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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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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

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

Type 17

Loose axle/cones/skewer?

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?

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

Altitude in Waterford are doing mail order.

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

Hellrazer

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

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

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

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...

Plastik

What make/model of bike is it?

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.

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.

Plastik

burger1979 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks. Its a black matt finish with gloss lettering, and some gloss on the top tube and fork (emonda sl7 is the bike).
I usually just use some degreaser on the frame and then wash with warm water and dry off.
Gloss paint i have used some muc off silicone shine before.
I think i will just water, touch of degreaser and see how it goes.

Matte black's a different story, you're probably never going to see any slight discolouring in the paint with the black finish. I've a matte black Ribble and it looks clean with just a quick wipe. One of the other bikes is a matte primer grey and very difficult to clean properly.

Type 17

magicbastarder wrote: »

...at least one seized Allen bolt holding the cage on.

If you can get two bolts out that are opposite each other, you can then swivel the cage which will clear it out of the way for a socket to be used.

burger1979

Thanks for the replies folks. Its a black matt finish with gloss lettering, and some gloss on the top tube and fork (emonda sl7 is the bike).
I usually just use some degreaser on the frame and then wash with warm water and dry off.
Gloss paint i have used some muc off silicone shine before.
I think i will just water, touch of degreaser and see how it goes.

magicbastarder

i don't have a box spanner, unfortunately.

tomasrojo

magicbastarder wrote: »

and another, deader end. the nut you can see in the photo is obviously just a locknut, 12mm. there's a larger one behind it, 14mm or probably 15mm at a guess and my cheapo socket set goes up to 13mm.

The nut underneath isn't usually all that tight, and you can get it out with a suitably sized box spanner. That's what I do anyway: ratchet set to get out first, box spanner for second. There's usually a washer in between that will shake out.

(I'm assuming the nut underneath is the base of the bearing cone, as that's the case in the pedals I've serviced.

Box spanners cost a few euro in most hardware stores. I think the one I have is 14mm on one side and 15mm on the other.

magicbastarder

me being killed like that would really throw a spanner in the works for my plans for the next couple of weeks.

magicbastarder

you could ask did my neighour.... socket to me.

CramCycle

magicbastarder wrote: »

cheers - i've got a neighbour with an impressive array of tools, so may ask him to throw some over the garden wall. much appreciated though.

I wonder will the death of MB getting hit by a socket flying over the fence and cracking him on the noggin be attributed to Covid 19 :pac:

magicbastarder

cheers - i've got a neighbour with an impressive array of tools, so may ask him to throw some over the garden wall. much appreciated though.

cletus

magicbastarder wrote: »

and another, deader end. the nut you can see in the photo is obviously just a locknut, 12mm. there's a larger one behind it, 14mm or probably 15mm at a guess and my cheapo socket set goes up to 13mm.

Also a crappy set, but looks to have a larger range of sizes

https://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/streetwize-accessories-socket-set-40pce-38-and-14/1600405797.prd?Ntt=socket%20set

I'm in Rathangan. If you're anywhere nearby, I can throw the sockets you need at you from 2 metres away...

magicbastarder

and another, deader end. the nut you can see in the photo is obviously just a locknut, 12mm. there's a larger one behind it, 14mm or probably 15mm at a guess and my cheapo socket set goes up to 13mm.

magicbastarder

Got the little bugger out, cheers. Just a little swearing as lubricant. If they were my pedals, if have just hot then with a hammer.

cletus

magicbastarder wrote: »

I edited my post after you read it - at least one seized Allen bolt holding the cage on.

Plenty of WD-40 (or whatever flavour you prefer), and worst case scenario heat.

Times like this a manual impact driver is ideal (not helpful, I know

)

magicbastarder

cletus wrote: »

Bear in mind, if the cage doesn't come off, it'll be a socket you need, not a spanner

I edited my post after you read it - at least one seized Allen bolt holding the cage on.

cletus

magicbastarder wrote: »

I might find an old spanner and grind it so it fits.

Bear in mind, if the cage doesn't come off, it'll be a socket you need, not a spanner

cletus

CramCycle wrote: »

Would have to see the full pedal bit I feel you have to remove the cage as well,

This. I've been thinking, and looking, and the only proper solution is that the cage comes off. Is it bolted front and back?

Another picture would help

magicbastarder

I might find an old spanner and grind it so it fits. The cage is held on by four Allen bolts but I think one is seized. Will just spray it with light oil and leave it to penetrate.