While working on my bikes, I occasionally have to remove and install tires. I used to have a set of cheap bike tools that had tire levers attached. I think I got them as a reward for for selling newspapers, or something. I don’t know what happened to them. They got lost in amove somewhere I think. A few months ago after reading references to Crank Brother’s Speed Lever, I bought one. I ended up being very dissappointed in it. I used the lever in combination to the handle of a table spoon fron the kitchen.
I was reading a thread on Bike Forums (in the Bicycle Mechanics forum) titled Favorite Tire Levers. People were discussing various tire levers that they like and don’t like. Metal vs plastic. Brands such as Park, Minoura, Crank Brothers, Mafac, Quikstiks, Soma, Pedros. After reading the various recommendations, I debated between the Quikstiks and the Pedros tire levers. People raved about both. The Soma tire levers got alot of raves too. I ended up ordering a pair of the Pedros tire levers off of eBay. They weren’t very expensive. I have some tire work coming up in the future, so I will report on how well they work.
I am looking at buying a road bike for my wife. She has really been getting into bike riding on the mountain bike that I bought her. All of our trip have been along the canel path, and we have thus far covered from Palmyra almost to Pittsford. We keep doing small sections of it.
So I have been thinking that she might like riding on the road as well. A road bike has a lot less rolling resistance, and we could do maybe long trips. We might also be able to join in a group ride. Who knows, maybe one of these days, we can do a century together or something.
I have an older 1990 Trek 1000 road bike. I need to take it out, now that the weather has been nice. But I am debtaing about what she might like. I can look for a road bike like my Trek, but in her size. But I am wondering how much she will like the bent over postion. She might be happier on a hybrid type bike. I could always put skinnier tires on it. Also a hybrid would be more likely to have the lower gearing (ie a granny gear).
I will keep my eyes on the local ads, and on eBay, and craigslist. Who knows, maybe I will find something at a garage sale.
I do have the Specialized Crossroads parts. Maybe I can get that into shape enough for her to ride.
I am currently training for the Buffalo marathon, among other races. I wanted to go riding, and so did my wife. But I was/am scheduled to run 24 miles today (I should be running now, but I am procrastinating). Anyway, I decided to combine things. My wife rode her bike, and I ran. We did a 6 mile round trip ride/run along the canal path. I installed a bike computer on her bike last night…actually replaced the intermittent working one that she had, last night. So I had her hold a pace of 5mph, or at least as close as possible, and I just ran beside her. I really don’t like running a lot, but I am okay at it, and it is good for me. I kind of wished that I had been riding my bike. I really enjoy bike riding more than running. Maybe I should give up marathon running, and start training to ride a century. That could be fun. I ordered a book about training for a century, but it hasn’t come yet. Not sure I’ll have a lot of time to pursue it this year as I already have a lot of stuff scheduled. Maybe… Maybe next year.
I wanted a repair stand that would allow me to easily work on my bikes. I would have loved to own a Park Tool repair stand, but I couldn’t justify the cost. I search the net, and found I could hang my bike from the ceiling with ropes. I tried it, it sucked. The bike was swinging all over the place, and would tilt if I removed a wheel. I found some other plans. I didn’t like most of them. But I found a couple that showed a clamp made from PVC. (The first plans I found. Here are the second.) I liked the clamp. But I didn’t want my stand mounted to a bench, or a wall like the plans I found. So I borrowed the designs for the clamps, and built a floor stand. These are my plans. They could probably be modified to make a two bike stand. Simple make a larger base, and instead of using a 90 degree elbow, use a tee section, and build a clamp for the other side as well.
Clamp:
1 1/4″ plastic pipe T
2 hinges
1 retracting latch (I found it at Lowes)
Foam pipe insulation
8 screws (or pop rivets)
8 nuts (not needed with pop rivets)
Stand:
2 pieces 3/4 inch plywood 16″x24″
56″ 1 1/4″ plumbing pipe (threaded both ends)
10″ 1 1/4″ plumbing pipe (threaded one end)
1-1/4″ black iron flange
1-1/4″ black iron 90 degree elbow
4 screws
4 washers
4 nuts
6-8 wood screws about 1 1/4 inches long.
1) Cut two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood to 24″ by 16″. Glue these together to form a 1 1/2″ thick base. Also screw in some 1 1/4″ flat head screws through the bottom (use about 6 or 8 screws evenly spaced) to hold the two pieces securely together.
2) The column will be made from a 1 1/4″ pipe about 56″ long (threaded at both ends), which will be mounted to the base using a flange. The flange should be located about 1/2″ from one of the 16″ ends, and centered. Mark where the bolt holes should be, and then drill a 1/4″ hole for each bolt. On the underside of the base, you will want to widen and deepen the bolt holes so that the washers, and nuts will be inset. Now mount the flange to the topside of the base using the 1/4″ bolts, washers and nuts.
3) Screw the pipe into the flange.
4) Screw the 90 degree elbow onto the top of the upright column.
5) Screw the 10 inch piece of pipe into the elbow piece so that it hangs out over the base.
Time to build the clamp!
6) Cut the PVC T section like in the picture below. I used a miter saw, but a band saw, or other type of saw will work too.
7) Fit the pieces back together. Place the hinges across the seam on one side, and mark well the holes should be. Drill the holes.
Mount the hinges. I used a Dremel to cut off the excess screw length.
9) Place the latch across the seam on the opposite side from the hinges. Mark, and drill the holes.
10) Mount the latch.
11) Shove clamp onto floor stand arm.
12) Cut a piece of foam pipe insulation to pad the inside of the clamp.
The clamp would allow the bike to tilt if it got out of balance. I cut a notch in the tee-fitting where it slid of the iron pipe. I then put a hose clamp around it. The idea is that I can fix it in place, but I can still adjust it to different angles. It still allows the bike to tilt if it gets way out of balance. But it did improve. I suppose the clamp could be permently attached to the pipe. Then maybe at the other end the “arm” pipe, I could have that rotate in the 90 degree elbow. I could drill a hole in the elbow, and tap it, and have a locking screw. Wow! I like that idea!
I like to completely overhaul my bikes. I start with the hubs, then the head set, and then the bottom bracket. I clean allt eh parts in mineral spirits, then repack them with grease, and put them back together. I clean anything else that needs cleaning such as the chain, derailuers, freewheel, and crank set. Then I adjust the brakes, and shifting.
If you are are interested in doing your own bike maintenance, it’s not that hard. Most of the tools are probably stuff you already have.
Here is the stuff I use most.
Bike Specific Tools (I usually buy Park Tools):
Cone wrenches
Free wheel remover
Lock ring tool
Crank puller
Bottom bracket remover tool
Spoke wrench
Generic tools (I usually buy Craftsman):Allen wrenches (metric)
Socket set (metric)
Crescent wrenches
Needle nose pliers
Screw Drivers
Channel locks
Wire cutters
MISC:
Metal can
Paint thinner (mineral spirits)
Grease
Kitchen brush
Liquid dish soap
WD-40
Rags
I also built my own bike repair stand!