Foo - Update on Mich/Siu's bike...

I called the LBS to find out if he had the chance to go over everything.

He said not really, he's been busy but:

tires
tubes
tape
cable
tune up
possible headset rebuild
_________________________________________

Ballpark without REALLY looking at it: $200 MINIMUM, probably more like $300 to get it decent. :eek:

I got kind of (well, ALOT) bummed out because I have been paying my doctor bills and can't spend too much on this right now.

SO.........I remembered my nephew who owns a shop (I rarely ask him for this) and explained my dilemma.

I don't like to take advantage of him, so I hardly ask him about bikes.

He was laughing at me because because I felt bad for calling him and bugging him. He took the time to look up what I needed, and was even going to try to search for stock yellow housing which he said is hard to get. He was more than happy to offer me the parts plus a brand new Park tool kit at a really good price. He said that either I can do it myself (yeah right) or he might be able to fly out in March to build it for me.

As soon as the tools arrive, he will be sending me the package. This is going to take longer than I thought but this way I can at least afford it. :)

I'm really lucky. :o

Explain to him whatever he sends, you don't want it to take a tour of the US.

Sounds really awesome though, lucky you for having an awesome nephew to help you out.

oh and don't think you're taking advantage of him by seeking out his help. That's what family is for.

I called the LBS to find out if he had the chance to go over everything.

He said not really, he's been busy but:

tires
tubes
tape
cable
tune up
possible headset rebuild
...


Siu,

If that's the full list, it sounds more like $50.00 - $75.00 - of course that depends a lot on what you get for tires. Once you get the goods from your nephew, give bigbossman a call. He won't mind helping you out - honest. I'd offer, but there are about 3,200 reasons why it isn't practical.

Siu,

If that's the full list, it sounds more like $50.00 - $75.00 - of course that depends a lot on what you get for tires. Once you get the goods from your nephew, give bigbossman a call. He won't mind helping you out - honest. I'd offer, but there are about 3,200 reasons why it isn't practical.


He was very kind and offered to help as well as others on CandV but I feel bad to ask someone I don't know for this. I had a hard enough time asking someone whose diapers I changed let alone someone who doesn't owe me anything.......

I'm sure their time is very valuable I couldn't take advantage of someone like that. But thank you anyway!:)

Siu...your nephew rocks!! I wants me a nephew like that!

He was very kind and offered to help as well as others on CandV but I feel bad to ask someone I don't know for this. I had a hard enough time asking someone whose diapers I changed let alone someone who doesn't owe me anything.......

I'm sure their time is very valuable I couldn't take advantage of someone like that. But thank you anyway!:)

Maybe you can salvage an old bike (yard sale) to give him in return.

I've seen some of his bikes. Nothing I can offer will be worthy.

I'll have to see once the stuff gets here. I might have to "wing" it.

I've seen some of his bikes. Nothing I can offer will be worthy.

I'll have to see once the stuff gets here. I might have to "wing" it.


It's really not difficult stuff. Repacking bearings can be a little messy, but with a few basic tools, taking care of everything on that list shouldn't take more than 4 hours even for someone who hasn't done it before. We know you have the brains and eye-hand coordination to do it. :)

He was very kind and offered to help as well as others on CandV but I feel bad to ask someone I don't know for this. I had a hard enough time asking someone whose diapers I changed let alone someone who doesn't owe me anything.......

I'm sure their time is very valuable I couldn't take advantage of someone like that. But thank you anyway!:)
Shoot, if I was out on the west side, I'd be right over!

Tires cable and tuneup, I can understand, but in all likelihood the headset is fine. Is it loose or stiff or otherwise feeling abnormal?

Headset feel grindy. Mich says it wasn't like that when he shipped it. It was probably damaged in shipment.

Thank you daddy.

What size tires do you need Siu...I got some Michelin Dynamics in 700x25, only about 200 miles on them, Vittoria Radonneur Crosses in 700x35 and Conti TT2000s in 700x32, all brand new. I've got some tubes too.

