What Have You Fettled Today?

[Ming the Merciless]

Shortened boom and straightened bottom bracket on recumbent. Pedal motion sems much more on it now.

 

[Jameshow]

Gave the trustable Subway E a once over as journeying out on it tonight.

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Now that I'm "officially" supposed to be taking the bike repair exam next year, I'm using that as a reason to prioritise fixing bikes at work (as opposed to doing paperwork, writing invoices et c.

I've identified Magura Rim brakes as one area I don't have much experience in so I'm actively looking for bikes with this system.

Finally got the front and rear brakes on a used bike set up to my satisfaction yesterday, and it was checked off by the trainer with only a few minor criticisms.

Today I got more practice by finding this bike with the same system. Fortunately the workshop is on the edge of the city so I can ride around the fields for ten minutes and call it a "test ride.

Handlebars were adjusted when I got back...

 

[Andy in Germany]

Meanwhile, I've retrieved my old commuter bike from Elder Son's flat, where it has been languishing unused for in a shed for a couple of years. It needed a replacement shifter on one side, and he was most insistent I put new tyres on because the old ones had cracks in the rubber, so it now runs on Marathon Greenguard tyres. They even went on properly the first time:

He had a point about the cracks:

Mind you, I've seen customers riding worse...

 

[Gillstay]

Isn't there some kind of natural varnish that seals twine wrapped bars? Sure I've seen it on the Rivendell bikes website.

Yes I have seen similar on boats but just assumed it was yacht varnish. Other wise I have just waxed whipping.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Isn't there some kind of natural varnish that seals twine wrapped bars? Sure I've seen it on the Rivendell bikes website.

Shellac or Tung oil? I'd avoid Linseed oil because of the fire issue.

 

[HLaB]

Someone never pointed out a pothole on Tuesday and a normally quiet bike has been making a racket ever since. So after tonight's TT I changed the BB 🤞

 

[Elybazza61]

Now that I'm "officially" supposed to be taking the bike repair exam next year, I'm using that as a reason to prioritise fixing bikes at work (as opposed to doing paperwork, writing invoices et c.

I've identified Magura Rim brakes as one area I don't have much experience in so I'm actively looking for bikes with this system.

View attachment 811733

Finally got the front and rear brakes on a used bike set up to my satisfaction yesterday, and it was checked off by the trainer with only a few minor criticisms.

View attachment 811734

Today I got more practice by finding this bike with the same system. Fortunately the workshop is on the edge of the city so I can ride around the fields for ten minutes and call it a "test ride.

Handlebars were adjusted when I got back...

The better half's Kona has Magura's on it and every time I have to adjust them I swear I'll either get the frame fitted with disc brake mounts or get some xt/xtr/or even Paul v-brakes.

 

[Elybazza61]

Meanwhile, I've retrieved my old commuter bike from Elder Son's flat, where it has been languishing unused for in a shed for a couple of years. It needed a replacement shifter on one side, and he was most insistent I put new tyres on because the old ones had cracks in the rubber, so it now runs on Marathon Greenguard tyres. They even went on properly the first time:

View attachment 811735

He had a point about the cracks:

View attachment 811736

Mind you, I've seen customers riding worse...

When I worked in the shop tyres like that were nearly a daily occurrence, even to the point of the tube pushing out ; I don't miss trying to tell people the tyres on their bikes are on the point of going bang

 

[Elybazza61]

Isn't there some kind of natural varnish that seals twine wrapped bars? Sure I've seen it on the Rivendell bikes website.

Honestly haven't thought of that ,will have a search

 

[All uphill]

Shellac or Tung oil? I'd avoid Linseed oil because of the fire issue.

Shellac, that's it.

There's videos by Rivendell showing how to do this on YouTube

 

[Elybazza61]

Bit of fettling this afternoon although most of it was cleaning.

Swapped some bags around on The Stayer OG as I wasn't getting on with the Ortlieb frame bag so put the old smaller Restrap one on and bodged it as one of the straps has broke and haven't got around to getting it repaired; also put a Restrap strap on tool bag on the saddle with an extra Voile strap to keep it tight and it doesn't foul the dropper post operation.

After looking at the Rivendell site they seem to use wax on the jute string so applied some on to what I'd fitted to the Faran, also while rootling around for the wax I actually found some waxed string ; must have come from the BH's dad's garage a few years ago .

Otherwise cleaned up an Altus mech and Hope chainring that had come off the old Trek commuter that had got put away in a corner so the mech needed a bit of work, dunno if I'll ever use it again but it's not really worth anything so will stay in one of the spares boxes.

 

[All uphill]

Replaced the cartridge headset bearings on my Spa.

I've only wrestled with loose bearings in the past so I expected the job would take an hour, or so. Couldn't believe it when I was done in 20 minutes including a very short test ride.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Completely failed to straighten out a wheel: I managed to replace the spokes and get the vertical dings out of it, then I messed up the horizontal straightening to it looks like wet noodle again.

I'll try again next week.