Toronto Fixed
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
+Sheldon Browns site. He knows all, especially with older bikes. May he wrench in peace.
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 31
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Things that'll help you learn:
1. Park Tool website/Big Blue Book
2. Barnett's Manual (available in .pdf form)
3. Manufacturers' documentation for the components on your bikes
4. Years of experience and an innate mechanical aptitude
5. Ability to separate good advice from bad
6. A mentor who is good at being a mechanic as well as being a teacher
1. Park Tool website/Big Blue Book
2. Barnett's Manual (available in .pdf form)
3. Manufacturers' documentation for the components on your bikes
4. Years of experience and an innate mechanical aptitude
5. Ability to separate good advice from bad
6. A mentor who is good at being a mechanic as well as being a teacher
P.S I'll be damned if I let botto get to 20k before me.
So I says to Mable I says
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,947
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: '05 Urbanite Fixie, '06 Lemond Croix de Fer, '06 Jamis Dragon Pro, '07 IRO Bikeforums Track, '07 Planet-X Uncle John
Call me The Breeze
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 8
From: Cooper Ontario
Bikes: 2004 Litespeed Siena, 1996 Litespeed Obed, 1992 Miele (unknown model), 1982 Meile Uno LS.
practice practice practice.
Sheldon's article on canti brake theory is a great start.
Operator: What is wrong in the barnett's manual?
Sheldon's article on canti brake theory is a great start.
Operator: What is wrong in the barnett's manual?
oOooo, five bucks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On
Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)
i like the Zin and the art of mountain/road bike maintenance books
they have most info i have needed when fixing my bikes (i am in no way a pro, but i can do most things on my bike, except for wheel building and headset pressing (no tool))... and the stuff it doesn't have, i have just gone slowly and tried to figure it out while working!
they have most info i have needed when fixing my bikes (i am in no way a pro, but i can do most things on my bike, except for wheel building and headset pressing (no tool))... and the stuff it doesn't have, i have just gone slowly and tried to figure it out while working!
don't TAZE me, bro!!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: One of them home-made fixed gear road bike conversions.. with props to JB Weld and Red Loctite!
awwwwright.. thanks alot for offering them up in the first place, krusty. i'll definately do the same in the future whenever i upgrade components as well.
yup, definately gonna have use of them.. but the big task is now at hand.. my current cranks are COTTERED! looks like i'll have to get some help from my trusty martello.
i dove right into my project and learned by trial & error, but had some help from sheldon's site. i was able to do most of my wrenching with the tools i had handy, and the only one i had to buy was a chainwhip. i'd say the tool i used most was the channel-locks.
vg
vg
Don't smoke, Mike.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,295
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Devinci Tosca, IRO Rob Roy
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
"squirrelling parts" just made me giggle so hard I almost choked on dinner. thx.
cotters are a pain. I think Ill just leave the ones on my twenty the hell alone. That thing already gets pedal strike as it is.
p.s. anybody have a shimano 7/10 speed casette kicking around they will likely never use?
cotters are a pain. I think Ill just leave the ones on my twenty the hell alone. That thing already gets pedal strike as it is.
p.s. anybody have a shimano 7/10 speed casette kicking around they will likely never use?
oOooo, five bucks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On
Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)

i stole that from nerdsgirth.
the rain can **** right off... i wanna ride my misfit
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
oOooo, five bucks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On
Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)
im just thinking the don might be like peanut butter...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
oOooo, five bucks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, On
Bikes: Giant OCR touring(06), Norco Storm (05)
while your at it, wanna clean mine too
That's great and all, but not everything just 'goes back together' without knowing certain things. Take cantilever brakes for example (aka. my nemesis). Sure I can install them, but I can almost guarantee the lever-feel will be crap, and they will have little to no power. 

Anyway that was long time ago. And I look back an laugh
A lot of stuff is trial and error. You really do learn along the way. The scariest thing is screwing up nice new stuff. I learned with crappy used stuff. Building a beater was my way of learning. Buying used parts and upgrade an old bike.
