Conversation with Nanay Rina at Bugarin re young riders

Wheels of Happiness

I biked today to Bugarin (a distance of 40 km + from our place.  I took breakfast at her store which is the peak of Bugarin.   There were 3 other bikers, probably in their teens.

While I was taking my breakfast (coffee and spag, a rider whose tire was flat inquired if I had a portable pump.  I said yes.

Then Manang Rina who is 5 years older, whispered that most young riders leave house without having tools and or spare tire.  And Ii said yes, sometimes without PHP.   

What is wrong.

Why do you need so many tools and inventory of parts to have a DIY home repair?

Wheels of Happiness

I have noticed that to get a repair done you need so much tools, fluids, and parts to get a repair done.   I noticed that too with mechanics.    You need hex wrench, a screw driver, pliers, cutter, oil, detergent, glue to get a repair done.   

You must also keep old parts for spare screws, washer, wires so that you can complete a repair

After a repair is completed the number of tools and stuff you employed for the repair does not show.

(Answer:   there are a number of steps you need to complete-- from removal of old parts, cleaning, deburring, sand papering, and reinstallation to get the job done.   You need a different tool for each of the step that is why)

Being a biker trains you to really do a lot of repairs yourself

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 15, 2017

Being a biker trains you to be a Mr. Handyman.  Kasi if you have everything that goes wrong with your bike to be done by the mechanic, you are in for a lot of abala and expenses.  Sometimes all you need is patience, focus, pair of pliers, allen wrench (hex) and a little understanding of mechanics of the bike.

Today:   I fixed the following on my bike:

1.  Tightened the cables for the front and rear derailleur of the Sava MTB and the Bianchi road bike
2.  Removed the grating sound of the rear derailleur of the Bianchi (a little 1/4 turn of the low screw of the RD)
3.  Adjusted the cables of the Sava MTB so that it can shift to the biggest rear sprocket (34)
4.  Put loctite on the crank tensioner bolt so that it wont fall off again (as it has several times)

I also washed the bikes and removed the grime from the chain ring and the sprocket.

In the house I was the handyman, the DIY guy:

1.  I replaced the LED bulb outside the house on the western side;
2.  Replaced the bulb of the lighting fixture inside the house