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

devonp · 08-04-2022 07:45PM

just fitted my first Conti 25c 5000 (non tubeless) went on straight from the box easily!....to replace a 4000IIs

wheel is an old DT swiss R23 spline(early tubeless design but always used tubes)....the tyre looks a LOT thinner and lower profile than the front wheel which still has an ok 4000IIs on (do have another new 5000s got a pair on Mantel )

is this the case ? ( one of the pluses of the wheel tyre combo was it had a ballon effect making a 25c tyre more 26-27c)
also is it ok to have 2 diff tyres on.... which def now have diff widths ?

magicbastarder · 08-04-2022 08:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899900#Comment_118899900

cheers, i was in decathlon when i saw this so knew what to look for; they don't sell the key on its own, but as part of a set including seat clamp and two wheel skewers; i wasn't going to pay 20 quid considering i might replace them with normal QR anyway.

magicbastarder · 08-04-2022 10:09PM

also on the topic of the old bike; suggestions for rust removal? i'll probably try the balled up aluminium trick on the FD, but i suspect it won't work on the chainrings (have yet to decide whether to disassemble that to clean up)

cletus · 08-04-2022 10:18PM

If you want to keep what's left of the chrome, wet aluminium is your best bet all right.

The chainrings aren't chromed, so vinegar, electrolysis etc would work well. Or just some fine sandpaper

magicbastarder · 08-04-2022 10:25PM

fine sandpaper i have lots of. i wonder would a quick spray of laquer help in preventing the rust returning? the bike is in remarkably good nick for one that was sitting outside (though possibly sheltered) for a couple of years. i reckon the chain is quite usable, though far from pretty looking. tyres are shot though.

cletus · 08-04-2022 10:40PM

I'm not sure about the lacquer. I know that clear coating bare steel doesn't stop rust

magicbastarder · 09-04-2022 06:51PM

i should have called around as they'd have recognised me straight away, but i rang my usual bike shop this morning and explained the situation with the five sided allen key, and got a polite but firm 'no, we don't do that'. another nearby place did it for free without missing a beat. was kinda funny, the mechanic was simultaneously nice, grumpy and patronising all at the same time. must be like what being mansplained to is like were i a woman.

cletus · 09-04-2022 07:27PM

Excellent. Photos of the project as it progresses

magicbastarder · 09-04-2022 10:38PM

ah, it's just a clean and tune up really. the bike is in better nick than i expected, just needs cleaning, oiling and tuning up. and new tyres.

as mentioned, the mechanic in the bike shop was kinda funny; he was desperate for me to be wrong. i half muttered to myself 'i should have sprayed some penetrating oil on that' as i was handing him the bike (just to make it easier to get the nuts off if they'd seized) and he gave me a few arch lines about how oil would not have prevented rust. then i mentioned that i needed to get the wheels off as the tyres were shot and he said dismissively 'there's *nothing* wrong with those tyres' so i held the wheel up for him to see and his reaction was 'jesus, those tyres are ****ed'.

as mentioned, he was nice in the end, but christ help someone who didn't know about bikes.

Brian? · 10-04-2022 07:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900826#Comment_118900826

I’d take them off the bike and just scrub them with the rough side of a dish sponge. If that doesn’t work then add some vinegar. Then if that doesn’t work fine sand paper.

I think I can see some blistering though, so there is a chance you just need new chain rings.

magicbastarder · 10-04-2022 10:23AM

i might borrow your crank puller again...

i got the outer chainring off and even rubbing the inner with aluminium foil helps, but in places there's bare uncoated steel so will rust again quickly.

13-04-2022 08:56PM

Hi there. I bought new Hunt wheels and went to swap them tonight. I took the disc rotors off the old wheels but when I went to put them back on the Hunt wheels the lock ring seems to be a different size and pattern and the lock ring tool won't lock the rotor back on as it's too small. Are there different sized lock ring tools and where would I get the right one to put the rotors on?

Thanks in advance.

13-04-2022 09:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118923189#Comment_118923189

This probably explains better than I could

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOMQ5sOEDk0

13-04-2022 09:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118923209#Comment_118923209

Thanks for that. I took the rotor off with the standard cassette lock ring tool as in the video, but the new wheel came with one that also has an internal fitting but is a different size and pattern so it's different to the video. I'll try and post some pictures.

13-04-2022 09:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118923326#Comment_118923326

Check the bottom of this page, https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/disc-brake-rotor-removal-installation

Qrt · 13-04-2022 11:40PM

Anyone got any experience with installing a front pannier rack on a giant escape?

