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

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, Wyatt Earp said:

The big lesson here, never trust the mechanic before, as in NEVER .

 

That is entertaining and IMPRESSIVE 

[DJR]

16 hours ago, Wyatt Earp said:

The big lesson here, never trust the mechanic before, as in NEVER .

I'm impressed

[Alouette3]

@Droo, you up for the challenge?

[Wyatt Earp]

15 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

That is entertaining and IMPRESSIVE 

I haven’t been working on bikes that long.

But in 36 years I’ve had of doing so, I’ve learnt not to trust many.

[MrJacques]

Shimano chainring bolts use a T30 torx bolt and you need a decent amount of force to loosen them. Guessing it's the threadlock they used. You need strong properly fitting torx keys or you're likely to strip the torx keys and possibly damage the bolts.

Also not sure if the advice the LBS gave me about not needing spacers for the chainline is correct, but I'll see when I fit the cranks with the new chainring.

[splat]

2 hours ago, MrJacques said:

Shimano chainring bolts use a T30 torx bolt and you need a decent amount of force to loosen them. Guessing it's the threadlock they used. You need strong properly fitting torx keys or you're likely to strip the torx keys and possibly damage the bolts.

I had sparks fly when those bolts came loose.
Got a proper fright, I did!

[Ant in the NL]

Howzit, wanna change my 32t chainring to a 36t which is paired with a 11 - 50t cassette. Do I need to replace the current standard 1 x 12 chain as well? Need to order online as the LBS here can do the fitting but not the purchase of the parts. Mainly riding flat roads here on my 29er that I fitted hybrid tyres to so I figured the 36t would be a good upgrade. @RobertWhitehead 

[RobertWhitehead]

How many links does your current chain have? You may get away with a 34 without having a longer chain but 36 may cause the rear mech to over extend. Do you need a 96 or 104bcd ring 

[Ant in the NL]

1 hour ago, RobertWhitehead said:

How many links does your current chain have? You may get away with a 34 without having a longer chain but 36 may cause the rear mech to over extend. Do you need a 96 or 104bcd ring 

The existing chainring is a 104bcd 

[Robbie Stewart]

I learnt that fitting a 2.25" tyre back to front on 36mm inner width rims, and then trying to remove that tyre to fix the rotational direction is a mission. It sticks to the bead like no one's business. I pulled the 2.45" Minion DHR 2 off with my bare hands yet this new Racing Ralph won't let go regardless what I try. I can't even get a tyre lever under the bead.

[RobertWhitehead]

7 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I learnt that fitting a 2.25" tyre back to front on 36mm inner width rims, and then trying to remove that tyre to fix the rotational direction is a mission. It sticks to the bead like no one's business. I pulled the 2.45" Minion DHR 2 off with my bare hands yet this new Racing Ralph won't let go regardless what I try. I can't even get a tyre lever under the bead.

I've learnt that I feel like a poephol regardless of the tyre width every time I do that 😂. Sometimes the feeling is so bad that I pretend to not notice my mistake until the new owner points it out and offers to fix it 

[NotSoBigBen]

7 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I learnt that fitting a 2.25" tyre back to front on 36mm inner width rims, and then trying to remove that tyre to fix the rotational direction is a mission. It sticks to the bead like no one's business. I pulled the 2.45" Minion DHR 2 off with my bare hands yet this new Racing Ralph won't let go regardless what I try. I can't even get a tyre lever under the bead.

I don't even know how many tubeless tires I've fitted ... And I still get it wrong now and then, case in point last week. Front wheel on my gravel bike .... Thought stuff it I'll just ride it like that, rode it once. Yesterday I swopped it around but ... Unlike the first time it didn't just inflate first time 😤 ... Took some effort

Lesson learnt, it'll probably happen again AND just because the first go was easy doesn't mean the second time will be!

[ChrisF]

6 hours ago, NotSoBigBen said:

I don't even know how many tubeless tires I've fitted ... And I still get it wrong now and then, case in point last week. Front wheel on my gravel bike .... Thought stuff it I'll just ride it like that, rode it once. Yesterday I swopped it around but ... Unlike the first time it didn't just inflate first time 😤 ... Took some effort

Lesson learnt, it'll probably happen again AND just because the first go was easy doesn't mean the second time will be!

 

Rebuilt the "Green Bike" 2 weeks ago.

 

MAN !!!!  The front tyre would NOT seat ....

 

I re-did the rim tape twice.  Double layered.

 

Eventually gerry-rigged a setup whereby I had a straight pipe from the compressor to the valve.

 

 

After all this agrivation the rear tyre slipped on like a glove.

 

 

 

At least now I have a "jig" to get more air quicker to those troublesome tyres ...  Saturday's jobbie went silk smooth, no chance to use my new toys ....

[droo]

16 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I learnt that fitting a 2.25" tyre back to front on 36mm inner width rims, and then trying to remove that tyre to fix the rotational direction is a mission. It sticks to the bead like no one's business. I pulled the 2.45" Minion DHR 2 off with my bare hands yet this new Racing Ralph won't let go regardless what I try. I can't even get a tyre lever under the bead.

Probably more just a tight bead than the width, some tyre / rim combos are just a bastard. 

Are you by any chance using gorilla tape instead of proper rim tape?

[Robbie Stewart]

4 minutes ago, droo said:

Are you by any chance using gorilla tape instead of proper rim tape?

I'm not sure. I had the rim tape fitted by the LBS mid last year. It's a yellowish tape is all I know.

 

edit - more beige to be precise

 

Edited March 6, 2024 by Robbie Stewart

[Danger Dassie]

Just now, Robbie Stewart said:

I'm not sure. I had the rim tape fitted by the LBS mid last year. It's a yellowish tape is all I know.

Definately not Gorilla tape then, sounds like the normal bog standard plasticky nylon rim tape commonly supplied.