Bike repair and improvements are great teacher - and exercise for the brain and hands

Wheels of Happiness

Since this post was not able to bike today, I made the following improvements on my Ti MTB

1. Crank bolt pre load.  Adjusted the preload as advised by GCN.   I loosened the pinch bolt, hand tighteend the crank bolt, and then tightened the pinch bolt.   The crank spun more freely.

2. Cmpression ring. The headset kept on getting loose.  It must be the compression nring that was left out.   So I reinstalled the compression ring.  Hopefully the problem is solved.

3.  Second life to headset bearing.  This post spent P500.00 for headset replacement.  But all that were replaced were two berarings:  the 55 and 44 mm od bearing.   And so I reviewed the parts that were salvaged and they were shells of two bearing.  There was the plastic band that encased the braring for the bottom and two other shells for the top.    The top bearing shell lacked three bearings.  And the top bearing lacked about 20 - 24.  It was good that there were spare 1/8" bearing (left over for the hub repair I bought from Sising.   Sure enough, I was able to reassemble the two top and bottom berarings.   That should save me about P500.00 next time

Bike repair really teach you a lot -  how to repair, improvise and think

MTBs head set finally repaired; had to be buy a more expensive headset rather than wait for cheaper bearings

Wheels of Happiness

A 52 and 42 mm bearing set for the head set would cost me less than a 100 php if ordered through shopee or Lazada.  However, we ordered since July   And August was about to end.   The headset of my MTB failed due to long years of use (about 6 years) and my constant servicing(?)

Rather than wait for the bearings, I finally decided to buy a tapered headset from the LBS.  It set me back for P500.00 for the parts and P100.00 for the installation.  It took me a total of only 20 minutes to get the repair done.   I could have done this myself.  But since I was not sure of the bearing size from the head set bought, I let the store mechanics install this.   True enough, the mechanic just replaced the bearing.   55 and 44 mm outside diameter;  he used the new compression ring.   

Sa wakas narepair

The bike, an MTB is as good as new.  Another 5 years of satisfying use/riding/  

Bearing sizes of headset

Wheels of Happiness

The tapered headset 55 - 44 bearing sizes are:  42 and 52.    So the Lazada sizes are correct and there should be no confusion when you go to a bike shop.    But there is a big difference in prices.

Whole headset will cost P400.00++   bearings just P40.00 each

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

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.

                              

   

Servicing sealed bearings

Wheels of Happiness

Most people say that the disadvantage of sealed bearing is that it is disposable.  And so I thought until I read an article or YT re sealed bearings. Unless there is a wobble or looseness in the hub or concerned bearing, I think this operation is possible to save the bearing.  

It happened that two bikes both rb developed whining and other sounds at the  rear hub.  Naturally the bearings are suspect.   One had two 6802 bearings and I was able to buy only one (the last remaining unit) at P200.00 .  However this were available at Lazada for only P200.00 for ten.  Sayang.

The other bike hub had grating sound when free wheeling.  Naturally the bearing is suspect 

I did not have to have the bearing removed nor replaced.  This post simply followed the advice.

1.  Pry  off the red or blue seal cover (with the bearing installed)with a sharp pointed cutter.

2.  When the bearing becomes visible inspect for grit or rust.   Spray WD 40 or other solvent to remove rust and grit.

3.  Put low density grease or even oil for chain to have lube inside the bearing.   

4.  Reinstall the seals.   

For me the grating sound and rough rotation were solved by this operation.   

Challenges with my Carbon Fiber wheelset

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.25.2021

I have troubles with my Bora carbon fiber wheel set.   The bearings are toast and I have to replace this.  There is a humming sound when free wheeling.  The mechanic confirmed this.  I have to find out the bearing number.

The other one is the rim is worn out.  I used the wrong brake pad and the pad has eaten into the rim.  It is good that there is someone in a town that specializes in carbon wheel repair.   I hope he can do the job.