Bicycle Mechanics - How did he know?

Just got back from my LBS shop. The guy amazed me so much I'm a little suspicous!
The chain wasn't complaining and kept falling off. Even though the cables have less than 500 miles, he adjusted just the rear derailer.

When I said I wanted to bring the bike back for winterizing i.e., lots of grease and repack the bearings. He looked down at the rear cassette and said the bike is set for the winter.

1. How did he know only to adjust the rear derailer
2. It's true that I just cleaned the rear cassette...but No grease, no repacking of bearings????

experience.....

I don't really think it's neccessary to do any of that for the winter, especially if you ride in messy conditions. The best time to do an overhaul is in the spring, to get all that winter grit and grime out of the bearings and such.

Testing your bike out and seeing what's wrong with it and what needs to be done. No sense adjusting the deriallers if they are adjusted, is there?

I dont know what kind of bike you ride but if its somewhat recent its probably all sealed bearings and completely unservicable, so you can't really "repack" anything.

...as suspected on the way home...more cable trouble...

It's a Trek 5200 with chain and cables that have about 300miles on them. Problem first started with a clicking at each revolution while pedaling in the larger gears of the rear cassette. Now the clicking is on all gears no matter what.

Guess I'll have to get out there and poke around...err...usually I goof things up worse by adjusting something that "aint broke"...how can I tell WHAT to adjust?

Tighten or losen what?

back cable?
rear derailer?

The one question that irrates any mechanic more then anything is :"How did you know that?"

The one question that irrates any mechanic more then anything is :"How did you know that?"

Does it question his authority or simply waste his time? Notice I didn't ask the guy directly!

Try lessening the tension by turning the barrel adjuster on the rear derailler about 1/4 turn to the right. Tightening down the barrel provides more cable slack. You will know its too slack when it stops shifting :D

Does it question his authority or simply waste his time? Notice I didn't ask the guy directly!

no, it's just a silly question. we only work on bikes everyday, so of course we know exactly what to look for.


sounds more like you need to add some cable tension, but it's really tough to say! check the fixing bolt where the cable attaches to the derailluer and make sure that it's good and snug, and then try to add some tension to the cable using the barrel adjuster. shouldn't need more than half a turn. the best way to make this adjustment is with the wheel off the ground, and pedaling while you make the adjustment. as you add or remove tension you should be able to hear a dramatic change in the noise you're getting.

Problem solved! Thanks for everyone's insite.
-Virginia

I bet it just proves he's that good at his job! :) Sounds like you've got a good mechanic to take your bike to.

Koffee

Does it question his authority or simply waste his time? Notice I didn't ask the guy directly!

It questions my intelligence.