chain adjustment

[rich_england]

guys - bit of advice please

i'm off touring france in a couple of weeks. just put new chain on, i am 16 stone. My question is ; with me sat on bike the chain has about 1 inch of movement, the manual says about 1.25 inches on the stand, i've got nearer 2 inches.

do i set it up for 1.25 inches with me on it or 1.25 inches on the stand?

[floydsz1]

Id set it up with you on the bike, Its best to be a bit on the slack side(though not to much), than too tight as it will knacker the bearing behind the front sprocket if its tight. I dont bother measuring mine , suppose its just a matter of experience etc. You will probably find it will stretch after a few miles as its new so you will probably have to adjust it while your away. Make sure you take a small can off chain lube and id lube it every couple off days. If the roads are hot and dry it will pick up dust and grit so keep it lubed.

[Pasc]

Rich, don't know what part of France your off to but if you're in Llanguedoc there is a cracking stretch of motorway between the Millau viaduct (tallest bridge in the world) and Beziers. Nice and bendy and hardly any traffic on it. Theres also a good rest area near the Millau viaduct toll booths. Did the run last week but in the astra (missus and kids). Got very jealous of every single bike that passed.

[rich_england]

sounds good, I'm going down to Tours and Limoges, then maybe Pau and Pamplona, but maybe just across to Bordeaux - any good rotes in the Limoges / Bordeax stretch?

[kawadb]

I fhe head inland from Tours instead of teh coast to Bordeax there are some ace road in the the Dordoign (spelling..lol)...however be prepared for the local kids on sub 250 bike in shorts and T-shirts thrashing their bikes to death...