Doing My Own Maintenance This Year
02-26-21, 10:03 AM
#1
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Doing My Own Maintenance This Year
In years past I always had my LBS do work on my bike. There are great resources out there but time was limited and I knew if I got it wrong it would take me a great deal of time to get back on the road. Now the kids are gone and I don't coach anymore. With me having two bikes, if I mess something up I have the other bike to jump on until I can figure it out.
My first magic trick will be to remove the brake calibers, disassemble them, clean them up, grease up the necessary parts, and put it all back together.
I will never be able to use my brakes again.
My first magic trick will be to remove the brake calibers, disassemble them, clean them up, grease up the necessary parts, and put it all back together.
I will never be able to use my brakes again.
02-26-21, 02:13 PM
#2
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At least the basic things.
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02-26-21, 04:02 PM
#3
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Working on bikes may not be rocket science but it isn’t completely uncomplicated either. There are lots of little details that can go wrong which can make the bike unridable. I often use that as a threat (jokingly). Don’t mess with a man who can turn your pee green or can make your bike unridable in 30 seconds
That said, I don’t usually mess with brakes. I can rebuild them but there really is no reason. They aren’t worth the effort. If the brakes aren’t working, they are generally cheap enough to just replace. That also assumes that the brakes aren’t working which doesn’t happen all that often. I certainly wouldn’t take them apart just for fun. Pick something else to work on.
That said, I don’t usually mess with brakes. I can rebuild them but there really is no reason. They aren’t worth the effort. If the brakes aren’t working, they are generally cheap enough to just replace. That also assumes that the brakes aren’t working which doesn’t happen all that often. I certainly wouldn’t take them apart just for fun. Pick something else to work on.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
02-26-21, 04:57 PM
#4
Full Member
I love working on my bike. And I don't have to incur any downtime with it being in a shop.
02-26-21, 05:28 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Working on bikes may not be rocket science but it isn’t completely uncomplicated either. There are lots of little details that can go wrong which can make the bike unridable. I often use that as a threat (jokingly). Don’t mess with a man who can turn your pee green or can make your bike unridable in 30 seconds
That said, I don’t usually mess with brakes. I can rebuild them but there really is no reason. They aren’t worth the effort. If the brakes aren’t working, they are generally cheap enough to just replace. That also assumes that the brakes aren’t working which doesn’t happen all that often. I certainly wouldn’t take them apart just for fun. Pick something else to work on.
That said, I don’t usually mess with brakes. I can rebuild them but there really is no reason. They aren’t worth the effort. If the brakes aren’t working, they are generally cheap enough to just replace. That also assumes that the brakes aren’t working which doesn’t happen all that often. I certainly wouldn’t take them apart just for fun. Pick something else to work on.
02-26-21, 06:44 PM
#6
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Yep, you don't need to disassemble calipers, derailleurs or shifters. Clean and lube whatever is obvious and pay attention to the cables.
If you are like me and prefer well written instructions to watching some random guy yammer on YouTube, get one of the Zinn books.
If you are like me and prefer well written instructions to watching some random guy yammer on YouTube, get one of the Zinn books.
02-26-21, 07:10 PM
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
02-26-21, 07:14 PM
#8
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02-26-21, 07:20 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
I'll brush my brakes out with an old used toothbrush. Then drop a dab of lube on the springs and pivot points if needed. But I never take the brakes apart. Also clean any stop type areas (where the insulation and little cap meet the frame's stop type fixtures. But I clean up that area as well and make sure that when I squeeze the brakes, the cables slide through freely. Basically making sure the cables and pivot points are free of obstruction and gunk.
There is a trick I believe. Squeeze the brake. It creates slack so you can slide these metal capsule like pieces and the cable out of the stop making it easier to clean.
There is a trick I believe. Squeeze the brake. It creates slack so you can slide these metal capsule like pieces and the cable out of the stop making it easier to clean.
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02-26-21, 07:21 PM
#10
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I will be MORE than happy to not take them apart.
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02-28-21, 09:00 PM
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Wonder Monkey if you haven't done much bicycle maintenance before then the Sheldon Brown website is a good resource for information on maintenance practices and tools needed for just about everything done to bicycles. If you live in an area that has a community bicycle maintenance shop where everyone and anyone can go to work on their bikes, that is a great resource. During Covid most of these types of facility's are shut down. Check them out when they get going again. Your brake issues are pretty common and can be anything from weak old return springs, broken return springs, too much dirt and grime at the pivot points, brake cables and housings and of course the brake handles themselves. If you take apart your brakes be sure to put them back together in the reverse order you took them apart. Lots of brakes actually use nylon bits and pieces for bearings and washers so grease does not help them. But a general cleaning of the parts will help. I find that cable and outer housing issues seem to be the source of most of my brake issues. Good luck with your new hobby.