14-04-2022 10:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118923401#Comment_118923401

It's the spanner for closing externally that I need. What I think are simple jobs always turn out to be more complicated than expected, especially when time is at a premium. Standard parts would really help.

cletus · 14-04-2022 11:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118925154#Comment_118925154

I feel your pain. I reckon you'd need less proprietary tools to work on a Ferrari than you do for a bloody bicycle.

I don't have one that I can loan you, but if it's any use, the tool that will work on the 'external' ring you have is the same spanner used for bottom brackets. It is a Shimano TL-FC32 spanner, generic Amazon search results below

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-HollowTech-bottom-bracket-spanner/dp/B000NONYD8/ref%3Dasc_df_B000NONYD8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310485825261&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4770534494032543683&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20481&hvtargid=pla-440192283773&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

14-04-2022 11:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118925329#Comment_118925329

Ah man, I only started riding bikes four years ago and can do a lot of the basics myself but it's the tools that are killing me. Started swapping out the rotors ready to put on shiny new wheels for a spin while I have some free time and it's all been eaten up by needing two different tools for the same job on slightly different wheels. So frustrating.

I'll get that tool, but right now I'm off to my LBS as the mechanic said he'd happily do it for a 10e. I'm going to buy two new rotors and have both sets ready to go so no need for swapping around in future.

I will buy that tool online though for future use. I'm accumulating bits and bobs but it's expensive business.

Rezident · 14-04-2022 03:07PM

Bike got a weird puncture, seems to be right beside the valve, possibly due to a small gap between rim and valve and presumably the weather getting at it there over time. Do people block this with, tape or vaseline or something?

Thanks.

The Buster · 18-04-2022 04:59PM

A question about bar tape! I have never changed on any of my bikes. It is now starting to "slip" up around the hoods and doesnt easily slide back so i think time to change. I was looking at videos and think i should be able to manage to change it. Some questions:

Whats the best type to go for - I am a recreational cyclist. Over last two years had reduced mileage but have a few 150km + sportives in sught for this year.
Should I remove the old tape or can I put new tape over it. Guess I should remove but just checking if any benefit to leaving the old on

Roberto_gas · 18-04-2022 06:17PM

Gents looking for this derailleur hanger for my merida scultura 300..assume these are easily available at all shops ? Can i fix it back on my own ? Any tips while installing it?

Squidgy Black · 18-04-2022 06:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943420#Comment_118943420

Types of tape is all down to preference, standard would be the generic cork style tape, or else you can go for a more rubberised style that’ll give you more grip. There’s also then thicknesses, you can get thicker tapes that’ll have gel backing etc for more comfort.

Generally you would remove the old tape, but if you wanted to you could double wrap them

magicbastarder · 18-04-2022 06:56PM

i'd be wary about double wrapping if the old tape is starting to slip.

the park tools video was the one i used when wrapping my bars.

nicksnikita · 18-04-2022 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943649#Comment_118943649

Very manageable DIY job as long as you have a set of Allen keys.

Take care not to cross thread the frame.

Also take care not to overtorque the mounting screws.

They're usually only a few quid so it’s worth picking up a couple, just in case

07Lapierre · 19-04-2022 08:12AM

Put a bit of grease on the bolts before installing them and they only need to be “finger tight”.

jebidiah · 19-04-2022 09:58AM

Have noticed a sound like a clicking/ticking coming from the rear derailleur as I pedal. I had the bike up on a stand yesterday and noticed that the teeth on the bottom pulley wheel are engaging the chain slightly before the gap in the link.

Searching on line seems to suggest it could be chain wear, derailleur hanger alignment etc... Is this something I can fix my self or better to LBS it?

cletus · 19-04-2022 10:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118945426#Comment_118945426

Fist thing I'd check us chain wear. Have a look at the jockey wheels while you're doing it, if the teeth are worn to a point they may need to be changed too. Check the cassette too.

As regards whether it's easy or not, that all depends on your ability and tools available to you. In general, they would be relatively easy jobs to do if you're handy enough

jebidiah · 19-04-2022 10:39AM

Fairly handy, but don't have a lot of bike specific tools. I'll take a look at the chain to see if it lifts off in the largest gear, or if it's stretched by measuring with a ruler. I should be able to replace that myself, and I suppose a chain tool is something I should have anyway!

The bike is in very good condition (bought second hand, almost new in August last year) and if I recall correctly from cleaning yesterday the jockey wheels are in good nick.

magicbastarder · 19-04-2022 10:43AM

you can pick up a chain wear tool for under a tenner in halfords IIRC, if you have one near you.

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

Comments