1. In general - it is better to do-over than to overdo. 2. I have gotten a bearing press stuck in a frame after pressing in chainstay bearings... and I had to get in a second opinion to come up with a plan to get it out. There's a lesson in there - make sure the press removes to the outside, not the inside of the stays. 3. After getting silicon sealant on my rear rotor, there's only one way to get it off (and I tried everything else first). Get a small plate, douse brake pads in around a shot of spirits and burn them with the brake surface up. Wait for flame to go out completely (this is important - otherwise you will end up without facial hair). And redo. Redo another three or four times. You'll hear them boil and see the bubbles and eventually they burn silent. Then, wait to cool, sand lightly with 350grit and wipe off dust with a paper towel. Then also burn your rotor brake surface 2 or 3 times - until it is clean - you can actually see the contaminant burn off. Fit and go (don't touch the brake surfaces again with your fingers) - best braking I've ever had! 3B. Apparently silicon sealant makes a moeruva good lubricant. 4. Soldering cut cable ends (I hear superglue works just as well and is easier). 5. I still (to the irritation of my colleagues and riding partners) fit my tyres wrong way around pretty often... but can not tell the difference on the trail tbh, so I just leave them that way. 6. Emergency valve core in your spares can save you a long walk home. 7. Building solid & straight wheels are actually easy - the 5th time around. 8. Calculating spoke lengths for said wheel is not in my list of talents.
