Originally Posted by
Amesja
There is nothing wrong with the Park DCW series of cone wrenches. They are perfectly fine and much better than many other brands of cone wrenches aimed at the home mechanic. If you want a really high quality cone wrench then go to the pro bench cone wrenches that Park sells. If you think the park DCW wrenches are bad try using the Avenir quad-sided wrench...
You got slightly overcharged for the DCW, as they are much cheaper online but that will be the case for any LBS -they have higher expenses as a brick & mortar business than an e-buisiness.
True I haven’t used it, but it appears not too ergonomic, looks uncomfortable to crank on (although I understand it’s not a tool to be used by an ape), and seems
way overpriced for what it is. Now that my wheels are done and I have the time to shop it out, I’ll buy a better version of the cone wrench either online or used. I’ll start doing the same to gather essential tools in preparation for other stages of the bike's overhaul.
I fully admit to, and assume responsibility for, the large part of this bad experience that was my
own doing: poor preparation (deficiency of tools and time slot), time pressure (wanting to get some riding in over the holiday weekend), and laziness (failure to completely disassemble the hubs after they first rode tested loose). I just hadn’t
completely committed to the job so I wasn't 100%. Rushing was the primary culprit… I didn’t allow ample time for the work including 'sh|t happens’ scenarios. I transferred my impatience into all aspects of this job, and it manifested itself
everywhere, including buying a tool I did not want to own. Brings to mind ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ and the notion that one build’s their own mind (and problems) into the machine.
Originally Posted by
Amesja
It sounds like you have a crappy LBS. Find another one. My LBS charges me between $.04-.06/bearing depending on the size. If you want to get serious about wrenching on bikes then buy them in packs of 144 and get a bag of the 4 or so popular sizes and be done with it for a while. It'll cost you $20 for the whole lot if you buy the Pyramid ones online.
Yeah, it’s a mediocre place at best. Most important is to find a local mechanic, whose skills I trust, for the inevitable times where I’ll need to draw on his expertise. I was reluctant to go to this LBS, but then I though to myself ‘what can possibly go wrong with buying a couple dozen bearings?' After the fact, I did see
Bike Tools Etc. selling lots of 100 bearings for roughly $5.
Originally Posted by
Amesja
And also, don't take everything Sheldon said like he was god's own bike-mechanic on earth when he was alive. He was a man and he was wrong about some things. Especially do not take his advice about how to break in a brooks saddle...
Agreed.
See below quote pulled from my previous post [emphasis added].
Originally Posted by
Lovegasoline
I'd just read Sheldon Brown’s treatise on ball bearings (and no, I will not hold all mechanics to Sheldon’s high standards, nor is he the only authority on how to do this stuff)
Btw, my Motorbecane came with a nice near mint Brooks Champion B66 seat (the one with springs). This seat must be 25 years old but doesn't look or feel broken in. The leather is in fine shape. I'm reluctant to undergo the gothic oil rituals for break-in. Also, when I first received he bike did a light polish with some black shoe polish later realizing it contained silicone.
Thanks for your insights Amesja.
PS: I may need some special tools for the BB (French, Swiss, English?) and pedals. Do you know off hand what tools would be needed for this bike? Would the Classic and Vintage forum be a better place to field those questions or is there plenty of cross fertilization between the two forums?