Trek's interesting concept: usable for cameras ?

[bmattock]

I thought this thread was about Star Trek. This is not Star Trek. This is bicycles. Beam me up, Scotty.

Energize,

Bill Mattocks

 

[ruben]

... If a manufacturer says to tighten a fastener while lubricated with oil, grease, graphite, or nothing, you should follow those instructions without interchanging one for the other.

Sorry to harshly disagree, but the system doesn't work, we have no mommies nor daddies, and therefore we must grow up and listen to our own experience. Thus for example, Kodak's time recommendations for processing Tri-X, as stamped at D-76 or T-max developer are a direct insult to photography. I am pretty sure Trek owners will not come to my bed, nor yours, in case of accident due to malfunction of the bike.

As for not relying on bussiness monger instructions, and relying instead on developing our own experience, that's the main thing the great darkroom master David Vestal (follow up at Amazon.com) tought us. Do it your self, your way. Be critical, and self critical. Develope your eye.

Developing our own senses and experience is among the main reasons for being all of us here, including hearing your interesting point about Coefficient of Friction, to discuss, exchange ideas, experiences and emotions - instead of remaining silent and atomizied at our homes.

Friendly,

Ruben

 

[ch1]

One word: beeswax (camera and bike screws):

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/miscellaneous/31002.html


- Barrett

Actually, years ago we to use parafin wax on bike chains. Was a bit of a dangerous operation brining parafin to a boil to soak the chain makes it extremely volitile. So when the synthetics were developed - everyone migrated that way.

Would not use beeswax. It isn't "hard" enough and doesn't last long on moving parts (e.g. chains).

Sorry, if my first post came off a bit "harsh" but I was momentarily shocked that anyone would recommend using oil as a lubricant/protectorant on a bicycle.

 

[ch1]

George, I was always taught that you want to put grease (like Campagnolo lithium grease) on the threads of anything you're tightening down -- such as the bottom bracket cups, pedal threads, or the seatpost bolt -- in order to make sure the metal surfaces don't corrode and fuse together. I agree that moving parts, such as the bicycle chain, are much better served by a synthetic lubricant. (Good old paraffin is great for chains.)

But to Ruben's question about fixed screws, bicycles are exposed to the weather a lot more than cameras are, so there's a need for lubrication. I would not advise lubricating camera screws, simply because there is much less chance of rust on those parts Also, with the fixed screws on a bike, they can be tightened enough so as to overcome the possibility that the lubricant can cause the screws to loosen. Camera screws are too small and delicate to tighten to that degree. And finally, any camera repair book will tell you that lubrication of camera parts is, with rare exceptions, a Bad Idea, and so you want to avoid oil or grease migrating to places it's not welcome.

I do stand corrected regarding derailleur screws and brake and seat bolts etc. - you are correct that a little dab of Campy white lithium grease on the threads will prevent corrosion and make removal etc. easy.

But for chains (and I do ride in the Northeast US - Copake is in Upstate NY) I exclusively use White Lightening (a brand of wet/dry synthetic lubricant). Some prefer Pedro's and other use Finnish Line but I don't know anyone these days who uses oil or grease on a chain. (Besides, who wants "Frankestein" calves when you mistakely lean the chainrings against your leg?)

Now, I'm not taliking about casual riders of "department store" bikes - but about folks whose bikes well exceed the price of Leica M7's with a couple of Leitz lenses!

No way I'm putting 3-in-1 grade oil on my bike chain!

 

[amateriat]

Decent points, Ruben...although I try my best not to get too atomized at home until after my second glass of wine...


- Barrett

 

[Nick R.]

Sorry to harshly disagree, but the system doesn't work, we have no mommies nor daddies, and therefore we must grow up and listen to our own experience. Thus for example, Kodak's time recommendations for processing Tri-X, as stamped at D-76 or T-max developer are a direct insult to photography. I am pretty sure Trek owners will not come to my bed, nor yours, in case of accident due to malfunction of the bike.

As for not relying on bussiness monger instructions, and relying instead on developing our own experience, that's the main thing the great darkroom master David Vestal (follow up at Amazon.com) tought us. Do it your self, your way. Be critical, and self critical. Develope your eye.

