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

You can use any bike for bike packing, really, but if you start changing shifters, wheels etc, it can get expensive very quickly, depending on what you want to do. Would you be hoping to use it yourself, or sell it on.

You're very unlikely to recoup the money you put into the bike if you sell

That's great thanks for all that. I'll probably avail of the bike to work scheme and get a new road bike and keep the Cannondale and implement what you say….if nothing it would be a good project to undertake and get me more confident in doing my own maintenance

Lukasz in Kildare town (Apex Cycles, I think)

Depends what you want done, I suppose. He'll be quieter this time of the year, though.

Even when you get there, it can be a little tricky to find.

replace both inner and outer cable. Also replace the plastic sleeve that guides the cable from under the BB up to the FD. Remover the FD and give it a thorough clean and lube it.

Thanks lads

As an update, it’s shifting much easier this evening. I checked the cable guides etc. and they’re all good.
It’s a rim brake Supersix Evo so cable routing is fairly straightforward, with only a small guide at the bb and naked cable running up to the mech.
Looks like the FD itself was stiffened and the gt85 has freed it up after shifting it repeatedly yesterday and today

I will make full use of the title of this thread if you don't mind!

I picked up a couple of second hand bikes for the kids for cheap and they need a bit of TLC. Their frame and chain seem to be in ok condition, but there are few other bits that need attention. I don't really know anything about bikes/bike maintaince but wouldn't mind trying a few bits out as a project with the kids.

The bike probably in better condition: the brake cables have definitely seen better days, very frayed at the end and bit a grubby looking too iirc. Maybe the brake pads themselves look a bit thin, but maybe thats just the way they are (need to have a closer look). It's also missing the handle bar grips.

The other one I haven't had as close a look at yet (because i couldn't fit both in the car, so i only saw it quickly), but I know for sure one of the brakes doesn't work and there was an "issue with the gears", I assume they don't work. Also a broken pedal.

I was going to tackle the better condition bike first. Looks like I'll need:

• Replacement for both brake cables (including outers)
• Handle bar grips.

I've looked at a few videos online on how to do it and it seems fine.

First question, is I assume for this type of small stuff I'd be as well just getting it the local bike shop instead of online? I've only ever really got a couple of punctures sorted in the local bike place and they seem reasonable for that, so I assume they would be for parts too. I assume within reason (and the context of this being basically a bike that would be used now and again) that there isn't really an advantage to getting more expensive stuff?

Second question, for the brake cable, all the videos and guides show people using a specific cable cutting tool, is that necessary or would a regular snips or something do the job? I have good few bits and pieces that would probably do the crimping of the wire end.

Cheers!

oh yeah and be extremely careful handling the new cables. If you get a proper kink in them, they'll be useless because they'll be rubbing up the inside of the outside cover and causing friction there.

Are they disc brake pads? if they are, dont press the brake handle while you have the pads removed

i haven't had a chance to wash it yet so please forgive the dirt! But here are some pictures of bike 1

The brakes:

The front pads look pretty thin to me:

The front tyre looks pretty new, must have been replaced.

Back tyre looks a bit older alright.

So a bit of work to be done, but hopefully will be a fun project with the kids.

The bike I ordered from Spar Cycles was delivered to a relative's house in the UK. I’m hoping to go over there in March and take it back by Rail and Sail. Are there any special tools I need to put it together correctly?

I’m not sure what I will be able to bring, as I’m hoping to fly over. Getting to Dublin Port as a foot passenger can be a bit of a pain in the arse, but it isn't too bad on the way back.

What steps have you tried so far, I assume you charged up the phone and attempted the update again through the App?

Is the Di2 battery fully charged? What version Di2 have you got, if the older version there is an app for windows which could be worth trying to connect to via a laptop as it might work better then the app on a phone?

Have you tried triggering the rear derailleur into crash recovery mode?