Stupid mistakes
#1
Stupid mistakes
Does anyone else ever make really stupid mistakes while servicing bikes? I just spent an hour de-spoking a knackered wheel before realising that I should have really taken off the cassette first!
It turns out to be a) rather hard to remove the drive side spokes from the hub with the cassette on and b) nigh on impossible to remove your (new!) sprockets from the hub without the support that a complete wheel offers.
Anyway, after much swearing and dodging of flailing spokes (not to mention several skinned knuckles), I managed to get it off, which at least saved me from the walk of shame to the bike shop in the morning!
Anybody else care to admit to anything similar?
It turns out to be a) rather hard to remove the drive side spokes from the hub with the cassette on and b) nigh on impossible to remove your (new!) sprockets from the hub without the support that a complete wheel offers.
Anyway, after much swearing and dodging of flailing spokes (not to mention several skinned knuckles), I managed to get it off, which at least saved me from the walk of shame to the bike shop in the morning!
Anybody else care to admit to anything similar?
#2
Well, there was the time i installed a chainring on the wrong side of the spider, still find it hard to credit that I did it in the first place, but it's even harder to believe it took me so long to figure it out!
What does that guy from Mythbusters say? "People who claim not to have made a mistake, are not to be trusted. If they screw up, they find someone else to blame."
What does that guy from Mythbusters say? "People who claim not to have made a mistake, are not to be trusted. If they screw up, they find someone else to blame."
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,863
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Liked 3,111 Times
in
1,418 Posts
Cutting the brake housing with the brake cable inside it. D'oh!
#4
running over new bike tires that had been set on the bumper, forgot to put them in the car
jamming brake pads in halfway and using them hard for two hours with the calipers halfway unseated
lost 1 out of 3 steel balls that hold in a shock cap, it works though
overfilling the rear shock with fox fluid, and or running it low on air, somehow a little escaped ?
not keeping the rear wheel tight enough but no biggie
and still trying to determine why ive gotten more than 15 flats in a couple seasons between 2 bikes
crazy times yo
jamming brake pads in halfway and using them hard for two hours with the calipers halfway unseated
lost 1 out of 3 steel balls that hold in a shock cap, it works though
overfilling the rear shock with fox fluid, and or running it low on air, somehow a little escaped ?
not keeping the rear wheel tight enough but no biggie
and still trying to determine why ive gotten more than 15 flats in a couple seasons between 2 bikes
crazy times yo
#7
I once replaced my bars with wider ones and also installed new cables and housing for my ergo levers. I brain farted and cut the housing the same length as the old housing reinstalled everything and wrapped the bars. When I went to set the height of the stem (quill type) I found the housing barely adequate in length due to the wider bars. Nothing like wasting time and money to do the job right the second time around.
-j
-j
Last edited by Zef; 04-23-10 at 07:34 PM.
#8
Good to hear I am not alone!
I remember years ago installing my first new chain and leaving it to run over part of the derailleur cage. It took a surprisingly long time to realise what was going on!
End result was a nice groove cut in the cage and rapidly moving on to installing my second ever new chain...
I remember years ago installing my first new chain and leaving it to run over part of the derailleur cage. It took a surprisingly long time to realise what was going on!
End result was a nice groove cut in the cage and rapidly moving on to installing my second ever new chain...
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 98
Bikes: Cross Check with Rohloff hub
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ruined an almost new Shimano dynamo hub by trying to take it apart. The delicate light connecting wire that goes to the coil inside broke. I had to undo the wheel and buy another hub.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Likes: 0
Liked 56 Times
in
38 Posts
Three weeks ago. Fixing up some Huffy, 20-inch mountain bikes for a friend's three kids. Two of the bikes had the front tires mounted backwards. The tread was directional.
First bike: I pulled the front wheel. Deinflated the tube. Removed the tire. Turned the tire around. Put it back on the rim. Reinflated. Look carefully at rim+tire to ascertain tread orientation. Put wheel back on bike.
Second bike: It dawns on me that I can just turn the wheel around. No need to remove and remount the tire.
Stupid mistakes: the only kind worth making .
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Liked 645 Times
in
366 Posts
Those who admit to having made some really stupid and expensive mistakes, and liers.
A better question might be: "What's the most expensive dumb mistake you've made?"
#14
Guest
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Grid Reference, SK
Posts: 3,768
Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
When I started work as a bike mechanic at age 16, I made stupid mistakes but figured since I was a 'bike mechanic' I knew better than most and ignored my mistakes.
As I progressed I learned to check work I had done (or have someone else check it) to catch stupid mistakes... but I still made plenty of them.
As I learned further I got better at catching stupid mistakes and their frequency began to decrease.
By the time I changed careers, I figure I was finishing most jobs without making a stupid mistake, and catching most of the ones I did make. But I still made stupid mistakes from time to time.
My workplace now places a big emphasis on "Event Free Tools..." basically strategies for catching mistakes before they become problems.
The "Event Free Tools" are:
-Conservative decision making (if you are not 100% sure you are doing the right thing, make sure you are not harming anything or causing a problem.)
