Let's have your hacks, tips and money saving ideas for beginners.

[ColinJ]

similar can be had from screwfix including Bolle branded ones for a tenner in cleared and smoked lenses
https://www.screwfix.com/p/bolle-silium-clear-lens-safety-specs/89679

This is what I went for - 2 pairs for £4.19, including postage!

PS That must have been a special offer - I think it is the price of ONE pair now.

 

[Bikepilot]

A tea light candle can be handy to rub on inner cables to revitalise them. Better than sprays which have habit of attracting dirt.

 

[Kestevan]

Line up your valve stem with a suitable logo on the tyre. That way when you get a puncture you should be able to narrow down the area of the tyre to inspect for the sharp.

A piece of cotton wool lightly rubbed on the inside of the tyre will often snag on the sharp you failed to find despite doing the above.....

 

[PaulSB]

@Kestevan I like that one.

Just remembered this tip. New tubes can be dusted in talc and then wrapped in cling film. When the tube is replaced it becomes far easier to slip the last of the tyre on to the rim. The talc is acting as a dry lubricant.

 

[si_c]

@Kestevan I like that one.

Just remembered this tip. New tubes can be dusted in talc and then wrapped in cling film. When the tube is replaced it becomes far easier to slip the last of the tyre on to the rim. The talc is acting as a dry lubricant.

Unless it's raining, when it probably acts like glue.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Unless it's raining, when it probably acts like glue.

Always best to dust talc over the inside of your tyres when changing tyres/tubes at home, though I don't think it acts like glue when wet anyway. I'll check next time I use the Johnson's Baby Talc

 

[ColinJ]

Here's a money-saving tip: If you make a habit of riding to distant railway stations and then catching the train home, why not train really hard so you get fit enough to cycle back? You will wear tyres and other bike parts out slightly more often but think of the saving on fares!

 

[si_c]

Here's a money-saving tip: If you make a habit of riding to distant railway stations and then catching the train home, why not train really hard so you get fit enough to cycle back? You will wear tyres and other bike parts out slightly more often but think of the saving on fares!

That's my cunning plan with commuting, save money so I can spend it on cake/chocolate/bike bits.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Unless it's raining, when it probably acts like glue.

- I think you're confusing it with flour .......

 

[si_c]

- I think you're confusing it with flour .......

White, powdery, at least I didn't think it was cocaine!

 

[Blue Hills]

Wheel guy at the LBS yesterday told me that Gorilla tape makes great rim tape! They use it for a lot, but I never thought of that.

Won't it be too wide and tricky to cut narrower?

 

[Blue Hills]

Don’t dump all of those plastic food containers straight into the recycling bin.
Save a few to keep the nuts and bolts in when you take summat apart.
Also useful if you have to soak any parts in degreaser.

For bits, i use the small flattish tins (ones the tops peel off with a ringpull) that the certain fish come in, mackerel, sardines etc.

 

[Reynard]

For bits, i use the small flattish tins (ones the tops peel off with a ringpull) that the certain fish come in, mackerel, sardines etc.

Or the little cans from Gourmet Gold cat food.

For laying out stuff as I take it apart, a large clear plastic tray that was originally filled with strawberries.

 

[Blue Hills]

Yes i have done that in the distant past tho can't remember details.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Put a bit of luminous paint on the spokes either side of the valve. Find that valve easily, even at night, and give a bit more side visibility on the wheels.