Bike Setup Tips

I wrote my name in marker on the underside of my front fender for the same reason but I’m definitely going to do this too cause I’m worried the marker will wear off.

Seat tube might be a better spot since it’ll go with the frame in case someone swapped the handlebars in an attempt to make the bike look different.

If you don’t already, make sure you have your serial number recorded somewhere too. I have my bikes and kayaks serial numbers saved on my phone, as well as in my email.

It’s not fool proof as someone could grind the serial number down so it’s unreadable, but it’s good to have the number written down just in case.

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I keep this stuff for my bikes (and now my kids’ bikes) on a whiteboard in my garage. It’s quite helpful.

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I just wrap my cables with electrical tape. It doesn’t slide, it doesn’t rattle, and it’s thin in appearance.

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If I haven’t done a particular bike maintenance task in a while, or have never done it, watching a park tool video with Calvin Jones Moustache gives me confidence

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+1 for Calvin. His video on indexing a rear der definitely saved me some $$ and down time.

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Calvin videos are great - I find Doddy on GMBN pretty good as well.

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I carry a “space blanket”“outdoor emergency blanket” in my kit when riding. If you have to leave a buddy to go for help or sit with him/her until help arrives after a bad incident one of these is at least something to cover with or sit on for a bit of insulation. Or if you find yourself to hurt to much move much, and have to wait for help! (MEC and many sport store sell them)

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Very true and you can get them for like $4. Princess auto sells them too

Wonderful idea!

Bike mechanics hate him for this one weird trick.

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Weird? I dont know, I work in automotive where everything is wrapped this way. Its clean, its thin, its tidy. Its removed in 2 seconds with a sharp blade (for those who dont need safety scissors). Hahaha sure its a little time consuming if you unwrap it…but the same piece of tape is not going back on so work smart not hard

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All that work to tidy up the cable, but you left the front brake hose a mile long? :thinking: First thing I noticed in the picture

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The electrical tape does give a clean look, but I find it ends up needing to be changed as the tape flexes and gluey exposed parts start collecting dirt. I also like being able to just pop the plastic wireloom open for service needs. I flip-flop between a loop of tape or a ziptie at each end to keep the cables from flaring the plastic.

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Front brake is being replaced, no need to spend time to shorten something that’s going in the bin ;).

I don’t understand why people like to challenge such things, the housing is long…and? What’s your point beyond that?

Orangejuice the way I wrap it that doesn’t happen, but I’ve wrapped thousands of feet of vehicle wiring harnesses over the years so I have a method - very tight overlapping wraps. I find that zipties don’t look as clean but that’s just my opinion.

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It was a joke. Seemed strange to have the brake hose so long when everything else is neat and tidy. I know it would drive me nuts if it was my bike.

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Haha I use language very literally, I don’t often get jokes. It was probably well delivered!

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What do you guys like to use for chainstay protectors? Over the years I’ve tried a length of old tire zip tied, electrical tape, stick-on “carbon leather”, and velcro-on neoprene sleeves. They all have various pros and cons. I like the look/idea of wrapping inner tube around-however visions of it unravelling/locking up my back wheel and wrecking my derailleur have kept me from trying it. Do the cool kids even use chain stay protectors anymore?
My partners new bike came with a stick on rubbery thing that started to peel up around the edges even before the first ride, so I just zip-tied it down.

I use an inner tube, cut down the middle. I double wrap the end tightly and then put a ziptie on it. Then work my way up wrapping the chainstay finishing with a double wrap at the end with 2 zipties to secure it. That said, I want to try one of these;
Say goodbye to chain slap noise with STFU Bike – STFU.BIKE

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3M Electrical mastic tape compound 2229.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00005458/

Sticks well to a clean and dry chainstay, I round the ends with sharp scissors and then apply where I want it. After I press it down well I use a flame/heat gun to heat it up and then press down more.
It’s been on my bike for a few years with no lifting at all.

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