things you've discovered while wrenching

[slowSSer]

What the hell. I'm bored at work and would like to see what we've all learned. I'll begin:

Always use housing ends on shifter cables. why? if you don't, it will fray- I've been chasing a front dérailleur issue on the seven gearie and the only thing i didn't check was the housing- yep- frayed cables coming out of the stop underneath the top tube. doh!

More of a Murphy's law: the tool you need the most will be the hardest to find at the most opportune moment.

Learn how to true wheels. there's a certain zen to it and it's really not hard.

ok- your turn!

[guero]

i learned along time ago that i suck at it. if a bolt can be stripped, i can do it. my bubb turneROB usually takes care of my major mechanical stuff.

[dubjay]

1. Grease (most) everything that has metal-to-metal contact, including bolt threads, etc - or you will end up with a mystery squeak that you will never figure out.
2. It is easy to cross thread. Be careful with bottom bracket cups and pedals.
3. 5mm shifter cables should not exist. Always use 4mm cables so the innards don't puke themselves out.
4. You can never go wrong with a good set of tools. When it comes to tools, you get what you pay for.

[2wheel_lee]

If it jams, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacing, anyway.

When in doubt, get a bigger hammer.

[Do Work]

Righty tighty-Lefty loosey applies to everything you can think of EXCEPT pedals...took me and my bro over an hour of sweat and several scars to figure that one out...
Guess an easier way to find out wouldve been the instructions but who uses those now-a-days???

[HUGH]

*Use the right tool for the job
*Buy the best tools period!
*Learn how to build and maintain your own wheels
*If you think its tight enough, it is!! Leave it be...
*Light weight does not mean strong
*If you dropped something on the garage floor and you can't find it call in your wife/GF. 10 times outa 10 they are gonna just walk in and point it out.
*Don't use hair spray to put on grips.
*Don't score your Aluminum seatpost to remember the seat height
*Keep your bike clean
Thats it for now..

HUGH

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

If it jams, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacing, anyway.

When in doubt, get a bigger hammer.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Grease is your friend[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Read the instructions[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Make sure you have all of the parts and tools before you start the job[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]If a shop can do it cheaper and better let them do it[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]It is never as hard as it seems[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Wrenching on cheap bikes is harder than good bikes[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]8 speed stuff was great....9 speed stuff wears out to fast[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]If it does fit force it….if it breaks in needed to be replaced anyway (lee beat me too it)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]29’ers are more fun to work on the 26’ers[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Evil Chocula]

I shoudn't 'f with rear derailleurs.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by guero

i learned along time ago that i suck at it. if a bolt can be stripped, i can do it. my bubb turneROB usually takes care of my major mechanical stuff.

this is exactly why i will do everything but work on suspension forks.

Originally Posted by HUGH

*Keep your SPOKES clean

fixed that for you

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

I shoudn't 'f with rear derailleurs.

hmm. they're easier to adjust than front dérailleurs...

[slowSSer]

your torque wrench needs this. from sheldon brown.

[ghixon]

A bike stand really is a better way to go. Your trigger shifters will thank you.

[Kid A]

it's cheaper to pay my LBS to fix it right the first time than have me f it up and pay them to fix original issue PLUS all the damage I inflicted on my poor bike

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by ghixon

A bike stand really is a better way to go. Your trigger shifters will thank you.

A nice bike stand

[.8down]

Im starting to learn all the little things that come with working on a bike. how things fit, what they need to fit, building this Trance has really taught me a lot, and you guys too. between all the little parts of aheadset to what brands to stay clear of Ive learned more about mt bikes then Ive ever known...IE. as long as I can remember I looked at front de's as a thingy that moves the chain 3 spots...but now, there is high mounts, low mounts, the other mount that escapes me now, top pull, bottom pull, top swing...then I still have to learn to tune them...wow, maybe I suck at it too, but we'll see, on top of that there are all the tools...this might be harder then modding a car...

[kanga]

I learned how to tell left and right pedals apart just by looking at them. I've helped out with a few of the Bionicon demo days, and you get to change lots of pedals.

Holding the pedal with the threads toward the bike, the threads point inward toward the front of the bike. If you hold both pedals together, touching at the screw thread end of the spindles, the threads will form a narrow arrow pointing to the front of the bike. Hard to explain, so maybe I'll shoot a pic to help explain...

[jcampbell]

Proper maintenance does require you to break out the cleaning rags. Keeping a clean drive chain, fork tubes, bearings, shifters, will do wonders for your wear and tear.

Learn how to replace your own shifter cables. To me, a new set of cables always makes my bike feel new again.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

hmm. they're easier to adjust than front dérailleurs...

Nice, now I know not 'f with front derailleurs either.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

Nice, now I know not 'f with front derailleurs either.

hahaha

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

Nice, now I know not 'f with front derailleurs either.

I worked under a master wrench (25 years experience) at REI and we did "learn to work on your bike" clinics and he said something that's very true- rear deralleur setup is rather scientific, while front dérailleur setup involves voodoo.

Such wise advice. Actually, the little pink or green block that comes installed on a shimano front dérailleur with the little sticker takes most of the voodoo out of it. However, putting the damn things back on for adjustment just isn't possible- trust me.