I got myself a new commuter bike!
09-24-07, 06:30 AM
#1
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I got myself a new commuter bike!
Well, sort of.
My old Nishiki hybrid (about 21 000 kms) needed a complete drivetrain overhaul. It had been to the LBS for similar treatment at about 11 000 kms. This time, I just bought the parts and did the job myself. A first for me. In addition to the drivetrain I took care of a bunch of other minor repairs that had been queuing up during the last weeks. It took me ungawdly amounts of time compared to any semi-competent professional wrench I'm sure, but I got it done during a couple of maybe 3-hour stints over the weekend.
This morning, I rode to work on what felt like a new bike. Sweeeeeet! It still needs a few tweaks (SPD pedal release adjustment and such), but I like the ride already. It's responsive, it shifts promptly, it feels like it stops on a EUR 0,20 coin, it does not creak, tick or howl anymore. All of this only proves I should have done things earlier, I know. But I'm one VERY happy commuter right now.
There were snags, of course. Biggest learning experience turned out to be front derailleur adjustment. Taking my old el-cheapo chain break tool against the old (IG) chain did result in spectacular breakage, but sadly the chain remained intact. I had to buy a new, better chain break tool to finish that job. And whereas a thin adjustable wrench used to be OK with the old Wellgo pedals, the new Shimanos needed the special pedal wrench. Oh well, all is good now.
I would not have been able to do it without all the info I have been collecting from here, Bike Mechanics and Barnett's manual. A big thank you to everyone is in order.
--J
My old Nishiki hybrid (about 21 000 kms) needed a complete drivetrain overhaul. It had been to the LBS for similar treatment at about 11 000 kms. This time, I just bought the parts and did the job myself. A first for me. In addition to the drivetrain I took care of a bunch of other minor repairs that had been queuing up during the last weeks. It took me ungawdly amounts of time compared to any semi-competent professional wrench I'm sure, but I got it done during a couple of maybe 3-hour stints over the weekend.
This morning, I rode to work on what felt like a new bike. Sweeeeeet! It still needs a few tweaks (SPD pedal release adjustment and such), but I like the ride already. It's responsive, it shifts promptly, it feels like it stops on a EUR 0,20 coin, it does not creak, tick or howl anymore. All of this only proves I should have done things earlier, I know. But I'm one VERY happy commuter right now.
There were snags, of course. Biggest learning experience turned out to be front derailleur adjustment. Taking my old el-cheapo chain break tool against the old (IG) chain did result in spectacular breakage, but sadly the chain remained intact. I had to buy a new, better chain break tool to finish that job. And whereas a thin adjustable wrench used to be OK with the old Wellgo pedals, the new Shimanos needed the special pedal wrench. Oh well, all is good now.
I would not have been able to do it without all the info I have been collecting from here, Bike Mechanics and Barnett's manual. A big thank you to everyone is in order.
--J
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09-24-07, 07:52 AM
#2
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Well, sort of.
My old Nishiki hybrid (about 21 000 kms) needed a complete drivetrain overhaul. It had been to the LBS for similar treatment at about 11 000 kms. This time, I just bought the parts and did the job myself. A first for me. In addition to the drivetrain I took care of a bunch of other minor repairs that had been queuing up during the last weeks. It took me ungawdly amounts of time compared to any semi-competent professional wrench I'm sure, but I got it done during a couple of maybe 3-hour stints over the weekend.
This morning, I rode to work on what felt like a new bike. Sweeeeeet! It still needs a few tweaks (SPD pedal release adjustment and such), but I like the ride already. It's responsive, it shifts promptly, it feels like it stops on a EUR 0,20 coin, it does not creak, tick or howl anymore. All of this only proves I should have done things earlier, I know. But I'm one VERY happy commuter right now.
There were snags, of course. Biggest learning experience turned out to be front derailleur adjustment. Taking my old el-cheapo chain break tool against the old (IG) chain did result in spectacular breakage, but sadly the chain remained intact. I had to buy a new, better chain break tool to finish that job. And whereas a thin adjustable wrench used to be OK with the old Wellgo pedals, the new Shimanos needed the special pedal wrench. Oh well, all is good now.
I would not have been able to do it without all the info I have been collecting from here, Bike Mechanics and Barnett's manual. A big thank you to everyone is in order.
--J
My old Nishiki hybrid (about 21 000 kms) needed a complete drivetrain overhaul. It had been to the LBS for similar treatment at about 11 000 kms. This time, I just bought the parts and did the job myself. A first for me. In addition to the drivetrain I took care of a bunch of other minor repairs that had been queuing up during the last weeks. It took me ungawdly amounts of time compared to any semi-competent professional wrench I'm sure, but I got it done during a couple of maybe 3-hour stints over the weekend.
This morning, I rode to work on what felt like a new bike. Sweeeeeet! It still needs a few tweaks (SPD pedal release adjustment and such), but I like the ride already. It's responsive, it shifts promptly, it feels like it stops on a EUR 0,20 coin, it does not creak, tick or howl anymore. All of this only proves I should have done things earlier, I know. But I'm one VERY happy commuter right now.
There were snags, of course. Biggest learning experience turned out to be front derailleur adjustment. Taking my old el-cheapo chain break tool against the old (IG) chain did result in spectacular breakage, but sadly the chain remained intact. I had to buy a new, better chain break tool to finish that job. And whereas a thin adjustable wrench used to be OK with the old Wellgo pedals, the new Shimanos needed the special pedal wrench. Oh well, all is good now.
I would not have been able to do it without all the info I have been collecting from here, Bike Mechanics and Barnett's manual. A big thank you to everyone is in order.
--J
TW
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08 Scott CR-1, Ultegra
Surly Crosscheck, custom build
08 Scott CR-1, Ultegra
Surly Crosscheck, custom build
