It helps if you're a regular customer that has a good relationship with the shop. Hang out a bit, ask for an internship, boom.

The first shop job I had literally fell into my lap. I wasn't even a regular customer, I just happened to go in one day to buy something stupid like tubes and the owner said 'Hey, do you know how to install a headset?" and when I told him I did, he said "Grab whatever tools you need and get to work".

h+son archetype to dura ace 7600 track hubs. any idea what the spoke size I'd need for that is?

With the Minna, do you get any scraping of the cleat when you walk on cement/asphalt? I get it a little with my Shimano shoes and I'd like to find a shoe that doesn't do it at all.

awesome thanks

My only issue would be that in most of the shops around here that I could consider applying to myself, I don't bother shopping outside of the rare part that I need.

I'll buy parts online from you before I walk into a shop downtown just because of the markup in most cases.

Short of a tube or something, I wouldn't buy anything from the shop that I work at if I had to pay retail. It's sad that many shop owners just see the internet as an evil thing that's killing their business, rather than just lowering their prices and upping their inventory in order to stay competitive. What do I know though?

Agreed, the one around here a few of my friends works at offers a pretty steep 60% discount, and I've gotten a few tires and other odds and ends for short money.

If I could get in somewhere as a mechanic with my lack of professional experience, I'd be happy, but that's unlikely. At most I have some people who could vouch for me from a local co-op and that's about it.

You were right. How you know dat when I got the tire at home and you don't?

Haha, I checked the inside today and it didn't pierce the inner layer ha. I put a boot in there anyway just in case. Is that just a rando thing or are most tires like that?

Hey dude,

I'm going to be getting a Big Block, but I'm not too keen on the DC19 rims. I'm just looking to have a ss to commute to work on. What would be your thoughts on relacing a set of h+son archetype rims to the standard AC track hubs?

My old MB wheelset was Alex, and I never could keep them true...

Thanks!

So I'm planning out a wheel build pretty soon. I want 23mm wide rims, and a quick release front hub. The wheels are going to be mainly used for commuting and road rides, and probably going to see some light track action. I was thinking A23, 32H, Novatech rear hub. Do you have any other recommendations? I just chose 32H just because it seems like it would be stronger.

Cheapo 3/32" 20t cog in silver that wont get me killed on a rainy beater bike?

Also, any experience/recommendations on studded tires?

This thread needs to have its own search button. lot of useful stuff, but many pagesss.

You are aware that there is a "Search Thread" button?

Scrod, Can an acs freewheel be greased or lubed? If so what should i use?

Scrod, my A23's are starting to make "popping" noises when I put pressure on the front wheel, or when I accelerate quickly. Any ideas on what to do? Didn't you say to drop a bit of chain lube or linseed oil (or something something) into where the nipples sit on the rim?

Scrod,

Just installed a different chainring onto my All City cranks and the bolts bottom out before completely securing the chainring to the spider. They're single speed chainring bolts and worked fine with my FSA chainring. Any ideas?

Edit: Also, http://velospace.org/node/44366 You said you liked the Raleigh Track Pro framesets right?

Sorry, guys. I was away from the weekend. I'll get to this recent stuff soon.

Archetypes to AC hubs (which are Novatecs) would be an awesome wheelset - but there's really nothing wrong with the stock Alex DC19s.

Alex does make a few crappy rims but many of them are better than they get credit for. You MTB wheels may have constantly gone out of true because of a less than perfect initial wheel build.

Sounds like a perfect wheel. I had A23s to Novatecs, as does calv and ddeadserious.

Lots of wheel talk on this page!

Have you checked the tension since building them? It almost sounds like your spokes are too loose.

You can pick up chainring bolt spaces for very little money.

Thanks for the heads up on that Raleigh - and yes I do want one someday - but I'm still torn over what to do with my damn Windsor!

Think i got lost on the last page back there

What should I use for spokes?