Originally Posted by
Cross Creek
1. Run your nails over a bar of soap before you start wrenching. 2. UN55 bottom brackets are less than $15 and it takes all of 15 minutes (30 if you're slow) to change it out. Of course, if you're into 21st century bottom brackets and cranks, YMMV. 3. Don't listen to your ipod while riding (illegal in many places anyway) unless you like hospitals. 4. You've got really good ears if you can hear a little crimp on cable tip fall off while riding, and— 5. Yes, definitely look for simple solutions to problems, especially annoying noises that don't seem to degrade the bike's performance
Hey, Dude. Don't kill the fun we're having here.
OK, I'll bite...just a little. 3) I run my mp3 player through a small speaker on my handlebar at a volume that lets me hear the birds chirping just fine. 4) The crimp ticked and tanged off more than a few spokes before it hit the ground. I think THAT's what I heard. And finally 2) is that all my bottom bracket would cost nowadays? The last one I bought was like $40. I do remember it was pretty quick to change, though. My "issue" with changing ANY bike part out so close to a long ride is mostly the fear of it failing during the ride. I guess I just don't trust the quality of anything anymore, so I avoid changing chains, cassettes, tubes and other components within 5-6 rides of an overnight trip.
Anyway, back to the stories. These are just what I was looking for!