I was working on my bike in the driveway when I briefly went into the garage. I heard a sudden gust of wind and turned my head outside just in time to see my Trek Domane fall over as it was secured to my workbench.
My heart sank when I saw the carbon fiber strands sticking out of the bike’s shaved top tube as it was violently wrenched off the stand.
Over the next few days I considered ways to repair the carbon fiber on my bike. Should I completely replace the frame or have it repaired? Even with Trek’s exchange program, a new frame will cost about $20,000. I contacted Broken Carbon, LLC in Boulder, Colorado. Their repair estimate was a reasonable $525, but there is an additional charge for basic painting beyond the required clear coat. Riding a bike to and from the facility isn’t cheap either.
Friends on social media gave me another suggestion to fix it myself. I do much of the basic maintenance on my bike myself, such as regularly cleaning and lubricating it, and changing the chain and cassette, but I’m not willing to take on a job that carries such a large and potentially catastrophic risk. I was reluctant to work on it.
It got the average Joe cyclist thinking about whether he should attempt certain bike repairs himself or leave it to the professionals. I asked Charlie Rivard, co-owner of Bike Line in Indianapolis, Indiana, for his thoughts.
“Working on a bicycle during a pandemic can be dangerous,” Rivard told Bicycling. “If you inadvertently accidentally break something, it may be difficult to find a replacement right away (due to current supply chain issues).”
For me, nothing makes me happier than knowing that I was able to fix the problem myself and keep the bike running (often with the help of a very good friend). However, most bike repairs require special tools, and Lebard advises riders to weigh the benefits of purchasing tools versus paying LBS to do the repair. Masu. What are the chances that I will need the same repair in the future? How long will it take to complete the repair compared to if I had it done by a professional? Most people prefer to have a mechanic do it because it saves them time and money. It’s well worth leaving it to us.
Here are some accidents that riders encounter and whether you should try to fix it yourself, take your bike to a shop for repair, or replace the part entirely.
Problem: Stripped crank
Do you want to repair it yourself? Yes, there are options
If you work on your bike often, one of the most common problems is crank arm delamination. This usually occurs when you accidentally press the pedal.
How to repair a stripped crank
Minor thread damage can be repaired with a pedal tap. Bike repair company Park Tool offers pedal taps. Standard pedal taps are also available at most hardware stores. To repair, simply ratchet the tap through the damaged threads.
If the damage is more severe, for example when the threads are almost completely disassembled, the crank can still be repaired using something like Unior’s Crank Saver Kit. Basically, you hollow out the old thread and insert a new sleeve in its place.
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If you don’t want to invest tools or time, you can just replace the damaged crank arm (assuming it’s the left side). (The right arm is attached to the crank, while the left is a separate arm that bolts to the crank.) It should be replaced with the appropriate length, preferably the same model. I don’t think anyone would notice if I swapped it out, however, the Shimano Ultegra arm has a 105 on it.
If it’s the right crank arm, you’ll probably want to replace the entire crankset. Both options are relatively easy and can be done using YouTube tutorials like the one below.
Problem: Wheel rim is bent
Do you want to repair it yourself? Yes, but only if the wheels are not bent too much
If the damage is relatively minor, most riders can repair a bent wheel rim themselves with an appropriately sized spoke wrench and patience. A truing stand will help, but you can also simply flip the bike over. (Rim brakes are very helpful here, allowing you to better visualize where the bend is due to the distance to the brake pads.)
How to fix a bent wheel rim
To fix, tighten the spoke on the opposite side of the bend a half turn. Depending on the severity of the dent, you may also need to loosen the spokes near the bend a bit. Repeat as necessary. You can find more detailed instructions here if needed.
“Professionals can perform this repair quickly and the repair is more likely to last longer,” Revard said. But if this is a common problem for cyclists, it may be worth your time to learn how to fix this.
If the rim is severely bent, your best bet is to replace it. You could probably salvage the hub and rebuild the wheel with a new rim and spokes, but it’s almost always cheaper and more cost-effective to buy a new wheel.
Problem: bent derailleur hanger
Do you want to repair it yourself? We will repair it on-site, but please replace it immediately after
One of the most common results of a drivetrain-side crash is a bent derailleur hanger. The hanger is specially designed to absorb shock, saving you money on expensive derailleurs and frames.
You can bend the hanger enough to get it back to your house or car, but it’s usually best to replace it before your next ride to avoid a bad shift and ultimately catastrophic failure of the hanger. .
How to replace a bent derailleur hanger
Fortunately, replacing hangers is very easy. Remove the wheel, unbolt the derailleur from the hanger, then remove the hanger from the frame. After cleaning and applying grease, install the new hanger. Some manufacturers sell alignment tools to help ensure that the hanger and derailleur are properly aligned.
Problem: Non-compression suspension fork
Do you want to repair it yourself? yes
Mountain biking is a dirty job, and that dirt can wreak havoc on components, especially the front suspension forks. Most manufacturers, including RockShox, recommend servicing your fork approximately every 50 hours of riding. This is a very routine job that requires only basic tools, replacement oil, and possibly new seals and rings. (You can find a great instructional video here.)
Even with regular maintenance, your fork may not compress.
How to fix a non-compression suspension fork
After recording the air pressure and suspension settings, release the air pressure from the fork. Remove the rebound adjuster knob and loosen the bolt at the bottom. Remove the bolt by tapping the bolt using a hex wrench and mallet to disengage the shaft from the lower leg on both sides. At this point, the oil should be draining from the fork. (Make sure there is an oil pan under the fork to catch the drain fluid.)
Remove the foam ring using a metal pick. If it is still in good condition, clean it with alcohol and then soak it in suspension oil. Thoroughly clean the fork legs and seals and replace the rings. Grease the seal and attach the shaft to the leg. Change the oil using a syringe. (See the fork manufacturer’s website for the type of oil and the amount required for each leg.) Replace the bottom bolt and adjuster knob. After replacing the air with the shock pump, your fork should be as good as new.
Problem: Carbon fiber damage
Do you want to repair it yourself? No, please seek professional help
Robert Annis
Damaged carbon fiber from the author’s bike.
I had no desire to attempt carbon fiber repairs on my bike myself, but luckily my friend Brett Conway offered to help. We sanded the damaged area and continued around the top tube to remove paint and get to the carbon fiber.
From there, Conway took over, cutting strips of carbon fiber, coating them with epoxy, and wrapping them around the bare areas. After applying the two strips, I wrapped them in heat shrink and used a heat gun to complete the job. (I removed the heat shrink after 24 hours.)
The total repair time was less than 90 minutes. You can leave the repair as is, or sand any raised carbon fiber to make it smooth and even before repainting. Conway has repaired many bikes using this method, and I would not have attempted it without his capable assistance. If the damage had been worse, such as large cracks or damage along the structural supports, I would have paid a professional to repair it.
After nearly a decade as a reporter for the Indianapolis Star, Robert Annis has finally broken free from the shackles of well-paying employment and now works full-time as a freelancer, specializing in cycling and outdoor travel journalism. There is. Over the years, Robert’s byline has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Bicycling, Men’s Journal, Popular Mechanics, Lonely Planet, Chicago Tribune, and Adventure.com. I did.
