2021 WalknBike Nashville

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/transportation/walknbike

Nashville’s leaders have heard the demand to improve walking and biking and the Mayor is committed to meeting the need for more sidewalks and bikeways. Led by the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), Metro project team members include the Mayor’s Office, Metro Water Services, Metro General Services, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Metro Parks and Recreation. The project team is also composed of LDA Engineering, CDM Smith, Fairpointe Planning, and a steering committee made up of internal and external partners.

Everything About Chains

Doug Depew found the alternative Shimano 105 CN-HG601-11. The outer link for an 11-speed is standardized at 5.65mm and the 12-speed 5.25mm. Doug says the 11-speed will work for the 12-speed set. Is he correct?

Our Specialized VADO 5.0 SL eBike recommended by Shimano Hyperglide+ so we focused on Shimano. However, David Hardin from Biker's Choice added chain test recommendation at

Hyperglide may shift the smoothest, however some research proves its not the strongest for wear and tear.  

According to BikeTiresDirect

Shimano and SRAM 5- to 11-speed cassettes and chains will be compatible with each other, regardless of manufacturer recommendations.

Bruce says

No doubt chain and cog technology has improved over the years. Shifting under a load was a claimed feature of plain hyperglide tech. Shifts were quicker and smoother but I still found they were better with well timed easing off the pedals. SRAM quickly developed a hyperglide compatible chain that on the whole works better from me than the equivalent Shimano set. With a single chain ring and better shifting, especially electronic, dropped chains should be a thing of the past on well maintained bikes. The well maintained is the weak link. Plus now it's possible to put the chain on backwards.

So what is right? We did research about chains at  https://fogebike.blogspot.com/p/chains.html

 

CHAINS

The Specialized VADO 5.0 SL uses a 12-speed setup and the VADO 4.0 uses an 11-speed setup. Doug Depew found the alternative Shimano 105 CN-HG601-11. The outer link for an 11-speed is standardized at 5.65mm and the 12-speed 5.25mm. Doug says the 11-speed will work for the 12-speed set. Check below our Chains research IF HE IS CORRECT (apparently not, see below)

https://fogebike.blogspot.com/p/chains.html  

WARNING: Doug found his Shimano CN-HG601-11 bound up on his 12-speed cassettes. He was to switch to the recommended CN-M7100-12.

 

VADO Handlebars

Okay, I hated that damn VADO handlebar.The VADO is a hybrid, not a mountain bike. MTB riders need 700mm width. Most hybrid riders pick 580mm to 600mm. With the help of my trusty pipe cutter, my handlebar is now 600mm.

Hyperglide+

I'll be damned. I knew something was different with my VADO. I just didn't know what. 

The bike shifted smoothly, even as I was climbing. First I thought, "The bike shop finally got the shifting setup correctly." Then when I started researching 12-speed chains, I learned. It was the design.

First, I read this website, Shimano vs Sram. 12-speed chains,

https://mtbengineer.blogspot.com/2020/11/shimano-vs-sram-12-speed-chains.html  

What was all the BS about Hyperglide?  Then I checked out this video.

The Greatest Cycling Innovation You've Never Heard Of | Shimano Hyperglide

Finally, I checked out Shimano to explain Shimano Hyperglide+

I found the difference is a dramatic improvement. I will stay with a Shimano set.

OTHER:

Hyperglide+ technology also features. Thanks to shift ramps on the sides of the cassette sprockets, gear shifts can be under power. Teeth profiling also improves chain engagement and retention on the cassette. Shimano says Hyperglide+ technology is only compatible with Shimano chains, highlighting the need for a Shimano-branded chain.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-mountain/shimano-slx-m7100-groupset-review/ 

Nashville E-Bike Survey

Guys,

Are any of your people in Davidson County?  If you’re all “foreigners” this won’t matter.  The parks department has their e-bike survey on line and they only want residents to fill it out.  One thing we’ve found out is that  every comparably sized city in the US allows e-bikes.  Austin, Denver, Seattle, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Indianapolis, etc. etc.

E-bike Survey

They didn’t include the important information that class 1 and 2 ebikes are legal and have been for five years.  Of course this is all about instituing a ban or they wouldn’t bother with this crap.

I will write another blog post if you have anyone who is interested and  can fill out the survey. Does Bikers Choice get any business from Davidson County?  We are leaving leaflets (check out) at bike shops in town.

Carey Rogers
October 31, 2021