From time to time my bikes will eventually start creaking. Usually it comes from the bottom bracket (BB). So with that said I decided to create this “How To” with the Sette Reken Single Speed. I did notice that my BB was creaking all throughout my last ride. This morning I placed the bike on the stand and started working.

First step, get an 8mm allen and remove the crank bolt by turning counter clockwise.

Then I grabbed my Ice Toolz crank puller and removed the crank arms.

Notice how filthy this bike is…this is actually a good time for you to clean up the whole area. I’m using a light degreaser to remove any grime and dirt that’s stuck. Cleaning this area will help prevent grit from getting into the threads of the BB shell

After cleaning the area, I grabbed my Ice Toolz BB tool. You’ll need to remove the non-drive side first by turning counter clock wise, or towards the front wheel.

Once you remove the non drive cup, you’ll need to remove the drive side cup. This time you’ll turn clockwise, again towards the front wheel.

When the BB has been fully removed, I sprayed some degreaser all over the shell and wiped it clean with a rag. Once you have both the BB shell and the actual BB clean, its time to reinstall. Get some grease and apply it on the threads on the frame and some on the threads on the BB.

What I like to do is thread in the non drive side about half way through, then thread in the drive side all the way in until its tight. You’ll need to go back to the non drive side and tighten that until its snug.

Clean up any excess grease that may come out, then reinstall the crank arms and you’re ready to roll. This whole process only took me about 15 minutes to complete the job. If you have any questions about this tech tip, or would like to see other tips be done, then just leave us a comment below.

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Need to learn how to fix your bike? Well let MtnBikeRiders.com show you. Did you know that we have over 100 How To articles and videos…most of them are staring…ME! That’s right, not only do you get to learn how to work on your bike, but I make it look guud! About 98% of our tech tips are home grown and the work that is demonstrated are legit. Now if you’re wondering what makes me so credible when it comes to working on bikes, its a born talent. I came out of the womb with a headset press in my left hand and a chain breaker in the other.

So here’s an example of an article I wrote many moons ago, “How to tighten a threadless headset.” It’s so easy that a monkey can do it.

Not only do you get information on how to fix your bike, but we also show you how to ride better. Here’s a tech tip that shows you how to do a sideways bunny hop performed by our friend Scott Tauzin. Click HERE
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One last tech tip I’d like to share is teaching riders from all walks of life how to be “socially responsible.”

This article shows you that a 6 pack has more power than you think!

To read up on more of our tech tips, click HERE!

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If you had the money you can easily convert over to a tubeless tire and wheel system with UST wheels and tires or you can use Stan’s. But if you’re p’oh and broke like me, you can do the following for about $10….

*Disclaimer, do this at your own risk.

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I’ve talked about this subject quite often for the sole purpose of trying to save a buck. My mechanical Avid BB5s have been great to me and I really don’t see the need to upgrade to hydraulic brakes. For one its too expensive and secondly I’m just poor and frustrated so that means I have to find ways to make what I have work and last. To give you some history on this, it all started because a few guys that I worked with at a LBS told me that you can run 4mm derailleur housing with your brake cables. This process is supposed to give you compression-less braking in which would feel more like you’re using hydraulic brakes.

So with that all said I started my experiment with installing some 4mm der. housing for my rear brake and left the 5mm brake housing for the front. On my first ride out with the new 4mm set up, I was quickly impressed with the modulation that my rear brake provided. Braking was quicker and snappier. To help you understand this…if you’ve ever tried hydraulic brakes…well think back to the first time you tried them. Remember how you first pulled the lever when you were riding the bike. Remember how quick the wheel(s) locked? Well think of that when I’m describing how the 4mm der housing felt when I first pulled the levers. I was actually shocked on how well it worked!

Fast forwarding, Nokon Cables have provided me a set of their wold famous compression-less housing and cables. Gore also provided me some cables as well, but that’s going to be tested later. For now I’ve installed the front brake with the Nokon Cables and left the 4mm der housing in the rear.

Right now the front brakes feel pretty decent, but later this week I’ll testing out this set up on my favorite rock garden, Rock-it in Aliso Woods.

Before you go out and replace your 5mm brake housing with 4mm der housing…you may want to wait a while, just for liability reasons. One of the warnings that my old coworkers as well as Steve Richey of Nokon said was that 4mm der can explode or fail while under braking pressure. So for now, let me take one for the team…cuz’ that’s the kind of guy I am.

I’ll be reporting back soon with some more information to see how this all works for me. Keep checking the site!

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One of the best ways to get on the good side of your lady is to make sure she’s taken care of. So for starters if the two of you ride together as much as Priscilla and I do, then you’ll need to learn how to work on bikes.

Nothing says “I love you” than a smooth shifting derailleur. Show her how much you love her by maintaining her bike through out the week. A common practice that I do is to make sure that I check over Priscilla’s bike a few times a week. Since my time is limited, I’ll spend a few minutes cleaning her drive train, then another day I’ll check her derailleurs and on ride day, I’ll double check her air pressure on the tires and on her fork.

I’m constantly looking over her bike not only before but also during the ride. I do this to ensure that she’s having a great time out there. Cuz’ we all know how sucky it feels to have things go wrong on your bike during a ride, its a buzz kill.

Here’s a perfect example of how well her bike worked, thanks to me! That’s right, that’s her collecting her 2nd place trophy at the Mt. Sac Fat Tire Classic race. On race day I made sure everything was dialed in, even down to the tension on her clipless pedals.

One thing I’ve learned in my 11 years of marriage, Priscilla wants to feel that she’s taken care of. I’m no marriage counselor, but I’m willing to bet that your own wife or girlfriend would feel the same. So by taking care of your wife’s bike needs, not only are you showing her that you genuinely care about her well being, but you also have a reason to play with bikes! Eh..not such a bad thing is it!

If you’re not so keen on working on bikes, its not that hard to learn. Most LBS’s will have some sort of maintenance class that they’ll offer on weekends or after the shop closes. Or you can buy a copy of the DVD, VideoBikeRepair. Then having some good allen wrenches would be a great addition to your tool box. Now if you want to really get into it, there are inexpensive bicycle tool kits you can buy that starts as low as $29.

In closing, start taking care of your lady by taking care of her bike, besides you can save TONS of money!

Popularity: 3% [?]