Learning how to repair your bike - benefits

Wheels of Happiness

Some would consider it rather unusual to learn how to repair bikes.  Better leave to the mechanics and let them earn a living: But there are certain benefits when you learn to repair your own bike:

1   Self reliance.   When you are in a middle of nowhere,, you can repair and get home.  For instance, if           your break your derrailleur, how do you get home?

    If you have spares, ,can you replace:  brake pads, cables, screws, or even repair a flat?

2.  More learning -  you can be useful to your bike mates if you know how to take care of minor repairs.  

 Bike shops and reliable mechanics are hard to come by in remote places.   All they need and know  are  hammer and plier to repair your bike.  Will you allow this?

     Knowledge is power.   You are higher in the pecking order of the group if you have this advantage

3.  You train your mind to:

     1.  To be clean.   Most bike foul ups are due to dirt and grime accumulation

     2.  To be meticulous in parts:   part number and measurements, proper orientation when installing

           (better take pictures)

     3.  Be process oriented.  Proper sequencing.  Wrong sequence means you have to repeat the

          entire process.   Better take pictures and place the parts disassembled in proper order you

          took them apart

    4.  Have proper tools.  No tools can wreck you bike

    5.  Plan your repair:      1.  Have complete parts,   2.  Have complete tools   3.  Review the YT

         Video, manual

    6.  Be patient.  If you commit mistake, be willing to repeat the whole thing.  Dont throw away

         the repair, and or rush to the mechanic

4.    You definitely save money.

       The mechanic in remote barrio charges P200.00 per item.   The nearby mechanic charged

       me for a hub removal and bearing reinstallation.   A workshop charges P1,500 for taking bike

       from their house and redelivery.  The repair and parts are exclused.

5.  You lengthen the life of your bike

     1. You can be careful with your bike as you repair, and as you use it.  You do not expose the 

         elements that could wreck or destory the bike:   wading the bike in flood waters, streams

         to extreme heat.   You do not water the bike that lets water seep into the bearings and metal

         parts that could rust.  You do not cool disc brake by pouring water.  You do not shift when

         the chain is under tension.   

        Since you can disassemble:   you can chain your wax, change the chain when needed

   2.  Some parts can be recycledd:

        1.  Bearings can be regreased.  You dont need to buy a  new one

        2.  You can make the bearing new again by refreshing its old bearings.   Balls are cheap

6.  You become more connected to your bike.  You learn to appreciate its complex engineering and functioning. so you take care of it more closely.   So its not just a bike.  It is a product of the teamwork and the passion of those who put it together. So you must too

Sports, in particular biking, develops one to be a successful person in business and other career

Wheels of Happiness

It is often the observation that sportsman often turn out to be successful, millionaire and even billionaire businessmen like Michael Jordan, Shaq o Neal,  Oscar de la Hoya,  M Pacquiao.  So are other nameless investment banker and business owner.

Why do sportsmen, bikers becomes successful:

1.  They develop good habits.  They wake up early, practice, have training schedule

2.   They improve everyday.  Performance has to improve:   faster, stronger, higher

3.  They practice goal orientation.   Every action has to have a goal.  For instance, a long ride has a goal

      to reach a far away destination.  After reaching a destination a new goal takes over -  how to get home

4.   Results matter.     The mile run has to be under 3:30, the marathon in 2 hours (or less)

5.  Hardship make you tough, resilient and determined.    Hardship make you a better person.  You develop

     persistence, patience and determination.  

6.  You are trained to plan when you ride:   your route, your equipment (your inputs:   bike, tools, PHP, 

     how to negotiate your route Consider the weather:  rain or sunshine  (sunburn protection)

6.  Not to quit.    Only to rest for a while:  5 mins.  But never to quit

Strong mind in a strong body.    Mens sana  en corpora sano

All the things that we see now were created by thoughts of human mind.  And certainly only people with strong body can think well and come out with good things for the society.  

