Tag Archives: failure

RE: My broken Boom Clamp Index Tab 9

Catrike 700, cycling • Tags:

As others have received, I just received a kind reply from Mark Egeland of Big Cat Human Powered Vehicles, LLC regarding my broken index tab.

Jim:
Happy 2010 to you! We will send out a new boom clamp. Please check your boom shim to make sure it is still glued into place and is not wearing out. It sounds like it might be if you need to tighten the quick releases that much. We can also send new boom shim.

Also we have redesigned the boom clamp tab, but will take a little while because we have that part made for us. It is a much stronger design.

Do you want us to send it to your ******** address?

Please let me know and we will get the parts sent out. And of course there will be no charge.

This reply is no different than my experience has always been with Catrike. They stand behind their product, with a strong commitment to customer service.

My intent remains that riders be aware and check their trikes periodically, looking more intently at certain areas, like the boom clamp indexing tab.

Thanks!

Jim

My BROL Post

My Catrike Message Board Post

Silk [my Catrike 700—CT7225] is sick… 8

Catrike 700, cycling • Tags: ,

During yesterday’s first live stream test [riding Silk], I experienced enough boom movement while pedaling that I decided to remove the boom extension to try to determine why. I’ve always had the 2 clamps tight—very tight to stop this movement. The movement has been with me for more than a year. It seemed to be the result of lots of torque being applied to the pedals when I really wanted to go fast. Yesterday was just too much. I commented on it in the video.

The weld crack is to the upper rightThis morning I removed the boom extension and found a circular crack around the periphery of the boom clamp [collar] indexing tab. This is a weld fail. The analogy I used in my message below is the tab’s movement is “like that of a child’s loose tooth.” I had read about it before on the Catrike Message board in this thread. After my find, I added to that thread to document the failure and serve as a warning to others to inspect their boom clamps periodically. Seeing the crack was not easy. I trust you can see the break in the weld at the 1:00 position in this photo. Two additional photographs are below, following the text of my post to the Catrike Board. Clicking on either will give you an enlargement of that image.

Paulo Camasmie, owner of Catrike, is forthright in honoring and fixing this problem. My purpose is to let this post be a warning to other Catrike owners to inspect and be careful about a failure that can result in an accident.

Related BROL Thread that I started.

Following is my post on the Catrike Message Board and 2 additional pictures:

Explain this one Reply

cycling, RANS Stratus XP • Tags: , ,

courious flat

As my RANS Stratus XP sat in the house, there was as sudden expulsion of air for no known reason. On attempting to re inflate the tire, air escaped. I removed the tube and found a relatively large holes about 1″ to the left of the value stem in this photo, with an unusual imprint as if something pushed it up from inside the tube. Given the point of failure, there is a second protrusion that might well have failed also. I do have tight fitting Veloplugs in this rim. The only explanation I can offer is that at times when I was not riding this cycle, the tire would deflate and perhaps the tube weaken at that point for some reason. What is not clear is why the deformation rises from the inside of the tube.  There is no obvious marking on the reverse side of the tube to suggest pressure was applied from the opposite side.This is not a puncture flat.

Anyway, I’ll bet that had I ridden [my bike of choice] the 4th day of FestiVELO, I would have flatted yet again.

Okay detectives, why did this happen???

More…

Okay, now for the Beef 1

cycling, cyclist, events • Tags: , , ,

FestiVELO Beef that is [The ride (280.6+ miles in 3 days) and experiences]:

Day1:

Overall, the event was an excellent opportunity to get additional miles for the year. I’m currently at 3,467 miles plus [the plus is unrecorded miles]. I’d love to get 4K; but, given the cold temps, I doubt it in the remaining 23 days of this year.  I’m getting wimpy in my older days. Actually, I need warmer gloves or mittens. But, I digress…

I got in some good miles this year and completed my rides without muscle soreness [lactate acid build-up]. That was not the case for FestiVELO. My legs are sore. Plus, I think I would have ridden these routes faster in August.

Did I mention it was COLD. At the start of Day1 Ride, the temperature was 27-degrees.  Generally, you start cold and warm up from exertion. That did not happen for me thru Potty Stop A [13.7 miles into the ride]. Fortunately, the stop was at St. Stephens Episcopal Church with heat. It felt that my fingers were near frozen. It reminded me of the pain I remember as a first and second graded as I walked to school in the early ’50s.