Developing our own senses and experience is among the main reasons for being all of us here, including hearing your interesting point about Coefficient of Friction, to discuss, exchange ideas, experiences and emotions - instead of remaining silent and atomizied at our homes.

Friendly,

Ruben

Wow, I hope you never have to turn a bolt on a critical system --at least one that my life depends upon.

 

[ch1]

Sorry to harshly disagree, but the system doesn't work, we have no mommies nor daddies, and therefore we must grow up and listen to our own experience. Thus for example, Kodak's time recommendations for processing Tri-X, as stamped at D-76 or T-max developer are a direct insult to photography. I am pretty sure Trek owners will not come to my bed, nor yours, in case of accident due to malfunction of the bike.

As for not relying on bussiness monger instructions, and relying instead on developing our own experience, that's the main thing the great darkroom master David Vestal (follow up at Amazon.com) tought us. Do it your self, your way. Be critical, and self critical. Develope your eye.

Developing our own senses and experience is among the main reasons for being all of us here, including hearing your interesting point about Coefficient of Friction, to discuss, exchange ideas, experiences and emotions - instead of remaining silent and atomizied at our homes.

Friendly,

Ruben

Rueben,

First of all - get a grip on this - TREK only makes the frame. They do not make the components - nor (in all likelihood) do they make the fork.

They do not make the seat or handlebar posts, nor do they make the handlebars and headsets etc.

They also do not make the wheel set - not the rims, nor the spoke, nor the hubs!

Okay, got that?

So what the heck do you mean when you say "Trek recommends...?"

I read your other post - and you can pour a quart of oil into the gears of your Kiev 4AM wind advance to make is "smooth". Let us know what happens is a week or two when all that oil starts leaking throughout the body! [http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=261685#post261685]

Frankly, you not only do not know "everything" but you know very little!

 

[DougK]

Having been a bike mechanic in my younger years, I can say that if you don't use some kind of lubricant (not oil, though) during assembly and maintenance, you're asking for trouble later. Trek isn't recommending lubrication just for the fun of it or to avoid lawsuits (for the record, I own Trek and Specialized road bikes along with a Gary Fisher mountain bike).

Descending steep hills at 40 mph is hair-raising enough without adding potential failures from improper maintenance to the mix. But, hey, it's your bike and your neck. Far be it from me to suggest a course of action.

I won't speak for camera repair or maintenance as I know nothing in this area.

 

[ch1]

Having been a bike mechanic in my younger years, I can say that if you don't use some kind of lubricant (not oil, though) during assembly and maintenance, you're asking for trouble later. Trek isn't recommending lubrication just for the fun of it or to avoid lawsuits (for the record, I own Trek and Specialized road bikes along with a Gary Fisher mountain bike).

Descending steep hills at 40 mph is hair-raising enough without adding potential failures from improper maintenance to the mix. But, hey, it's your bike and your neck. Far be it from me to suggest a course of action.

I won't speak for camera repair or maintenance as I know nothing in this area.

I never said do not use a lubricant!

I said I would NEVER put oil all over my chain!

I've been riding for several decades, okay. And I know a hell of a lot about bicyle maintenance.

And if you haven't been involved with cycling for some time then I suggest you revisit the field.

For example, would you even dare to put oil on a carbon fiber chain?

Criminy!

 

[pbjbike]

What's all the fuss? Dougs comments were cordial. Ruben is riding a $500 Trek, right? No exotic materials to worry about. The most elite racers I have know don't really care what lube is used on their bikes, as long as they work perfectly. It's like arguing about cases and BP finish, at some point the idea was to use cameras for taking pictures. Let's all go out today and put in 50 kilometers on our bikes 😉.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

WD40 works fine on my bike.

 

[Andy K]

I've been cycling for nearly 40 years. I am a member of the CTC GB (Cycle Touring Club). Almost every cyclist I know uses oil on their chain. A good cyclist cleans and maintains their cycle(s) regularly, therefore dust and muck does not build up. I have two bikes at the moment, a Dawes Republic which is my main form of transport and an old Raleigh touring cycle which I bought in 1979 which I use for longer rides. Both have oiled chains, both are as good as the day they were bought.
Damn, guess I'm not a 'serious' cyclist.