An excellent resource is the West End Bike Club. It's (was?) run by Nani (The East Indian? fellow that sometimes works part time at Urbane). The club was held every Wednesday evening located in the parking garage structure of some Westend mall? near leslie or.. I forget its been years since I last went. Anyway they'd have workshops to teach you how to repair your own bike. They've got lots of used parts you can buy if you want to fix up a junker. Also Parts unknown (in kengsington) had a lot of used parts.
So yeah that's how I learned, buying used parts and tooling around.
I don't think the West End bike club is there anymore, but I could be wrong---it was at Dufferin Mall on Thursday nights. I always meant to go and check it out but never got around to it.
edit: Googled it and, according to the NOW bike issue, they are still around: https://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=162562
edit: Googled it and, according to the NOW bike issue, they are still around: https://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=162562
Last edited by jet sanchEz; 07-20-08 at 09:36 PM.
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 31
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
For example, they recommend using loctite#242 for regular shimano cart bb installations instead of grease. In fact they say not to put anything at all in the bb shell unless you're worried about corrosion!
(Yes i'm aware of the other cases where loctite is a good idea).
Want a major pain in the ass in replacing bb's, start loctiting them.
(Yes i'm aware of the other cases where loctite is a good idea).
Want a major pain in the ass in replacing bb's, start loctiting them.
Shiftless bum

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Bikes: Apollo fixed winter bike, Gazelle Cross, Baboe Cargo bike, Linskey Rouleur Road, Bridgestone Picnica, Tern C7, 2nd gen Strida
CBN provides mechanic support in the formula for their shop usage. https://www.communitybicyclenetwork.org/toolworks
Don't smoke, Mike.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,295
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Devinci Tosca, IRO Rob Roy
For example, they recommend using loctite#242 for regular shimano cart bb installations instead of grease. In fact they say not to put anything at all in the bb shell unless you're worried about corrosion!
(Yes i'm aware of the other cases where loctite is a good idea).
Want a major pain in the ass in replacing bb's, start loctiting them.
(Yes i'm aware of the other cases where loctite is a good idea).
Want a major pain in the ass in replacing bb's, start loctiting them.
So I says to Mable I says
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,947
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: '05 Urbanite Fixie, '06 Lemond Croix de Fer, '06 Jamis Dragon Pro, '07 IRO Bikeforums Track, '07 Planet-X Uncle John
So, I'm riding Eastbound on College this morning just before Bathurst. Traffic on College is stopped for a red and I want to stop at Manic for a coffee, so I ride to the opposite curb. As I'm crossing the road the College traffic gets a green light. There are two Westbound cyclists heading towards me so I move into the parking-zone, inside the bike lane. I slow down to give them plenty of time to get by me. The first one goes by, no prob. Second one? Rides along about 2' from the curb staring at me, continues into the parking zone when the bike lane moves out from the curb and says "get the **** outta my way" as he basically rubs elbows with me. Seriously dude? Pick your battles. There are exceptions, but as a general rule I really hate people... especially really self-important ones. Sure I was riding on the wrong side of the road, but I was about 5' away from the bike lane that he could/should have been in. *sigh* Then at Spadina a car sped past and nearly right-hooked me, but that's nothing new.
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Don't smoke, Mike.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,295
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Devinci Tosca, IRO Rob Roy
So I says to Mable I says
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,947
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: '05 Urbanite Fixie, '06 Lemond Croix de Fer, '06 Jamis Dragon Pro, '07 IRO Bikeforums Track, '07 Planet-X Uncle John
So, I'm riding Eastbound on College this morning just before Bathurst. Traffic on College is stopped for a red and I want to stop at Manic for a coffee, so I ride to the opposite curb. As I'm crossing the road the College traffic gets a green light. There are two Westbound cyclists heading towards me so I move into the parking-zone, inside the bike lane. I slow down to give them plenty of time to get by me. The first one goes by, no prob. Second one? Rides along about 2' from the curb staring at me, continues into the parking zone when the bike lane moves out from the curb and says "get the **** outta my way" as he basically rubs elbows with me. Seriously dude? Pick your battles. There are exceptions, but as a general rule I really hate people... especially really self-important ones. Sure I was riding on the wrong side of the road, but I was about 5' away from the bike lane that he could/should have been in. *sigh* Then at Spadina a car sped past and nearly right-hooked me, but that's nothing new.
