I used to think you had to chase every creak and click on a bike

For years, I'd spend a full hour trying to find a single noise, taking everything apart (which is a pain). The change came after a regular at my shop in Tucson said his bike had a 'death rattle' but it was just a loose bottle cage bolt. Now, I check the simple stuff first, like bottle cages, cable ends, and reflectors, before I even touch the bottom bracket. Has anyone else had a customer bring in a bike for a 'major repair' that was just something silly and loose?

2 comments

2 Comments

max_ramirez484d ago

Man, I've been that guy tearing his own bike apart for an hour. Turns out the "crank creak" was just my keys swinging on the rack hitting the top tube. Felt pretty smart after that one, right?

christophers274d ago

Ever read that old mechanic's saying about the last bolt you check? It's so true, I had a guy convinced his headset was shot but the noise was just a cable taping against the frame. Saves so much time to start with the cheap and easy stuff.