by Nigel Kellett on Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:40 am
newcross wrote:Nigel, how the layshaft breakage happened? I know when A-bike went to Japanese market, its layshaft had been upgraded to more durable one, but I'm not sure which 'shaft' that was...
Hi newcross,
The layshaft's smaller 8-toothed cog cracked on Boxing Day, which seized the larger chain running on it, because the 2 teeth either side of the crack moved apart, therefore the chain no longer fitted, in effect.
I stopped cycling immediately, and walked back the short distance remaining.
It was a little disappointing, because my A-bike has been treated very gently on generally smooth & pretty-much level surfaces without any untoward stress, apart from being over 85kg, since being purchased in May last year.
Since then, Mayhem have been most helpful (by telephone), and I methodically replaced my lower rear tube (the usual crack), the layshaft (lying midway between the crank & the rear wheel; the magic gearing between the 2 chains, enabling the normal pedalling of 6" wheels) & both chains, which had both sustained shock-damage from the sudden failure of the smaller cog. I also took the opportunity to replace the worn rear tyre. I even used threadlock where required. All of this was thanks to Alex's helpful videos on The Official A-bike Support Network.
Unfortunately
, 20 minutes after completing all repairs to a pristine state a few months ago, all the air suddenly wheeshed from the rear inner tube, because the seal between the rubber sleeve from the inner tube and the valve just gave up!
I had always kept my pressures up to 90 psi.
Anyway, I eventually went to Mayhem last Tuesday, which is a story in itself, bought 2 new inner tubes, replaced one on Wednesday, and got cycling again.
At least I am now a qualified A-bike mechanic, and have got very used to inner tube/tyre replacement, which gets much easier with practise!
Maybe I'll get an A-bike plus
, which should alleviate such problems.
All the Best
[quote="newcross"]Nigel, how the layshaft breakage happened? I know when A-bike went to Japanese market, its layshaft had been upgraded to more durable one, but I'm not sure which 'shaft' that was...[/quote]
Hi newcross,
The layshaft's smaller 8-toothed cog cracked on Boxing Day, which seized the larger chain running on it, because the 2 teeth either side of the crack moved apart, therefore the chain no longer fitted, in effect. :shock: I stopped cycling immediately, and walked back the short distance remaining.
It was a little disappointing, because my A-bike has been treated very gently on generally smooth & pretty-much level surfaces without any untoward stress, apart from being over 85kg, since being purchased in May last year. :cry:
Since then, Mayhem have been most helpful (by telephone), and I methodically replaced my lower rear tube (the usual crack), the layshaft (lying midway between the crank & the rear wheel; the magic gearing between the 2 chains, enabling the normal pedalling of 6" wheels) & both chains, which had both sustained shock-damage from the sudden failure of the smaller cog. I also took the opportunity to replace the worn rear tyre. I even used threadlock where required. All of this was thanks to Alex's helpful videos on The Official A-bike Support Network. :D
Unfortunately :( , 20 minutes after completing all repairs to a pristine state a few months ago, all the air suddenly wheeshed from the rear inner tube, because the seal between the rubber sleeve from the inner tube and the valve just gave up! :o I had always kept my pressures up to 90 psi.
Anyway, I eventually went to Mayhem last Tuesday, which is a story in itself, bought 2 new inner tubes, replaced one on Wednesday, and got cycling again. :roll:
At least I am now a qualified A-bike mechanic, and have got very used to inner tube/tyre replacement, which gets much easier with practise! :lol:
Maybe I'll get an A-bike plus 8), which should alleviate such problems.
All the Best