My first 'big' maintenance job. Cassette/chainring replacement.

[BlackPanther]

Before I start, I'm no mechanic/D.I.Y God.

My 2nd chain replacement was pending, and the chainring teeth looked due, so I purchased new chainrings, cassette and a new Wipperman 808 chain. Surely a doddle to fit? After all I've got my (unused) Halfords bicycle tool kit. 1/2 hour job I was thinking.

Unfortunately, Halfords have neglected to include a chainring bolt tool, so after watching the allen key spin the rear nut around for a few minutes, in the vice the crank went. After failing to 'machine' the required tool (aluminium ain't strong enough) I managed to free all the bolts with the aid of a screwdriver. The proper tool has been ordered to prevent future expletives in front of the kids.

Cassette off, new one on...doddle.

New chainrings? Ermmm, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I'm embarrassed to admit I spent 1/2 hour looking perplexedly when I fixed them on. Am I a part short? The rings are waaaaaay too close together, that won't work. Then it clicked that I had both rings on the same side of the crank redal, Doh! Ahhhhh, so one goes on one side, one on the other. Checked they were on the right way round, thoroughly degreased and cleaned the bike and put it back together. 3 links out of the new chain, chain on, oil chain, bike oiled, brakes reset, test ride. Lo and behold it works fine.

As usual, a 1/2 hour job took 2 hours, but I've saved a few quid by doing it myself. Can I have my pat on the back now please?

 

[wanda2010]

Pat on the back. Nice one

 

[Steve H]

2 hours is pretty fast for a first go!

I changed the chainset on my mountain bike a few months ago and it took me around 3 weeks! First picked up the replacement chainset from the shop, then realised I didn't have a crank puller, then realised the replacement chainset was too big for the front dérailleur. Exchanged the chainset, more fiddling, more fettling, still couldn't get it to work. Into the shop, realised I had the wrong bottom bracket for the chainset. Got shop to order bottom bracket and fit the chainset. Sorted.

Ah well - learned a lot and ready for it next time!

 

[Banjo]

2 hrs ?That would be all day for me not counting the test ride

What will you buy yourself with the £80 on labour charges you saved yourself ?

 

[cyberknight]

Before I start, I'm no mechanic/D.I.Y God.

MHalfords have neglected to include a chainring bolt tool, so after watching the allen key spin the rear nut around for a few minutes,

Why did you not just get a big flat head screwdriver at the back and an allen key at the front ? , worked for me when i did mine .

Good job !
Should have seen the bodge job i made of my 1st bottom bracket , totally stripped the threads on the plastic non drive side and had to buy a replacement with a metal cup that i installed in less than 20 minutes, the 1st sttempt was an afternoon job and it was still wrong

 

[Tynan]

I've managed the outer chainring, chain and cassette and I'm hopeless

my usually pricey LBS did my last one for £150 which was no more than £15 more than I could get the parts for, not campag mind

I think they were tired of me huffing and puffing for the preceding months about not being ables to afford it whie the existing running gear slowly ground it self to bits, it really ws an utter disgrace by the end, any pressure onto the pedals had to be applied very gently and gradually