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

[Red Bird]

When opening up your NX shifter, one screw is longer. Remember which side it goes into or you'll end up with a hole on the other side... ditched the shifter anyways as the internals were faulty and upgraded to XO1 since.

[ChunkyMonkey]

When tightening any bolt on a carbon frame or component...

Always stop just before you hear the first click...

 

 

[David Marshall]

What sort of prices are you guys payng for nitrile gloves ? I could also get latex gloves as well as latex, which are powder free.

 

If I can get hold of them would you guys be interested in one or two boxes each ?

Don't use latex - they deteriorate if they contact oil.

[Furbz]

don't thumb suck how tight to do a bolt

 

i broke a suspension bolt once, total pain in the but as it was just prior to wanting to go ride

[Vetplant]

Something to keep all your ferritic tools and bits in a single place:

 

https://dms.licdn.com/playback/C4D05AQG06dEEcQ38nw/65be71f3cf0d4fc2968db8b8a5d04ca1/feedshare-mp4_3300/1488578169071-zmy00q?e=1566972000&v=beta&t=WnGDEEUP8AQxSButbUOudjL5cPCqOfXdmB3---OFhec

[dave303e]

Pressfit BB's can be a nightmare...

 

A trick I learnt from my father in-law is to first apply a thin layer of tubby glue to the BB shell and allow to dry for 24 hours.

 

Once dry, press in the new BB. This takes up any play in the tolerances, either due to manufacture or wear from prior BB removal and installations. 

 

 

Bottom bracket in the freezer set to max cooling for a day or so, frame left in the sun upside down all day, just around 2pm when it is nice and hot you will be amazed how easy it is to install a bearing straight out of the freezer. Have done this with various bearing on motorbikes, sometimes you can even push the part in gently by hand.

[MrJacques]

Saw this in a video. Use an old frisbee to shield your brakes from contamination while cleaning / lubing your bike.

 

[Danger Dassie]

Saw this in a video. Use an old frisbee to shield your brakes from contamination while cleaning / lubing your bike.

 

Disc Brake Shield.png

 

That is nice and neat. I just tie a plastic Mica/Checkers/PickNPay bag around the rotors. Also works well and is quick and easy. Not as neat though.

[Eugéne Alberts]

Using the missus' aerosol deodorant to fit grips, could be hazardous to your health, if found out.

 

True story.

[Goodbadugly]

If you apply it properly. 1 drop per link, and wipe off the excess after a few rotations.

 

More than that and it becomes a muck fest.

I dilute my oil 50/50 with paraffin. Paraffin evaporates overnight leaving only a small amount of oil

[Butterbean]

That is nice and neat. I just tie a plastic Mica/Checkers/PickNPay bag around the rotors. Also works well and is quick and easy. Not as neat though.

Shower caps, my man..

[ABrooks]

More of a tip than a workshop mistake, only tighten your brakes levers and shifters tight enough to prevent them from rotating whilst using it. If (when) you crash chances are much smaller of damaging something. 

[ABrooks]

Keep a small container with some solvent to clean any bolts that you remove, remember to grease/locktite before installing again.

[Eddy Gordo]

Shower caps, my man..

for when you ride in the rain. Fits nice and snug over the hekmet

[Josh_the. Man]

My freehub has a lot of chips in from the casset banging on the splines. The casset didn't have a snug fit and wiggled a lot. So I went to my lbs and they told me that they don't have the part and that I need to replace the whole hub because they can't find it.

I also didn't have the money so I baught expoy/resin from builders to fill up the small holes.

 

Do you guys think it's better to just glue the whole casset on while I'm at it? I also thought about putting in a very small spacer so that it has an even tighter fit.

[MudLark]

Try putting some very thin metal foil over the free hub splines so as to take up the extra play. I have done similar things in other contexts (automotive) using for example, very thin brass sheeting (otherwise known as shim stock). You could also try plain aluminium foil, although I am not sure how well it will last. It all  depends upon the degree of play and how much space you need to take up.

 

Otherwise, just ride the thing until it becomes totally unlivable and then replace the cassette and the hub together. Probably your only real long-term solution, although the metal foil option could extend the life, literally, for years, depending upon how well you manage to fit it and if you can find the right thickness of sheeting.