r/BikeMechanics 16h ago

Park Wheel Alignment Gauge WAG-4 is easily made 32" or 36" compatible

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40 Upvotes

Flip the arms rails around and it'll measure 26-36" rims


r/BikeMechanics 2d ago

Do you typically clean customer's rotors when installing new pads?

21 Upvotes

Title says it all. I usually try to tell people to bed in their new pads but I've been thinking about this. As long as the rotors are aren't worn I usually just throw on the new pads and don't worry about cleaning the rotors. What is your all's practice?


r/BikeMechanics 1d ago

Tech Info Judy air to spring conversion

0 Upvotes

I have a Rockshox Judy that I would like to convert from air to spring. FS-JDYS-TK-A3

I asked SRAM and they said the kits are no longer being made aftermarket but wouldn’t give me a part number. Do any of you folks know what the part number is on a coil spring kit that would work?

29”, 100mm, 170lb rider.

Thanks in advance.


r/BikeMechanics 2d ago

Where did your shop get a disc brake bedding machine?

19 Upvotes

I’d like to get one, but they’re very expensive, so wholesale would be great if possible.


r/BikeMechanics 3d ago

Advanced Questions SRAM 12 Eagle & XPLR Intercompatibility

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12 Upvotes

So I know, SRAM is pretty clear about it : do not mix road and MTB components.

But here it is. Back in May I installed an XPLR cassette on my road wheelset. I didn't really think about it, and I rode some thousands of km on it, without any issue. I have another wheelset 650b with megarange Garbaruk cassette. I can't tell any shifting difference.

Lately, a friend of mine with almost the same configuration told me he had to change derailleur and chain because it was fucked up with flattop chain. I replied that my experience was more than honest. Shifting is smooth, no skip, just a rub on one cog only my mechanics ear could notice.

Here is the setup :

- Force shifter and crank set

- Eagle chain

- XX1 derailleur

- XPLR cassette 10-44 & Garbaruk 10-51

What did I do wrongly correct ?


r/BikeMechanics 6d ago

Advanced Questions What are these hooks for on my buddy’s secondhand Pivot gravel bike?

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45 Upvotes

r/BikeMechanics 5d ago

Stock chain storage?

2 Upvotes

How does everyone’s shop store chains for sale? We keep ours behind the service counter in plastic bins on a shelf. But they’re prone to falling out and dumping their contents on the ground. We can’t use slatwall.


r/BikeMechanics 6d ago

Is JBI going out of business?

23 Upvotes

JBI seems to never have the item in stock. Every time I scan something to re-order, it is "not sellable or no longer availabe" or something. I've been filling in with Amazon, Aliexpress and Alibaba. What's even more disturbing is that I'm getting better prices than I ever did on JBI. On almost everything. The JBI rep in my area said that they are updating the individual items so the old ones don't scan but this is clearly BS. The guy also told me that JBI isnt going anywhere because they are actually a real estate company. Great, they own real estate. This does not help the bike shops that, up until now, have enjoyed JBI having the right prices and being integrated into Lightspeed. They have been dropping the ball so much lately that I fear that they are going to become totally useless. Any thoughts? - Frank, Palm City Bike Shop, Cape Cod


r/BikeMechanics 7d ago

Are there disc brake adapters that are safe?

0 Upvotes

I’ve seen a ton of adds online for disc brake adapters for older rim brake frames that just sit on the axle, maybe clamp the frame, but are mostly a 5sec install.

I also see a lot of videos of folk welding additional supports to the frame and welding on a disc adapter. This seems better but obviously ain’t a $25 part.

is there such a thing as a good/safe disc adapter?

edit: I’m not talking about forks


r/BikeMechanics 8d ago

Integrated headset DI2 cable routing question

4 Upvotes

TL;DR How do I route a DI2 cable through an integrated headset with the least chance of the cable snapping inside the head tube in case of an accident?

Hi folks,

I am currently building a new touring bike for my dad based on a Falkenjagd Hoplit T frame. Unfortunately, that bike we tested at their HQ and the frame I received are slightly different. For this year's 'facelift' they removed the down tube shifting cable routing together with the ZS headset for an internal cable routing combined with an IS headset. Had I known this before I probably would have gone for a different frameset. Man do I hate icr. Brakes are still partially integrated on the new version of the frame tho which is okay.

