8 ways to raise the blood pressure of your bike mechanic
From dirty bikes to press-fit bottom brackets, everything your mechanic doesn't want to see or hear
It’s fair to say that being a bicycle mechanic can be a difficult job. With a huge list of different maintenance tasks to perform it means that not every day is equal in the workshop.
Here at BikeRadar we had a word with our full-time mechanic, Jonny Ashelford, on the things that really yank his crank. With that in mind, here are eight ways to stress out your local mechanic.
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1. Bringing in a filthy bike
The last thing a mechanic needs is to be covered in road grime, mud or even worse — a top tube that’s still soggy with sweat.
2. Anything that involves internal cable routing
Yep, it might look slightly better but it’s a lot of time and effort for something that offers no real mechanical advantage. A real pet hate of Jonny’s is the recent generation of disc-equipped road bikes with hoses that route through the fork.
3. Press-fit bottom brackets
We tried to press (LOL) Jonny further on this topic, but feared he’d punch us in the face. For an epic rant on press-fit bottom brackets refer back to this brilliant piece, I’ve had it with press-fit bottom brackets, from BikeRadar‘s former Technical Editor, James Huang.
4. Chainstay mounted brakes
A nightmare to access and set-up, these aero-friendly stoppers sure aren’t a mechanic’s best friend.
5. Tyre and rim combinations that just refuse to cooperate
Fact: some rims and tyres simply don’t go together well and others refuse to work at all.
6. TT Bikes in general
From fiddly fairings to the time consuming assembly of aero bars, the TT bike is not a Friday afternoon task.
7. Asking to borrow their tools
This one’s for those who are lucky enough to work alongside a mechanic. Should you be fortunate to gain access to a mechanic’s toolbox, you best make sure you put anything you borrow back where you found it.
8. “Can you just…”
The phrase that precedes a task that’s considered both quick and easy… but it never is.
Are you a mechanic? Have you got more to add to this list? Let us know using the comment box below…