So what are you waiting for?  When do you start to exercise?   When do you start to bike

Saddle sore from my ride last Tuesday

Wheels of Happiness

Cant ride well today because of a saddle sore.   Its painful at the left side of the butt cheek probably from chafing the saddle.  But it was a short ride - only 40 km total.

My problems are:   how to remove pain and remove the swelling     The sore does not seem to be responding to medication.

I wonder how I got the same.   I have a good saddle, the ride was short.  

Gaining strength and speed in bike ride yesterday to Morong

Wheels of Happiness

This post tried to implement what he has learned about big chain rings, and improving strength on rides (chill ride will not make you stronger) (from Giro and Audax riders)

    1.  Did big chain rings from Angono to Morong, did Callahan on big chain ring.   O riding up diversion,

         was on big chain ring until the left turn on the hill.

   2.  Returned via Diversion road for hill climbs, thigh and butt strengthening;

   3.  Sprinted up Mambog and going up final hill until cockpit

Hence sleep well soundly after the climb, and on the rest day

Correcting my error in reassembly of the Fulcrum

Wheels of Happiness

Being so eager to implement a new idea in bearing regrease, I disassembled again the Fulcrum.  When I reassembled this, I could not get the WS turn freely and  had difficulty in adjusting the pre load.  I though it was simply a matter of adjusting the tightness of the cones on the hubs.   But no matter....

This post reviewed the YT.  It was possible that I got the bushing  replaced the wrong way, facing down instead of facing down.   And so I discovered that I placed the bushing wrong, facing up, so it always slipped down at the opposite site, and was not held by the compression ring.  

I got this right this time, the compression ring stuck put, the bushing did not fall down, the assembly was deeper, rather than out.   And when I tightened the pre load, it was marvelous.  The wheel turned freely and spun well

Doing the daily 50

Wheels of Happiness

On top of biking, this post, strive to do the daily 50:    push up, crunch, lunges, sit ups, push up, step up on chair(left and right)  350 reps in all.

I have to maintain my muscle mass and strength.  I saw an in law who spends most of this time sitting down or on a walker, because he cant walk because his legs and thighs are weak

For how long I can maintain my physical health, only God knows

Congratulations to Audax finishers

Wheels of Happiness

Audax just concluded over the weekend its 600 km challenge.  Some of those who finished are people we know.  One of them is Aycycle who we often see at DOMSA.  He said he nearly  did not finish (DNF) because of a bus who buzzed by.

Thanks God you were not seriously hurt and that you finished the Audax challenge in style.  Congratulations to the FINISHER.  

I bet I can still do a 200 km but prudence dictate that I refrain from doing so because I can experience

medical episodes or accidents

Regreasing, rebearing head set bearings resulting in better bike handling

Wheels of Happiness

I have not serviced the bearings of headset of MTB.  Merely cleaned them and placed grease underneath the seals   Not knowing how to disassemble I dared not.

After reading a lot, I dared disassemble the bearings of the MTB.  They are PO3   41 mm, and P16  52 mm.  I had to tap out the bearings with a screwdriver.  The 51mm scattered and they were my difficulties later. I could not get it back properly.

I followed the directed processes:  I soaked the bearings with the plastic guard in detergents to remove the sediments.  For the bottom bearing, I had to replace  about 10 of them (from Sising inventory) because they fell off as I was returning them.

What a difference this PMS did to the bike.  The steering was lighter and the bike handled better   

Only servicing of the suspension cartridge and  truing are the unlearned skills remaining.   

I could probably run my own workshop. soon and give some mechanics a run for their money.  

Decline in the bicycle industry

Wheels of Happiness

Signs of decline in the bike industry are visible everywhere.       Deep discounts for whole bikes (but not parts).  Plenty quitting bike.   Many selling bikes

How did the industry get into this rut.

