Stuff you learn(t) the hard way by being your own mechanic

[SwissVan]

How to clean your hands perfectly after working with dirty parts like chains ect...

 

If you dont have any barrier cream, before you start work, spread some liquid soap on your hands and rub it in well, this works like a barrier cream and helps to wash all the dirt out when you are finished.

 

Also if you get dirt under your finger nails and cleaning with a scrubbing brush does not do the trick.... When you go shower wash your hair and make sure you rub / massage your hair a bit with your finger tips....the hairs do a good job of going where the scrubbing brush cant.

You may want to wash your hair again, optional 

[NotSoBigBen]

How to clean your hands perfectly after working with dirty parts like chains ect...

 

If you dont have any barrier cream, before you start work, spread some liquid soap on your hands and rub it in well, this works like a barrier cream and helps to wash all the dirt out when you are finished.

 

Also if you get dirt under your finger nails and cleaning with a scrubbing brush does not do the trick.... When you go shower wash your hair and make sure you rub / massage your hair a bit with your finger tips....the hairs do a good job of going where the scrubbing brush cant.

You may want to wash your hair again, optional

If only I had ... Ah what the hell [emoji34]

[mecheng89]

Removed the jockey wheels to clean the gunk out before race day, stripped the thread when putting it together, ended up with a small bolt throught the cage to get race done.

 

A side note: never do maintenance on your bike the day before a big ride or race.

 

Putting engine oil on a chain. - Not a good idea, did this as a kid though

Yip. Did maintenance on my MTB rear mech a while ago, playing with the H and L tension bolts, had no clue what I was doing, shifting well ape ****, event the next day was a total bust.

[MORNE]

Yip. Did maintenance on my MTB rear mech a while ago, playing with the H and L tension bolts, had no clue what I was doing, shifting well ape ****, event the next day was a total bust.

i remember the day that those screws finally clicked for me the first time....here's a hint - you don't set them with the cable attached to the derailleur lol.  

[100Tours]

So many lessons..

1. The only way I ever get my disc calipers aligned is by eye. basically look for the little gap around the disc while you work it into place, and thats it. The 'squeeze the lever and let it centre itself' method is probably marketing bullsh1t
2. One of my favourite tools is the chain link remover - basically like a lock-ring remover (think needle nose pliers, but shaped for chain links). Removes the magic link. it only does one job, but it saves so much frustration.
3. Buy proper cable cutters
4. I have 11 bikes (some belong to my wife) - so I bought a leg wax melter and stuck a bunch of candles in it. I wax my chains every 6 months, and then sometimes put lube on top if I'm riding one or other bike a lot. keeps everything smooth shiny ready to ride and rust free.
5. Don't over-Lighten. That light weight kit is for the pros, and half the time it breaks even when they use it..

Edited August 15, 2019 by 100Tours

[Knersboy]

Always wear shoes

[Knersboy]

Take photos of stuff as you take it apart, no you will not remember how they were supposed to fit together

[Knersboy]

Don’t let your inquisitive non-stop question asking 3-7 year old hang with you when you are doing a particularly frustrating job, they will see a bad side of you very quickly.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Buy a box of surgical gloves, saves you getting little cuts and you never have dirty hands.

[V18]

Don’t let your inquisitive non-stop question asking 3-7 year old hang with you when you are doing a particularly frustrating job, they will see a bad side of you very quickly.

When my (now 3yo) son was 9months ish,I used to work on my bikes with him in a bumbo seat on the garage floor with his toys around him. His first (still favourite) word was "k@k".

[No Hare]

I wonder what will happen if I do this...

&

this should fix the problem...

&

I'm not spending Randelas on this, let me improvise...

Edited August 15, 2019 by No Hare

[johanpre44]

1. I've had too much creaking/stuck/sliding seat posts to know that I have to use some sort of assembly compound (rather than grease or nothing), which cost me a new seat post, lots of swearing and new paint job on a steel frame. Also remove seat post, clean and reapply the compound every couple of months to make sure no creaking/sliding happens.

2. Get the right tools (still missing the master ling tool)

3. Lock-tight or grease those threads! Know when to use which.

4. Lock-on grips

5. Get the right oils and grease and you can get new life into a very old suspension fork

6. Always have at least on set of spare disk brake pads on hand (helps having lots of bikes using the same pads)

[solty]

Bought a Wheels MFG bb from CWC. Asked them if they’ll install it as I don’t have the tool. Yeah sure. Drove through with the bike, get there. They don’t have the wrench and can’t do it.

Go home, make my own and sorted in 15 min.

That looks really pro!

[porqui]

Apply your mind !!

 

 

When tired stop !!

[Pusher]

Get a decent bike stand! I bought a Parktool years ago and one of my best buys!

[Me rida my bicycle]

I like working on my bike the day before a race that way I know it's right. You see so many people running around race morning trying to get their bike to work, or was that just some of you who worked on your bike the day before ????

 

Everyone makes mistakes mine probably tyre direction, looking for the arrow and still fitting it the wrong way, that's why I never put sealant in before seating my tyres.

 

Just use your head when working on your bike and look what you are doing. If you still get it wrong then maybe you should not be holding tools.