What Have You Fettled Today?

[Reynard]

Had another crack at the front wheel of the MTB. A few taps with a small mallet and punch on the wonky flanges revealed that they were actually a separate aluminium cover for the bearings - they'd been held on with gummy grease and other cr*p.

Once free of the cones, I cleaned the covers, got them onto the workbench, and with a series of shaped hammers and punches, flattened them out. They sit nice and true now. I can't quite get them as flush as I'd like to the hub, but it's far better than what it was. Don't want to do more than necessary as they're quite thin and if they break, finding replacements might be problematic. Still need to tweak the tightness of the axle assembly, but I'm almost there.

As I had a turps-y rag to hand, I cleaned all the dirt and goo off the hub; small hands mean I can get my hands through the spokes. There're some rust spots showing through the chrome, but can't be helped. Looks a lot better than it did though. Need to clean the spokes. They look a bit rough, but are still serviceable.

Now I just need to work out how to remove the brake pad residue stuck to the rim.

 

[raleighnut]

Had another crack at the front wheel of the MTB. A few taps with a small mallet and punch on the wonky flanges revealed that they were actually a separate aluminium cover for the bearings - they'd been held on with gummy grease and other cr*p.

Once free of the cones, I cleaned the covers, got them onto the workbench, and with a series of shaped hammers and punches, flattened them out. They sit nice and true now. I can't quite get them as flush as I'd like to the hub, but it's far better than what it was. Don't want to do more than necessary as they're quite thin and if they break, finding replacements might be problematic. Still need to tweak the tightness of the axle assembly, but I'm almost there.

As I had a turps-y rag to hand, I cleaned all the dirt and goo off the hub; small hands mean I can get my hands through the spokes. There're some rust spots showing through the chrome, but can't be helped. Looks a lot better than it did though. Need to clean the spokes. They look a bit rough, but are still serviceable.

Now I just need to work out how to remove the brake pad residue stuck to the rim.

Just get plenty of grease behind the covers, that'll stop crud getting into the cones. As for the rims use 'Scotchbrite' or a kitchen scourer pad (the green ones) and washing up liquid to get em nice and clean (rinse well afterwards obvs)

 

[Illaveago]

If it is only rust spots a drop of lemon or lime juice might be enough to loosen it and make it shiny again .

 

[Reynard]

Thanks for the tips I'll definitely try those and see where they take me.

 

[JhnBssll]

It seems I have stumbled across a law of bicycle ownership - At least one bicycle must have creaky cranks at any time.

Having fixed the commuters creak in a recent fettling session the Roubaix started making noises over the weekend - that's now on the hitlist for this week's fettling There's nothing worse than a noisy bicycle

 

[si_c]

There's nothing worse than a noisy bicycle

So true,had a lovely quiet run into work this morning after yesterday's fettle, until the wheel magnet started hitting the sensor. Took me ages to figure that one out, was convinced it was the disk brakes.

 

[DCLane]

One bike I've neglected since last year is my Ridgeback Platinum. Which isn't good since I rode LEL on it and the bike simply was wiped down and put away. I've an excuse, honest! A major operation means it's been left until today. So, pulled out and checked over:

- Cleaned everything,
- Changed the blue tatty, mismatched bottle cages for silver Vel ones.
- Both brakes were rusty so I've swapped a Tektro/Miche Performance set for some bling silver Velo Orange brakes
- Took the gel encrusted frame bag off, which has sat for the past 6 months since a gel split . However the mould, once wiped, left a nice clean bag.
- The saddle had cracked with 300km to go so that was swapped for a replacement

The result? A clean, fully set up audax bike again. Just need to road test and adjust as I'm a different shape following September's operation (side of hip, joint, tissues, IT band):

I'm left with a dilemma however: do I remove the frame tag or keep it, adding the PBP one on the other side?

 

[Elysian_Roads]

One bike I've neglected since last year is my Ridgeback Platinum. Which isn't good since I rode LEL on it and the bike simply was wiped down and put away. I've an excuse, honest! A major operation means it's been left until today. So, pulled out and checked over I:

- Cleaned everything,
- Changed the blue tatty, mismatched bottle cages for silver Vel ones.
- Both brakes were rusty so I've swapped a Tektro/Miche Performance set for some bling silver Velo Orange brakes
- Took the gel encrusted frame bag off, which has sat for the past 6 months since a gel split . However the mould, once wiped, left a nice clean bag.
- The saddle had cracked with 300km to go so that was swapped for a replacement

The result? A clean, fully set up audax bike again:

I'm left with a dilemma however: do I remove the frame tag or keep it, adding the PBP one on the other side?

View attachment 408424
View attachment 408423

Take the tag off @DCLane, it's a distraction from the 'bling and then some' brakes....

 

[JhnBssll]

Shoe Goo arrived today I swapped the new tire on to the back of the Roubaix and set about inspecting the damaged one.

I found a second smaller split but neither where down to the carcass so have glued them and hung it up to cure. I'll have another look at the weekend and see how well it has adhered

I couldn't resist cleaning the chain and cassette while I was at it, all shiny again

 

[Reynard]

Take the tag off @DCLane, it's a distraction from the 'bling and then some' brakes....

Naah, leave it on @DCLane - think it looks rather fetching

 

[biggs682]

Swapped the rear tyre over on my recent Diamondback mtb arrival that's both done now also greased up the rear hub , got all 21 gears selecting and finally trued the wheels up a bit so as you can see i was busy last night .

On this mornings ride the wheels feel a lot better , just need to fine tune the front a bit more

 

[DCBassman]

Checked over the BSO belonging to the lady of the house we're dog-sitting for.

Old vaguely MTB-shaped ladies frame, 26×1.75 semi-knobblies. Ancient Shimano 5-speed indexed fd, friction shifter for double front chairing.

Still had a price on it: $89.99.

Saddle is broken. Tyres flat. Strange brass adapters over *open* Prestas. D'oh...

Apart from a new saddle it all actually worked, although being from the USA, the brakes were reversed.
Have a mattress saddle in the parts bin somewhere...

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Fitted my new Ortlieb Micro Saddle today.

https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Micro/

2 minutes to fit but about 10 to stuff (should be quicker next time assuming I can remember what went where and which way the what was facing before it went).

 

[Elysian_Roads]

Naah, leave it on @DCLane - think it looks rather fetching

What with waiting for @JhnBssll's glue to dry and the outcome of @DCLane's to leave on or not, can't image a more climatic end to the week.....

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Shorter stem fitted to fettle bike fit.