Re: Engine sprocket fixing / rubber or leather washer
Martin,
Nothing wrong with your English. It is also not my native language so we might both sometimes be unclear!.
I did not want to suggest you might not have tightened it enough previous time in public.
If you did then the slight movement on the taper may have resulted in loosening of the nut inspite of the key as there would be more play in the "system".
I have been riding in France, Belgium and Luxembourg with and without camping gear on it and it goes well on most hills but indeed when it is fairly steep I do need to step back to third. I do not think that to be a problem.I am mostly riding in rather flat Netherlands!
With a second person on board it will be more problematic as going back to second gear makes you rather slow. Many cars don't like that.
With 19 teeths it is all a bit easier uphill, even with a passenger if it is not too steep.
I used to have 19 teeths for years but riding longer distances it just gives a little more speed with 20.
Have done several 800 km single or return journey trips with it and it also reduces the vibration at higher speeds a bit.
I started with 18 teeths many years ago but that was really a bit overdone and slow. Good in terrain of course but I do not doo that to much here. Not much possibilities to ride off road here in Holland anymore. It is either paved or you are not allowed to use it for fun.
