Simple, everyday items that make bike repair easier
#51
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
#52
Mechanic/Tourist
Actually we used clear lacquer on grips when we really wanted them to stay on.
#53
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: lower mitten
Posts: 1,555
Bikes: With round 700c & 26" wheels
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have had no success with either. The gips go on easily, but never bite once the liquid evaporates. I tried Windex, and....it's like they are welded on. Maybe it's the ammonia? I'm sure varying rubber compounds and bar material and surface texture play a role though.
I'm against using ethanol or isopropyl based fluids when it comes to rubber or even some plastics. I believe it makes it easier to slide the grips on, and keep them on, because it's melting the material. I have no experience using it on grips, but I imagine it's not that easy to take the grips off after treating it with rubbing alcohol.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Creede CO in summer & Okeechobee, FL or TX Gulf Coast in winter
Posts: 742
Bikes: Zenetto Stealth road bike & Sundeal M7 MTN bike
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 90 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Dollar bill makes a good tire boot. I always carry a couple for ice cream or tire problems.
#55
Senior Member
I have had no success with either. The gips go on easily, but never bite once the liquid evaporates. I tried Windex, and....it's like they are welded on. Maybe it's the ammonia? I'm sure varying rubber compounds and bar material and surface texture play a role though.
#56
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,724
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5791 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,431 Posts
I was hoping someone else would add this.
A pencil or ballpoint pen inserted into the pantograph of a front derailleur will hold it out against the spring, making it easier to pull the slack out when attaching a cable. Folks who use this technique often know which pen or pencil is just right and can quickly hit the right tension every time.
BTW- if you work on Campy fronts and switch bodies, the pen in pantograph makes it easier.
A pencil or ballpoint pen inserted into the pantograph of a front derailleur will hold it out against the spring, making it easier to pull the slack out when attaching a cable. Folks who use this technique often know which pen or pencil is just right and can quickly hit the right tension every time.
BTW- if you work on Campy fronts and switch bodies, the pen in pantograph makes it easier.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#57
Optically Corrected
Sisal twine is great for "flossing" the gunk/grime out of your cassette.
Only a couple of dollars for a roll and its texture really grabs the goo.
Only a couple of dollars for a roll and its texture really grabs the goo.
#58
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
Hey that sounds like a really good idea, and I've had a huge spool of sisal knocking around for like ten years!
#59
Senior Member
Not so much an everyday item, but I have needles and syringes readily available. I have injected stubborn grips with windex to get them to slide off. Works great. I also keep a syringe filed with Tri Flow for targeted oiling.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
This may be more bike-specific than intended but a refillable Dualco grease gun like this: Bike Tools Etc. - 1000's of bicycle tools and parts for the home mechanic! is great for metering grease into tight places like hub races and for general grease dispensing without wasting it. It lets you buy grease in larger, more economical tubs and keeps dirty fingers out of the major grease supply.
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 246
Bikes: 91 Trek franken '81 Schwinn Voyager
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use an old kitchen strainer, with the with the ears and handle that sit on a sauce pan, to dip parts in and out of OMS for shaking 'em clean.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,674
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 839 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
Baby wipes are great for removing grease from hands and bike. If they dry out from old age just add water. Unscented wipes are available if you can't stand the smell of the regular wipes (I can't).
#64
Recreational Commuter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 1,024
Bikes: One brand-less build-up, and a Connondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc. A nicer bike than I need, but it was a good deal, so... ;-)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
#65
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,724
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5791 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,431 Posts
Don't answer, it's a filter test.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#66
Banned
you mean filtering out people who know nothing about Metal files at all?
or just those that don't live near a Mill Town working 3 shifts around the clock ?
or just those that don't live near a Mill Town working 3 shifts around the clock ?
#67
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,724
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5791 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,431 Posts
I hadn't considered the question of mill town adultery.
Old file joke. (older than either of us)
A couple in their late 60's are retired and bored to death. The husband comes in one evening and announces that they can own their very own business, the owner of the local hardware store was selling out. They had more than enough saved to buy it. So buy it they did. Pa took care of the inventory and Ma ran the front and the register.
One day a man comes in and says he needs a file. Now Pa was at lunch and Ma didn't know a lot about hardware, but she took him to the tool section and took a file ,
"Will this do?" she asked.
" No, I need a half round Bastard"
Well now Ma was upset, and made sure to let Pa know the type of foul mouthed clientele they had. Pa just laughed and and explained file terminology.
Some time later a logger comes in for a file-
"you mean a half-round bastard?' Ma asks.
"Naw the logger says,"just give me that flat ........... over there.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 04-05-14 at 05:35 PM.
#68
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,790
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3590 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
This may be more bike-specific than intended but a refillable Dualco grease gun is great for metering grease into tight places like hub races and for general grease dispensing without wasting it. It lets you buy grease in larger, more economical tubs and keeps dirty fingers out of the major grease supply.
#70
Banned.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 434
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I carry a used brake pad. When the front derailleur cable wire breaks I insert it between the seat tube and front derailleur to hold the FD over the middle chainring; otherwise I have to ride home on my 24-tooth chainring. The handle makes it easy to use, the rubber protects the bicycle. It serves the same purpose when installing the new cable wire.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nickcelio
Bicycle Mechanics
4
05-26-11 06:06 PM