Introductions - Obsessed With Tinkering

Hey all,

Never having been a really avid cyclist, I find myself newly and overenthusiastically drawn to the grease and wrenches part of cycling.

A co-worker (who's a regular of these forums) got me hooked on old steel bikes and I swap components and monkey with parts until I tweak things smooth.

I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm learning everyday.

Currently working on a '96 Bontrager Race as a keeper, an old GT as a beater, an old Mongoose Alta as a rider and an '83 Fuji Monterey as a tangent into the road world. The wife has an old Trek Antelope that she'll only let me touch when broken - sticking very firmly to the old adage of "...if it ain't broke..." despite my insistence that I can make it better.

I'm coming here to learn about mistakes before making them myself. I'll work on the riding in the meantime.

Thanks,
John

Sounds fun! I love taking mine apart and cleaning it, makes a great afternoon. So, my mistakes...Only one big one that I can remember. Don't bend the dust caps on cup and cone bearings. I did the first time I tried to change them myself. I didn't have the bearings set quite right and tried to force it on, which warped it. Had to take it on a bus, then walk to the shop. Not a fun day. Basically the moral is if it doesn't feel like it will fit, it probably won't, and you shouldn't force it, but rather back it out and try again.
Never stop taking things apart that don't need to be taken apart! It's one of my favorite things to do! :)

Basically the moral is if it doesn't feel like it will fit, it probably won't, and you shouldn't force it, but rather back it out and try again.


Ah, words of wisdom I wish I'd heard before doing that thing I did with the bottom bracket. Now I know: finger tighten as much as you can before committing with the wrench and remember some things thread the wrong stinkin' way.