I'll start at the beginning.
Back in October our Pino tandem stopped working, rather
inconveniently, at the top of Box Hill. A car ride and several
esploded view diagrams later traced the problem to the sun gear
forming part of the Sach 3x7 hub gear. A tooth had snapped off,
jamming in the works. Interstingly the hub isn't recommended for
tandem use, but it's been on there for 5 years.
The next day I popped into an LBS, where I'd bought Sachs/Sram
shifters before. Armed with the exploded view and a part number I
said "I want that one". They said they'd have to order from the
distributor, Fisher, and would let me know.
I rang them a week or so later. Fisher wait until they need a lot of
Sram parts before they place an order. Ho hum.
Several phone calls and visits to the shop ensued, no luck. Meanwhile
the Pino remained in the garage, unridden. Subsequent Tandem Club
rides were carried out on solos.
Then, just before Christmas, the phone rings. It's the LBS. The part
has arrived! I dash in there, pay a few quid and pocket the axle.
Even then I was suspicious - it didn't look right. Getting home
confirmed it - they'd sent the wrong part. It seems Fisher don't use
Sram part numbers for Sram parts. Which isn't very clever.
Back we go, get a refund and wait. More phone calls, no luck.
Then I have a brain wave. I emailed the great Sheldon. Yes, he has a
bunch of Sram parts, but they're all unlabelled (a job lot from Sram I
understand). I take a few snaps with a digital camera, add some
dimensions and email him back. Yes! he has one.
Place order using the magic formula "Sheldon has this part on his
desk". Acknowledgement received last Friday, part delivered by
vanilla postal service today. That's less than a week!
Scoff dinner down quickly, take hub apart for hopefully the last time
and replace the axle. Yes! It works! Just in time for the Tandem
Club ride on Sunday.
Many, many thanks to Sheldon and all at Harris Cyclery. That's a
proper bike shop.
Tim