What's the Dumbest Thing You've Ever Done
08-06-18, 01:55 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STP
Posts: 15,221
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 819 Post(s)
Liked 247 Times
in
139 Posts
I can still shift with ergos, but maybe not for much longer.
Probably be back to DTs on my next project. Seems to be easier.
FWIW I have XTR thumb shifters on my Yeti and they're the hot ticket for me right now.
08-06-18, 02:04 PM
#28
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oshkosh, WI
Posts: 263
Bikes: Giant Trance X, Salsa Vaya
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Liked 72 Times
in
28 Posts
I tell ya, I feel a little bit better reading through these. I'm just a newb when it comes to this stuff but I've done many of the things mentioned above. Most painful was probably punching the big ring trying to get a pedal off, I had several fingers bandaged for days. However, my most boneheaded mistake is when I partially disassembled a rear derailleur to clean it. I thought I did a pretty good job getting all the gunk out, cleaning the pulley wheels, etc., I put that thing back together and I can't get it to shift right. I spent an hour fiddling with it, only to have Mike / 9volt take a look and see I had the pulley wheel cage on backwards. Huh. Never thought that would make a difference. Turns out another poorly shifting bike I had cleaned earlier suffered the same mistake - boy did I feel dumb.
__________________
Some Past Bikes: '96 Bianchi Reparto Course EL OS, '96 Serotta CSI, '89 Bianchi Giro, '82 Gitane SC, '81 Gios Torino, '79 Trek 937, '77 Trek TX700, '73 Gitane TdF, '72 Follis 472, '58 Peugeot PX-10
Some Past Bikes: '96 Bianchi Reparto Course EL OS, '96 Serotta CSI, '89 Bianchi Giro, '82 Gitane SC, '81 Gios Torino, '79 Trek 937, '77 Trek TX700, '73 Gitane TdF, '72 Follis 472, '58 Peugeot PX-10
08-06-18, 02:32 PM
#29
surly old man
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 3,389
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Karate Monkey half fat, Trek 620 IGH, Cannondale 26/24 MTB, Amp Research B3, and more.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 40 Times
in
16 Posts
Bought frame on eBay. Stuck seatpost. Sawsall. Sadness.
Jim
Jim
__________________
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
08-06-18, 05:05 PM
#31
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,716
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 2,052 Times
in
1,335 Posts
1989, age 12, riding my Murray 24in MTB, with a Super Soaker in each hand, headed for a dual wielding ride-by drenching, leaned harder than ever before around a corner, dragged pedal, broke collarbone
08-06-18, 05:50 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Back in Lincoln Sq, Chicago...🙄
Posts: 1,658
Bikes: '84 Miyata 610 ‘91 Cannondale ST600,'83 Trek 720 ‘84 Trek 520, 620, ‘91 Miyata 1000LT, '79 Trek 514, '78 Trek 706, '73 Raleigh Int. frame.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 667 Post(s)
Liked 344 Times
in
207 Posts
Last year, on my “new to me” and really well preserved ‘84 Trek 610 I patched the rear tire, put it all back together, making sure the QR was tight and pedaled away.
Leaving the chain on the chain hook on the seat stay! I bent it! At the time it seemed like I bent the snot out of that thing, and a year later it’s not quite that bad...
But man, that frame was structurally pristine when it came into my hands and I botched it up. I still kick myself for that. Parts can be replaced but that chain rest is part of the frame! 😣
Leaving the chain on the chain hook on the seat stay! I bent it! At the time it seemed like I bent the snot out of that thing, and a year later it’s not quite that bad...
But man, that frame was structurally pristine when it came into my hands and I botched it up. I still kick myself for that. Parts can be replaced but that chain rest is part of the frame! 😣
08-06-18, 05:59 PM
#33
Senior Member
Put my full weight and force into a pedal wrench on the driveside……..large ring was fully exposed; wrench slipped. hand went into large cog's teeth with my full body weight
Last edited by vintagerando; 08-06-18 at 07:49 PM. Reason: update
08-06-18, 06:23 PM
#34
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,416
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1273 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4544 Post(s)
Liked 5,338 Times
in
2,137 Posts
Uh, pretty easy.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
08-06-18, 06:51 PM
#35
Death fork? Naaaah!!
I once tried to clear a stoppage to feed on a M1 Thompson SMG by whanging the bolt knob forward to seat the round, as you would with a M-16.
Top
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
08-06-18, 07:02 PM
#36
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,405 Times
in
906 Posts
I chased a haji up two flights of stairs, down the hallway, and into an apartment. This before the UN allowed us ammo.
I bunny-hopped off a loading dock on a West Point banana bike. It was simply not equipped for a 4-foot drop.
I closed Tony's Tap the night before the Dairyland Dare. Twice.
I bet a guy I could run 3 miles in 18 minutes after a pint of tequila.
I offered to spar with a Korean Recon Marine in Tae Kwon Do.
I learned the subtle difference between an in'n'out done right and a roundhouse kick.
Or my head did.
I did the third "E" in SERE school. Very, very dumb.
The question is not the dumbest thing, because for some of us, the list is uh, long.
Maybe someone should ask "What is the least dumb thing you've done?"
Of course, I'd be stumped.
I bunny-hopped off a loading dock on a West Point banana bike. It was simply not equipped for a 4-foot drop.
