Workshop: Mechanics' tips
Whatever kind of bike you ride, be it mud beast, road speedster or a simple mode of transportation, it will benefit from a good maintenance routine. A few basic tasks that you perform frequently can lengthen the life of your bike and protect your machine from costly mistakes. Our in-depth guide will help you tune your routine to prevent common issues and keep those wheels spinning.
Tools for the job
A good set of kit is essential for your maintenance efforts, so don’t skimp and get the cheapest tools available. You'll often find they won’t do the job without damaging your bike. Replace worn tools and take care of the ones you own to avoid impairing their functionality. There are many common tools you'll require to get a good routine in place, so let's explore those first.
Allen keys
Ball-ended Allen keys are designed to make tightening or undoing Allen bolts with limited access easy. It's best to use the standard end for the final tightening or initial loosening. For normal use, multi-headed Allen keys such as the Y or four-headed type are more versatile than individual keys. Y-type spanners with socket heads will also grip bolts better than open-ended spanners, and they're often easier to use.
Y-type (A+C) and four-headed type (B) keys are often easier to use than open-ended spanners (D)
Screwdriver blades
Keep your screwdrivers in good order by using a file to remove any burrs and square up the end. Make sure the end of the blade is of even thickness to ensure a good bite into screw heads and prevent slipping.
Tools supplied with components
Many components will be supplied with the correct tools to fit them, so if you get a shop to fit the parts for you, make sure that you ask for the tool. Pictured here is a bottom bracket cup tool for Hollowtech bottom brackets, which is useful for removing or fitting the cups.
Cassette lockring tools
An older style Shimano HG Freewheel extractor will work with both Shimano and Campag cassette lockrings, but it's best to ensure that you have the correct style of tool for your bike's cassette to prevent damage.
Vice
A standard 4in vice is an ideal but space consuming tool. If you don't have space for a permanently mounted vice, it's possible to mount one on a board and clamp it to a suitable table when needed. This temporary vice will be strong enough for most bicycle jobs, but be aware that it is not as secure as a bench bolted vice.
How to make a temporary vice
Materials needed
- Offcut of kitchen worktop about 60 x 30cm
- Vice mounting bolts
- Some sheet steel (which can be salvaged from an old biscuit tin)
- Four reinforcing plates
- A piece of wood about 75 x 25mm
- Offcuts of hardwood about 10mm thick
- Size 6 and 8 wood screws
- Two G-clamps
1] With tin snips, cut a piece of sheet steel about 20cm square. Fit it to the underside of the worktop (around where you're going to mount the vice) with the small wood screws. Now drill holes (about 10mm wide) for the vice-mounting bolts. Bolt the vice to the board and the bolts will protrude below. Attach offcuts of hardwood either side of the bolt heads to protect your table from damage and at the back of the board to keep the vice level.
2] Fit reinforcing plates at the two front corners of the mounting board nearest the table edge where you'll clamp the board to the table. Fit similar plates to the long piece of 75x25mm wood to use between the underside of the table and the clamps. Now clamp the board to a sturdy table. Don’t forget to use soft facings for the vice jaws when you're holding threaded parts.
Workstand
A good workshop stand is essential, and many fold up if you do not have much space. Although it can be tempting to use a makeshift alternative, such as hanging the bike with ropes, these 'solutions' are often dangerous and next to useless.
When using the stand, angle your bike so that it points slightly ‘downhill’, as this will prevent excess movement from the front wheel. If your frame is made of carbon fibre or aluminium, avoid clamping the bike's tubes. Instead, clamp the frame to a suitable seatpost – preferably a spare steel one that you can fit for the sole purpose of working on your bike.
Common Tasks
Fitting and removing pedals
All pedals have left or right-hand threads. They're generally marked – the right-hand pedal with an R or D and the left-hand pedal with an L or S.
Pedal threads are designed to stay tight when you pedal. To undo your pedals turn the spindle in the opposite direction to your pedalling action. The opposite applies when you're tightening – turn the spindle in the same direction as you would pedal. Don’t forget to use anti-seize grease on the pedal threads to prevent them becoming stuck and to re-apply the grease regularly.
Don’t forget to use anti-seize grease on the pedal threads to prevent them becoming stuck and to re-apply the grease regularly
Chains
A slightly dry chain will often prevent your gears from working properly – keep your chain lubricated with a good quality chain lube at all times. Use a piece of newspaper behind and underneath the chain when lubricating it.
To maximise cassette and chain life, buy three new chains when fitting a new cassette. After 500 miles replace the first chain with the second. After a further 500 miles replace the second with the third and continue to rotate the chains every 500 miles.
If you've got an aluminium cassette instead, reduce the distance between rotations to 250 miles.
