Two Wheel Blogs

As many of you may recall, I tend to kick the hell out of my bikes. Some may call some of the things I do "abuse". The bottom line is, I buy parts to allow me to ride the way I want, and when I want. When a part breaks or fails, I try to determine if I was a negligent jackass and I caused it to fail, or if the part was simply not designed to do what I did with it (and seek something that is more in line with my needs/wants/desires).

To say it another way...Chains fail (often), if I lube it religiously and set everything up right and the thing breaks after 200 miles...it is time to find a better product (something that works better for my needs/wants/desires). OTOH, if I ride it 1000 miles through dust, mud, and water and fail to ever lubricate it due to priorities (sometimes I get a little thin on time and degreasing/re-lubing gets pushed) and it fails...well I can not really fault the chain, now can I?

So, with that preface, I find myself returning two of my favorite products to their manufacturers for inspection and blessing/recommendations.

First, we have the Jeff Jones H-Bar. It totally changed the way I ride and complimented my bike and riding style on my Surly. I absolutely loved these bars and never hesitated to tell people all about them when asked. Not too long ago, they started creaking (a lot) and and e-mail followed by a call from Jeff revealed that there exists the possibility that tiny cracks and or distortion may have occurred near the clamp area. Since this is potentially dangerous, I will take him up on his offer to return them for inspection. He may say they are fine, he may recommend an upgrade to the heavier duty model now available...I will keep you posted. Long story short, I don't feel that I abused these bars (they require no lube, I always use proper torque on the stem bolts, and I don't feel that I ride THAT hard...sure I take some largish drops for a rigid, but so does Jeff), but OTOH nothing lasts forever and may be these bars are simply due for replacement.

Second, I have the Phil square taper BB that I bought for my ENO cranks late last year. Upon removal from one frame to install in another, I discovered what feels to be dry bearings! I may have 1000 miles on this unit, and I have never power washed it or anything else that you might think would wash the grease out of the bearings. Sure I have ridden through deep water with it, but the bearing seals are supposed to be the type used in submersible pumps...so this does not seem to be outside their design (to me, at least). In any event, this BB is also in the mail to its creator for inspection. I hope to hear that this is some crazy fluke and they will replace the bearings for me. Either way, they are going to replace the bearings (I just do not yet know if this particular case is a "warranty" situation or "abuse" (honestly, I will not be disappointed with either verdict...not many people can claim to have shelled a Phil BB, and bearing replacement is quite reasonable).

I figure that the manufacturers know their stuff and are best to be left alone to decide what should be done. Customer service is a critical step in dealing with problems like these...and regardless of weather I have to pay for replacement, or these are deemed warranty items, I have already concluded that both manufacturers are VERY responsive (they both called me with in 24 hours of my inquiry). That level of service is held in high regard by people like me (who want to get back out on the trail ASAP)!