I decided I must ride faster to generate more body heat. That seemed to work. I skipped the next rest stop, hooked up with some great cyclist [Jack Murphy, George, Henry, and others] where we pace-lined to Rest Stop 2, Wesley AME Church, where Miss Mary has some of the best Vegetable Soup, Corn Bread, and Pistachio Cake. After we arrived at this rest stop, we began to peal off layers. I went down to just my short-sleeve Jersey on top. From there, we made good time to Rest Stop 3 for Shrimp & Grits at McClellanville. FestVELO '08 Day1I was really GOOD.  Jack and I rode together as we began our journey home, although he began to pull away just before our return to Rest Stop 2. This was an out-and-back ride.  I left there [RS 2] before he did and made it about 2 miles after Jamestown, before he, Henry, and another rider reeled me in. I caught up with them at the next stop, Rest Stop 1, Alvin Community Store–never to see them again on this day.

Sunset at Lake Marion 12/4/2008I rode the remaining distance to my villa, just over 100 miles, by myself. Over all, it was a GREAT riding day–just too cold at the start, at least for me.

On return, I took several sunset photos looking west across Lake Moultrie from the Short Stay Villas.

Day2 [part1 ~ part2]:

A two-part ride because it was EVENTFUL. Regrettably, I did not complete a century, although I could have–just mentally drained–no desire after getting in to do so.  The starting ride temperature was warmer than the yesterday, yet in the 30s. The afternoon temperatures were cooler, however.

Got a real good stat riding with Jack Murphy, We cleared Rest Stop 1 and were making good time to Rest Stop 2, when my GPS went off because of the bumpy road. Once I got that resolved [lost Jack's wheel], the next thing I noted was unusual handling from my rear wheel, on checking it, I had flatted. I rode all summer, across the country–no flats. Occasionally, riders must make their sacrifices to the Flat God/Goddess. It just happened to be my turn. I’m pretty good at resolving a flat and riding again. That was not to be the case today.

Shoot it! [FestiVELO Day2]First, my 5200 kit was home–need long valve stems, medium-length in my Project One Kit that I placed on the cycle for this ride. I managed, but the tire bead did not seat properly–had to release air pressure to resolve. Got another CO2 cartridge from a generous rider. Ultimately, I get SAG support from Jeff, using his pump. I thought I had a good bead seat until I noticed a bump in riding.  I rode on to the next rest stop, where I relieved the pressure to re-seat the bead. Tried a different floor-pump–could not get air in–needed Jeff’s pump. Jeff knew I needed a tube with a longer valve stem. He came with one, but in haste that tube was blown because I did not get to check tire bead seating around the rim–back to the medium stem tube that I put in after the original flat. This time, I got a good seat and Roger Zoul’s assistance in pumping up the tire. At this point, I’m about an hour behind, but ride on. I want my century.

Between 2-3 miles from rest Stop 3, I get the goosey feel from the rear tire. Am I flatting AGAIN–YES! Should have shot it before [FestiVELO Day2]I managed to nurse the cycle into the rest stop by standing and putting the majority of my weight over the front wheel. Normally, I would not do this, but wanted to conserve time by not walking about 1.5 miles to Matthews’ Rest Stop. Once there, he does not have a pump or CO2–must wait for SAG (Dave)–about 45 minutes of so total time. Dave tried hard in every way possible to get me riding. His pump head did not work for the length valve stem we were working with. The solution here is to drive me [A FIRST] back to Rest Stop 2 where there was a LONG-STEM tube waiting for me. BTW, I double-flatted once before on a solo ride [one spare tube & one CO2 cartridge]. In that case, I called to be picked up.

The remainder of the ride is uneventful for me. I tried to catch the riders who departed just as I came into the rest stop–they are fast. I did finally catch them, but only because they flatted. I offered my help. They did not need it. They had a SAG vehicle.  What an amazing day!

I reset my GPS at Rest Stop 2, thus the 2-part ride above–avoiding a straight line from RS3 to RS2. Add the miles together, and I rode 81.11 miles.

I give my gratitude to Charles Fox and his SAG staff  for all their efforts to help this rider. You done good guys and gals. I appreciate it and could not have ridden what I did without you. THANKS!

At then end of the day, I got this:
Sunset at Lake Marion 12/5/2008

Day3:

Although I failed to take a picture of my VK2 during the ride, it was a good ride, especially the first hour [just over 3 minute miles, even a 2:55 minute mile] or so. After that I rode by myself. I was back in about 2:25 p.m. and then rode a bit on my trike–almost 100 miles. Had I noted I was as close as I was, I could have done another .94 miles. Oh well…

Day4:

FestVELO '08 Day4No data for this ride because I opted to not ride. There were only three of us at the start line. Given my cycle of choice–the RANS Stratus XP, the wind and cold, I would likely been riding by myself for the 60 or 85 mile ride. The other two riders [both ladies] were riding the 60-mile route. Had I ridden, I would have only done 60 miles also.