I closed Tony's Tap the night before the Dairyland Dare. Twice.
I bet a guy I could run 3 miles in 18 minutes after a pint of tequila.
I offered to spar with a Korean Recon Marine in Tae Kwon Do.
I learned the subtle difference between an in'n'out done right and a roundhouse kick.
Or my head did.
I did the third "E" in SERE school. Very, very dumb.
The question is not the dumbest thing, because for some of us, the list is uh, long.
Maybe someone should ask "What is the least dumb thing you've done?"
Of course, I'd be stumped.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-06-18 at 07:08 PM.
08-06-18, 07:20 PM
#37
Death fork? Naaaah!!
OK, you win the question, but only because I'd expect more dumb things from a Marine. Were you one of those guys who yelled 'RECON' rather than 'AIRBORNE' at Benning?
Top
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
08-06-18, 07:26 PM
#38
curmudgineer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,429
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 109 Times
in
69 Posts
- Lighter fluid assisted dragster style flaming burnout
- Evel Knievel style high arching jump assisted by springy plywood ramp at the bottom of a creek valley trail
08-06-18, 07:37 PM
#39
Full Member
08-06-18, 07:45 PM
#40
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,484
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2535 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
846 Posts
IMG_0063 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
IMG_2402 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-06-18, 07:59 PM
#41
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,484
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2535 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
846 Posts
Lately?
How about forgetting the washer on a Sugino AT? Wondering why that crank extractor isn't working...
How about forgetting the washer on a Sugino AT? Wondering why that crank extractor isn't working...
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-06-18, 09:26 PM
#42
surly old man
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 3,389
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Karate Monkey half fat, Trek 620 IGH, Cannondale 26/24 MTB, Amp Research B3, and more.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 40 Times
in
16 Posts
Jim
__________________
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
08-06-18, 09:27 PM
#43
Full Member
I feel your pain. I'm going to ride mine and see what happens I guess.
08-06-18, 09:37 PM
#44
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,059
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2543 Post(s)
Liked 3,021 Times
in
1,834 Posts
I always tell my kids,"only do 1 stupid thing at a time". It's when you mix multiple ones is when the SHTF
08-06-18, 09:55 PM
#45
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,405 Times
in
906 Posts
It's only stupid if you get hurt ….BAD.
Now, I did see a bike shop I won't name (REI) break two gear pullers trying to pull off a Campy crankset, basically pulling against the spider. Proved to me that the Campy spider was stronger than their Park gear puller.
I also saw a guy try to use a channel-lock pliers to remove an external BB cup set from a Trek Y-Foil. Failed, killed the BB.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-06-18 at 10:17 PM.
08-06-18, 10:05 PM
#46
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,405 Times
in
906 Posts
I bought a bike with STI's before I knew what they were. I couldn't figure out how to shift them, and actually took them to a bike shop for repair. The bike shop was run by a very cute lady, who shifted them up and down flawlessly and charged me $5.
A few years later, a guy went in there to put a 10sp wheel on the back of an Ironman. She told him it should not be done, but gave him my number.
I bought Tufo C S33 tubular clinchers, and then taped them to tubular rims. I couldn't figure out why they looked so funny, and rode a century on them. That was some good tape.
I tried 650c wheels with long reach brakes. Rubber-rubber braking gets very hot, very fast, and smells bad. This was my aero stage.
I descended Thunder Ridge and Hwy 43 in the rain. I will not do so again.
At the beginning of any given charity ride, 2 out of 100 riders will not have their QR skewers tight.
A few years later, a guy went in there to put a 10sp wheel on the back of an Ironman. She told him it should not be done, but gave him my number.
I bought Tufo C S33 tubular clinchers, and then taped them to tubular rims. I couldn't figure out why they looked so funny, and rode a century on them. That was some good tape.
I tried 650c wheels with long reach brakes. Rubber-rubber braking gets very hot, very fast, and smells bad. This was my aero stage.
I descended Thunder Ridge and Hwy 43 in the rain. I will not do so again.
At the beginning of any given charity ride, 2 out of 100 riders will not have their QR skewers tight.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-06-18 at 10:16 PM.
08-06-18, 10:48 PM
#48
Senior Member
Recent years: Pulling a crank arm halfway off before realizing I had not first removed the nut. It turns out Aluminum is pretty soft stuff.
The younger me: Stopping to ask a policeman how to get to the start of a race, forgetting that my straps were fully cinched on my cleated shoes. Real cool.
The younger me: Stopping to ask a policeman how to get to the start of a race, forgetting that my straps were fully cinched on my cleated shoes. Real cool.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
08-07-18, 12:13 AM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,004
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 193 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1617 Post(s)
Liked 618 Times
in
352 Posts
Raise stem on MTB. Load MTB on top of car. Drive 20 miles to trail.
Crash bike in first 15 ft of trail ride (because I didn't tighten the stem after I raised it).
Load bike back on top of car. Drive 20 miles back to where I have a 6mm hex wrench to tighten stem
Crash bike in first 15 ft of trail ride (because I didn't tighten the stem after I raised it).
Load bike back on top of car. Drive 20 miles back to where I have a 6mm hex wrench to tighten stem
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
08-07-18, 12:40 AM
#50
52psi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,080
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 776 Post(s)
Liked 747 Times
in
360 Posts
Crammed a wrong-size headset into a nice frame.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
