and bottom bracket
Specialite TA chainrings (size 42t and 61t - ramped and pinned)
Capreo 9-26 cassette
Ceramic bearings for Capreo rear hub
Tires and tubes

I have on hand new cables, and bar tape, although, the current tape I have is black, I might go to a marbled red and black.

The removal of all parts, bolts, tube inserts, and plastics is scheduled for October 2. After I have removed all that I can, I’ve scheduled The Bike Gallery in Beaverton to remove the remaining parts on the October 3.

Powder coat parts - Delivery of frame to Class Act Paint and Powder on October 4 (Maybe the 5th). I have already chosen a color - Lollipop Red over Alien Silver for the frame, seat post, steering and king posts will remain black.

Install new parts - as soon as the frame is ready. I’ll install what I can, the Bike Gallery will install the hard ones (I’ll have them do the bottom bracket, headset cups and crank first).

October will be a busy month putting the whole thing back together.

During this time I’ll have before and after pictures showing most of the tear down and rebuild.