Chain and cassette fitting-Wiltshire

Once_In_A_Blue_Moon
Once_In_A_Blue_Moon Posts: 269
edited October 2011 in Workshop
A cyclist in need here... I need to fit a chain and cassette to finish the winter hack build, but don't have the necessary tools and know how to fit them. I don't want to ask my local bike shop, because I didn't buy the parts from them (yes, I bought them cheap, much cheaper than any shop could offer).

Without sounding too cheeky and getting straight to the point, is there anybody in the Wiltshire area (I can easily travel to Bath, Bristol, Swindon) who could fit them for me? Of course, I will pay for the service.

Comments

  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    So, rather than spend money travelling/LBS service, why not buy the odd special tool that you need for these relatively simple tasks?

    One thing that won't be in your current toolbox is the cassette lockring tool (£6), which is tightened using a spanner. If you need to get the old cassette off (which I am not sure you do because you don't say either way) then you will need a chainwhip (used in conjunction with the cassette tool/spanner), cost £6.

    Chains? Well, if you don't have a chain on at the mo' then most chains come with some kind of connection that don't need a tool to do up (powerlock/KMC Quicklink, etc.). If you need to break the chain then a mini-brute will do the job very well and is worth carrying on any long ride anyway, cost £14. If you have a Quicklink fitted already then these can be broken with good technique or the chainlink pliers (£10). For powerlocks you will need the brute or the pliers.

    Think of the purchases (where necessary) as an investment and the experience gained from fettling as essential skills in bike maintenance.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    It's a 10 minute job with 20 quids worth of tools, between the Park tools web site and Youtube it's very difficult to go wrong................
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Its very easy and even I managed to change a cassette, but being sure you have the chain length right and indexing the gears can be daunting. I know that I was terrified of indexing gears not so long ago - but took the plunge, watched the SRAM videos on youtube and it really isnt so hard (or at least shouldnt be but I had a bent derailleur at the time).

    I have never cut a chain though and would be similarly nervous about it first time.

    I had a very helpful person on here show me how to bleed my juicy's, fix a stuck piston and cut & fit some forks - which was extremely kind and generous. I would never have had the courage to do that and was always confused watching the videos about bleeding brakes so I would have had to take it to the LBS, be without bike for 3 weeks over summer and would not have learned how to do it myself.

    Think I may still ask LBS next time I want forks done though...
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yes it is an easy job and I wouldn't go to any LBS for this straightforward task ....
  • Phil_D
    Phil_D Posts: 467
    Get one of these and you will be able to do a lot more than just this job:

    http://reviews.halfords.com/4028/952259/reviews.htm
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Yes it is an easy job and I wouldn't go to any LBS for this straightforward task ....

    Unless you have no idea what you're doing, have no tools and no mates who can help you leading to you putting a post on a forum begging for random help which you're going to have to drive for miles for and pay for anyway.

    Go to the LBS and ask them to do it. If you ask nicely they'll also let you watch them do it so you know how its done for next time - it ain't exactly rocket science.

    LBS' always like a nice bit of workshop income, so go along.

    Then buy a tool each month - this spreads out the cost and means that you can buy decent quality not tat that breaks the first time you use it.
  • I am in Wiltshire myself and I need my rear cassette tightened, I poped in my LBS and they said it would be £20 thats pretty much there min spend on servicing.

    So I am going to halfords after work to pick up there tool kit for £30 which has the tools needed in it and it means I can also do most of my own basic jobs to.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yossie wrote:
    Yes it is an easy job and I wouldn't go to any LBS for this straightforward task ....

    Unless you have no idea what you're doing, have no tools and no mates who can help you leading to you putting a post on a forum begging for random help which you're going to have to drive for miles for and pay for anyway.

    Go to the LBS and ask them to do it. If you ask nicely they'll also let you watch them do it so you know how its done for next time - it ain't exactly rocket science.

    LBS' always like a nice bit of workshop income, so go along.

    Then buy a tool each month - this spreads out the cost and means that you can buy decent quality not tat that breaks the first time you use it.
    i still wouldn't go to any lbs for this task, as already stated there are lots of online resource for the tools needed and instructions for the job.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    You can't beat the satisfaction to be had from wrestling a chain whip and a large adjustable spanner, hearing the click as the lockring eases off, and the gentle tinkling as the first 4 sprockets and spacers fall to the garage floor and sculttle off to their different, gritty hiding places. :lol:

    Joking! It's really easy. Get the tools and look at YouTube.
  • Thanks for the replies. I'll give it a go myself, the tools are on order. Going to have to learn sometime I suppose!
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    i still wouldn't go to any lbs for this task, as already stated there are lots of online resource for the tools needed and instructions for the job.

    Good for you. Well done.
  • +1 on good for you - I did this exact job myself for the first time a month or so ago. If you check out the many video guides first and take a bit of care I am sure you will have no problems. Splitting a chain seems tricky but with the right tool its easy. Also why buy a chain-whip just screw a length of the old chain onto a bit of wood - works exactly the same and costs virtually nothing if you have wood and a screw and are replacing a chain anyway.