I have no idea about the width since I know nothing about road bikes. My nephew is trying to get it back to specs, regarding everything else, though. Thank you for the offer though , chip. I really am a noob at this. I will let you know if I need anything. :) ((hugs))

Headset feel grindy. Mich says it wasn't like that when he shipped it. It was probably damaged in shipment.

Thank you daddy.
OK, then at least a repack, possibly bearings. Not too difficult to do.

Siu, I'm confident that you can do it!

If you need any advice, just PM me on yahoo or here and I will give you some good pointers on cabling and such.....bar wrapping is a huge PITA though, I would get someone else to do that unless you feel like buying a few extra packs of tape to mess with.

What size tires do you need Siu...I got some Michelin Dynamics in 700x25, only about 200 miles on them, Vittoria Radonneur Crosses in 700x35 and Conti TT2000s in 700x32, all brand new. I've got some tubes too.

I'm pretty sure 25's would be what they originally came with. Best to make sure it doesn't have 27" wheels on it now though.

700 for sure.

Thanks, Cat. Boy I'm feeling I might be calling all of you shortly.....:D ;)

I called the LBS to find out if he had the chance to go over everything.

He said not really, he's been busy but:

tires
tubes
tape
cable
tune up
possible headset rebuild
_________________________________________

Ballpark without REALLY looking at it: $200 MINIMUM, probably more like $300 to get it decent. :eek:

I got kind of (well, ALOT) bummed out because I have been paying my doctor bills and can't spend too much on this right now.

SO.........I remembered my nephew who owns a shop (I rarely ask him for this) and explained my dilemma.

I don't like to take advantage of him, so I hardly ask him about bikes.

He was laughing at me because because I felt bad for calling him and bugging him. He took the time to look up what I needed, and was even going to try to search for stock yellow housing which he said is hard to get. He was more than happy to offer me the parts plus a brand new Park tool kit at a really good price. He said that either I can do it myself (yeah right) or he might be able to fly out in March to build it for me.

As soon as the tools arrive, he will be sending me the package. This is going to take longer than I thought but this way I can at least afford it. :)

I'm really lucky. :o

That is good your Nephew is helping you out:) , don't feel bad about it. I bet he as suprised you called him, in a good way. Sounds like he may live quite a distance from where you live.

All this roadie talk might as well be french to me.

Arg.

Wish I knew something about all this stuff. I would definitely help out if I did.

That is good your Nephew is helping you out:) , don't feel bad about it. I bet he as suprised you called him, in a good way. Sounds like he may live quite a distance from where you live.
He's in Colorado, I'm in Cali. Here's his shop: (shameless plug here)
http://www.vecchios.com/



All this roadie talk might as well be french to me.
Oh hush, I've seen you talk to BDG in French. Looked smooth to me, Frenchy.

He's in Colorado, I'm in Cali. Here's his shop: (shameless plug here)
http://www.vecchios.com/

The site looks cool. From California to Colorado, yeah that would be quite a drive.

He's in Colorado, I'm in Cali. Here's his shop: (shameless plug here)
http://www.vecchios.com/



Criminy - in Boulder! He probably sells through more high-end stuff in a day than I could dream of using in a lifetime. :)

Criminy - in Boulder! He probably sells through more high-end stuff in a day than I could dream of using in a lifetime. :)

:lol: Yeah, he told me to come to his shop and test ride the bikes he has there. Said I could take out a Moots for a day. :)

Oh hush, I've seen you talk to BDG in French. Looked smooth to me, Frenchy.
Yep, I'm real smooth in French (http://www.freetranslation.com/).

Everything mentioned in the OP's post can be learned and done in one good Saturday afternoon with a beer. If you want the convenience of not learning anything and having someone else be liable for work then i'd hit the LBS.

I want to learn which is why he is sending me a tool kit.

