The Golden Wrench: Replacement Studs for Studded Tires

The Golden Wrench: Replacement Studs for Studded Tires: Studded tires make a world of difference when the streets are coated in a layer of glare ice. The studs, typically made of tungsten carbide...

This tyre is the entry level of Schwable brand for road bike. It's available in 23c and 25c with wire (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24894) and recently in folding version (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=63725).

Both version come in various colours.

Personally, I bought two of the wired in blue to replace the Schwable Ultremo R.1. You may ask why since the Ultremo is much better on paper. Actually, I'm commuting everyday to work and Dublin roads aren't very forgivable when it comes to nice and soft tyres like the Ultremo...
So, I opted for the Lugano and I made a good choice.

They lasted long, very long considering the price. I used them to the bone as this picture demonstrate:

Left: brand new Lugano tyre. Right: my former rear tyre.

The right tyre (rear) has 4382km from 10th of November 2010 to 6th of September 2011 is compared to the brand new one on the left. Despite the bad state of it, the tyre never punctured. I've actually realized very late that the thread was so worn... And even like this, I've done 50k with no problem. Plus, I didn't go easy on it by locking a few time the wheel.
So, when you see it costs €15 each, the Lugano is definitely a good tyre for those with budget. You don't need to spend 30€ or more if you are commuting around 100k per week.
Last good note is that they are easy to mount. Actually, all Schwable tyres are easy to mount. And they're all very good.

On the down side, it doesn't have the rolling efficiency of a Ultremo R.1 but I would go for the Lugano every time because of the price and harder rubber.

REVIEW: Purple Extreme Golden Degreaser - Industrial Strength

Taking care of your bike is really important if you want to increase its lifespan.

Many parts on a bike get dirty from the rain, dust and durt. However, the degreaser I'm going to review is wonderful for drivetrains mainly. I didn't try it the rest of the bike but I'm sure it'd work as good.

How fast parts less efficient depends on your usage. Personally, I commute 150k a week so I clean the drivetrain every week if it has rained a lot, every two weeks otherwise.
The main components that need cleaning are:

• Chain
• Cassette
• Chainset
• Derailleurs

BEFORE ANYTHING: make sure damp the bike with hot water (not boiled) before applying the degreaser.

The first one is the most important. I usually use a chain degreaser machine and repeat the process twice or more depending the chain state. After the first run, the chain should already be better. The degreaser works so fast, you see the shiny plates going back to their normal grey colors.

The cassette: squirt on the degreaser while pedaling gently then quickly scrub with a tough brush each cog of the cassette. It cleans one side(outside) of the cogs nicely. For the other side (inside), use a rag.

For the rest, mix with water and use a soft brush to clean.

So far, I've used it about 6-8 times (once I cleaned two bikes instead of one) and the bottle is half empty. When you look at the price, quantity available in one bottle and normal usage, the degreaser should last another 2-3 months. So for less than €10 spent over about 5-6 months period, I think it's not too bad.

Overall, this degreaser is the best I've used. I highly recommend it to anyone who need to keep her/his bike in shape. From experience, a chain/cassette last 2000k if you don't take care of it. My commuter chain/cassette has 2000k already and it still looking brand new. But too bad CRC don't sell a 1L container...

Product Description : http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14885

If only that never happened...

Last week, on my way to work, a surprise hit me hard!

Broken derailleur hanger! They say it happens when the derailleur too close from the spokes of the wheel but not my case...

Maybe the chain was the problem...

Then again I don't know if it is the cause... But a few weeks before, I found a loose link!

Anyway, it is a three-month old bike so still under warranty... However, derailleur hangers are supposed to break under high stress on the derailleur itself. So might not be covered...
Anyhow, I hope I'll get something back from ChainReactionCycle.com (where I bought it)... Otherwise, €200 more to spend on repairs for a €1300 bike...