Post your Tips and Tricks thread

[jsharr ★]

Post up tips that help you save time when working on bikes.

 

One of my favorites is to keep bits of old cable around to use when cutting cable housing.  Insert scrap cable to support the housing when you make the cut and it really cuts down on clean up time when dressing the newly cut housing.  Keeps the inner liner from crushing down.

 

I keep cotton balls in my saddle bag to rub the inside of the tire after a flat.  the cotton will snag on any objects sticking into the tire so you can remove them.

 

I also keep a few of the individual wet wipes in my saddle bag to aid in clean up after a flat repair.

 

I will put bearings, retainers, any parts with lots of old dried on grease on them in a pot of boiling water with a bit of citrus degreaser added.  It softens up the grease and makes clean up a breeze.  Just pour the water and parts into a wire strainer after they have soaked or boiled, then wipe them off.  Easy Peasy.

 

I also use my wire strainer, and a paper coffee filter to filter the glass jar of mineral spirits that I keep around to soak chains in when I really want to clean them.  Allows me to reuse the mineral spirits over and over.

[Page Turner]

On 9/25/2013 at 7:22 AM, jsharr said:

 

 

I will put bearings, retainers, any parts with lots of old dried on grease on them in a pot of boiling water with a bit of citrus degreaser added.  It softens up the grease and makes clean up a breeze.  Just pour the water and parts into a wire strainer after they have soaked or boiled, then wipe them off.  Easy Peasy.

 

I also use my wire strainer, and a paper coffee filter to filter the glass jar of mineral spirits that I keep around to soak chains in when I really want to clean them.  Allows me to reuse the mineral spirits over and over.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html    (buy it with one of their 20% off coupons when it's on sale...runs on water mixed with dish detergent or Simple Green)

[Road Runner]

I also use my wire strainer, and a paper coffee filter to filter the glass jar of mineral spirits that I keep around to soak chains in when I really want to clean them.  Allows me to reuse the mineral spirits over and over.

I find that kerosene is excellent for degreasing and chain cleaning, at least for oil-based lubes.  At about $5 a gallon, I just dispose of the used stuff in my recycled motor oil container.

[Indy]

I find that kerosene is excellent for degreasing and chain cleaning, at least for oil-based lubes.  At about $5 a gallon, I just dispose of the used stuff in my recycled motor oil container.

Gasoline works well too, been doing that on the farm for ever.

 

A little gas in a coffee can and old paintbrush.

[Louielouie-FP3]

When instaling new tires I line up the center of the tire logo (the R and the I) on "Grand Prix 4000S" with the valve stem. Saves me a lot of time when looking for the valve and it looks impressive too!

[jsharr ★]

When I come up against a really hard to install tire, I will place it on the drying rack in our clothes drier and warm the tire up to make it more flexible and hopefully a bit larger to help it onto the rim.  I usually fold the tire and wrap a velcro tie wrap around it to make it smaller and easier to get in and out of drier.

[kingtermite]

If you want to ride on an icy road (if you're a crazy nutter like me), you can put zip ties around your tires for traction. Kind of like ghetto tire chains.

[Page Turner]

On 12/4/2013 at 7:11 AM, jsharr said:

When I come up against a really hard to install tire...

 

http://www.jensonusa.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack-With-Handle

[maddmaxx ★]

Carry your noisy tools in an old sock in your saddle bag.  The sock can then be used as a glove if you have to do any chain work during your ride.

[Page Turner]

...don't buy old Swedish or Norwegian bikes that have Fauber bottom brackets.