Adjusting front derailleur position
When adjusting the position of a front derailleur, a plastic-faced hammer or rubber mallet is very useful to tap the gear into the optimum position.
Chainsets
Crank removal
Removing cotterless cranks from a standard square taper axle can be tricky, even with a good extractor. If the crank is very tight, tighten the extractor and, using a plastic hammer or rubber mallet, tap firmly around the boss of the crank to shock the taper free.
Shimano Octalink 2 crank packing piece
Make sure that the packing piece on the left-hand Shimano Octalink crank is always present when refitting the crank – if it's missing, the crank bolts will be over-tightened and may cause the crank to crack, which is an expensive mistake to make.
Fitting tyres
If the tyre bead sinks into the rim well at one point on the wheel, there will be another point on the wheel where the bead can be easily forced over the rim edge by the air pressure in the tyre. The solution is to use either thick or several layers of rim tape – this will prevent the tyre bead from sinking into the rim well and blowing the tyres off.
Simple solutions
Anti-seize grease
Some of the most common and difficult problems to solve are caused by components that have seized up. To prevent this regularly remove the seatpost and coat with anti-seize grease. Do the same with your pedal threads.
Thread lock
Common parts to loosen and fall off on bikes are bottle cage bolts and chainring bolts. Remove them and put a drip of thread lock on each bolt before reassembling – they will still undo when necessary but won’t vibrate loose.
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Showing 1 - 30 of 35 comments
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leeingle
Posted Thu 9 Oct, 11:18 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
how can i make my tyres run smooth on their rims they look buckled the rims are ok
thanks
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S.H.A.N.E
Posted Sat 13 Dec, 10:23 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
how can i get my grips to stop moving iv tryed hair spray but it hassent worked
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jadamson
Posted Thu 18 Dec, 8:32 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
buy loc-on grips for a tenner! Defiantly worth it.
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djnorman1972
Posted Wed 24 Dec, 7:54 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
got an FSA pig head set to fit with no instructions ,iv got an idia how it all fiits but not 100% so would like some advice if any one has any to give, its the plastic seal thats not reald macking sence at moment and the direction of the bearings them-selves
thanks for any advice given. D J NORMAN
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Mcleod250
Posted Wed 21 Jan, 8:14 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
I've just bought a set of Easton EA90SL wheels and after half a dozen or so rides have started to notice a creaking sound coming from the back cluster area when I apply moderate to heavy pessure to my pedals. I have an Orbea Orca (2006) carbon frame and am sure the carbon accentuates the noise. I have an Ultegra groupset to finish the bike off. What I was thinking of stripping the cluster completely, cleaning it, regreasing and checking for faulty ball bearings and replacing if need be. What is concerning is the wheelset is only a month and a half old ! Any suggestions ?
Many thanks
Ian
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Brammer
Posted Fri 30 Jan, 12:52 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
How do i change the oil a set of rockshox psylo race with u-turn and blackbox?
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The Hedgehog
Posted Wed 4 Feb, 4:20 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
blueeyedub - the frame could be too big for you, sorry to say. For your height you are borderline 54/56cm frame. Changing to a smaller stem may well help - try it but don't go too short as handling will be effected. Bringing the saddle forward too is another option. Go to your LBS & ask for advice on set up & stem length, and if they're a decent bunch they'll help you out.
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Dombo6
Posted Wed 4 Feb, 8:51 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
Mcleod250, I had same problem with my Easton SLX EA90 wheels. Took them back to the shop and it turned out the bearings were totally dry - no grease from the factory. The shop kindly repacked the bearings with grease, problem solved.
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blueeyedub
Posted Wed 4 Feb, 8:08 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
Thanks Hedgehog.Yeah,brought it along to my LBS.They said it looks a slightly big frame wise,however they lowered saddle height and adjusted the bar angle and told me to try a spin and see how i felt. Needless to say,with the snow and freezing temp. in Dublin at the moment i havent ventured out yet!
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cox7dl@btinternet.com
Posted Mon 16 Feb, 11:48 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
is it posibal to put a 7 speed casset on a back wheel that can take a 8/9 casset
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davtherav
Posted Mon 23 Feb, 9:43 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
trouble with quick fire shifters. I fitted new 9 speed cassette, new chain and compatible new rear derailler. done all the adjustments high and low gear lining up the jockey wheel etc. but when i try to shift up the lever clicks 3 times before anything happens, then only shift 3 gears before becoming too stiff to shift anymore. Does the shifter need replacing?
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drewp2008
Posted Sat 28 Feb, 6:07 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
"iv tryed hair spray but it hassent worked"
"Defiantly worth it."