During the pandemic when there was too much demand, they over priced and manipulated prices

Now that pandemic is gone, transportation returned to normal and there is less use for bike.  Also inflation ate into the budget for non essentials.  Bike purchase is not essential.  (For those  who bike for recreation)

Good luck to bike manufacturers, marketers, retailers.   This post hopes you get  over the hump.

New Learnings from my adventure with bearings

Wheels of Happiness

As this post tries to study and repair bearings, many things have been learned:

1.   Headsets and bbs are expensive.  However, bearings for headset can be bought cheaply.

                Head set cost P500- 700.  However, bearings will set you back by P70.00 each x 2 =  

                               P140.00.  That is 1/5 to 1/6 of the whole headset 

                BB say for shimano cost P700.00.  However 6805 bearing may be had for only P46.00 each

2.   Bearings can be re bearing.  Its balls can be replaced giving it a better life.   Bearings that are small

               can be bought from Sising.  A pack of more than 100+ cost only P30.00

              Steps for rebearing:

               1.  Remove the Rubber seals front and back

               2.  Push the plastic bearing cage from the front, and the back will fall off

               3.  Do this on a table with the towel.  The bearings will fall off and scatter

               4.  Soak the bearing and the races in degreaser.  Clean  (Servicing the bearing at the bike -

                     crank, headset or wheel set does not clean the bearing thoroughly.  

               5.  You can use the same bearing or use the new one from Sising.    According to the YT

                     source you can do this five times at least

               6.  To reconstruct, place the bearings:  14 first on the outer race.  Then insert the inner race

                     and then wiggle in the 15th.   Make the distance between the inner and outer equidistant

                     and then try to get the other bearings to the top.  That will lock the inner and outer race

               7.  Patiently try to get the bearings inside the designated cages

               8.  Lube the berarings:  oil and light grease

               9l  Replace the RS seals

               10.  reinstall at the BB or head set

               REBEARING is even cheaper.  Because you can recycle old bearings again and again

               A pack of 150 small bearings will set you back by P30.00 and you can replace  6 bearings

               You can still reuse old ball bearings

  3. After having done 2, you learn that bearings are fragile and can be destroyed by wacking or 

      hammering

  4.  Bearings easily get fouled up especially the BB and head set.   Servicing them requires 

        closer interval

  5  The two problems with bearings are:   removal and press (reinstallation)

  6.  Many mechanics and bike owners prefer to use hammer and a drift especially for hubs

       The removal tools involve pushing out (for BB) and pulling (using pullers) and or tools

        that expand within the ID of the inner race.   

       Variants include:

       1.  Steel made toks

       2    Attachments that expand with split bolt that expand within the inner race when the inner

              bolt is drive down

       3.   Cylinder cut diagonally that expand when pulled by another bolt

  7.  Press fit

       Require a threaded rod and two nuts.  The drift for the bearing could be a washer, another bearing

       or brass attachment for hoses.   Maybe you should buy the commercial drifts:  for 24 mm, and 

       30 mm for BB, and for head sets :  31 to 52 mm

  8.  A whole set of pushers and press fit can set you back by P1,500 for ZTTO.  However I saw 

       a Lazada post featured a ZTTO set for only P500+ 

  9.   The easiest cheapest way to service bearings especially for hub bearings is via tapping with a drift:

        1  Removal:    For front wheel Using a cup or two pieces of wood, put the wheel hub on this and                                     lightly tap the axle   The other bearing will fall of.  Tap lightly hit accurately and

                               be careful not to nick the hub.

                              You can remove the other bearing tapping round round the bearing

                              For the free  hub:  If there is a stopper, push the tube slightly to one side to access the

                                                    the bearing.  When you have removed the stopper you can easily tap

                                                    out the other bearing

                              For the wheel hub:   Use an old shimano axle use the nut to push against the bearing

                                                   and tap.

