the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119501508#Comment_119501508

anyone?

cletus

The only thing I can think of is that li-ion batteries don't deplete lineally. If you've ever used one in a battery powered tool, you'll know that they work, and then just stop, pretty much

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119505058#Comment_119505058

traco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119505058#Comment_119505058

Can you calibrate the display to the battery as this is something I've seen on systems before. It used to happen on Segways that were always topped up where the software needed to relearn the top and bottom levels. The reste was run it flat and fully charge and it might have needed to be done 2 or three times.

The other thing you could do is get one of those wall plug power meter things. Run the battery flat and then fully charge and see if its taking the correct amount of power. A failing pack will not be able to take all it should.

ciarano

Can anyone help?Im restoring an old C40

I can't get the left crank off.

Can it be tapped off? Any other ideas ?

The self extracting bolt came apart and now won't work,It's a Dura ace 7700 crankset it's cream crackered.I just need to get crank arm off

Thanks Boardies

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119505506#Comment_119505506

Cheers, I've been doing some reading and there's a claim I've come across that the software remembers previous use, it's not a simple algorithm. We got the bike secondhand so maybe a reset will sort that, as the previous owner's use may have affected its calculations.

traco

Cool, that might sort it.

Here's a noob raod bike question.

Ripped the bike apart this evening and cleaned everything. It has a 12-26 rear cassette but I got a new 11-26 with it. Just wonder should i stick with the 12-26? Need to check for wear now I can see everything.

Is there a today I did something to my bike thread somewhere as I'll throw pics in that if there is

magicbastarder

i'd see no reason not to use the new cassette - especially if you don't know how worn the old one is.

and there is such a thread:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2056740609/today-i-did-something-to-my-bike-thread

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119505785#Comment_119505785

I have a crank extractor that you can use if your around South Dublin. You can try tapping it off but it will be a pain in the hole in most scenarios.

cletus

Did the crank puller not fit, or is the crank seized?

ciarano

Thanks Cramcycle for the offer but im down in Limerick and Cletus it seized so got sent a you tube video with some tips i will try later today

Thanks everyone

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119508864#Comment_119508864

I had the same issue on a restoration I was doing, I used a crank puller, hammer and steel drift pin, and a crowbar. The only thing that worked was heat

ciarano

Thanks Cletus 

traco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119502844#Comment_119502844

@Thargor, just grabbed a sandwicj and lidl and the floor pump. Label on teh outside says it will do those valves also.

CramCycle

As with Cletus, last job like this, heat was a huge help after all other avenues are exhausted. Try and borrow a blowtorch from someone. There are other ideas, from drenching in coke to wrapping in dry ice (did not work for me). Heat did work so would be my go to after all other reasonable methods are trialled.

CramCycle

Trying to figure out are my tyres tubeless. They are Schwalbe All round X one tan wall with the initials "VG" on the tyre. I can find very little detailing if all of their X ones are tubeless or if only certain ones are? Anyone have any idea?

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119511762#Comment_119511762

Does it have ‘TLE’ on the side wall? Can see the regular black ones do, and some of the tan wall ones as well. It’s their version of ‘tubeless ready’

CramCycle

It does not, that answers that query

Thargor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119510138#Comment_119510138

Ah excellent thanks, I have an older one of those Lidl pumps down at the parents that the pressure gauge stopped working on, I might just donate it to him. You use the Presta port on the pump (retyped "stick it in the Presta hole") or theres an adapter in the little box of football/air mattress adapters on the handle do you know?

traco

Haven't opened it, still in the car but looks to have a box with things in it.

Mundo7976

Not bike per se, but any tips for cleaning helmet straps without removing them (can never get them back to the comfort position) there's a fair hum off them especially after the recent balmy rides?

magicbastarder

i rinse it in lukewarm water in the shower, sometimes with a little soap.

Hi there. I have managed to round out the thru-axles on my CAAD 13. The front axle is completely gone and won't come off with a vice. The back wheel is just about grabbing an Allen key and will come off for now. I took the axles out a lot over last year and think I was using an Allen key that was one size too small (5 rather than 6).

I've tried to order two replacements through LBS but they are struggling. In the meantime, I've ordered two from some place in China but the delivery time is very vague.

Right now, if I puncture the front wheel while out I'm snookered. I'm doing Beara next month and would love to get it sorted before hand and not have to worry about getting caught out.

What's my best strategy for getting the front axle off if the replacements land?

cletus

The normal advice for rounded Allen heads would be to hammer the next size up into it.

Failing that, if you could cut a flat into it, you should be able to use a large flathead screwdriver

Large bottle small glass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119516895#Comment_119516895

Different bike, but this short thread might be useful. OP is a smart man and might have an idea or two

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058254168/genesis-cdf-front-through-axle#latest

And maybe shout at a cloud as to WTF modern bikes need proprietary means of securing wheels to frameset meaning simple everyday mistakes make them unrideable

Try a cannodale group on Facebook, but up a wanted add

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517062#Comment_119517062

I get what you're saying, but a 4mm Allen key is hardly proprietary

Large bottle small glass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517091#Comment_119517091

Each bike having individual thru axles types? Different threads, thread lengths.

Lever, Allen head doesn't matter a sh1te

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517181#Comment_119517181

Apologies, when you said proprietary means for securing the wheel, I thought you meant the Allen key instead of quick release.

I agree about proprietary sizings for things like axles, bb's etc

Large bottle small glass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517196#Comment_119517196

It's nuts, two simple mistakes meaning people can't ride their bikes on holiday/or miss highlight ride of the year.

Most people are unaware until some simple mistake or failure renders bike unrideable.

I was riding a mainly off road 200 in Dublin 4 years ago when a friend's thru axle seized; meaning no ride.

And this is progress 😢

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517196#Comment_119517196

That's how I read the comment initially but get it now. But, yes, when searching for replacement thru axles and seeing the number of different sizes available for the various brands, I couldn't help but think how stupid it is that they do this. I guess it's the bike industry protecting itself.

Large bottle small glass

Hexlox make an adjustable in length thru axle, all you need to know is length, diameter, thread length, pitch.

Hopefully but unlikely Cannondale have that information for you but if not Facebook/bigger cycling forums etc might have.

So you could order those maybe quicker than Cannondale specific ones.

All the best with it