03-01-21, 09:49 AM
#12
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Thread Starter
Wonder Monkey if you haven't done much bicycle maintenance before then the Sheldon Brown website is a good resource for information on maintenance practices and tools needed for just about everything done to bicycles. If you live in an area that has a community bicycle maintenance shop where everyone and anyone can go to work on their bikes, that is a great resource. During Covid most of these types of facility's are shut down. Check them out when they get going again. Your brake issues are pretty common and can be anything from weak old return springs, broken return springs, too much dirt and grime at the pivot points, brake cables and housings and of course the brake handles themselves. If you take apart your brakes be sure to put them back together in the reverse order you took them apart. Lots of brakes actually use nylon bits and pieces for bearings and washers so grease does not help them. But a general cleaning of the parts will help. I find that cable and outer housing issues seem to be the source of most of my brake issues. Good luck with your new hobby.
My issue was at least temporarily fixed with a bit of lithium grease (it's what I had) on a pivot point. I may not take my brakes apart, but I will take them off the bike and clean them and the area. They are due, for sure. I have a bike stand coming this week so I'll feel like an actual mechanic and hoist my bike up there and do the easy stuff. Meanwhile, I'll ride my n+1 bike.
Thanks for the input!
03-01-21, 10:22 AM
#13
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Thanks! I had forgot about Sheldon's site, I will go there immediately.
My issue was at least temporarily fixed with a bit of lithium grease (it's what I had) on a pivot point. I may not take my brakes apart, but I will take them off the bike and clean them and the area. They are due, for sure. I have a bike stand coming this week so I'll feel like an actual mechanic and hoist my bike up there and do the easy stuff. Meanwhile, I'll ride my n+1 bike.
Thanks for the input!
My issue was at least temporarily fixed with a bit of lithium grease (it's what I had) on a pivot point. I may not take my brakes apart, but I will take them off the bike and clean them and the area. They are due, for sure. I have a bike stand coming this week so I'll feel like an actual mechanic and hoist my bike up there and do the easy stuff. Meanwhile, I'll ride my n+1 bike.
Thanks for the input!
As to lubricating brake pivot points: I know that WD40 is verboten but it has its uses. Pivot points are an ideal place on which to use it. The solvent in WD-40 flushes out a lot of dirt and the oil in the solution provides just about the right amount of lubrication. Use a rag to protect from overspray but it’s useful stuff.
Proviso 1. This advice is for side pull calipers. If you have cantilever or linear brakes or any brake that is mounted on a stud on the frame, removal of the brake and greasing the stud will help with stick brakes.
Proviso 2. You should check the cable...both inner cable and outer cable...on any brake that is stick. Often the cable is dragging inside the housing which will cause the brake to be slow to return.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
03-01-21, 10:27 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The Park Tool site is another place to look. It’s more up to date and has more video content than Sheldon Brown’s site.
As to lubricating brake pivot points: I know that WD40 is verboten but it has its uses. Pivot points are an ideal place on which to use it. The solvent in WD-40 flushes out a lot of dirt and the oil in the solution provides just about the right amount of lubrication. Use a rag to protect from overspray but it’s useful stuff.
Proviso 1. This advice is for side pull calipers. If you have cantilever or linear brakes or any brake that is mounted on a stud on the frame, removal of the brake and greasing the stud will help with stick brakes.
Proviso 2. You should check the cable...both inner cable and outer cable...on any brake that is stick. Often the cable is dragging inside the housing which will cause the brake to be slow to return.
As to lubricating brake pivot points: I know that WD40 is verboten but it has its uses. Pivot points are an ideal place on which to use it. The solvent in WD-40 flushes out a lot of dirt and the oil in the solution provides just about the right amount of lubrication. Use a rag to protect from overspray but it’s useful stuff.
Proviso 1. This advice is for side pull calipers. If you have cantilever or linear brakes or any brake that is mounted on a stud on the frame, removal of the brake and greasing the stud will help with stick brakes.
Proviso 2. You should check the cable...both inner cable and outer cable...on any brake that is stick. Often the cable is dragging inside the housing which will cause the brake to be slow to return.
Since I have the time, I'll take the brake assembly, do a wiping and greasing, and put it back on.
I'll also check those cables, I appreciate the focus on them as they would be easy to ignore.
03-01-21, 10:56 AM
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Hi, I just wanted to say that working on bikes is great, you have gotten off to a good start. The only problem is that all your bikes will be working fine and you will have to get more bikes to have fun working on them.
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03-01-21, 12:22 PM
#16
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I do find it relaxing to sit and tinker on things like that. I have an ATV and a youtube channel that I'm growing and like to tinker on it, process video, etc.
