Inspired by Bob Ross, the BikeFarmer videos are more of a 'Watch Me Work' style than a 'How To Fix Bikes" channel, the BikeFarmer videos will follow lifelong shop owner and mechanic, Andy Q as he works through bicycle projects, mostly refurbishing used bikes for resale, but also anything related to shop life. This channel is designed for anyone with an interest in bicycle bicycle tuneups, repair, used bicycle refurbishing. I don't claim to know the best methods for any of this, but I am a professional bicycle mechanic at a small town shop specializing in practical bicycles and general purpose bikes for everyday people. I'd love to see feedback, comments and discussions on all aspects of my work. Hopefully I'll learn as much you do. Every bike has its own set of circumstances and problems to work through. Whether you're looking for some informative nap time fodder or wanting to start flipping or repairing bikes for a living, it's my hope you'll find what you need here.
Actually laughed out loud a couple times while watching this. Never thought I’d find a bike maintenance session funny. The great part is that you didn’t even mean to be funny.
Not sure why these videos are satisfying to watch but they are. Good job and thanks for not letting the bike end up in a landfill. Hope it gets a good new home
Salve. I am a romanian lazy cyclist. I have (more than) 5 different bikes. The modern one is a Giant Revolt gravel 2022. I have also a Basso ZerK from 2013, very fine bike and a good short distances fastest runner. But the hardest challenges like 600km BRM and some very hard climbing routes i reached with an entry level runner Mekk Pinerolo! And it is the most comfortable bike that i have! So... i dont need UFOs to do the job done!
If you live in a “pure contributory negligence” state, you probably should always wear a helmet and reflective clothing or gear around traffic just so helmet shaming isn't used against you in court or by insurers if you ever are in an accident.
The average person cant get a decent bike for a decent amount of money is killing this sport. I got a Specialized Rockhopper in 1991-1992 even my rich friends were jealous $700. Thats like twice the price in inflation today and cant really get a new good bike for that money.
You may not want to go here, but the upper head lug is designed to give you the option of cutting it shorter. Take your hack saw and guide and cut it down to length, thenream and face it and Bob’s your uncle.
Those problems solving videos are Interesting. The horizontal dropouts have one big advantage on a travel bike. If the rear derailleur brakes, you can choose a fixed gear and correctly tight the chain to reach the next point until you can reach a place you can fix it.
I always overpack, usually end up with 2 big rear panniers and a touring handlebar bag, and a tent strapped onto the rear rack. Might have to change my ways though, on my last tour to Banff I kept getting dusted by guys heading to the start of the Tour Divide! Still, sleeping pad, quilt and lightweight tent have made all the difference, and I’d almost recommend investing in those before going for a nice new touring bike.
Ha! I use plastic sporks that I invariably get with to-go orders, even when I specifically say "no plastic table wear or napkins please." Titanium is way too bougie for the likes of me! (Extra points for Cat Content.)
The first finished joint looks pretty good, but you should make holes in the head tube and seat tube where the top and down tubes intersect so that air can move around through the frame.
Don’t use acetone, especially w/o chemical proof gloves. Rubbing or denatured alcohol will do the job fine. Especially if you’ve recently sanded or wire wheeled the ends. Acetone is nasty stuff and is absorbed into the body directly thru your skin.
Great video as always Mr. Farmer. Revelate makes some very nice bags that are insanely durable and affordable considering they are USA made. I love their feed bags. I also have that same Swift half-frame bag and it has held up very well over the years. Good enough for who it's for!
I've ridden by bicycle across the USA and know exactly what I need, and I still like to overpack! I bought a Durston tent, and im gonna try light weight bikebacking this summer on my Salsa Las Cruces. I don't need to bring my 3 person tent and solar panels on an overnighter!!
I really hate MTB sizing crap. I recently bought the largest frame bike I could buy they called it XL and had to search province wide to find it. And it is still too small even for my wife. Why they feel frames need to be so small?
The black hills are so beautiful you had me at Rafter-j bar Ranch/ campground and the Mickelson trail. Riding down Iron mountain on a bike seems little dare devilish with cars and narrow roads more power to you.
I've used Gorilla tape as a tire boot for a sidewall cut and even tried it as a tube patch. As a tube patch it doesn't last forever but works! I keep some in my commuting pack.
I guess I'm no bike camper, but I thought there would be rear panniers. I was told once that the panniers give you a lower center of gravity on the bike which can be an advantage. It's cool that you built your own bike and it will be serving you on the journey.
It's a great question. Seems like the ethos has changed and has gotten a lot more minimalist. With front and back panniers one could carry a LOT more than this but maybe that's a bad thing. I usually tend to pack to the size of the bags I have. One roll top rear pannier could probably hold the 2 dry bags on the forks as well as the seatpost bag but when you fill up the other 3 bags with stuff the bike gets really heavy. Probably a good thing to just pack lighter.
I used to have 2 or 3 replacement spokes strapped to my bike. Under heavy load, wheels can break... I broke once 4 spokes, 60 miles from home after a two weeks tour. I was glad I had these spokes.
I got a deal on a set of Bombtrack wheels with triple butted spokes, assymetric rims and 32 spokes. I was going to build similar wheels, but got a set for the price of rear wheel components. Seido Magnon. Universal Cycles. These are 142 mm through axle disk wheels. I still carry a spare spoke for that stick jammed in the wheel.
I have a 2013 Raleigh Furley that has mounting points brazed to the chainstay that allow you to hold 2 spokes. I thought it was a great idea but I've never needed them. After reading your comment I'm going to replace them with some new spokes that will match my new wheels and hope I still never have to use them!
my old touring bike had 40 spoke wheels and was tied and soldered (that was a thing in the late 70s). I never broke a spoke and my camping gear was a lot heavier than the ultralight stuff of today.
