Here is a few of mine….
-If running leather toe strap and finding it difficult to get in and out sometimes, use some wax (like a candle or skateboard wax) on the inside of the straps. Or if you wear white shoes, just rub it on the shoes itself. It might discolor your shoes but if you're using straps/cages, your shoes are already likely worn. It will make a massive difference.
-When installing a rear wheel in horizontal dropouts, wedge an object between the tire and frame to keep pressure from letting the wheel move forward when tightening. Tighten the nuts by hand, get the wheel in the correct spot with proper chain tension, and then fold up a paper towels (or something firm that won't scratch the paint) to wedge in the wheel/seatpost tube gap. Then tighten the axle nuts. It will minimize the wheel from shifting forward.
-If you find your leather/vinyl pedal straps shifting out of position (buckles keep moving around and digging into your foot), re-install your straps on the pedals but this time do a twist when the strap is going in one side of the pedal before pulling out the other side. The twisted section will remain inside the pedal cage and you'll never feel it. But it will keep the straps in position and stop them from shifting around. Example https://i.imgur.com/oI5kKbI.jpeg
by Regulatori
4 Comments
Do NOT allow the rear wheel to spin freely with the chain installed (such as when you’re wrenching on your bike in a stand)
You can very easily maim / amputate your finger
An old tennis ball works good for wedging between the rear tire and seat tube when tensioning the chain and centering the wheel.
Putting your foot on the rear tire could save your life if you drop chain. The foot break/whatever it’s called works surprisingly well. All fixed riders need to know this.
Y’all are wild with your tennis balls and wads of paper to tension the chain. It’s even easier than that.
Install the wheel, loop the chain over the ring. Push the wheel back and towards the drive side so the tire touches the drive side stay, then tighten the drive side nut. With one hand push the wheel to center and with the other hand tighten the non drive side nut.
This will err too tight but then you just loosen the drive side, tighten, then loosen the non drive side, center the wheel again and tighten.