Well this weekend did not go anywhere near the plan. I had this idea that I would use a powertap wheel so I could get some power data for my Iron Man training. Can't exactly buy one of these units right now so when Bow Cycle announced they would rent them I jumped at the chance. The weather report was saying snow on the Monday so at the last moment I decided to take my Touring bike for the ride.
I violated the number 1 rule twice. I used untested equipment for an event.
The touring rig had not been used all winter or spring. If I had done a test ride I would have noticed that the rear breaks were dragging. When I put the rental wheel on, it had a narrower rim width. If I had done a test ride I would have noticed that the brakes would have rub on the sidewall of the tire. So combined with the rubbing and the dragging, and a new wheel it was a recipe for trouble. It happened about 1 km from the start of the ride. I had a massive flat tire, the tube had a 5cm gash in it from the failure. It sounded like a gunshot it was so loud.
I walked back to the gravel pit and packed up the bike. The damage deposit on this wheel is HUGE so had thoughts running through my head that if it would do this 1km into the ride how many more times would it happen. So I pulled the pin on the ride.
I got back to Calgary and put the rental wheel on my race bike and went for a ride so I could at least try it out. But the gears don't mesh right on this setup so I could not use the high gears to see what kind of power numbers I could generate.
I am rather disappointed right now and little angry with myself. It's the Scots man in me that knows I could have spent the money for this weekend on a different choice.
I am going to put MY wheel back on and go for my own 100km ride tomorrow and Monday since I have the days off work. With MY equipment back in action I should not have any issues. I am just hanging my head in shame by not following rule #1 of Triathlon Racing.
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Sorry to but in, but I came across your post from my Google readers. Bummer to hear about your experience with a rental service. If I understand correctly your local shop provided the wheelset, but they did not provide the service necessary to get the equipment running? For a bike mechanic, adjusting a rear derailleur is a 2 minute job. Thats definitely something we have to wrestle with when we ship wheels to customers all over the country. For the most part we try to ship to bike shops so the equipment can be set up properly, but its still an open loophole.
We're starting up month leases for Powertap wheel rentals. It'll be posted on our powertap page (www.racewheelrental.com/powertap.php). Maybe this would put a powertap within your reach while also giving you the time needed to get the equipment set up properly. Check it out, let us know if you have any questions.
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