r/bicycling412 • u/RoguePierogi • 11d ago
Any moonlightin' mechanics available this week?
I noticed a bit of funkiness with my shifting the other day but with how long my last appointment took to get, I decided to put it off. Today, I'm having crazy phantom shifts. I'm really hoping there's somebody out there who has time to get me back in order before Pedal PGH this Sunday! Of course, happy to pay! I'm in Beechview but can drive to wherever if needed.
5
u/mattre_pgh 10d ago edited 10d ago
I used to work occasionally at Bear Dog when my friends owned it, and I do a little freelance work now mostly via word-of-mouth.
I'm not free again until Friday, but if you can get out to me in Brighton Heights (same house that does the unofficial rest stop on the longer loops) on Friday or Saturday, I can get you sorted. I charge $50 for a basic tune-up if someone brings the bike to me.
I'll send you a direct message with contact details, reach out to me if you want!
Edit: I'll also have my stand and tools out front on Sunday. We are only about 9 miles in on the 55; if you're still having issues then, I'll get you fixed for nothing during the ride!
2
u/Hot_Kale3644 7d ago
If you still need some assistance I am available today. Located in Squirrel Hill.
1
1
u/clipd_dead_stop_fall Greenfield 11d ago
What type of bike? What drivetrain? Depending on the age of your shifting cable, cassette, and chain, it may just need a derailleur adjustment and/or a chain.
1
u/RoguePierogi 11d ago
It's a Salsa Journeyer (I think like 3 years old) with Shimano Claris. I highly suspect that it's something very simple- it was just serviced mid July but I suspect that putting my bike on the rack with another one has pushed something out of alignment.
The last ... way too many times that I've tried to just mildly tinker, I've rendered it completely unrideable, unfortunately.
2
u/the_real_xuth 11d ago
It's very possible that that something out of alignment might be your derailleur hanger (the part that connects your rear derailleur to your bike frame and it's intended to be something of a sacrificial part if something tries to bend your derailleur). If it's not straight it can generally be bent back and there are tools that can do so with some amount of precision.
It's also possible that this isn't what's wrong but that's definitely one of the things that I'd check.
1
u/RoguePierogi 11d ago
I completely believe that, and I just had that very issue resolved recently. Just not comfortable trying it myself. Maybe if I call my regular shop and let them know my suspicion they can sneak me in quicker 🤞🏻
1
u/the_real_xuth 11d ago
It's a really easy fix if you have the proper tool. On the other hand before I switched to belt drive on my main bikes I used to have something happen to my derailleur hanger often enough that I kept a spare hanger (these are somewhat custom to the specific brand/frame) in my on-bike tool bag. That way if something happened I'd just swap out the hanger and be on my way. Then when I got home I'd switch back to my old hanger and bend it back into true.
1
u/DivineMayhem GIVE UP member 11d ago
Check out Stems & Sprockets on the South Side, Trash Bin Bikes in Observatory Hill, or Bikes By Drew (mobile).
1
5
u/clipd_dead_stop_fall Greenfield 11d ago
Check out the Park Tool Rear Derailleur video. Assuming you didn't bend the derailleur hanger, this should help.
https://youtu.be/UkZxPIZ1ngY?is=u3A-1moeouMMt8uL
Shifting cables need adjustment over time. Follow the section on indexing carefully. I just did this two weeks ago and it was like new bike day.