[kil0ran]

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.

Topic

[Dnnnnnn]

Mudguards and cup’n’cone

Mudguards and cup’n’cone wheel bearings – annoyingly fiddly.

Anything seized (but only until – and assuming it’s successful – a big hammer, drill, saw or caustic soda is applied. Those end up among my favourite jobs ).

[David9694]

expensive tools, I get that,

expensive tools, I get that, but insurance? In relation to the jobs you mention? 

servicing Shimano pedals. 

Rubbing down an old frame – some put up more of a fight than others, some have more surface rust than others. Dust everywhere and it can go on a bit, but nice when the end is in sight. 

Victory over stuck b/b cups and freewheels – now I have a workshop vice. 

 

 

[kil0ran]

Completely agree on that

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.

[brooksby]

Mud guards, when the bolt

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…

[IanMSpencer]

Mud guards, mainly because so
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.

[TheBillder]

Replacing internally routed
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…

[Author]

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