 

[ch1]

I've been cycling for nearly 40 years. I am a member of the CTC GB (Cycle Touring Club). Almost every cyclist I know uses oil on their chain. A good cyclist cleans and maintains their cycle(s) regularly, therefore dust and muck does not build up. I have two bikes at the moment, a Dawes Republic which is my main form of transport and an old Raleigh touring cycle which I bought in 1979 which I use for longer rides. Both have oiled chains, both are as good as the day they were bought.
Damn, guess I'm not a 'serious' cyclist.

Counting childhood, I've been riding for nearly 50 years. I am a member of numerous cycling clubs and organization (e.g. Mid-Hudson Bike Club, Bike New York, Greater Arizona Bicycle Association , Adventure Cycling etc.)

I have almost as many bikes as cameras (well - at least if I include my wife's).

Presently, in NY, I mainly ride a CAAD 5 frame Cannondale with Shimano DuraAce components using a 9-speed index system with dual chainring crankset. In AZ I upgraded a much older Cannondale to primarily DuraAce with some Ultegra components (e.g. crankset is Ultegra) but it remains an older "freewheel" system.

Oh, and for nostalgia's sake a couple of years ago I acquired a NOS steel Guerciotti frameset and built it up with a mixture of traditional and current Campy Super Record components - classic Cinelli hanglebars and a modern Pave seat.

I am now hoping to have a custome-built carbon fiber frameset built by Serotta (a local upstate NY frame builder who has built a very fine reputation world-wide) on which I will "hang" full DuraAce componentry.

You see, Andy, I don't talk about bikes, I talk about frames/framesets and componentry and I NEVER put oil on a bike chain! 😉

 

[Andy K]

You see, Andy, I don't talk about bikes, I talk about frames/framesets and componentry and I NEVER put oil on a bike chain! 😉

Oh I see... owning a lot of bikes and memorising a parts manual is what makes a cyclist. And there I was thinking it was actually cycling that makes a cyclist.

 

[ch1]

Oh I see... owning a lot of bikes and memorising a parts manual is what makes a cyclist. And there I was thinking it was actually cycling that makes a cyclist.

Say, tell you what Andy, why don't you come out to Arizona for a visit this November. You can join me for El Tour de Tucson. It's a 112-mile ride - are you up for it?

EDIT: Here's the website look in lower right hand corner of top banner for the Tour.

http://www.pbaa.com/Home.html

 

[Andy K]

Say, tell you what Andy, why don't you come out to Arizona for a visit this November. You can join me for El Tour de Tucson. It's a 112-mile ride - are you up for it?

Every second year I cycle to Wales and back, it's a 500 mile round trip. I have also followed in my father's tyre tracks and cycled the Rheine from through Holland into Germany as far as Cologne and back.

 

[ch1]

Every second year I cycle to Wales and back, it's a 500 mile round trip.

The "Tour" is a one-day ride. 😉

 

[Andy K]

The "Tour" is a one-day ride. 😉

......And?

 

[ch1]

......And?

Hey, I gave you the web address. Sign up for El Tour and I'll be there - have been for the past four years since I learned of it.

[Damn, and after I promised the better half that I'd scale back to the 65-miler from the 112! Me and my big mouth.!]

Oh, BTW, Andy, the 112-miler includes 2 portages and....well let's just say the AZ has mountains and desert head winds. See ya' in November! 😎

 

[Andy K]

Oh, BTW, Andy, the 112-miler includes 2 portages and....well let's just say the AZ has mountains and desert head winds. See ya' in November! 😎

Yes, Wales is so notoriously flat. 🙄

No you won't see me in November, sadly (although I didn't know it at the time) I made my last trip to the US in August 2001. I will not be returning for the foreseeable future. (For reasons which would take this thread waaay off topic). Which is a shame as I have yet to see Monument Valley, Yosemite and the Rocky Mountains.