Wow, Andy I have been a bike mechanic for several years and you have distilled down what is really required to tune up a bike plus a lot of the tricks and shortcuts into 11:57 min. You truly are building the bike community with extremely well done RU-vid video productions that are concise and professionally produced. In Canada we do not have access to Harbour freight so I improvise with rag in box, isopropyl alcohol and nitrile gloves from Costco. I use Dawn PowerWash to clean the whole bike and then clean the whole house Lol 😂. Highly encourage every mechanic to use nitrile gloves to prevent harmful chemicals was a mechanic for 45 years. Saluda.
I'm watching from the UK. Great advice. Off the top of my head, I'd add an accurate chain wear tool, chain whip and lockring tool. Love the focus on basic mineral lube. Of course, someone from the chain waxing Illuminati with their expensive strippers, croc pots and wax products will be along at any moment to tell you you're doing it wrong......but stay strong my friend 😊 👍
I just switched to chain wax. Im going through and de-gunking my drivetrain right now. (For the 2nd time...) I can say, the wax feels good! I can even fiddle with my drivetrain and not need to wash up after. Theres still plenty of need for lube elsewhere. My expensive stripper is ecolab heavy duty citrus degreaser from home depot. $15/gal. I do use a 3qt instant pot for the wax, I kinda stole it from the kitchen and havent replaced yet... I do want an ultrasonic cleaner, but who wouldnt? You can just toss parts in there and they come out clean! I have a tiny under powered one from years ago, it can only do very small parts, but it does such a good job. Though the sound is annoying... As far as right or wrong, I dont even know if im right. I do know I like how much cleaner the wax is vs the muc off dry lube I was using.
To do a perfect job cutting cable casings, I use a handheld grinder with a cutting (thin cut off) wheel. I have a hole drilled in a scrap wood 4 x 4. I insert the cable casing into the hole and out to the other side where I use the grinding wheel to cut it flush with the wood scrap. It makes a nice, clean cut, and there’s no chance of crushing the cable
Easy as that, what a great summary! Two things I would add, from my experience of decades using more or less the same tools. I stopped using an adjustable wrench when I found the Pliers Wrench by Knipex, yes they are expensive, but they last a lifetime and are far better to use. Second thing I wish I had bought far earlier is a ultrasonic bath, makes cleaning of disassembled parts far easier.
I remember in one video a while ago you talked about wearing gloves, you went on about petroleum products and cognitive decline and the type of people who may or may not understand what a term like that means. Ever since, that moment pops into my head often, and makes me laugh and smile every time. I'm not sure if you intended it but that lives on in my memories as a benchmark of pure comedic genius. As with a lot of the best comedy, I'm not even sure exactly what made it so funny to me. Anyway, thank you Mr. BikeFarmer!
Car instant detailer/spray wax is nice, cheaper than bike brand stuff, and odds are its probably the same. A big gallon jug of orange colored Zep degreaser from whatever box store or amazon is very useful to have. I like to use a garden pump sprayer for washing bikes since it produces a soft mist that won't force water into bearings, and uses very little water which is nice in winter when you don't have a hose spigot. I.e apartment dwellers. Toilet brushes (only used on a bike) are useful for cleaning grimy drive trains. Some kind of larger, soft brush is nice for knocking dust or dirt off areas like bottom bracket.
I expect a stand is a pre-requisite or perhaps not but trying to do anything on the adjustment side without a stand has turned out to be incredibly difficult. Will be my first purchase when I get back to my regular home where the better bike resides.
PB BLASTER!, it's the best stuff for breaking free stuck parts, I get the big cans at O'Reilly's for about 9 bucks and a can lasts a long time even when it's getting used on non bike stuff (cars/trucks, tractors, farm equipment, riding lawn mowers, small engines)
Pb blaster is good stuff. I like it very well. Another good one is areoknoil. It is more expensive but very very good stuff. Like it better than pb blaster.
I like how specific you are with your tools, I have all that but my stuff is just a random mess of stuff, I don't even know what some of it is, like so many random tire levers I have.