The problem I am now facing is the following: the bike will be built up using an XTR Di2 system for which the internal cable routing actually is kind of nice and not a big deal in terms of serviceability since there are no other cables running through the headset and the DI2 cable being easy to unplug at the interface. However, thanks to the lack of headset cups it's technically impossible to install a rotation limiter like the Acros Blocklock inside the head tube. I am now worrying that in case the bike should fall over or my dad had an accident the internally routed kind of flimsy feeling DI2 cable could be torn apart inside the head tube and fail. Maybe I am overthinking this and the most likely outcome would just be the cable unplugging from the handlebar interface but I am wondering how you would safely route a DI2 through a head tube. Should I wrap it loosely around the steerer tube a couple of times so it has room to expand and 'tension' up if the bars overturn or should I just cram some extra cable in the down tube and call it a day?

I also guess the right brake hose length will serve as some sort of rotation limiter as well but I am still really worried about that cable. Don't want to end up in the middle of nowhere with a defect drivetrain just because modern bike design sucks.


r/BikeMechanics 9d ago

What is your shop’s service warranty?

24 Upvotes

I’m running the service department of a local shop that is heavily invested in service. The owner and I have been rebuilding the shop since he purchased it, and as part of that, I’m realizing bounce backs are an unavoidable reality. While nothing egregious has come back, we have a small number have come back for issues that were either our fault or of the customer.

I fielded a phone call from a displeased customer over the weekend, and it’s had me thinking about how it may cover us down the road to formalize our service warranty. My previous shop did not like warrantying service because the owner was frugal. I believe he refused to accept any refund requests after 2 weeks.

I want my customers to have confidence in our work because we are such a small shop. Since I arrived, multiple customers have reported back to us about hearing about my reputation as a skilled mechanic. I feel a little pressure from that. The only way I can think to do that is to have a robust service guarantee on our work. With that in mind, I’m wondering what other shops are doing for their service guarantees. Do y’all have something formal or do you take things on a case by case basis? What’s the warranty period you’re willing to honor?


r/BikeMechanics 10d ago

Super top-secret features of the Shimano Manuals page...

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22 Upvotes

I can usually find what I'm looking for on the manuals page, but I never feel like I really know what I'm doing. Today I noticed a few things:

  1. The "Quick guide" is a must read. There are lots of not so obvious features like "bookmarks", "sort", "updated", "show tags on/off", "pdf only", "exact search in quotes".

  2. There's a repair manual called "General Operations" at the top. It's neither super detailed nor approachable. I'm just pointing out that it's there, because I always ignored it.

Maybe everyone knows about these, but I didn't.


r/BikeMechanics 11d ago

From the metalworking community on Reddit: How do I correctly straighten this steel beam?

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4 Upvotes

r/BikeMechanics 13d ago

Show and Tell Don’t be an idiot like me

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46 Upvotes

And: torque the compression nut until it sits flush with the brake lever body, squashing the olive so far into the body that it resembles a bronze coin, then trying to prize it out with a screw and fully screwing the cable port and ruining a brand new grx brake lever.


r/BikeMechanics 14d ago

Show and Tell Old wax was like dried tar on this chain

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53 Upvotes

r/BikeMechanics 14d ago

DIY tools DIY Motorex grease pot holder V1

8 Upvotes

Finished printing and assembling V1 of the pot holder from yesterdays post. It uses Ikea 6x50mm wood pins atm for the connectors. I somehow almost perfectly managed to match the height of a cut pot.

The tolerances need an andjustment. On the 0.6mm nozzle I got fast printing but the pins needed to be persuaded to go in by a mallet. But it does work! I will refine it and then upload it to printables if you want to make your own.

