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Bike jobs you loathe
As a fairly experienced home mechanic who also does bike stuff for friends and family I'm wondering, what are the jobs you hate doing and always end up getting a mate to do/taking it to your LBS?
Being winter season (although it's 16 degrees today so I was out in full summer kit) I've done a few mudguard installs recently which I find quite therapeutic. I also like doing bar tape, as long as I get to choose what I'm wrapping. The only stuff that goes to my LBS is cutting fork steerers and chasing and facing, although that's more down to insurance and the tools being very expensive.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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36 comments
Mud guards, mainly because so few road bikes have given any thought to them. That's what's been nice about gravel bikes - road bikes for the real world.
After that, internal gear cable routing. Nobody ever provides instructions, you have to imagine what might be in there and you need to invent tools just to get a wire through a hole.
Mud guards, when the bolt holding the old ones on has perrished and breaks off and you have to bodge it all together with cable ties...
Completely agree on that latter point. I was pleasantly surprised on my Defy - external stops and full internal guides for that. Works well although I hate to think how tricky it would be to replace the guides should one tear or get gunked up.
It bothers me that you can't inspect them, and nobody seems to sell cable guide tubing (that may have changed in the last few years, haven't looked recently). All it takes is a frayed cable that you pull through and you can easily damage the guide. Some don't have full guides, just a lead in, but again, try finding spares.
Replacing internally routed gear cables where there's not enough space to join new to old with heat shrink and pull through.
I might hate pressing bearings in if I had the tools and nerve to try it. Fortunately my LBS is great and within walking distance for those times when all my skills have resulted in a pile of bits that can't be ridden...
I'm 100% with you on this. Currently putting off replacement of the outer loop at the rear derailluer as it's carrying a little damage. I know I might as well replace the inner while I'm at it (inner will definitely try to fray going into a new section), but really just can't be arsed.
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