Bicycle Mechanics - Mechanically disinclined seeks help....

Hi-

I'm frustrated and I can't seem to get this stuff working for me so I can outfit my bike. The instructions are not working for me or something. Two questions:

1) I got a mountain mirrycle rearview mirror for my bike, and I am having problems with the screws. The smaller screws don't seem to fit in the holes they are supposed to fit into. No matter how hard I try to screw those suckers in, they won't screw all the way. Also, the long screw doesn't seem to fit either. Does anyone know what I should do?

2) I got the Topeak Alien XT about a week ago. Today is my first day using it, and I cannot move the tire lever, bottle cap opener and knife back into the down position. Is there some magic dodad that I don't know about, or am I clueless?

I am soooooooo frustrated! I've been working on these two things for over an hour! The rearview mirror says "mounts in minutes". How many minutes were they talking about, because I have been at this now for 70 minutes!

Damn!


Koffee Brown

Kofee, I am not familiar with your exact model of mirror, but I have installed many others, so let's try;

Mountain Mirrycle rearview mirror : 1) Check to see if the tiny nut into which the bolt is suppose to screw has fallen out of the mounting bracket. The bolts (you are calling it a screw), usually does not go into plastic. There is usually a metal nut fixed into the plastic. Sometimes the nut falls out.

2) Make sure the ends of the mounting bracketry (the piece that attaches to your handlebars) is squeezed close enough together for the bolt to reach the nut so that it will screw in. (p.s. you don't have to use ALL of the rubber gasket material that comes with the mirror - you only need enough to make the mirror bracket snug on the handlebars).

.Topeak Alien XT : I don't have a Topeak Alien XT either, but it sounds like it may have a lock on it similar to a lock-blade knife. Look for something on the back or side of the tool that you can push in. Then, as you are pushing, try to close the tools. Ask a friend who might know something about pocket knives.

If you don't get the answer you need here, you can contact Topeak about the tool. There is an email support link and an 800 number at this website. (http://www.topeak.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/Store/contactus.html?L+scstore+fthn9220ff670d67+1020695531)