Bicycle Mechanics - if it ain't broke, don't fix it??

i changed the tube of my rear wheel. i got the wheel off after 3 days of reading manuals, bugging sheldon brown, and eating grease-laden bananas.... after putting it all back together, i found i had a bit of a noise.... i adjusted the tension of the gear cable and got it as best i could.... (still a *tiny* little "bump" in the first rotation of the pedal in 5th gear).... i took it out for a spin and now there is NO bump at all.... i find it very hard to believe that i put it back together correctly.... is there a sure way to know that i'm not damaging the hub?... the gears??.... thanks!

Therese, if it's riding fine, the "bump" may have just been the derailer seating itself after having had the tire off. Not unusual at all.

thanks!.... this may sound stupid, but i didn't think i HAD a derailer!.... there's only one sprocket on the back wheel... and the chain only goes around 2 sprockets.... and no little loop-de-loop thing either....

Hmmm... therese, I gather from your statements that you have an internally geared hub? Essentially what Ohio Trekker said may also apply. It could be the internal gears shifting into the new position after you tightened up the cable.

thank you... thank you all for your help!... this is one *real* nice forum!.... (i only wish they had a forum like this for handling bigger problems.... like nuclear disarmament??)

thanks again! :)

Originally posted by therese
thank you... thank you all for your help!... this is one *real* nice forum!.... (i only wish they had a forum like this for handling bigger problems.... like nuclear disarmament??)

thanks again! :)

Admittedly, I think my answer would have been slightly different and not so dismissive of worry if someone complained about a slight noise, tick, clunk or bump after readjusting a B61mod11 tactical ground-penetrating fission warhead. ;)

well khuon.... i *tried* sending you a reply... not sure if i did or not... my computer skills are only surpassed by my mechanical skills...

I recently learned a trick for installing folding tires, which i had found about as user-friendly as a greased anaconda. (I actually used to let the LBS do most of my rare tube &/or tire changes, but they no longer accept such piddling jobs).

Wire beads can be easier, but aside from the added weight, any discrepancy in the bead/rim dimensions make them about as cooperative as the folders.

Originally posted by Ebro38
I recently learned a trick for installing folding tires, which i had found about as user-friendly as a greased anaconda. (I actually used to let the LBS do most of my rare tube &/or tire changes, but they no longer accept such piddling jobs).

Wire beads can be easier, but aside from the added weight, any discrepancy in the bead/rim dimensions make them about as cooperative as the folders.

No fair telling us you learned a new trick and then not telling us what it is - shame!;)

Hi Buzz - i got it by interrogating the mechanic at the LBS. I have not tried it yet, but sounds good: Wrap plastic-coated twist-tie type wires around the rim & tire as you go, to keep the tire in place while you tuck in the next section, until you have the whole tire mounted.