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

[ChrisF]

Question for those that know the SRAM electronic derailures.

 

A gent had a chain snap.  It was next to the quick link, removed one more link wrapped the chain and on his way ...

 

Nope ... we got the chain wrap wrong ... check again ....

 

Took a moment before we saw what happened ....

 

 

The mid idler wheel moved back .... so far back the chain was running from the cassette straight down to the bottom wheel.

 

Checked the locking pin ... fine

 

Just no "pull" on the bottom arm.

 

Is it some function of the electronic mechanism ?

 

Or did something break when the chain let go ?

[droo]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

Question for those that know the SRAM electronic derailures.

 

A gent had a chain snap.  It was next to the quick link, removed one more link wrapped the chain and on his way ...

 

Nope ... we got the chain wrap wrong ... check again ....

 

Took a moment before we saw what happened ....

 

 

The mid idler wheel moved back .... so far back the chain was running from the cassette straight down to the bottom wheel.

 

Checked the locking pin ... fine

 

Just no "pull" on the bottom arm.

 

Is it some function of the electronic mechanism ?

 

Or did something break when the chain let go ?

I'd guess the tension spring has either snapped or popped out of its perch.

Lock cage, remove back stop screw, remove cage pivot bolt, remove cage, and see what's what.

Problem should be reasonably obvious once it's in pieces.

[ChrisF]

44 minutes ago, droo said:

I'd guess the tension spring has either snapped or popped out of its perch.

Lock cage, remove back stop screw, remove cage pivot bolt, remove cage, and see what's what.

Problem should be reasonably obvious once it's in pieces.

 

So not exactly the type of DIY job in the ditch towards the end of Smitswinkel ....

 

But yes, a broken or unhooked spring makes sense.

 

 

Having already lost too much time, I advised him to walk the 1km back to the tech zone.

[droo]

14 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

So not exactly the type of DIY job in the ditch towards the end of Smitswinkel ....

 

But yes, a broken or unhooked spring makes sense.

 

 

Having already lost too much time, I advised him to walk the 1km back to the tech zone.

Simple enough if you've done it before, but a few tiny bits to drop in the grass.

Tech zone was definitely the right call.

[Jono]

So was doing a caliper rebuild on a Shimano 4 pot. Was a bit too relaxed about the process and wasn’t being careful when removing the pistons. Applied compressed air to one of the ports and didn’t have a rag between the pistons. The one piston shot out hit the opposite piston and shattered. 
 

Soooo anyone have a scrapped caliper lying around or a piston? It’s the smaller piston I’m after.

Edited March 23 by Jono
Added pic and cry for help

[Me rida my bicycle]

@Rouxenator do you think it's time for a new one or good for a couple hundred km's still 😂

[Rouxenator]

10 minutes ago, Me rida my bicycle said:

@Rouxenator do you think it's time for a new one or good for a couple hundred km's still 😂

Nah, that is just providing your pedals with extra shock absorbing. 

Funny enough, I recently had a BB replaced only to find it was actually the crank axle that was worn - you could not see it with the naked eye but after replacing the crank my issue was solved. 

Never had a crank axle wear out on me... 

[MrJacques]

11 hours ago, Rouxenator said:

Nah, that is just providing your pedals with extra shock absorbing. 

Funny enough, I recently had a BB replaced only to find it was actually the crank axle that was worn - you could not see it with the naked eye but after replacing the crank my issue was solved. 

Never had a crank axle wear out on me... 

Did you have a seized bearing at any stage?

[Rouxenator]

24 minutes ago, MrJacques said:

Did you have a seized bearing at any stage?

Nope was running smooth for about 4 years. Still hard to see anything wrong with it, but when it was installed in the bike there was some play not present on a new one.

[love2fly]

I'm particularly anal about bike noises (to my detriment), and chase any noise or creak till it's solved.

As an aside, my previous LBS once told me all MTB's make some creaks due to the suspension.....just cos he couldn't be bothered to do it right...

Ok, on my roadbike I chased endless crank creaks, usually just before pedal stroke ie around 1:00 o clock, especially worse when it's cold, up a steep climb early in the ride. The creak would annoyingly move from left to right at random.

I'd religiously do a crank lube service and for a ride or 2 it would appear better, but it always came back.

Anyway, my 10 year old Lake carbon shoes needed replacing after gluing the 3 soles back together for a 3rd time.....noise gone. It was my shoes.....🤭

[MORNE]

14 hours ago, love2fly said:

I'm particularly anal about bike noises (to my detriment), and chase any noise or creak till it's solved.

As an aside, my previous LBS once told me all MTB's make some creaks due to the suspension.....just cos he couldn't be bothered to do it right...

Somewhat related to this…

Owning all the tools to replace frame/pivot bearings and doing your own basic suspension services can be both a blessing and a curse.

There is no better feeling than freshly serviced suspension/ linkages/ bearings on a bike. Being able to do it yourself then means that blissful silence and slippery efficiency is only a few hours of wrenching away.

I sometimes miss the days of ignoring minor creeks because i now know exactly where to find and fix them…and i always feel the need to oblige. This is also imo why hardtails will keep you sane for longer😅 i ride mine in everything and put it away dirty.

Although i will say it’s rather therapeutic stripping a bike down to the bearings and putting it all back together. It’s the chase…

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by MORNE