         2.  Press fit by tapping:

                            Use a size 22 or 24 socket wrench or same bearing to tap in the new bearing

                            Sand paper the drift bearing so that it may not get stuck with the new bearing

                            Only taps not hammer

  10.   Wheel bearings are usually:  6000, 6001, 60100, 6802, 6902.

                                                         6806  if for BB30, 386, 

                                                         RS refers to rubber seal.  RS 2 means RS for both sides  1 RS 

                                                         is better

                                                         ZZ bearings are sturdier have steel seals.  However they are

                                                          not serviceable and not very efficient.  

                                                          6805 if for Shimano, campy cranks

  11.  The biggest enemy of bearings is moisture and rusting.   Thus, it is essential not to water 

          your bike, ride it during rains, or through flooded streets or streams.   Be sure to  disassemble

          clean and dry when you do.

                              

   

Bearings - sizes and uses

Wheels of Happiness

Mechanics and friends cant and will not tell you bearing sizes.  Unless you disassemble the part and look the number on the seals.   I have experienced this many times.   Some bike shops will even tell you that the hub bearings cant be serviced so that they can sell you their WS>

If you view some yt you can learn how to replace your bearings.  You can order through Shopee and/or lazada.   You can order the more expensive ones (the ceramic bearings if your budget permits and if it is your preference:

Bottom bracket           Number                  THK           ID                   OD     (In mm)

           BB 30 PF30      6806                        6                  30                   42

           BB 386

           Campy             6805                         7                 25                    37

          Shimano

           

Hub bearings

                                    6000                       8                  10                      26

                                    6001                       8                  15                       28

                                   60100                      8                   10                      26

                                    6802                       5                   15                      24

                                    6902                       7                   15                      28

Headset                      Number             Depth      OD                ID                     Chamfer

Sample sizes only

                                    K936H35          6.5             38                27,14                    36  deg

                                    K345H6.5         6.5             41                30.5                      45

                                    K347H7            7.0             47                 35                        36

                                    K4051H7          7.0             52                 47                        45       

                                    

Headset guidehttps://www.bike-components.de/blog/en/guides/how-to-find-the-right-headset-for-your-bike-with-shis/

Component seller especially for headset will try to sell you the whole set.  But you can find the right bearing sizes and save plenty.  You pay only for the bearings (this is the only one that wears out

                                    

                 

10 x ride up DOMSA, 5 loops

Wheels of Happiness

Ayscycle had a challenge for anyone who can can do 5 loops of DOMSA from bridge to 711 at ML Quezon in Mahabang Parang.  

Though unregistered I tried doing this using the P bike.  I changed the cogs to 11 - 42  That was how I managed this. 

Most riders finished this in 2 hours +.   I did this in 5 hours.  I hour for one loop.  I nearly qut on my 4th loop since it was 11 am.   

One loop is all ready a killer.  I could not imagine how I did this.

Would you at 72 yo?

Avoiding extreme heat conditions in ride

Wheels of Happiness

This post had less rides when temperatures were so high and dangerous.  I did not join the Pagudpud ride and try to leave early for a ride.  Thanks God its raining now.  There is typhoon now at Signal No 2.!!

However when delays cause me to ride at 10 - 11 am, I stop often, hydrate more and put wet gaiter over my head.  

Many tricycle drivers have died from heat stroke.  

God bless us all

Goal in physical fitness: Citius, altius, fortius - being stronger and faster

Wheels of Happiness

Many riders say that the bike ride is going to be chill.  That is nice 

However, one of the goals of physical fitness is to be fitter than before.  Thus the Olympic motto of Citius -  Higher, Altius -  Higher,  Fortius - Stronger make sense.  Especially for a senior like me.  I have to exercise to be fitter.  Because otherwise, I become weaker, I lose muscle mass.  I become weaker and yes older.  

I read relevant post that in swimming one has to end the session with fewer strokes say from 14 of a 50 m pool, to twelve.  That means you have to find ways how to be efficient and stronger.

