You read correctly: The diminutive Ladybug saved my ride today.
Some of you might already know I'm a mountainbike rider. Today was just like any other. I was out riding with my homies, but the mechanical integrity of my ride was about to take a quick turn for the worse. I was quickly approaching a chunky technical section and hit the lever for my dropper post -- all I got was a scrunchy feeling from the lever. My saddle wasn't dropping! Ugh. I rode the section, but had to stop afterward to figure out a solution.
The kind of stuff we ride requires a seatpost that lowers the saddle. Most dropper posts are actuated by the same kind of cable and housing that were used on shifters from the olden days. I pulled out the post and the cause of the problem was obvious. The cable had frayed to the point that it no longer moved freely within the housing. The cable is made of stranded stainless wire. The housing is a teflon core, surrounded by strands of stainless wire, in a vinyl sheath. I could shorten the cable by an inch, but I'd also have to shorten the housing by an equal amount. That would get things running again, and allow me to finish he ride. The challenge would be cleanly cutting the cable/housing without tools.
The only tool that was remotely appropriate for the job was my Spyderco Ladybug K390 PE. My buddy said, "Yeah, I don't think you're going to be able to cut through that stainless housing with a little pocket knife. I replied, "Dude! This blade is Böhler K390, if anything can hack through this housing, it's this knife!" My friends watched on with amusement as I sawed frantically at the mangled cable and housing.
After several minutes, the K390 cut through several of the strands of wire. From there, it was cake. The remaining strands were soon separated, and the end of the housing looked really good. The bike was reassembled, and the ride was rescued.
Really, I'm a little surprised that the experiment was so successful.
Previously, the little Ladybug was just a knife that I carried in my pocket because sometimes it's necessary to open a Clif Bar, shave the stickers off a prickly pear fruit, or cut a taco in half after the ride. But now, the status of the Ladybug has been elevated. It's performed an important task. It's now MY knife.
In case you're wondering, the edge on the Ladybug took quit a beating. It is DULL. A picture is attached below. When I left the house this morning, the edge was coarse and sharp. It's interesting to look at the wear pattern under magnification. My two goals for tomorrow is to do bike maintenance and sharpen the Ladybug.