Yeah, another fan of Dawn PowerWash thanks to you! I noticed you using it frequently in your videos and it looked so dang convenient. It works great, too, on super dried caked-on concrete-like mud that adheres to my mountain bike frame. I don't really like using a hose and dousing the bike in water. Instead, simply spray on some Powerwash and it softens the mud right up and then easily wipes away.
Old spoke spanning your stand lock jaw is helpful when sizing a replacement chain. I hang the new and old chain together by their inner plate ends to match their lengths. Plus, it really gives you a second view of chain stretch and weather the cassette should be binned or not.
I'm really enjoying your content. I get the Bob Ross homage especially when you are tuning up bikes. We use to have a great bike shop here similar to what you are doing but Trek took it over and pretty much killed it. Now that bike shop is closed. Keep it simple and keep up the good work!
My list of economical bike maintenance stuff Cleaners: I make my own powerwash. I buy the biggest dawn platinum bottle and mix with water. I think 2tbsp per 32oz bottle, but check online for DIY dawn cleaning spray. I also use simple green (lemon scent) 10:1 ratio. Furnature polish. Again I make my own paste wax. I use 2 different oils and 3 waxes. Tung and linseed oils dry to create a copolymer while the wax coats to protect. I use beeswax for ease of application, microcrystaline for smoothness, and carnuba for longevity. Using different oils and waxes helps the wax lock into verying sized surface deviation @ the microscopic level. (Makes everything hold better) i use this on wood, tools, anything you want protected or to slide with some sickness. Degreaser. Home depot. Ecolab heavy duty citrus degreaser, $15/gal The other 2 cleaners I want, brake cleaner/carb cleaner (quick final spray on brakes). Suspension cleaner (cleans and leaves light lube?) Lube: Grease. Shimano high performance for bushings and bearings, polylube 1000 for splines and such. (High perf is a little thinner, polylube is thiccc) Anti seize compound (all bolts that dont use threadlock) blue thread lock where required (brakes discs). Without anti seize, you dont hit proper tourque specs because the metal to metal contact of a screw provides friction. Tri-flow. Im adding this to my list! Ive been using muc off dry lube, I've switched to chain wax, and need to source a good lighweight lube. For freeing frozen parts/screws. Nothing ive used beats PB BLASTER penetrating catalyst. They also make a magnetic lubricant (better than WD-40) Tools. Everything he said sounds good, I do have additions. Sprocket remover/chain whip, and socket (mine is the park tool fr-5.2, for shimano) And a tool for removing cranks. (Park tool bbt-10.2, for shimano) I use a multi screw driver (philips and flat head suck, personal opinion) To anyone that read this far, I thank you. P.S. ecolab spray bottles if you are in need. @ home depot. Nice action and can spray degreasers/chemicals without dying. I am a fan of multi use cleaners and lubes if possible. I prefer not to have bike specific things unless required.
@@bkefrmr I find mine frays the cable and often cuts brake cable housing at an angle. Pulling the cable, and taking multiple snips of the housing works, but if the hozan works better I'm glad to swap.
Please try to get a hold of a Felco C7..(made in Switzerland).. also, Knipex makes a great one as well.. The Pedro's cable cutters are a knock-off of the Felco..
@@Primifluous Calvin Jones (the wizard of Park Tool) recommended using diagonal cutters to cut brake housing. Fold the housing where you want to cut it and let the jaws of the cutters find the gap in the spiral. Perfect cuts, 9 times out of 10 (after a little practice). I've been doing it that way ever since. I do use a Felco C7 for shift housing and inner cables.
Nice and precise! I would never use those three way tools especially as I have sets of allen keys, sockets and spanners.Park tools are good but overpriced. Excellent vid
Hey andy, another great vid, u r an inspitation to me, i aint ridden a bicycle in nearly 2 decades but damn it if i hav,nt scored me a velocipede im aiming to get better physical fittness this year an thats dwn to u my friend u r an enigma and a true craftsman !!!!! ❤...
Great video. Here's an idea...Why not complement this vid. with another showing exactly what you can do with those tools. Ex. a flat head screwdriver can also be used to clean crap off of jockey wheels, etc.
Another video idea...."So you want to start a mobile bike repair shop....Here's what you need". Some content about the most profitable services, how to market the services, etc.
