Bicycle Assembly

Every fourth or fifth (that's 20% to 25%, just because I love math) bicycle that comes into Fe700c Bicycles for repair has the same set of problems. "I bought this bike just a little more than a year ago, but it needs some help." That's the first clue, a like new bike. When you shake the wheels, the hubs are loose. The brake pads do not align with the rim and are not centered. The cable ends are long, they were never trimmed. When you shift the bike, there is not enough cable tension. And sometimes, the left pedal is missing.

These symptoms all indicate poor assembly. Kids pretending to be bicycle mechanics in businesses pretending to be bicycle shops pull new bikes out of boxes, quickly put on the front wheels, tighten some bolts (perhaps), and put the bikes on the floor. I understand. They make $5 per bike and do two or more each hour. That is good money for kids, but bad news for the bicycle industry. In real bicycle shops, this does not happen.

The Gospel according to Robert says:

• Pull both wheels off the bike, adjust the hubs by locking down both sides (this means pulling off the freewheel or cassette and locking down the drive side first on the rear wheel), and true the wheels.
• Grease cables and pinch bolts, adjust brakes and derailleurs properly (another post or two), and trim the cables no longer than the width of two or three fingers. Yes, you do have to pre-stretch these cables!

• Use a pedal wrench and tighten down those pedals. Yes, you do have to grease the pedal threads. Use a big 8mm wrench and tighten crank arm bolts properly, after you have greased the threads.

This is not a complete bicycle assembly check list, but it is a good start. Have fun kids.