Thus as I bike to achieve certain goals I have to undertake several biking mode/tasks:

1.  Faster -  lubricate, wash bike, change bearings,  Sprint occasionally

2.  Stronger -  climb hills, use large chain rings in climbing

3   Higher -  climb higher hills, engage in long rides

Do you have similar goals when you bike

Focus on your being healthier rather than spending more on your bike.  It does not do anything to you self improvement if you spend more PHP on your bikes.

Surprise: many readers from HK, thank you

Wheels of Happiness

This post is quite surprised to see many many readers from Hong Kong.  Thank you sirs/madam for your support.  

This blog is not well read in my home country -  Philippines

Minding your bearings

Wheels of Happiness

Lately I have turned my attention to bearings:   

1.   Numbers:

      6805 -  ID 25 mm, used in Shimano BB and Campy cranks (their bearing is installed inside instead        of    at bb

      6806  - ID is 30 mm used at 386, BB30  BB.   Preferred thickness is 6 mm.

      6000 and 6001 for front and rear hubs 10 and 12mm id

      6802  ID is 15 mm and used for some higher ends hubs

2.  Bearing maintenance

     The casual, light maintenance is peeling off the RS (rubber seals) spraying the interior with                      degrease and then putting light oil and grease, then resealing

     If there is looseness or movement the whole bearing is replaced.  Bearings are cheap, and some goe

     for P100/10 pcs.  Then the expensive ones costing P400 are ceramic.  

    But I found out lately that the bearings can be disassembled and races separated and plastic cages

    removed and cleaned thoroughly.  Each bearings cleaned and then restored  It takes a lot of patience

    to reassemble

3.  Bearing remover:

    1.  Usual tap tap whack on the bearing with the screw driver.  But bearings are fragile

    2.  Bearing pusher produced by Ztto and Mozqec but only good for 25 and 30 bb only

         No puller for hub bearings with id from 10 to 15mm

   3.  The bearing puller for these are the split bolt,   used to pull blind bearings for motorcycle

4.  Bearing press fit

     Essentially a threaded rod with drifts from both side.   Can be good for all sizes of bearing

     Vise, or light tap using old bearing can achieve same purpose

Big chain rings at Giro Italia; the rest of bikedom returns to big chainrings?

Wheels of Happiness

Giro Italia has seen many top riders:   Pogacar, Ganna etc riding bikes with with 54 to 60 teeth and using the same for mountain/hill sections.  Even at Queen stages

I used to ride bike with 53 - 39 which I discarded for 50 -34 compact chain rings.   I could hardly pedal with 50 x 11.  And now these riders.  

I see a group of riders riding DOMSA uphill using 54 chain rings with say 30 to 34 cogs.  

Are riders getting stronger?  What has happened to world class riders.?  

Are we rest of the riders following suit

Did not ride up to DOMSA yesterday - bad things happened

Wheels of Happiness

Just rode to Taytay to search for balls (bearing) at Sising in Cuatro Cantos in Taytay.  A package of 100 only sells for 30 php.  Quite cheap.  I have to replace the ball bearings of the free hub because there is a little wobble.  The bearings rusted and the diminution of the size of bearings caused the wobble

This post really wanted to ride up Domsa.  But a coffee shop going up DOMSA was a site of an assassination of former Councilor and he happens to be a relative, and husband of cousin.

It was quite shocking and frightful.

Authorities must impose strict gun control in the establishments to prevent such event to happen again.

As of now the place looks unsafe and will drive away riders and bike tourists  (They come from far away place

Constant repairs, upgrade on S works now makes it a darling bike

Wheels of Happiness

S works carbon frame, venge vias bike was a least preferred bike because of many challenges:   weak brakes, untrued wheels, noisy hubs  Non functioning sti and RD

I held the bike since 2016 and was a Peter Sagan model.

