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bicycle maintenance
Old 04-03-2011, 07:30 AM   #1
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bicycle maintenance

I am sure a lot of you maintain your own bikes, it is very LBYMs. Years ago I used to always do my own bike work but in the past 20 years I have brought them into the shop for tuneups, etc. I see no reason to continue to do this and I think that I can generally take care of my own bikes. For example, right now I need to adjust both my front and rear deraillers. I know what to do. However, I don't have a stand to work on, to spin the gears and check the changes I make. Without a stand the process is awkward.

Buying a stand that isn't a POS is kind of pricey. Anyone cobble something together that works for routine maintenance? What do you do generally do for tools? I need to remove my crank arm sets to put on shorter arms, but I don't have a crank puller. For a one time job I don't know if it is worth getting the special tool. How do you folks maintain you bikes?
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Old 04-03-2011, 08:03 AM   #2
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Seems I am chea.. er frugal on some things and nonchalant on others. I bought a used mountain bike from a sports store for well under $100 and had them put on a new tire and tube on the front. Making the total over $100. This spring the rear was flat and the garage was way too cold to work comfortably in. For $20 or so they put a new tube in the rear and adjusted the rear brake shoes better.

It is hard to get too excited about working in a garage that is below zero AND get hands greasy for $20 when your net worth has jumped hugely in the latest market rally.

However if it were sunny and warm.. I would have done it. Climate plays a factor as I often have my oil changed once a year during the coldest months unless we get a break in the cold spell.

Finally if people who have money won't part with any of it, how can the economy ever perk up for our kids and grandkids? Some of whom may work a summer in a bike shop.
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Old 04-03-2011, 08:32 AM   #3
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I like to ride my bicycle. But when it comes to bicycle maintenance I'm all thumbs. Guess I must have a blind spot to this skill. For example, those plastic things that help getting the inner tube out when repairing a flat. For the life of me, I don't know how those plastic thingys work.
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Old 04-03-2011, 08:36 AM   #4
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I have a bike rack to transport my bike on the back of my vehicle. I've found this same bike rack works great to hold the bike while I adjust the derailleurs, clean the chain, etc. Before that I used to use a piece of rope to hang the bike between the handlebars and seat post and the garage ceiling joist.
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Old 04-03-2011, 08:38 AM   #5
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I support the local economy and take it to the shop, even for punctures. A new tube, including installation, is only $10. I'll stick to LBYM on big stuff.
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Old 04-03-2011, 08:48 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Martha View Post
Without a stand the process is awkward.
Turn the bike over with the handle bars and seat on the ground. It works.

Also, get this Maxima Chain Wax - KneeDraggers

You'll never need a replace a chain; unless you break it.
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Old 04-03-2011, 09:07 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Ready-4-ER-at-14 View Post
Seems I am chea.. er frugal on some things and nonchalant on others. I bought a used mountain bike from a sports store for well under $100 and had them put on a new tire and tube on the front. Making the total over $100. This spring the rear was flat and the garage was way too cold to work comfortably in. For $20 or so they put a new tube in the rear and adjusted the rear brake shoes better.

It is hard to get too excited about working in a garage that is below zero AND get hands greasy for $20 when your net worth has jumped hugely in the latest market rally.

However if it were sunny and warm.. I would have done it. Climate plays a factor as I often have my oil changed once a year during the coldest months unless we get a break in the cold spell.

Finally if people who have money won't part with any of it, how can the economy ever perk up for our kids and grandkids? Some of whom may work a summer in a bike shop.
Now that you had it fixed, can you ride it when it is below 0 (wow - that is cold)? Or during winter at all?
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Old 04-03-2011, 09:27 AM   #8
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..........Finally if people who have money won't part with any of it, how can the economy ever perk up for our kids and grandkids? Some of whom may work a summer in a bike shop.
Those kids are why I avoid my local bike shop. They have inadequate supervision and do a poor job, in my experience.
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Old 04-03-2011, 09:38 AM   #9
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Turn the bike over with the handle bars and seat on the ground. It works.

Also, get this Maxima Chain Wax - KneeDraggers

You'll never need a replace a chain; unless you break it.
I find it very awkward working with the bike upside down. Lack of experience I guess. That is my fallback position though. I wish I had the right kind of bike rack, mine does not suspend the bike, instead the wheels go in slots.

Okay, I can't believe how many of you don't fix your own flats. What if you were 10 miles from home? Don't you ever get flats on the road? It really isn't hard when you have tire levers. Watch a video on Youtube and you will be set.
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Old 04-03-2011, 09:51 AM   #10
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I take my bike to a shop. The things I taught myself to maintain when I was a kid, like fixing coaster brakes, are no longer applicable. Other things like re-balancing wheels is too much of a PITA to do anymore. I am also too cheap to buy a good stand when a trip to the shop is usually $20 or less.
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Old 04-03-2011, 09:53 AM   #11
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I use a full stand but I also have a portable stand that raises the rear end that I have taken on car trips. There is a thread on the topic at Bike Forums. Also a separate thread on Topeak's Flash Stand. It is nice to get the back wheel up to mess around with derailleurs. I just turn the bike upside down for tube replacements on the road.
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Old 04-03-2011, 10:03 AM   #12
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Now that you had it fixed, can you ride it when it is below 0 (wow - that is cold)? Or during winter at all?
I haven't rode it yet, other than up and down the alley. I did it more so I can when I get the desire, or if my kids and their friends happened to want to go on a ride. I have an older dog that lives to go on walks. So my riding is limited anyway. Plus Chicago is not really bicycle friendly unless in the parks as lots of traffic and speeds bikes really don't travel well unless you are young and pushing it. I don't even like riding motorcycles here. SUVs even make small cars shiver here.. lol. Some guys were out with bicycles in the worst blizzards though with 20+ inches of snow.

