Bicycle Mechanics - Road tool hint

Here is a hint that you may find useful when things go awry when you have mechanical problems on the road far from anywhere.

You may find that although you have an allen key or even a mini multi wrench tool, the tool is too small for you to generate the torque needed to free a stuck nut or bolt.

If this happens, take the seat post out of the post tube and slip the tool inside the post tube.

You can then use the post tube to generate the added torque needed.

My dad used a similar method with his car when a lug nut was frozen. He had a two-foot pipe he slipped over the end of his tire-tool. It's amazing the added leverage it gives you.

Just be careful, because the extra torque can give you more strength than you realize. Don't force anything too hard! If nuts are overtight, they might break off.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Just be careful, because the extra torque can give you more strength than you realize. Don't force anything too hard! If nuts are overtight, they might break off.

And also before you start to turn the tool, make an estimate of where your knuckles, wrist, etc. are going to be--even without the extension providing added torque, it's really easy when something's stuck, to suddenly need your first-aid kit.

Be careful you don't distort the seat tube. Modern tubes are very thin, and if it flares, it wont go back in the seat tube.

I could have used an Allen key extender when I was replacing the chainrings. I still have the scars. This worn teeth can be razor sharp.

Stuck allen bolts are more of a workshop problem than a field repair one. I cant think of any stuck allen bolt that would prevent you limping home or to the nearest garage.

For whatever reason, my seat tube clamp is an allen bolt, not quick release...I have just never replaced it. So, in my case, I would have to carry a pipe around to get my seat post off to use with my mini-tool. Jeez, this biking stuff gets harder every day.

Quick-release or quick steal.
Why do people fit a seatpost QR for "convinience", then remove their post and saddle every time they park their bike.

Originally posted by MichaelW
Quick-release or quick steal.
Why do people fit a seatpost QR for "convinience", then remove their post and saddle every time they park their bike.

If they used an Allen bolt, it would take much longer to remove the post and saddle when they park! :)

Originally posted by Ba-Dg-Er
I must be getting stupider. This thread has not made sense to me since it started... and now I have a headache from trying to figure it out. It's official I think I have been on the bike to much and not in bed long enough.

Ugh.... maybe I need a special decoder ring.
Nah, Badger, you're just shook up from that bad crash last week. You'll be fine. This thread is just about trying to get stuck parts unstuck and not getting killed in the process, or wrecking something else. That's all.

(I'll bet you've been studying too hard, too, on top of the crash.)