"plastic seal thats not reald macking sence at moment"
"is it posibal to put a 7 speed casset on a back wheel that can take a 8/9 casset"
Loving it guys.
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geordiefreerider
Posted Wed 25 Mar, 4:02 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
hey dj norman - re got an FSA pig head set to fit with no instructions ,iv got an idia how it all fiits but not 100% so would like some advice if any one has any to give, its the plastic seal thats not reald macking sence at moment and the direction of the bearings them-selves - well here we go, bottom bearings go with retainer cage facing the handlebars then clip in the plastic seal with the writing facing the forks, top bearings the retainer cage faces down towards your forks - make sure you pack plenty grease in there and clean and regrease once a month coz the bottom seal isnt brilliant !
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Macster1
Posted Wed 29 Apr, 10:54 am BST Flag as inappropriate
@ drewp2008
LOL on the spellings!
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macwood
Posted Thu 14 May, 5:28 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
Have got rock shox tora 302 u turn fitted to my bike.The lock out has stopped working ,and the damping is hard.Is it due for an overhaul (2 Years of abuse) and can this be done diy.
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Davo1975
Posted Mon 25 May, 6:31 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
Trying to remove a crank - got one side off but the other just wont budge - and now the thread is all but ruined inside so cant get the tool in properly - any ideas?
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Moo-03
Posted Tue 16 Jun, 10:23 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
davo1975. right fella it looks like ya gonna have to take a hacksaw to your crank sad to say. if ya cut at a angle from the frame side to the outter ya will be able to keep a close eye on ya frame. be carefull that ya dont cut ya bottom bracket otherwise ya will have to get a new one of them too. one ya have cut through get a larger flat screwdriver and put it in the cut and tap the end with a hammer which will spread the cut apart and with a wiggle ya crank should come off.
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northumbrian1
Posted Tue 16 Jun, 10:38 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
Dear God! Those spellings from Geordiefreerider are taking us through the Tyne Tunnel to Kingdom Come!
Hawaay th' lads! y' bonny cloutie!
:D ;) ^_^
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emurphy
Posted Tue 18 Aug, 12:53 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
How do you tighten the front hub of a Mavic Ksyrium SL wheel?
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rake
Posted Wed 21 Oct, 6:33 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
turn the fixing with a tool.
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BikeInc
Posted Thu 5 Nov, 5:05 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
Replacement Headset for a GT Zum2 which one do I require ?
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ChrisCooper
Posted Thu 21 Jan, 11:51 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
I lost the packing piece on my Octalink crank which duly cracked, I wish I had read this first.
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C2jazz
Posted Tue 6 Apr, 8:27 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
whats the best way to remove the paint on my frame so that I can fit an external bottom bracket?
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kieronymous
Posted Thu 13 May, 2:19 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
C2jazz: with a facing tool, such as this:
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=25&item;=BFS%2D1.
It's V V important that the facings are parallel. The tool is expensive for something you'll hardly ever do, so take it to your well tooled up LBS and they'll do it for a nominal fee. If you can remove the cranks and BB yourself first it'd be a 2 minute job so even cheaper.
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Stevo26472
Posted Wed 9 Jun, 12:37 am BST Flag as inappropriate
My disk brakes are rubbing badly , any idea on how to fix?
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lfdog
Posted Tue 29 Jun, 7:11 am BST Flag as inappropriate
Where can I go to get trained as a bike mechanic? Are there any classes or workshops here in Calgary?
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hondaman
Posted Sat 24 Jul, 10:23 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
hi, how can i remove the star washer in a threadless headset ? thanks.
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hainman
Posted Mon 9 Aug, 10:11 am BST Flag as inappropriate
hi,ive got realy spongey front shimano 575 hydr disk brake.had it at the lbs and been bleed twice and hung for 24hrs but its still travelling down to nearly the grip.the lbd said it was fine but i was expecting a biting point of not even half the level pull.the brake does work but theres way to much travel on lever compared to friends brakes.thanks craig
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r4d2_99
Posted Sun 23 Jan, 1:49 am GMT Flag as inappropriate
The rear lock out switch on the handle bars off my scott genius not working any ideas on how to fix
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fathead76
Posted Wed 9 Mar, 8:07 pm GMT Flag as inappropriate
I've got an 09 spicy 316 and recently had a dual ring chain device fitted. It's a dmr item and since it an a bash gaurd were fitted the chain won't seem to stay in the selected gear on my cassette. the chain an cassette are both brand new an i never had this problem when running a triple chainset. The mech hanger isn't bent an deraillier is fine too. Just wondereing if anyone else has had similar issues an explanation or best of all solution to this cos it's getting really annoying. Cheers Dan
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