Regarding zero year it can gets brutally cold in Chicago and this winter has seen a really long stretch below freezing. I bounce back and forth between F and C in my mind and of course 0 C is 32F. Think we had 3 months below freezing every day or at least seemed it. Pretty sure it got around zero F a couple times but I was really thinking 0 C. Arctic cold fronts race down the central plain states and die out as far down as Missouri I believe.

It finally warmed up and it is still only 48, rainy and windy today.

You got me wondering about the temperature extremes in Chicago.
Per encyclopedia of Chicago the coldest was -27F and 43 continuous days below 32F. So it appears I overstated this years winter for below freezing.
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Old 04-03-2011, 10:08 AM   #13
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I use a full stand but I also have a portable stand that raises the rear end that I have taken on car trips. There is a thread on the topic at Bike Forums. Also a separate thread on Topeak's Flash Stand. It is nice to get the back wheel up to mess around with derailleurs. I just turn the bike upside down for tube replacements on the road.
Is it the Flash stand you use on trips? Is it stable enough to turn the pedals when making derailleur adjustments?
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Old 04-03-2011, 11:07 AM   #14
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Is it the Flash stand you use on trips? Is it stable enough to turn the pedals when making derailleur adjustments?
I don't have a flash stand, I have a stand from Specialized with a couple of hooks for hanging the back frame. But I think pretty much any of these would be OK for minor adjustments. But I still prefer to use the full stand - it is nice to stand up when changing chains, etc.
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Old 04-03-2011, 01:16 PM   #15
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Ride the bike enough to save one tank of gas. That should pay for all the tools you need. I used to use rope and hooks from a garage rafter to hold up the bike while I worked on it.
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Old 04-03-2011, 10:48 PM   #16
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Heres another vote for just flipping it over onto seat+handlebars. I have had no use for a stand in 30+ years of fixing my own bike. Get a nice bike repair kit with everything you need for about $70, and a book on how to do it.

Amazon.com: Avenir Home Mechanic's Tool Kit: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair: For Road & Mountain Bikes (9781605294872): Todd Downs: Books

Get a small portable kit, patches, and pump for about $20.

Amazon.com: Royal Consumer Information 22447292305 Bike Repair Kit- Adjustable Carrying Bag: Electronics

Amazon.com: Schwinn Aluminum Frame Pump: Sports & Outdoors

Also get a spare tube (some flats are unpatchable).

This will handle most problems.
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Old 04-04-2011, 07:27 AM   #17
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Well, maybe I will try adjusting my derailleurs with the bike upside down. But it might make me go cross-eyed. It is my front derailleur that is really out of whack and that is kind of a PITA to adjust.

I do carry a tire changing kit with a tube, patch, pump, and tire levers. I have thought about using CO2 cartridges but I keep hearing about people having problems with them.
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Old 04-04-2011, 07:36 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by Martha View Post
Well, maybe I will try adjusting my derailleurs with the bike upside down. But it might make me go cross-eyed. It is my front derailleur that is really out of whack and that is kind of a PITA to adjust.

I do carry a tire changing kit with a tube, patch, pump, and tire levers. I have thought about using CO2 cartridges but I keep hearing about people having problems with them.
I tried an inflator and love it. But I carry a spare cartridge in case I screw up. If you blow it you are out of air
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Old 04-04-2011, 07:38 AM   #19
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The rope trick from the garage ceiling will work.

I have an old (25+ years) stationary wind trainer that I use as a work stand. You take the front wheel off and pop it on there. There is little need for the stationary trainer in SoFl, but if you live up north, they are good for the cold months.

Most bike repairs are pretty easy. You can get a book from Amazon or maybe even your local library or used book store. Fixing flats is very easy. Adjusting the derailleurs is pretty easy with a little help from the book. Replacing the chain is easy enough with the right tool. Replacing a derailleur is pretty simple, it is the adjustment that takes time. Replacing cables isn't too bad, but is kind of a pain.

I confess that I sometimes buy the tools on sale and then still take the bike to the shop. Like I have the tools to replace the rear cassette, but I haven't ever bothered to tackle it because the shop charges the same thing for the part and pretty much throws in the labor. Although I do most of the maintenance myself, I do like to have them look at it about once a year because I put upwards of 5,000 miles a year on the bike.

You can do it! Now just get out there and ride!
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Old 04-04-2011, 08:36 AM   #20
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Here is the stand I made a few years ago and use very frequently:

WorkStand 001.jpg

WorkingOnAllez.jpg

WorkStand 003.jpg

It works well, but I'm keeping my eye out for a free-standing stand on Craigslist. I want the kind that clamps onto the seatpost. I'll be able to have the bike up higher, and not have it between the tools and me.

There are plans for DIY stands, I'll post those later.

The ropes and trunk rack tricks work well.

I don't like the bike upside down business, it's not convenient.

YES to doing the work yourself -- it's fun and rewarding. The web articles and videos on how to do things are great, and I usually refer to those rather than the books I have.

Chains do need to be replaced, since they "stretch" (actually not stretch, but get longer due to interior wear). If you wait too long, they will damage the gears on the back, and you will need to replace those. So it's important to measure the chain periodically.

How To Check For Chain Wear - Bicycle Tutor
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