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
So, I'm riding Eastbound on College this morning just before Bathurst. Traffic on College is stopped for a red and I want to stop at Manic for a coffee, so I ride to the opposite curb. As I'm crossing the road the College traffic gets a green light. There are two Westbound cyclists heading towards me so I move into the parking-zone, inside the bike lane. I slow down to give them plenty of time to get by me. The first one goes by, no prob. Second one? Rides along about 2' from the curb staring at me, continues into the parking zone when the bike lane moves out from the curb and says "get the **** outta my way" as he basically rubs elbows with me. Seriously dude? Pick your battles. There are exceptions, but as a general rule I really hate people... especially really self-important ones. Sure I was riding on the wrong side of the road, but I was about 5' away from the bike lane that he could/should have been in. *sigh* Then at Spadina a car sped past and nearly right-hooked me, but that's nothing new.
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Ahh, Monday. *cracks knuckles*
Shiftless bum

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Bikes: Apollo fixed winter bike, Gazelle Cross, Baboe Cargo bike, Linskey Rouleur Road, Bridgestone Picnica, Tern C7, 2nd gen Strida
This just in from one of my mailing lists. Not necessarily news to anyone:
Stolen Recovered Bicycles... from 927 Queen St W and other storage
units... please pass along to your bicycle networks..
Public Viewing Monday July 21, 2008 10am-6pm - 9 Hanna Ave, Toronto
More public viewing to be announced when all the recovered bikes are
sorted out...
Anyone with knowledge of more storage units of stolen bicycles
associated to 'The Bicycle Clinic' operated by Igor Kenk... notify 14
division 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously 1-800-222-TIPS
(8477) , https://222tips.com <https://222tips.com/> or Text TIP312 and
your message to CRIMES...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IR0XQrQ-npE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVlRB2aZ_-k
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tit18nRnJaY
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cchGSrwg_cQ
Facebook Group has photos posted of the volume of bikes...
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21195987216
--
Scott Mills
Toronto Crime Stoppers
Community Youth Officer
Legal Graffiti Art Coordinator
www.torontopolice.on.ca <https://www.torontopolice.on.ca/>
www.222tips.com <https://www.222tips.com/>
Stolen Recovered Bicycles... from 927 Queen St W and other storage
units... please pass along to your bicycle networks..
Public Viewing Monday July 21, 2008 10am-6pm - 9 Hanna Ave, Toronto
More public viewing to be announced when all the recovered bikes are
sorted out...
Anyone with knowledge of more storage units of stolen bicycles
associated to 'The Bicycle Clinic' operated by Igor Kenk... notify 14
division 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously 1-800-222-TIPS
(8477) , https://222tips.com <https://222tips.com/> or Text TIP312 and
your message to CRIMES...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IR0XQrQ-npE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVlRB2aZ_-k
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tit18nRnJaY
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cchGSrwg_cQ
Facebook Group has photos posted of the volume of bikes...
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21195987216
--
Scott Mills
Toronto Crime Stoppers
Community Youth Officer
Legal Graffiti Art Coordinator
www.torontopolice.on.ca <https://www.torontopolice.on.ca/>
www.222tips.com <https://www.222tips.com/>
freed psycho. RUN.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Ironhorse Maverick 2004, 1970's handbuilt Raleigh fixed conversion
I wonder what percentage of Torontos stolen bikes go through Igor. That picture of them all piled out there just shows how many there are, and note the big Police cube van in the corner for scale =|.
Hope ours are in there somewherez.
Hope ours are in there somewherez.





