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I’ve been a shop rat most of my life in one way or another. It started out innocently enough, fixing a derailleur in my basement when I was a teenager and progressing to wheel truing, then onto more complex stuff…next thing ya know, I’m working on bikes for a living. It’s an alright life if you don’t mind shit pay (I did mind after a while, so I’m an alumnus of the wrenching trade).
The shops I worked in always became home to me. These places were my refuge, where I went to be who I was going to become. I drank beer there, I wrenched bikes, I bought way too many bikes, I went on rides and then partied in the shop afterward with the other employees and shop owners…on a few occasions, the work bench became my bed for the evening. Phil Wood grease has become a permanent part of my two hands.
I talk a lot about ROSE BIKE SHOP in Orono, Maine because that shop is the most special to me, and some day soon I intend to get back there to make a video about the place. In the mean time, by brother Chris at Filmosity Productions created this little video about another rad Maine shop: Bath Cycles. They’re the masterminds behind Bikeman and Carver Bikes, and they’re a bunch of rad guys you should get to know. They ride bikes. They drink beer. And they’re fans of DC.
Thanks to FILMOSITY PRODUCTIONS for making this awesome little video. Happy Monday.
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I like those guys.
Timing is key. First shop I wrenched at just came out with a pretty well-done video, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbWkJ8fRIeI
Bath Cycles kicks ass! Great bunch of knowledgeable and hilarious guys, sets the bar pretty high for shops in New England. Thee Hammerhead Club House.
One question. I run a set of Ksyrium SL-SSC wheels and once in a while when I’m descending at speeds above 30 mph or so, the front wheel lets out a howling screech. Slow down, it stops. I have the little Mavic wrenchy thing and think I keep the hub tension set correctly. Anyone have a clue they can offer?
Mikey, it’s not your front hub. The freehub bushing in the rear hub is dry. MAVIC sells a mineral oil to lubricate this part with. I typically just use Shimano brake fluid if I don’t have any of the MAVIC mineral oil handy. It seems to work fine.
@Mr. Jack— I hear where you’re coming from, brother.
Only happens while coasting, I reckon. My own investigation lacked rigor, perhaps due to hypoxia, hypothermia and fear during referenced incidents.
It can be hard to tell where scary noises originate, especially on a full crabon/crabon rig. Will attempt to ID and lubricate said ‘freehub’ thingy. Thank you, rubber side down, see you out there.
Someone ELSE working on my bikes? (SHUDDER) I need a shower. And ALOT more booze.
(To bikes in workshop and garage) There, babies. Everything will be alright. Daddy’s here now. Let’s all have some Phil’s grease and then we can all go nighty-night.
Work on bikes ??
Eh.
I just ride them. I don’t know what makes them work.
Mikey,
That bushing also wears out. If your shifting isn’t as crisp as it used to be or you feel some extra play at the cassette, it’s probably time for a replacement. Mavic will sell you a new one attached to a new freehub body for $40 or so, which is only worth doing if the ratchet teeth and pawls are shot. For much less ($15), you can find a replacement bushing on ebay. I had better luck with the replacements on my old set of Cross-Max SLs. Clean everything out really well and pop a new one in there. Lube it up with mineral oil and go.
Mr. Jefe— Wise words, thank you. I looked at the Park Tool web site and I think I can examine, clean and lube this item myself. The wheelset has something like 14K miles on it, so I reckon maybe that freehub is toast.
The Ks are a nice wheelset, stiff and light, but maybe a little glass-jawed. I am by no means a monster rider, 160#, but I’ve snapped rear spokes on the drive-side three times. With the low spoke count, the wheel tacos pretty bad…