So whats the minimum you need to build your bike?

[bamabikeguy]

Do not think I want to be the local pioneer. Who knows. I like the idea of the bike stand. I was going to build one for my own use, but they are cheap enough to just buy.

Early on, it became MBcommonknowledge that the rear wheel would have to be beefed up, 12 gauge being the one which seemed to hold up to the torque and stress.

On a new wheel, once the spokes are zip tied together at the intersections, which is what the BMX racing guys do, the spokes don't loosen much, very rarely does one break.

Until you DO become a pioneer, the special sprocket socket ($10) (to remove a sprocket and put it on a heavier wheel), could be done by your bike shop, or the local bike enthusiast.

I've been doing this for years, and don't even fiddle with all the different types of derailleurs.

It seems that the bike world just make up tools that only work on bikes. Crank removal tools, freewheel removal tools, spoke adjusters, chain breaks, cable "luber". to make it worse different bikes use different versions of those removal tools.

Why waste a half hour figuring it out? And always WITHOUT the instruction manual.

Those super-secret-bikeshop-DaVinci coders can do it in their sleep. I tell my customers "Go see Justin, he'll can adjust it in 1 minute or less".

 

[Junster]

I use a old baby bottle for oil mix, they're pretty accurate. I just keep it hid in the shop, lol.

 

[gia]

I made this "wheel/tire checker", you can see how simple it is, a box that holds all my ring snapping stuff, a 2 x 4 legs in the air, with holes drilled in it. So I can check the ring centering, the spokes trueness, and make sure that the tire is not bulging out anywhere. I also put the wheels in the slots to put my 4-6 layers of electrical tape over the spoke-ends.

Do you by chance have more specific information about how you built this gizmo? That looks like something that would come in VERY handy!

 

[Big Red]

Tools

bluegoatwoods is right. There is not a really decent chain breaker, that I've seen, on the market.
What I did was to sink a small socket into a 2x4, lay the pin over the socket and smack it with a punch. The harder thing to do is putting a pin back in if you need to. I try not to punch it all the way out, but sometimes, awe ***.
If anyone has an easy (or easier) way of replacing a chain pin I would really like to hear from them. Been doing it this way for over 4 years now and I get just a little frustrated every time I go too far with that darned pin.
Thanks,
Big Red.

 

[spad4me]

Hammer
Nail
Vice grip
flat blade screwdriver
Philips screwdriver
Grease
Absolute minimum would also be a leatherman and some grease.

Forgot the coat hanger to true the rear sprocket on a china girl. And nylon ties.

 

[Happy Valley]

Do you by chance have more specific information about how you built this gizmo? That looks like something that would come in VERY handy!

Just a mention, you'd want to know......BBG is no longer with us, he's gone on the long ride in the sky. Ride in peace, BBG.

 

[olow]

i did something i said i wouldnt ever do and went out to tracktor supply and bought a chain breaker it works pretty good but to big to carry with me so in my on board tools i carry large nut ,small punch i made,pair of good pliers

 

[gia]

Just a mention, you'd want to know......BBG is no longer with us, he's gone on the long ride in the sky. Ride in peace, BBG.

Oops--I knew that from reading the forum so long too, as I'd been reading posts for several weeks before I joined. I guess I'll have to just use the photo and wing it, unless someone else has some ideas.

 

[rustycase]

Just a mention, you'd want to know......BBG is no longer with us, he's gone on the long ride in the sky. Ride in peace, BBG.

I'm sorry to hear that.
I enjoyed his posts.
rc

 

[gia]

Just a mention, you'd want to know......BBG is no longer with us, he's gone on the long ride in the sky. Ride in peace, BBG.

That's very true--he had some great posts! His ideas and hints and advice will be riding with a lot of people that never had a chance to meet him. In a way, from what I saw of his posts, that's a great legacy.

It's strange, so many people I've never met and never will meet...seem so very real and relevant, just through the things they have posted here. Good or bad, people's posts often outlive them.

Maybe we should ALL remember that before we hit that "submit reply" button!