Good morning,
Lately, many of our kids have been coming in and requesting that we share a "trick of the trade" with them to help them in their bike repair/learning. Many of them have spent time on YouTube and searching the web for pro mechanics tricks and creative bike repair tricks. Could you add your tricks of the trade to our list? Here is what we have thus far:
Use WD-40 with steel wool to remove rust from your bike. Be careful
when using this method on rims- or be sure to clean your bike very well before riding it after using this method. Oily breaking surface = no breaks!
For rust removal, rub the part with aluminum foil dipped in
vinegar.
When you put the seat back on, pull a piece of string taught from
the center rear of the seat to the center of your steer tube. This is much more precise than "eyeballing" it.
Use old spoke nipples as cable ends, just slide the nipple over the
cable end, shank end first, squeeze the nipple shank with the wire cutting jaws of a pair of pliers (gently) to fix to the cable then nip off the head of the nipple with the wire cutters.
If you have a bent derailleur hanger, find an old, worthless hub
axle with the same thread pitch, thread it into the hanger, and use as a lever to bend it back. Be careful not to strip threads or snap the hanger.
When you are attaching your cleats to your shoes, especially with
MTB shoes, fill the hex holes with melted wax (just drip it off a candle). Then, when it's time to tighten/adjust/replace your cleats all you have to do is melt the wax out with a lighter rather than spend 10mins chipping out 2 years' worth of well packed clay.
When trying to remove a stripped hex bolt try gently tapping your
hex wrench into the bolt and then loosening the stripped bolt-call it Andy's trick. You may also try using a rubber band at the end of the hex wrench.
When installing pedals, just remember that the right pedal goes in
the "right way" and the left pedal is not "right".
Use a pair of spanners to hold grip tape in place when taping your
bars.
Use fourth hand tool to tighten zip ties.
Use steel file on the ends of brake housing to give your work a nice
professional touch.
Andrew
Andrew Burnell, Volunteer and Program Director
Community Bicycle Center
Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-9700 (shop)
http://www.communitybike.net www.communitybike.net