However I strived hard to make this A-1

1.  To align the wheel, I researched YT and had 5.5 socket wrench sanded out to be a tool to align the

      Cosmic wheel set.  No one dared touch the alignment because there was no tool.  With the tool, it be-

      came an ordinary alignment job.  Cheap.  No need to bring this to Greenhill's.

2.  I had new tires 25mm fitted;

3.  For the  SRAM red STI i tried to get BN 10 speed STI.  Fortunately Mario Toledo repaired the broken barrel drum and found the problem to kinked cables which he replaced

4.  As for the crank, disassembled this, cleaned  regreased this.  However the crank bolt kept coming off

     A stronger push on the 14 mm made sure it would not get loose again

5.  Centered the V brake and had a barrel adjuster for the rear brake to get this finely adjusted

6.  Disassembled  the rear hub repaired the pawls, regreased the bearing and oiled the pawls.  Spent             some  time perfecting the pre load and centering the wheel in the bike

But finally got things right.  It now runs as smooth as a better.  And is equal to or better than Pinarello 

K David I Witness Documentary 400 Kilometro triggered many Bicol rides, and long rides

Wheels of Happiness

Its not blowing trumpet but immediately but after 2022 bike to Bicol documentary of I witness, there seems to be a flurry of Bicol rides and long rides, Loop rides to North Luzon, to Visayas and Mindanao.  Notable were Racky Raquedan,  Mike, 

It might not be a coincidence but may be the documentary may be inspirational. The Audax and and duathlon are different though.  

Thanks for these kinds of documentary

When I am older, I learned how to bike better and maintain my bike

Wheels of Happiness

I am surprised that I did not train well or was not focused on training when I was younger.  I learned how to suffer in big chain rings (as others have advised)   Did not do more sprints.  Did not practice as much.

Lately though long rides are easier say to Jalajala or Bugarin or doing Teresa or Bombongan ride  

Domsa is becoming easy.  

I enjoy biking more   Feel stronger and fitter

High readership of this blog

Wheels of Happiness

I have not visited this blog for quite a while and I am surprised by its stat.  Many readers.   Over half a million viewers ever since.  Hundreds view this daily

Thank you followers and readers

Its too hot, ride safe, avoid ride

Wheels of Happiness

There are published reports of temperatures outside from 42 to 51 degrees.  These are dangerous temperature level.   My daughter lost an expensive dog to heat stroke at 10 am.  

Thus this post avoided the Pagudpud ride and Audax.  The risk was too great at my age to tempt faite with the very high temperature.   

I did though the Ayscycle challenge of 10 lops, 5 loops at DOMSA.    Took me 5 hours.  

Thus I try to leave at 6 am and be back by 10 am.   However sometimes there are delays and sometimes I make it back at 12:00.  In that case, I stop often, take a lot of drinks and wet my neck gaiter and wrap around my neck.

Ride safe every one.

My FB page - Senior Rides , soon to be Senior Repairs

Wheels of Happiness

This page which has been the nth attempt to publish posts on biking (they were dumped by the host on alleged violation of community standards.) is not named Senior Rides.  Am senior now and I post my rides.

However, I have posted lately many articles on repairs thus am jokingly hash tagging it as #SeniorRepairs

But it does not get much readership because repairing is detailed and tedious.   Many bikers just want to ride and enjoy

However learning to repair the bike yourself:   1.  saves you money   2.  saves you trouble in long rides, 3 enables you to help others in case of others encountering bike problems   4.  it bonds you closer to your bike.    5. it makes bike mechanics more alert and more careful in their jobs

Abolition of bike lanes?

Wheels of Happiness

MMDA has been mulling abolition of bike lanes because of its low usage.  Roads are  narrow, and heavy traffic volume overwhelms major throughfare.

Since this is the situation, I favor the move.  Anyway the bike lanes legality is not observed  You cant fight the lack of discipline in the road ways.   

May be legalizing the non observance of bike lane is the only decision left for MMDA.  

DOTR however takes another point of view