Service Course: SRAM Double Tap Overhaul

Some things I have been thinking about since I have made a big leap in a gear bike for CX this season. I'm a bit more worried because its more time in having to clean stuff more then I feel I have to keep up

on a road bike... I remember David Neidinger posting photos of his big cleaning of his Sram Shifters so I thought I make a detailed Service Course: SRAM Double Tap Overhaul.

So with that thought in mind, here's what you can do to refurbish, clean, whatever you want to call it, to keep your SRAM Double Tap shifters working smooth after muddy, wet weather.

Still a lot of grime under that hood, even after a good bike wash

Before you start, you'll need the following tools.

• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

• Small phillips head screwdriver

• Toothbrush

• Air gun or use your mouth if you don't mind a little dirt / alcohol mix on your lips

• lint free rags

• Lubrication (Ed suggested a Phil Wood tenacious oil, but I used DuMonde Tech Lite)

First, spray a little alcohol under the rubber brake hood. This will make it easier to slid off. After the hood is removed, turn it inside out and clean with a rag and rubbing alcohol.
It should look something like this after it's all cleaned up.

After

No matter how well you wash your bike post race, there will be all kinds of nastiness going on underneath the clean exterior of those rubber hoods. Next, take your phillips screwdriver and remove the three small screws that attach the cover plate to the lever body.

Doesn't look too bad at this point

Once the cover is removed and cleaned you can see the full extent as to why your shifter isn't working quite as well as it use to. Now, take your spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and do a mini alcohol power wash on your shifter. DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF DEGREASER OR SOLVENT!!! Most of the bigger chunks of grit will be washed away but you may need to use a toothbrush to really clean the silt out of all the corners. Continue to
rinse and blow out the shifter until all the grit is removed.

The Big reveal, chunks of Muck

Don't forget to shift the Double Tap paddle out of the way as there will be more grit lodged behind it as well.

Grass and Mud, can't image why it's harder to shift?

Once all the grit and grim is removed you can go about re-lubing the mechanism. You'll want to put a drop or two of lube on all pivots and pawls. I also put a drop on each ratchet tooth to smooth the release. I really like the DuMonde Tech lube for this as it adheres to the pores of the metal creating a smooth frictionless surface finish. Test shift your shifter before re-installing everything. It should shift and release much smoother. If not further cleaning may be needing. Install the cover, and spray the inside of the rubber lever hood so it slides back onto the lever easily, and your done. Just like new.

All clean, ready for another trip to the podium.

Barreling At The Edge

Everyone shows up with goals and intentions.  These so called things we say, (goals-intentions), are what makes us push a little further and father significantly on and off the bike to just get back on again...  You cant wait for the perfect days because, you’ll just be wasting your time to come to grips with how you need to handle your self when it comes to race days in the worst scenario of weather.  It shouldn’t be about waiting for the perfect race day nor training because you’ll need a crystal ball plus; you’ll have everyone else wanting to win just as much as anyone else. 

You’ll always be barreling at the edge – even when all feels ‘just right’ we should be perfecting our craft in riding.  Pros are always working on their craft so you should also.  Just because you think you have something down doesn’t mean you cant work on it or anything else more.  Once you have something perfected start working on the craft.

Insider notes: (something ill try and post weekly about preparing for a race, ride, food, recovery, and anything else I can find I can share)...

• ·      Deflate your tires and you’ll be amazed at what the casing and rubber of a tire can conceal from the eye when you have your tires pressure at 88-110.  Pick out the glass-rock-metal. 
• ·      Clean the pads by lightly sanding – inspect them, clean the rim/wheel with water-soap and inspect the nipples and spokes for cracks-dimpling-dents.
• ·      For aluminum rims you can make them good spanking new if you take a green skritchy (brillo) pad and scrub that stuff off the breaking surface; making your wheels good as new. 
• ·      Wipe the chain down, get inside the rear derailleur pulleys, (make sure the bike is in the small chainring if you don’t have a bike stand),– things are caked in there, lube-chain, wipe, and use a cleaner part of the rag and wipe for the last time.  After your next ride of doing the last process of lubing, wiping your chain wipe the chain down – get in the habit of cleaning your chain, hint keep a rag by the door or where you hang the bike when it’s in doors.
• ·      If you know your going on a ride à check your tires NOW – don’t wait till your stepping out the door.  These are just a hand full of things we all need to work on.  

Suffer : I am Ready to Begin

Thinking about how much it takes in order to push to another level; something more uncomfortable, out of place moment as if you’re not in nor out but just in between the two.   It’s a shifty sounded feeling that works its way into the soul.  Suffer – it’s a kindle to a fire and air for the fire to breath.  Suffer when all should feel great, -burning in the lungs, the screaming of the legs, and when the chips are down.  No one gives a shit if your legs are hurting, even now and later.  Suffer like the rest and dig with ever fiber of your being, because everyone knows who made it across the line first that day.  Suffer with the fact that you had the intent of ever thinking of cycling again for competition because you didn’t like the fact you suffered.  The suffer feeling is your best friend – get to know the thought because it will be that thought you feel always.  Get physically closer with suffer because you’ll need to shut it out when the time comes to dig deeper and push to finish.  Make those excuses ahead of time because you'll still suffer.