Concaved rims

I had two racers brought to me several weeks ago for servicing and degreasing the drivetrain. One of the bikes wasn't too bad (but still needed to have the chain, cassette and chainrings replaced), but the other bike was in more serious condition.

The bike came with a Bontrager Select wheel set which is the entry model in the range. I believe this set was used for about two years and the side wall of the rim was concaved (as you can see in the picture) due to wear from the brakepads while they are braking. This wasn't the only reason. When a tyre is inflated to around 100psi in this situation, the rim cannot withstand the force of the air pressure on it, and it will bend and not be able to hold the tyre in place.

Most of the recent rims come with some kind of mark on the side wall surface, something like a "." or "X" or even a line in the middle. So you can judge that the rim is nearing the end of its life once the marks disappear. If you keep using the rims, ignoring this warning, you could end up with serious injuries. The tyre can be blasted, or this paper-thin side wall can become very sharp debris if it tears off. And these could happen while you are riding... you may come off the bike, cut your leg with the torn sharp rim or involve other riders when you are riding in a group. You could cause many disasters.

I assessed these bikes beforehand to prepare all the parts I needed to replace. This meant I didn't need to keep the customer's bike for 1 or 2 weeks until the parts arrive and also they can keep riding in the meantime as long as it's safe enough. And the work progresses smoothly, too.

The customer requested to have the drivetrain degreased and to do service. So I removed the front & rear derailleurs, crankset, cassette sprocket, chain and bottom bracket from the bike. I disassembled, degreased, cleaned up, re-greased, assembled, adjusted then installed the parts to the bike. In particular, it was very important to overhaul the rear derailleur mount pivot and guide plate pivot to improve shifting performance.

It doesn't get too dirty around this area but you can see black grease (Shimano uses lime green grease at the factory) on the pivot shaft in the picture. The wet black colour is still ok (but not good). If it's dry black, that's a cautionary signal. If it's started to become brown, that's a red signal. The brown means rust. Luckily this time it didn't affect the derailleur enough to warrant replacing the whole thing so I removed the rust as much as I could.

Lastly, I checked over the whole bike, replaced a few cables and took it out for test ride then all the work was complete. It took a massive amount of time and I had to concentrate for long hours but it is always worth it when customers are back on their wheels and I hear how they are enjoying their cycling.

Overhaul wheels

One of Mavic wheels. I did overhaul the other day. He rides 300km ish per week and dosen't ride often in the rain. But still inside of free body was wet and grease was mixed up and became runny.Regular check up is very important before something becomes too late.

Bike fiitting

Today, I went to clients home and did bike fitting. Good thing with our bike fitting, we don't need to use special equipment. Measuring body and calculated figure is mathmatical proof and of course it will fit on your body. But, our bike fitting observes further that. We look at flexibility of your body, habits, riding style and purpose. I would like to keep their habits (such as pedaling, etc...) but some of the things I keep in priority are optimize effective pedaling and keep comfort able position. Today I had to change seat height, setting seat forward, handlebar height and cleats position Also narrower handlebars are required.

I took bike back to workshop and did also service. when I was inpsecting bike I found one of the bolt was loosened and came out nearly everything. As you can see below the arrows on the photo how much it was coming out. It must be not checked looong time.

This wheel was only 7months old and already rusted. I felt rumbling when I was inspecting. Unfortunately once its rust we can't make it better. It is properbly low quality of bearinig.

Finalising and Gold Service.

It's been long time... I do feel so guilty left blog behind so long. Whatever I say is same as excuse myself so I won't say anything. I just keep blogging steadily.

Well, I went to a few customers homes.
I worked on Trek Madone to finalise his set up. Previously when I visited him, only stem was missing and couldn't complete my work.

After that I went to E/Perth and met lovely French cyclist aslo known to exllent personal trainer. Nice hydro disc brakes MTB needs some love. I took her back to my workshop and striped all the component off and took care with Gold service. Drivetain was removed and dumped in the parts washer brushed off dusts, sands, old grease which fused into dust or rubbish and etc... Both of derailleurs were overhauled, removed old grease completely then reassembled.
Both of wheels had some issues. I thought R/wheel was only buckled but there was a snapped spoke as well. I never thought I have the one but, I had in correct lenghth. Even in such a small workshop... I felf proud(ha ha). F/hub bearing unit was very stiff and rumbly. I disassembled unit and observed. There was minor erosion but we managed to avoid replacing whole hub by early discovery.
This bike has come off once in the past so used alignment tool to straighten gear hanger to shift perfectly. It was only 1cm bent but that becomes fatal shifting issue.
Took her out for test ride. Now she is as new as shiny and ready for owner.

Unfortunately no photos today, my camera was very against with me

Hey, Thank you for asking me to look after your bikes. I have been going around Perth (mostly South of river) this week. It's been busy and don't have enough time and I do feel sorry for customers who waiting for. But on the other hand I feel so happy that these customers endure waiting. I am not sure how long it goes, but I am trying to return your bike within a couple of days.

I have an another bike to service tonight so I will go now.

Have a good ride!

Rear derailleur pivot

Whach out people!! Even Dura ace rusts! But you will be fine as long as you look after correctly. One of my customer brought a bike for service with degreasing drivetrain. That was enjoyable dealing with lots of built up dust and oil which became like a mud. Striped off chain, cassette and derailleurs and dumped in parts washer...