FestVELO '08

Overall impression: the rides were fun, although there were parts that were not particularly scenic, especially when you are riding solo. Had there been more riders, the spareness would likely have not been as bad. The temps and remote location may well have contributed to just under 200 total riders. I do not think I’ll do this ride again if there are not at least 500 riders. Understand, I did 2 rides this past summer with 10,000 riders and 2 with over 1,000 riders. Mr. Fox provided very good support. We shall see what next year brings…

Amazingly fast turn around Reply

cycling, RANS Stratus XP • Tags:

THANKS Randy Schlitter & RANS! I mailed [via USPS] my riser 11/21 [a Friday] and received the replacement 11/28 [also a Friday] [postmarked 11/25] [also by USPS]. That’s 7 days total, with a weekend and holiday in between. As best I can determine, RANS mailed the replacement riser the day after they received my riser.  This is supper responsive and fantastic support of RANS Stratus XP owners.  Fortunately, I found no evidence of possible failure. Now, I can ride without wondering if my riser may fail.

I certainly appreciate their response and say thanks again!!! 

I’m having my steering riser replaced 2

cycling, RANS Stratus XP • Tags:

Based on this failure [discussed in a BROL thread] and reports of other cracks in the riser RANS [Randy Schlitter] is replacing wielded riser with a forged riser, with the customer only paying to ship the riser to RANS.  This is certainly a kind and fair response [as acknowledged by several responders] to rider safety concerns.

Riser Exchange Program [posted on BROL by Randy Schlitter]
RANS will be happy to exchange your welded 3.75” short riser for a forged one for the cost of shipping it back to us. Upon receipt of you old welded riser, we will send you a new forged 3.75” riser shipping prepaid for US mail or regular ground UPS and FEDEX.

Thanks Randy!  Thanks RANS!

On inspection, I find no indications of failure with my riser.  I’m having it replaced because of possible future failure.  Better to be safe, than sorry.

Hopefully, I’ll have it back in time to take my SXP to FestiVELO ’08 [depart December 3rd].

Here we go again… 1

Catrike 700, cycling • Tags: , ,

After a wonderful day of riding in the Niagara area, my replacement idler also failed [same as in Seattle as AI rode home with Doncl. Today I got hung up on a rise on the bike path About 1.5 hours the idler failed. I did not inspect the idler after this incident. I know the frame is severely scratched. I do think the idler was loosened my the contact with the rise in the bike path.

I discussed the damage with Dana [Bent Up Cycles], Robert of Terracycle, and Neal of Bent Up Cycles. It seems no matter how tight I tighten the idler bolt it loosens. I think that factor and the impact led to this problem. The idler bolt bent, the outside of the idler was eaten by the chain, and the chain keeper arm was also damaged.

I also want to discuss with Paulo and Mark of Catrike. It seems for me, my low Catrike 700 ground clearance is problematic. I want to continue to ride as hard as I always have. I do not want to fear idler failure each time I do. Robert will send me a lock nut that should keep the idler from loosening. Perhaps that is all I need. Do I need a skid plate? Do I need trike with higher ground clearance?

Whatever the reason, thanks to Terracycle and Bent Up Cycles, I can continue to ride. These guys are GREAT. I have not experienced better support than what I receive from these companies. Also add Ashley Guy of Utah Trikes. I am so blessed to have chosen to do my business with these great companies and the individuals who take my calls–Dana, Neal, Robert, Pat, Ashley of Bent Up cycles; Terracycle, & Utah Trikes. Thanks for all you guys have done to keep Jim Artis cycling.

Tomorrow, I ride the VK2. It is great to have options. I thought more trikers would have been on this ride–not the case–just 2 of us. Kim and me. Given the damage to my idler, Kim was left as the solo trike rider. That’s no fun. Because, I was left to ride my VK2, I had a few fast ride opportunities during the course of the 2 days of riding. For that, I am thankful. Kim, you are tough and rode very well. I hope to ride with you again at some point. Thanks!

On arrival in portland, Oregon Reply

cycling, VK2 • Tags: ,

Near the end of my one-day 204 mile ride from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR, my rear derailleur hanger broke.  This resulted in damage to my Zipp wheel.  The damage is repairable. Bentup Cycles has a replacement hanger enroute.  I’ll be able to ride my VK2 in next week’s RAGBRAI and with Dennis on Sunday, 07/27.