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

magicbastarder

is there a simple list of chemicals which you should not get near disc brake pads? i.e. would even something like a detergent cause issues with contamination; i was wondering as i was cleaning the bike earlier if i can be overcautious in cleaning the bike near the brakes.

any tips on looking after a steel frame? my latest purchase has mountings for racks and also a couple of unthreaded holes - should i tape those up to keep water out, or leave them uncovered to let the water out should it get in?

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magicbastarder

i've a matte black carbon bike and i've never done anything with it but soap and water and a rinse and wipe down with a dry rag.

Hellrazer

Hi there.First time posting in this forum.
Im hoping that someone can help me with this.Took out my bicycle after it sitting in the garage for nearly a year and found this broken.
Has anyone any idea what type of rear gear dropout this is.
I need to order one or would anyone know of any shops open that I can pick one up?

Thanks.

Plastik

What make/model of bike is it?

Type 17

There are literally hundreds of different gear hangers - take a look on here or here and work out which one you need (in the links, I have narrowed it down to single-bolt mount ones already).

Looks like it might be GH-11 or GH-22 or wheels 25, but cross reference by looking at both sides of your hanger and seeing where the thick/thin bits are, and you can also confirm by searching by Bike Brand on both sites.

Your LBS might have the one you need in stock (it looks like one of the more common ones), but it might take a day or so if they don't. If you confirm which one you need, you can call around and ask for it by number (most shops buy the Union ones - the GH-nn series).

Be sure before ordering - many of them look the same/similar, but the exact outer shape and/or positioning of the bolt hole(s) can vary, meaning it's like having a jigsaw piece that almost fits...

Hellrazer

Plastik wrote: »

What make/model of bike is it?

I haven't a clue.Its been painted since I got it. Im not a big cyclist and only use it in the summer.

Type 17 wrote: »

There are literally hundreds of different gear hangers - take a look on here or here and work out which one you need (in the links, I have narrowed it down to single-bolt mount ones already).

Looks like it might be GH-11 or GH-22 or wheels 25, but cross reference by looking at both sides of your hanger and seeing where the thick/thin bits are, and you can also confirm by searching by Bike Brand on both sites.

Your LBS might have the one you need in stock (it looks like one of the more common ones), but it might take a day or so if they don't. If you confirm which one you need, you can call around and ask for it by number (most shops buy the Union ones - the GH-nn series).

Be sure before ordering - many of them look the same/similar, but the exact outer shape and/or positioning of the bolt hole(s) can vary, meaning it's like having a jigsaw piece that almost fits...

It looks like a gh22 to me.
Ive attached a couple of better pics.

BTW thanks for all the help.

Type 17

Yes, I agree, it's almost certainly a GH-22

Give your LBS a call and ask if they have it in stock (if they stock Wheels hangers, it's the no.38)

PS: out of interest, check out how similar the GH-18 and Wheels 108 ones are (but it's definitely not them).

Hellrazer

Thanks all. My local shop is closed (Maynooth cycles) Anyone know of anywhere else open?

8valve

Altitude in Waterford are doing mail order.

They stock (or can get) the union hangers - I used to be a mechanic there.

cletus

Before I throw the bike up on the rack, any ideas as to why my front mechanical disc brake would squeal when steering left, but not when steering right.

This is all at very low speed

8valve

cletus wrote: »

Before I throw the bike up on the rack, any ideas as to why my front mechanical disc brake would squeal when steering left, but not when steering right.

This is all at very low speed

Is the cable catching and actually being pulled when you steer left, activating the brake enough to lightly push the pad against the disc, just enough to create noise/friction?

Type 17

Loose axle/cones/skewer?

cletus

Thanks folks, something to think about when I start looking later

crosstownk

Due to a massive amount of lockdown boredom, I decided to give the commuter/winter bike a good clean, service and general overhaul.

While removing the chain set, the bottom bracket (BBR60) partially disintegrated. Pain in the ass I thought as it’s been there for over 25,000km. I dug out the spare one I had and went to remove the old one.