Hey, here is some inside stories. I've been looking at and working at number of retail shops and compared services and procedures. Some of shops include true wheels in service but another shop doesn't. Some of shops remove parts to degrease and another bike shop brushs with degreaser on the bike. This shop costs $90 with dodgy service and there is $50 with excellent service 1 block away.

As you choose your doctor when you go to dentist and you will expect good work same as last time. Find out whos looking after your bike at shop ask for same mechanic if you had a good service. You wont loose any cent!!

Anyway, this frame mount pivot is one of most important part for shifting smoothly. Luckly rust wasnt that bad so wiped down them, reassembled with water resistant grease.

I am editing my service procedure to update my website. And hopely it will complete in a couple of weeks I believe customers are easy to follow what I am doing to your bike or understand how important to keep your bike last long.

Old Ergo Power part2

Continuing from the other day...

There are 2 bearing siting in the housing. To dismount them, use a "bearing puller". It was impossible to mount puller on housing, clamp with vice bench nad made sure vice and housing are same angle on tilt using a goniometer to avoid having any stress when its pulling bearing. But luckily they were not compressed tight in the housing, it should be able to remove easily

It can be taken shifter to pieces this far. According to diagram of Campagnolo, the springs on each shifter can be pulled but end of pins are pressed and it is impossible to dismount unless cut the end of pins off. To get ready to re-assemble, Degrease over decade dusts rubbishes and old oil, then use right greases and lubrications to prepare. Please be carefull there are number of wahers and directionos.

Here is the hardest to assemble shift lever and spring which attatched around housing mount bolt. I needed to work separately. Fit a shift lever and tooth(there is a direction. make angled surfaces look up.)then fit a blt in the middle.

This is the before and after. there is no more nasty sandy noise comming out. and much smoother. But still there are Campagnolo's mechanical noise when you are shifting

Old Ergo Power

I had an inquiry from bloke about which bike I recommend, Trek or Bianchi... I am not authorized dealer of these brands. On the contrary, I don't sell any bike at all right moment. I would like to but it is hard to sell with out retail shop. However, I used to deal with either brands so gave him some ideas and recommended to go to local dealer. Still nice to talk with customer.

I recieved another bike with campagnolo about 10 year old still in good condition but Ergo power shifters needed to do overhaul. It is much easier than Shimano but It still takes nearly 3 hour for a pair to complete overhaul so started right away. Luckly the bearings in the housing and every pivots or hinges are in good condition so just need to degrease plus wash then regrease. As you can see that yellow ish colour grease has got hard and all the grease was around the pivots tuned to darker than black. It costs $200.oo for a pair and cables and bartapes are additional cost. Yes, it is not inexpensive work however, if you have Centaur, Chorus or Record, it is worth to do it instead replace shifters especially old models. Improve your shifting and more loving your bike(s).

I built a wheel for commuter. He has been using 2years ish and spokes were stretched. It does happen once in a way...

New bearings in Shimano BB

We've got sealed bearing replacement for Shimano two piece crank's bottom bracket. It sometimes makes me realise that Those seals are not good enough to protect from water... I've done several times already this year. As you can see on picture the bearing sits on the top is rusted and hardly move. This thing happens an age or by art, using high-pressure washer and using degreaser directly. About degreaser (as well known as "parts Cleaner"), When you are cleaning drivetain with some devices, all the chain and chainrings get covered in degreaser, then excess degreaser drops on bottom bracket and gets into bearinig. What they do, they rinse off the grease inside of bearing gradually, then get rumbly and rust... This is not only a reason but it is worth considering. Simply knock old bearing's out, spread extra grease and press the new bearing's in stead knocking. You are looking at $20 to $40 for labour depends on a frame or not The sealed bearing costs $35.95 each. Campagnolo Ultra Torque is also same costs. please leave some comments for any inquiry.

I had a servicing bike with degrease drivetrain aswell today. I love this time of Campag component (early 1990). Chucked parts in the parts washer and brushing... I also had to clean other 3 crank sets so stucked there over an hour. I don't mind doing this but got bored in the end(laugh). Reassemble the parts and lubrication...

I am back!!

I've been away a couple of weeks to Japan. It was nice to be back to my home town Matsuyama, see my families, mates, Ueno cycle, etc... And of course, Good food!! ate lots of fishes and junk foods. During the stays, I was at Ueno cycle everyday helping at shop (nothing else to do in small city). It was good just staying at shop people who I know (mostly regular customars and neighbours) popped around on thier spare time to spend time, not much reason to visit but still they come... It is nice shop. This is my wish to have like this bike shop (Well, it doesn't have tobe bike shop but I know nothing beside bikes!!). It was also good to talk with my brother Ryo who took over my position after I left shop 2years ago, sharing current bicycle news, skills, experiences and local gossips!





I had a chance to join Sunday ride (mountain bike) which I started over decade ago, still going arround, excellent. I borrowed Ryo's Bridgestone, Anchor hardtail. Yes, Bridgestone manufactures good bikes(See website. Japanese only...). They have racers with high quality carbon too. Anyway, it was best season for cherry blossoms. Did you know it is Japanese national flower? and hay fevers season as well. I have really bad reaction to pine pollens. It was almost end of the season but got me from second day...
I am back now in Perth and dealing with real life. As you see I renewed weblog. It just make my life easier...