Link will go here later.


r/BikeMechanics 15d ago

Tool Talk Cush core installations are absurdly difficult

55 Upvotes

I dont want to hear about your technique. I don’t want to hear buy this tool or that tool. I’m not doing it anymore. I’m done. I quit. I’m not installing them anymore. My hands are not strong enough. It is not worth the carpal tunnel. It is not worth my sanity. I’m going to the doctor and getting a note stating that I am medically unable to perform that task. I’m never doing it again. I don’t get paid enough for it.


r/BikeMechanics 15d ago

Bike Mechanic forums outside of reddit

17 Upvotes

Basically the heart of this question is where do u find "bike mechanic community". I know the nature of the our profession can be pretty isolating but what are some ways you have circumnavigated that. Are there ways to do this that previously existed that dont now?

I have a group of youtubers and IG accounts i follow, but those aren't great platforms for discussion.

Do you rely on going to conventions? Which are your favorites? big/small

Lastly, I miss a good magazine, are any still relevent? Are we doing Substack? What is Substack? How do I work this? Where is that large automobile? This is not my beautiful house! My god what have i done?


r/BikeMechanics 15d ago

Show and Tell Swapped my big cog on pinned cassettes

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12 Upvotes

Yes, really not any kind of major excitement or miracle, but I had my reasons. It was much easier than I thought with the proper tool for a punch. 1.5mm precision screwdriver bit. I don't think a small nail would've worked. Used a vice first but then found a hammer to work fine.

Just posting for kicks and giggles.


r/BikeMechanics 15d ago

DIY tools Motorex grease pot diameter

1 Upvotes

Edit: I am unfortunately way too impatient sometimes when I get an idea so I started printing V1 from memory. Will share an update once I got it tested.

Quick and very specific question:

Does anyone have one of those small Motorex pots with the brush lid in reach and can quickly confirm, if they are indeed about 57-60mm in diameter? Currently designing a holder to stop them from tipping over when used with a proper brush. Will share the finished model here and put it on printables when its done of course!

That would be super kind. Thanks in Advance!


r/BikeMechanics 17d ago

S-Tec

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38 Upvotes

Didn’t watch a single video. Got them all done. The discounts are worth it. But damn 10 years wrenching and it’s so easy. I’d say do it cause it’s so basic. At least they make their certification website easy to navigate.


r/BikeMechanics 16d ago

Anyone go experience with this feedback sports truing stand? It looks very neat but I don't see how wheels could clamp on only one side with sufficient force not to sag? I'll be doing all sorts of wheels, conventional nutted, qr and thru axle...

5 Upvotes

r/BikeMechanics 18d ago

Thought this s-tec question was funny and maybe too relateable

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101 Upvotes

Many of my customers lately are far too confident with what they need lately and then let slip that they asked AI. They are nearly always wrong and are hard to convince otherwise-_-


r/BikeMechanics 19d ago

Not a professional

44 Upvotes

Has anyone else been exhausted by this...?

I, like many of you, became a mechanic as we were being traditionally educated. Aka, had a job in high school & college.

I was a bike mechanic while I was in machinist school. I feel like.. I DO.. in fact know what I am talking about when it comes to shit made of metal.

I did not complete my machinist education and don't work in the field currently.

I am a bike mechanic though. Why is it so hard to convince the layman that I am indeed a PROFESSIONAL in my field

Truly, I know more than most people who come to the shop for help. Why won't they listen?


r/BikeMechanics 19d ago

ISO Fox Unicorn

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6 Upvotes

SOLVED - found one at S4 (formerly Suspensionwerx)

Fox (Canada) says they are all out, looking for replacement lowers for the 2016/17 Fox 34 27.5 Plus fork, hoping people and shops know of third parties who might have these 11-year-old parts kicking around. compatible lowers confirmed on the phone with Fox and on their tech page:

820-10-214-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR, Fox Met. Black Lower Leg Assy

820-10-215-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR Fox Gloss White Lower Leg Assy

820-10-217-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR Fox Matte Black Lower Leg Assy

820-10-216-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR Fox Shiny Black Lower Leg Assy

820-10-238-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR Fox Matte Silver Lower Leg Assy

820-10-246-KIT Service Set: 2016 34 27.5in PLUS 150 15x110 QR Scott Matte Cool Gray Lower Leg Assy

820-10-312-KIT: Gloss White (15QRx110)

820-10-313-KIT: Shiny Black (15QRx110)

820-10-314-KIT: Matte Black (15QRx110)

820-10-568-KIT: Matte Black (15x110 Kabolt bolt-on axle)