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Right here within the northern hemisphere, as we edge into driving season, it’s nice to be again. It’s additionally extremely vital to set your self and your bike up for fulfillment on the lengthy rides forward, moderately than hurriedly speeding to get out the door and never getting all of your pre-ride checks so as after the bike has sat for (probably) months.
That’s precisely the place seasoned enduro and ADV rider Adam Riemann’s newest video comes into play. Whereas his focus is (in fact) on journey driving, the overarching rules of what he has to say right here can apply to road bikes as properly.
Earlier than you go on a giant journey, among the finest issues you are able to do to ensure it goes properly is take your bike out for a shakedown journey, doing no matter kind of driving that you simply’ll be doing (inside purpose). Clearly, should you’re planning on a monitor day, you received’t be capable of absolutely expertise how your bike goes till you’re on the monitor. Nonetheless, notably should you’ve made any latest changes or put in any new tools, you’ll be able to take it out for a road journey and get the texture of the modifications you’ve made, in addition to how you want them.
That take a look at journey applies to something, large or small. Possibly you will have a favourite tire compound that you simply love, and also you are inclined to maintain reinstalling on a regular basis. Tire really feel modifications with use—so even should you’ve been utilizing that very same mannequin of tire for some time, take a look at how the brand new one feels proper after you’ve modified it, as a result of it will likely be somewhat completely different than the final time you rode. Did you latterly alter your chain pressure? See how it’s earlier than you go on a giant journey, and make it possible for it’s the place you need it on your explicit driving fashion.
Riemann additionally suggests adjusting your brake and clutch lever in your handlebars earlier than you’re going to spend lengthy hours in (or hovering above) the saddle. He’s not simply speaking about bringing them nearer in or additional away from the handlebars, nonetheless. In his case, he has giant palms—so adjusting the levers (and the entrance brake grasp cylinder) backward and forward on the handlebar was key to dialing in precisely the place his fingers naturally need to seize the lever for max management of the bike.
That’s a sensible transfer on any kind of motorbike, as a result of the extra easy your stage of management is, the higher. This whole video is about minimizing all these little distractions that may be brought on by tiny issues not being fairly proper in your bike. Something that takes your consideration away from truly driving—be it a stone in your boot or one thing extra critical—could make the expertise each much less enjoyable and probably extra harmful.
Within the case of the clutch lever, the identical changes are key—though the state of affairs could also be completely different you probably have a hydraulic versus a cable-actuated clutch. Both approach, the bottom line is placing the lever the place it really works finest along with your palms and physique place in your bike.
For riders using tubed tires, Riemann additionally advises spraying the interior tube with silicone earlier than sliding it into the tire. Undoubtedly, completely different riders may have completely different opinions about that recommendation, as riders at all times do. Nonetheless, he swears that’s been useful to him for years up to now in avoiding pinch-flats when he’s driving laborious. He says that he’s even had bent rims and nonetheless averted a flat by utilizing this method—however each rider is completely different, so it’s uncommon that there’s just one method to get a activity completed. (Clearly, tightening/loosening bolts and torquing issues all the way down to OEM specs is a major exception.)
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