-Procedure use and adherence (read, understand, and follow an accepted set of instructions - for bikes the best online sources (IMHO) are Sheldonbrown.com, parktool.com... The instructions included with Shimano components are the last place I would look)
-Self checking (After you do something do not assume it is correct. ANd use the 'STAR' principal - Stop, Think, Act, Review)
-Pre-job brief and post- job review (make sure you and all team members know what needs to be done and what the potential areas of difficulty or hazards might be, and review how the job was done after the fact)
-Three Way communication (when communicating critical information check for confirmation that the information was received correctly)
-Verification (have someone else check your work)
-Safe practices (Dont put anyone or anything at risk unnecessarily).
The reason this is taught at my workplace is because everyone everyone everyone everyone makes stupid mistakes, but we need to work without blowing up ourselves or our equipment.
As I progressed I learned to check work I had done (or have someone else check it) to catch stupid mistakes... but I still made plenty of them.
As I learned further I got better at catching stupid mistakes and their frequency began to decrease.
By the time I changed careers, I figure I was finishing most jobs without making a stupid mistake, and catching most of the ones I did make. But I still made stupid mistakes from time to time.
My workplace now places a big emphasis on "Event Free Tools..." basically strategies for catching mistakes before they become problems.
The "Event Free Tools" are:
-Conservative decision making (if you are not 100% sure you are doing the right thing, make sure you are not harming anything or causing a problem.)
-Procedure use and adherence (read, understand, and follow an accepted set of instructions - for bikes the best online sources (IMHO) are Sheldonbrown.com, parktool.com... The instructions included with Shimano components are the last place I would look)
-Self checking (After you do something do not assume it is correct. ANd use the 'STAR' principal - Stop, Think, Act, Review)
-Pre-job brief and post- job review (make sure you and all team members know what needs to be done and what the potential areas of difficulty or hazards might be, and review how the job was done after the fact)
-Three Way communication (when communicating critical information check for confirmation that the information was received correctly)
-Verification (have someone else check your work)
-Safe practices (Dont put anyone or anything at risk unnecessarily).
The reason this is taught at my workplace is because everyone everyone everyone everyone makes stupid mistakes, but we need to work without blowing up ourselves or our equipment.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Likes: 0
Liked 1,102 Times
in
747 Posts
Try removing the rim from a freeWHEEL hub, then trying to remove the freewheel without the rim and spokes for support.
Have I made any dumb or expensive mistakes? No, of course not. Or at least not that I'm going to admit in public!!!
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,491 Times
in
1,916 Posts
In my circle the only really stupid mistakes are the ones we've done twice. And yes, I've made my share of those too.
After all, if it's worth doing, it's worth repeating.
After all, if it's worth doing, it's worth repeating.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 04-24-10 at 01:14 PM.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Likes: 0
Liked 1,102 Times
in
747 Posts
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
and:
"Experience allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again."
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Denver, Co.
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My best was the other day...had the road bike in the garage leaned up against the table saw, which is next to where I have the air compressor temporarly sitting...needed some air for something and plugged it in...it started, and I hear a pop and hiss...didn't notice that the rear wheel on bike was touching main drive of compressor....Panaracer Pasella TG is trash.... DUMB!!!!!!Bud
#21
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
30 Posts
Was changing a tube once.
Started with 3 tire flips and a tube and an air pump.
When I was finished I had only 2 tire flips and an air pump. Looked everywhere, under my feet, my ass, literally everywhere within a 6 feet radius. Still only had 2 tire flips.
Was scratching my head...with the wheel slowly spinning on the bike...
"I don't remember there being a bump in my tire," said the customer.
I look, the shop owner looks...other crew look...
"Bet that's the tire flip," said the shop owner.
Started with 2 tire flips and an air pump.
When I was finished I had 3 tire flips and an air pump.
20 years later...we still laugh about that one when we talk about the good 'ole days.
=8-)
Started with 3 tire flips and a tube and an air pump.
When I was finished I had only 2 tire flips and an air pump. Looked everywhere, under my feet, my ass, literally everywhere within a 6 feet radius. Still only had 2 tire flips.
Was scratching my head...with the wheel slowly spinning on the bike...
"I don't remember there being a bump in my tire," said the customer.
I look, the shop owner looks...other crew look...
"Bet that's the tire flip," said the shop owner.
Started with 2 tire flips and an air pump.
When I was finished I had 3 tire flips and an air pump.
20 years later...we still laugh about that one when we talk about the good 'ole days.
=8-)
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ipswich Massachusetts
Posts: 54
Bikes: Road, mountain, hybrids
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I met someone who bought his $5000 dream carbon bike, put it on the roof of his car and 15 minutes later drove into his garage totaling the bike.
Gotta learn to laugh at yourself so you can join the crowd.
Gordon Harris
www.bikenewengland.com
Gotta learn to laugh at yourself so you can join the crowd.
Gordon Harris
www.bikenewengland.com
#25
I met someone who bought his $5000 dream carbon bike, put it on the roof of his car and 15 minutes later drove into his garage totaling the bike.
Gotta learn to laugh at yourself so you can join the crowd.
Gordon Harris
www.bikenewengland.com
Gotta learn to laugh at yourself so you can join the crowd.
Gordon Harris
www.bikenewengland.com