I recently replaced shifter cables and guides with just a generic pincher. I have to admit that I wouldn't do it many times, the cut isn't super clean and most importantly very hard to do (chinesium tends to flex a bit in this scenario). A poking tool brought back the needed roundness into the hole
What no VAR tools, LOL! Excuse my silly humor. This was a great topic for a video and I am so glad the algorithm has brought me to your channel. I went out and bought the Dawn Power wash and like it and I didn't even think of furniture polish for the frame. I'll have to get some of this JIS spec tools because I know some of the cheaper tools could make things worst if I'm not careful. The precision of a quality tool is always worth the money.
As a gravel rider I often get the bike muddy. After the ride I usually take it to the local self service car wash. Do you think that is too rough and what is the best way to clean?
Great vid, I already have half of this stuff, but I hardly ever thought about the cleaning end of things if I'm honest 😂, and now I have a good idea of what I need, thanks👍
Last year when the only local bike shop closed where I live. I had to learn to work on my own bike. I was overwhelmed as to what I needed but it really only takes a few basic tools. I just add things as I might need them.
Thank you for this video. Excellent idea. Yes, best universal gloves to have around. How about a video on tools you take with you when you do a longer ride or overnighter? I caught you on Path Less Pedaled. Great discussion with Russ.
Can't thank you enough for all the useful tips and tutorials here. As a some-time bike packing adventurer-turned-dad now wanting to ensure my bikes are safe and running well for carrying my kiddo / towing a trailer, I'm confident I can now do a lot myself and would definitely like to resto an older bike in the future! Keep up the great work!
Hi Andy, I've been watching a few of your bike cleanup and tuneup videos. Great Work!!!! I made my own bike hanging work bench using two tie down ratchet straps that I hang the bike from using my open garage rafters. So far I have cleaned and lubed up the chain, cables, set the side pull brakes and tuned up the gears on two bikes, Norco VFR commuter and Trek Marlin. Everything is running better than I would have gotten back from my local shop. Can you recommend lubes and cleaning products that can be bought at Canadian Tire or Walmart for the average Joe? I use WD-40, Gunk Degreaser and a chain wax (bike shop) with little or no problems although I'd like to find GP lube like your Tri-Flow. All those bike specialty lubes and cleaners are so marked up and are either mail order or over the top marked up if bought from a local shop. I really like the way you dry-clean the bike with Dawn Powerwash and Pledge. I used to keep a motorcycle really spiffed up with the Pledge. Cleans bugs off windshields too.
Skip the spray cans of degreaser. Get a SureShot refillable can that you charge with your compressor, and a gallon jug of brakleen. Super cheap, works on everything.,
@@madmax2069 If you get a real SureShot and not a knock off, they last forever. I've had mine for seven years and am on my third gallon of CRC Brakleen. You can (and should) disassemble and clean the jet when it's not working perfectly, and make sure you don't get dirt in the can (or strain it out when it gets there). Also, you can get rebuild kits (I've done one so far) for much less than the cost of a new can.
Really. A few times is all. As a mechanic that's been wrenching for 20 years I've got sure shot cans to last years. And that's using one everyday in the shop. They are great tool and they sell rebuild kits for them as well.
Cone wrenches are the only tools that I've noticed I need. I've also noticed if you live in an area that has a community bike stand with a pump and tools attached you may night need to go out and buy any tools. I typically find them in large community parks with recreation centers and along bike paths. Can anyone confirm that these community stands would be a good option for performing most basic repairs?
From my experience, they're not. Our city has a few on the bike/walking trails. They may be heavy duty but they are almost always typically rusted, almost always missing the right size allen wrench, and the pumps are non-functional/vandalized.
It’s incredible how nitrile gloves have almost doubled in price since 2020. But yeah, definitely wear gloves. I prefer to use Simple Green as a degreaser, but that’s just me. I keep tri-flow as a just in case to hit cables or as I discovered, to hit the pins on the hinges of my Brompton
Look at WPL grease - it's from the PNW - "Whistler Performance Lubricants". Their "Absolute Bike Grease". It's supposedly biodegradable...I pack hub bearings with it - it's carbon friendly, can be used anywhere for anything.