Are you in Southern California by chance? I can so get you rolling....all that stuff is minor

You are so sweet, thomson, I'm in Norcal.

You are so sweet, thomson, I'm in Norcal.

Gee, I used to go there (Sunnyvale) monthly, alas no longer.

Once you have the parts and the tools give bigbossman a call. He'll happily help you and I'm sure you'll find a way to make it up to him in the long run, but honestly, doubt he'd keep score. As far as parts go here's what I'd expect to pay:

tires - $30-$40 a pair
tubes - $10
tape - $15
cable - $20
tune up - depends on what this involves, but you should be able to do 90% of this np.
possible headset rebuild - headset new ($25), install ($30)

The only job I don't do on my own bike is headsets. Pressing cups involves tools I just don't want to buy. Rebuilding the headset doesn't involve doing any cup pressing so you should be able to do that yourself with a bit of time and plenty of paper towels around. Working on old bikes is a great way to learn to work on bikes in general. I tore my old Traveler apart and put it back together within weeks of buying it. ;) In short, you can have that Trek on the road for FAR less than $300!

Gee, I used to go there (Sunnyvale) monthly, alas no longer.


Thank you for the offer, though. :) I'll figure out something. It's not like I'm in a rush or anything. I'll find a way. ;)

btw: yellow housing:

http://loosescrews.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Cable/Casing&sc=Brake%20Casing&tc=&item_id=LS-1272AC&id=923472321604

You can use brake casing for both brakes and the small loop of the derailleur housing for the rear derailleur.

You don't know how to change a tire?

Wish I could help ya out, Siu. But I'm afraid if I made it out there, we'd spend more time tearing up SF than working on the bike! :lol:

(For $300, I could probably fly out and do all the work and get the parts to boot!) ;)

You don't know how to change a tire?


Of course I do, silly! :lol: I can tune up a car and do both drum and disc brakes, too!

Basically what it is, is that I don't have the tools. I have my old steel mtb that I was going to tear apart first, just to kinda mess around first.

Of course I do, silly! :lol: I can tune up a car and do both drum and disc brakes, too!

Basically what it is, is that I don't have the tools. I have my old steel mtb that I was going to tear apart first, just to kinda mess around first.
???

If you have tire levers and a pump, you can change both tires. Tires and bar tape are the easiest things evar.

btw: yellow housing:
Thank you for the link, cuda. The housing that was on the bike was see through yellow and you can see the metal housing. I think it's the clear one that he meant might be hard to find.



Wish I could help ya out, Siu. But I'm afraid if I made it out there, we'd spend more time tearing up SF than working on the bike! :lol:
What bike??

???

If you have tire levers and a pump, you can change both tires. Tires and bar tape are the easiest things evar.


Yep, I have tire levers and a pump. I heard the bar tape was a pain in the kahooza though. My deal would be adjusting the ders and doing the headset. I think the rest I could handle.

I don't recall her saying that she wouldn't change the tires herself. Think BF. She already has a bike. It's a good bet that she knows that most basic of all bike maintenance tasks. :rolleyes:

I've got a lightly used set of Bontrager Race X Lites that I'd be willing to send to you if you need tires Siu.

They are 700x23c

Thank you for the link, cuda. The housing that was on the bike was see through yellow and you can see the metal housing. I think it's the clear one that he meant might be hard to find.


THAT is going to be much more difficult to locate. Haven't seen much of the transparent housing in any color anywhere. A few lengths show up on ebay periodically, but don't recall any yellow. Good luck finding some. :)

here's my brief generalizations on the various bits of work that need to be done:

Tires/tubes....real easy, like sunday morning. Just be sure to assemble it in the proper sequence, so that the tube doesn't get tore up. Also check the rim tape/strip for excessive wear, and replace if needed (I reccomend rim tape over strips anyday)

Bar tape: It's one of those awkward things that takes a few tries to get right. Best bet is to get a $10 garage sale roadie to practice on, get a few packs of $4 nashbar special bartape, and have at it until you get it down right. The brake levers is where it gets tricky, and you will need a soft-ended hammer to put in the bar plugs, or a very gentle touch with a regular hammer.