Not a budge. Nothing. So I got the length of pipe out. Disaster. The gripper teeth on the wee plastic thing just stripped. Now I’m sure the plastic thing isn’t really designed to remove a well aged BB but it was all I had. And now I’m stuck with the LBS closed. I’m not an essential worker so I’m not even gonna ask them. I won’t be using the bike until I’m back in work so it’s by no means an emergency but it is a head wreck.

Any magic solutions? I’ve no bench vise or even vise grips.

I’d new shift cables, bar tape, brake pads and chain ready to fit which would have relieved me of boredom for a couple of afternoons.

Is it possible to buy a Shimano tool that fits directly onto the BB? The replacement BB (BB9000) uses a different size plastic adapter.

In the meantime I have two other bikes to clean and service so that’ll get me to the weekend.

Apologies for the long post.....

cletus

Could you take a picture of the BB. Or a couple of them

crosstownk

cletus wrote: »

Could you take a picture of the BB. Or a couple of them

Here you go.

magicbastarder

crosstownk wrote: »

I’m not an essential worker so I’m not even gonna ask them.

why not? they might be glad of the business.

magicbastarder

worth mentioning - had a similar BB replaced in my LBS last year, the factory fitted one, and they were telling me in the shop when i picked up the bike that it took two of them with an extra long wrench to get the old one off.
there was some comment about the chap in the factory who puts them in never having to worry about taking them out.

crosstownk

magicbastarder wrote: »

why not? they might be glad of the business.

Their website states that they are closed and are only carrying out emergency repairs for essential workers by prior arrangement. That’s OK. I can wait if I have to.

As for how tightly it was installed - I only have myself to blame.

Type 17

Looks like this Park Tool one fits.

It's widely available online for about €25

crosstownk

Type 17 wrote: »

Looks like this Park Tool one fits.

It's widely available online for about €25

Nice one. I think I’ll order that even if it’s something I’ll just use once.

Tony04

Is it because you have the wrong tool? Is it because you tightened too much ?or is it because you didn't put any grease or too much threadlocker in when you installed it?

You could try heating the threads with a lighter/ hairdryer to make it come off easier although be careful of the paint.

crosstownk

Tony04 wrote: »

Is it because you have the wrong tool? Is it because you tightened too much ?or is it because you didn't put any grease or too much threadlocker in when you installed it?

You could try heating the threads with a lighter/ hairdryer to make it come off easier although be careful of the paint.

The plastic adapter is damaged now so I don’t have any tool to attempt your suggestions.

I put grease on the threads but that was four years and over 25,000km ago. Maybe I tightened it too much. In any case, it’s still stuck/seized.

I’ll order the socket that Type 17 posted. That’s my best option at the moment.

Thanks for all the replies.

saccades

Expert cycles are open and will do repair work.

crosstownk

saccades wrote: »

Expert cycles are open and will do repair work.

I’ll give them a call. Within my 2km.

Thanks.

CramCycle

Have to replace the headset on my Track Bike. Easy enough and can get it here: https://www.dolan-bikes.com/alpina-36x45-headset/

Anyone got recommendations for alternative brands, looking specifically for one that has a reputation for lasting a long time.

crosstownk

saccades wrote: »

Expert cycles are open and will do repair work.

Sorted. Thanks.

saccades

CramCycle wrote: »

Have to replace the headset on my Track Bike. Easy enough and can get it here: https://www.dolan-bikes.com/alpina-36x45-headset/

Anyone got recommendations for alternative brands, looking specifically for one that has a reputation for lasting a long time.

Hope or cane creek

cletus

So, I've been thinking of putting drop bars on this frame when (re)building. It's a hard tail mountain bike, circa 2006.

I was idly flicking through various forums looking for info on doing a handlebar swap like that, and most posters were suggesting that a really short stem is required when putting drops on a mountain bike.

I couldn't be sure, but I got the impression that they were talking about newer bikes, which would have (I think) quite a different geometry to the frame in the picture.

Can anyone shed any light on the subject for me?

magicbastarder

i assume they are referring to drop bars having a forward throw on the hoods, that straight bars won't?

cletus

magicbastarder wrote: »

i assume they are referring to drop bars having a forward throw on the hoods, that straight bars won't?

Perhaps, but I don't know what any of that means