Excellent video. I advise you shake up that old gallon of Tri Flow. The teflon settles out when it sits for a long time. You have a link for the cone wrenches?
I have one set of pedals that takes a 15mm wrench, another takes a 17mm, and a third has no wrench flats and takes an 8mm Allen. Nothing is ever standardized properly
So the Finishline 1 Step is the only product you need? No more degreaser and special lubricant needed? It says it does both. So just spray it in and that's it?
Once you get the process down, the wisdom transfers to other things as well. A big one missed here is anti sieze compound on bolts and screws, or threadlock. Its not just for bikes, its ubiquitous. Cars, planes, pipe fittings, etc. It is needed to hit proper tourque specifications, without it the threads typically bind before actually hitting the desired tourque. Which trips the torque wrench yet doesnt apply the pressure required of the torque spec. The anti sieze is may look and act like grease, but it is not grease. It has metal grit in it to provide bite when torqued. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to try and help.
anything flammable, I will have to source locally on Oahu, because of overseas shipping restrictions on flammable items.....I have most of the tools in your video except the cable cutters.....I probably get better allen wrenches too...
For the average customer no way is it going to be worth it cost wise or hassle wise. For people who are riding lots of miles on gravel and dirty but dry conditions give it a try things seem to last longer and you have to clean your chain less.
Hi Andy, great video, thanks so much for sharing! Question about the Dawn Power Wash & Pledge cleaners that you recommend: are they safe for all frame materials? Steel, Aluminum and Carbon? What about my matte black carbon frame? Thanks again!
I'm willing to relocate let me come work for you I'm in Memphis I'm an awesome bike cleaner you can pay me next to nothing and if you got property I live in a camper😂😂😂😂😂 love your videos man they helped me a lot what's sobriety and mountain biking for ADHD is awesome and I can work on them and tune them a little bit as well
Hello bikefarmer with all the grease available on the market i wanna ask you what you are using for BB i know not all grease can be used for everything on the bike and that makes it harder to buy the right stuff and to figure out what different grease to use and where. What is your take on that?
Great video. I need to get one of those 3 way Allen wrenches. I keep losing the goddamn things, especially the 4mm and 5mm. I was ready to make a necklace of them. EDIT: would you be up for Q&A for us DIYers?
European folks recommended 99% IPA - you can buy online or hardware and out into spray bottle for awesome degreaser and less toxic than brake cleaner Triflow is awesome but def has carcinogens 50/50 of atf and acetone is awesome solution for breaking things loose
I’ve really enjoyed your videos. Question? Where did you get your shop apron. I’ve been thinking I need one for a long time but I never see them for sale.
I love you bikefarmer, and I love some of the teflon properties since it's just the best..however, I happen to live in Dordrecht, where we have chemours, the pfas whatever company. We are truly fukked around here, you know how bad something has to be before the government steps in? well, we officially can't swim in our so called preserved nature area because of the pfas shit. Many ppl died of cancer that lived close, we always wondered why there was always a home available in that area. Maybe because it's next to a trash burning plant...that's also relatively close to a water treating facility..idk guys Ps: do they still sell teflon based stuff in the usa?
Nitrile gloves are now so expensive I’m considering whether or not cancer would be cheaper. Yet another reason to switch away from SRAM brakes to something that uses mineral oil, since DOT fluids are the most toxic thing I ever use on a bike. Also, switch to a waxed chain and you’ll never need degreaser. Also eliminates the toxic Teflon from your arsenal
Hi from Portugal :) Really like your videos and overall nom pretentious atitude. Question, what would you use to lube front suspensions? My bike's front shocks are getting super gunky and building up a lot of residue around by the suspension rings. Would it be ok to just clean it and spray some chain lube in there? Many thanks :)
You're looking for snap ring/circlip pliers. Where I work we use a Cal-Van #268. Looks like it's discontinued but the Knipex # 45 10 170 appears to be equivalent. Or you can use a small flathead screwdriver and a lot of swearing. Always wear safety goggles because those clips go flying off!
@@CandidZulu Yes, I understand you're referring to a flat snap ring, Shimano # Y32120100. The Cal-Van and Knipex tools I listed are the best option I know of. Or try your luck with a screwdriver.
