Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Incremental Bike Knowledge

I am decided to fix my rear bike wheel on my own.  The shop says, unsurprisingly, it is kaput. I was going to have them do the work but instead ordered a new rear wheel and "Park Tool FR-5G Cassette Lockring Tool with Guide Pin" from Amazon. As for the necessary "chain whip" tool I believe I can fashion my own without much trouble. After all, I have a workshop AND a garage (with a radio in each) and many tools and materials, AND an inkling to hack and create.  Why should I have someone else fix the bike? Well, OK, because a bike mechanic will fix it right the first time. But replacing an old wheel and re-installing the cassette doesn't seem to be too much trouble (unless I've been misled by YouTube), so I am forging onward. In doing the work myself, the cost savings is minimal, but I'm putting growth of my bike knowledge ahead of fiscal calculus.

5 comments:

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Good choice Ben!
Working on your bike can be highly satisfying and the more you do the more confident you become in your abilities.

With all the bike forums on the net you can usually find a person asking your very same question followed by tons of advice to steer you in the right direction (more or less)

Take your time and have fun with it -that's what I do.

Bicycle Kitty said...

Awesome! You can do it. It may be hard, but you'll get way more out of the project than dropping it off somewhere. Good luck!

John Romeo Alpha said...

Good choice. Also, there's no easier way to get a cassette squeaky clean than removing it and then cleaning it. It's amazing, looks like new.

Ben said...

Thanks all! I got the wheel from UPS today, although the cassette tool won't arrive until after the holiday brake. Oh well.....stand by for updates!

Mark said...

While I don't own one of these yet, hopping Santa will bring me one, check out the Vise Chain Whip from Pedros. Not sure why someone didn't think of this sooner but it makes so much sense! In fact, wish they would make one for lock rings, too.