Mechanics and Fixing Any Questions Answered

Target Composites.

Thanks!

I would if I hadn't mangled the axle threads with pliers...

Trek AL 2 Disc?

The easiest (wahey!) way out (opppssss!) is to find a vice.

Otherwise (hmmm...) check if the threaded end takes a 6mm Allen.

If not, thread in a M6 bolt into that end hold the bolt in place and then tighten down with the easy out.

check if the threaded end takes a 6mm Allen

Wouldn't have needed the easyout if there was!
The threaded axle end is now fucked, so nothing to grip onto. I'll see if I can find someone with a vice, or just buy another one

File some flats on it and stick it back in the mole grips. I’ll ask the stupid question, are you definitely turning it the right way? Don’t forget they’re left-hand threaded!

Yes, definitely turning it the right way. Filing some flats/crushing it with Knipex was my next plan

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Put the axle in the edge of a kerb with the t handle/ezy out facing out into the road.

Reverse a car onto the thru axle so it's under the tyre. Now unscrew the t handle.

You may need a second person and will also require a car.

If the car doesn't do it the progressively continue trying larger vehicles.

Park bench a large nail with the point cut off and a hammer maybe two pieces of hard wood between the bench and axle head then hit it out.

Getting a bit confused trying to find the right brake pad inserts for my partner's bike. I think they're Shimano BR-R550 brakes, and SJS has these ones in stock: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-blocks/shimano-brr550-m70ct4-cartridge-brake-inserts-fixing-pins-y8a298060/

I assume these are the right inserts, but the bit about them being only for side wall machined rims is what I'm not sure about... how do I know if the rims are side wall machined? Even if they're not will the inserts be ok anyway? Are there other, better inserts that are compatible with these brakes that I don't know about? Or should I get some koolstop brake blocks instead? (trigger warning: very dirty bike)

Even if they're not will the inserts be ok anyway?

They'll just do what the old ones have done, pick up flakes of anodising and score the rims. There are plenty of other pads which will fit in Shimano pattern MTB shoes, which is what those are, but I don't think any of them are much better than the OE Shimano ones. I'd be tempted by these, two pairs of pads and spare shoes to clutter up your parts bin 🙂

That's great, thanks so much 🙏

(just set up a regular forum donation in light of the recent outage and this thread coming through for me on multiple occasions now!)

My front carbon rim has started pulsing under braking the last couple of rides. Inspecting it today there’s a 5cm or so patch of the rim when it comes out slightly a bit relative to the rest of the rim.

It’s a second hand wheel and no idea how long they were used for before, any signs of wear or delamination to look out for indicating imminent failure or is this already completely toast?

Any reason not to use a 700x32-47 tube in a 29x2" tyre?

Same diameter, right? Just the width of the 700C tube is more like 1.75" than 2" so it'll be more stretched.

it'll be more stretched.

That's the reason not to do it, but it will be fine until something tries to poke a hole in it. The overstretch is well within the limits of the material in the absence of an external attack.

is this already completely toast?

I'd worry more about a bulge than a dent, given the direction of the service loads. At the very least, take the tyre off and see if the bulge is due to the inside getting wider (start of structural fail at the most stressed location) or just the wall getting thicker (probably delamination, which is bad but will take slightly longer to kill you)

I have two 700x32/47 tubes but only one 29er tube. As much as I'd like to say it's a temporary solution, it'll almost certainly spend the rest of its life installed. I guess I could go visit Decathlon or the LBS and see if they have more 29er tubes, but, like, urgh, effort, bro.

Cheers tester, feel like I’m on a roll for destroying bike equipment so this fits with the narrative

Any reason not to use a 700x32-47 tube in a 29x2" tyre?

Well...

I have a 27.5 x 1.75 inner tube on a 27.5 x 2.6 tyres, I just can't be arsed to change it.

I just popped in to Decathlon and bought two of the proper tubes. What I will do now though, is maybe carry the 700x32/47 tube as a spare since it's smaller and lighter and I'd normally just patch on the trail/road anyway so it'd need to be a big failure before I put another tube in.

Any recommendations for the specific tool I need to install a Shimano BB9100 with a 3/8 torque wrench? Lots of the adapters I'm finding are either for 1/2 socket size or just the handle version that can't be torqued

Bit late but I really like mine. But still hard work if things are tight. Less annoying than levers IMHO.

You can use a socket adapter if you don’t find anything

Cheers