Cables: you will need a cutter, a file, and a round punch. The file is for finishing freshly cut brake housing, and the punch is for rounding out the inner liners after any cutting job. Best bet is to cut and install the handlebar housing first, then run teh cable through, then do the next segment of housing, run the cable through, until you are done. Trim the cable after it's installed how you like it, and everything shifts right. Brake housing has a metal coil inside of it, shifter housing has lots of stiff wires inside of it.

Tune-up is mostly handled through the re-cabling...but you should check/replace your brake pads if needed...check their contact on the rim (same concepts apply as for MTB v-brakes), adjust as needed.

Headset rebuild....I'm not very familiar with threaded headsets....sorry :(

About tires, I know we've discussed this before Siu, but I feel I should remind you that kevlar road tires are highly worth it, even at 80 bucks for 2. I use them and so do all my wolverine friends. I can't recall one of us having a flat on a ride.

Wrapping the handlebars (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=239147)

Second the kevlar - I was so tired of getting flats! Have almost 1K on one set, barely any wear and I ride through a lot of broken glass. Just flicks off. I do find that you gotta take the speed down a bit in the rain, they don't have quite as good traction since they're harder. Mich - are those rims 27" or 700c? You can pick up a pair for under $50 with some good Internet shopping.

And Siu - once I learned how to repack the bottom bracket the wheel hubs and headset are almost the same exact process. In a nut shell, take out, clean, repack with grease maybe replace bearings, put back together feeling for that sweet spot of not too tight and not loose, lock together (iterate these last two steps a few times), put other stuff back on. Look around for classes (some lbs' will run them so you'll buy the parts to do it yourself) or a co-op.

Yay!

Sis, c'mon grrrl you can do it. There's nothing 'hard' on that list. Putting on tires a snap, cables you can do one at a timeusing the old stuff as a guide for routing & length. The most technical thing on the list is the headset servicing, which if you take your time and lay things out as you take it apart, clean it up, grease it and put it back together, MIGHT take two hours your first time and you can break that up in to pahases... disassemble, clean, reassemble.

If you spring for some midget strippers you could get Jon to come over and help you, after all he's building a bike from the frame up ;) Plus you have a world of tech support right here at your fingertips.

Just do it! :)

I will try and help where I can, I have a road bike in pieces over here for reference. :D
it has been dissected and cataloged ;)

I want to learn which is why he is sending me a tool kit.

+1 Never hurt (much) to learn something new:D

Siu,
Here is a source for yellow SIS cable housing it may not be OEM but it will still look good! Velo Orange (http://velo-orange.com/cablehousings.html) he is a small cottage industry company out of Annapolis, MD has some really nice vintage oriented stuff.

Aaron:)

You can do it Siu...get Frenchy (Jon) to help you!

You can get kevlar belted tires for far less than $80 a pair! I have started using Rubino Pros which have a puncture resistant kevlar belt. They aren't THE most puncture resistant tire out there, but far better than others. If you want ultra pucture resistance, there are a few models out there that trade some performance for toughness. But good prices on those can be had too.

A punch is nice to open up housing after cutting it, but if you have a good set of cutters (I just broke down and bought the Park Tools cable cutter, it's great) then all you'll really need is a small allen key wrench to do the job. :) Same goes for the file, if you've got it, it's a great finishing touch, but not absolutely necessary if you make a clean cut in the first place. :)

(there's so much great info in here I may just have to sticky this in Mechanics later! :lol:)

With the help of the foosters here, that stuff will be a piece of cake to knock out and the self satisfaction of riding on the finished bike that you put blood, sweat & tears into will be worth it.

BTW, don't forget to add Non Squishy to your sig ;)