Loading ...Wrenching…
August 19th, 2007 Filed Under ideas
I just spent yet another half-weekend in the garage making all sorts of tweaks to the variety of bikes I’ve managed to cram into my single-car garage (and it still holds a car). Sometimes I find wrenching to be very rewarding; you know, getting greasy, fixing some trivial issue that has been driving me nuts for weeks, maybe even an easy upgrade. Then there are times that I get stuck, I get frustrated, and I want to banish bikes from my life altogether. Admittedly though, my patience level is close to that of a 5-year-old. This weekend I wrenched on the rigid singlespeed mountain bike - added some bar ends, swapped my seat, and changed my wheels (I conclusively ran my old set into the ground). These changes were the successful end to some not-so-successful moments.
Which brings me to my question:
How much wrenching talk do you want to read about in the magazine?
What range of technicality?
Thanks in advance for helping us make the magazine better! And one more thing - Andrew and I are overwhelmed with the positive feedback and support we have received thus far about the magazine project. It’s truly representative of the amazing culture that drives the cyclocross sport.
//mike
mike [[at]] cxmagazine.com
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13 Responses to “Wrenching…”
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Every body wants to know what the Euro wrenches are trickin their bikes out with.
-who makes the blue sidewalled tubulars Fidea had?
-What brake pads does Sven run with Carbon?
-Drill my what? to make a cable stop?
Keep it cross specific and interesting. We all know that tubulars are better, and yes they are a pain in the ass to gule.
We all know that the “how to size a cross bike” debate will never be resolved, even if AHM is crazy.
For me, cross is about neuances of bike culture, thechnology, training. Detail specific, you know?
MORE WRENCHING!!!!!
from a wrench
my blog http://rye-spinnwrenches.blogspot.com/
mostly cross, some mtb, road etc…
I’d be interested in a modest amount of wrenching stuff. As a mostly wrench-adverse rider (due to a triple threat of no tools, no skill and no time), I wouldn’t want to see it dominate coverage. Perhaps make it a “tips from the pros” with a special tip from well-known mechanics or from experienced pit guys. As far as technicality, I’d assume that people interested in reading a wrenching article in the first place have a decent amount of knowledge, so it could be technical without losing the reader. I definitely would like to read product reviews though, people’s favorite components and set-up secrets, etc. That’s sort of “wrenching,” but a different spin. Thanks.
As a shop mechanic, I love to read tech articles. I think a variety of dificulty levels will grab (and maintain) the interest of advanced and novice cyclists alike. Non-technical people may find basic tips udeful, but still find it interesting to read more advanced stuff too.
Good luck!
I agree with AC. I want more Euro stuff too. Some consider me the ‘cross guru in my circle, especially as it pertains to tech type stuff. Anytime someone asks me questions, I always ask them, “What are the Euros doing?”. But a more in depth view would be cool.
Setting up brakes and gluing tires are probably the biggest areas we all encounter.
How about a Tech Q&A? This could allow for all levels of tech.
Ain’t it funny how we all took the canti’s off our mountain bikes 15 years ago, and now can’t remember how to set them up right?
girls on bikes…
or maybe just hot girls next to bikes
that is what people want….
podium girls!
racer girls!
girls girls girls!
it worked for Hot Rod magazine
I’m way down with tech and wrenching - the more the merrier. Euro tips would be good to. On a slightly different slant to wrenching, how about wrenching or setup on the cheep?
I’m not sure about the rest of your readers, but I have no plans to put a $1500 set of carbon wheels on my cross bike - How about recommendations/tech info about doing cross on the thrifty side
for those of us just starting out. After reading AHM’s bit on wheels, I was dead certain I “needed” sewups or I may as well not bother riding - but after talking to some other folks, I think clinchers may work out- Maybe some bits about tire setup for those of us not quick or rich enough to snag the Dugast’s on cxworld’s site… Just my one bit - I’m too poor to throw in two bits.
I like the money saving ideas that also make your bike lighter and at the same time could make you a better racer. Like splitting a pair of top of bar brake levers between two bikes and running them left hand mounted to control the rear brake.
Read more about it here. And, I’d love to write for your magazine.
http://journals.aol.com/joejoebiker/joebiker/entries/2007/08/03/cyclocross-201-single-top-of-bar-brake-lever/438
Joe
Another wrench in the masses, (were we all born with ‘cross and punk rock? or is there something in PBR…) I definitely agree that more new school tricks of the masters kind o’ stuff would be useful, as we have been bludgeoned with tubie and sizing info everywhere else. I want to know what the pro wrenches deal with, not how to set up brake levers (ummm…for the non mechanical-read the directions or take it to your local shop, right?) I dunno maybe they don’t do anything differently than we do and we need to de-mystify the eurowrench and go for a ride…i’m going now…
ever throw a brake noodle on your rear derailleur?
drop away vs. trad cantis
one front ring? so, dual guiderings or guidering+chainwatcher?
remember - knowing what the pros do now is great. knowing what got them to pro levels is better.
I say keep it specific to wrenching info pertinent to cross, also, keep to a minimum, I mean the Park website will tell folks everything they ever wanted to know about wrenching and what it doesnt cover Sheldon Brown probably will.
That said, I have covered how to dial in your cantilever brakes on at least two occasions that I can remember, because people always seem to be forgetting how to do it., when really its not rocket science. Maintenance tips might be more beneficial to folks than wrenching tutorials.
my .02
jeremyb
http://www.plusonelap.com
What beer is best when working on your bike…
Which coffee is best for staying awake driving to a race after working on your bike all night…
How to make your $200 rat bike go as fast as Tree Farms!
Other than that..I got nothin’
F-Dog