Sometimes a modified tool becomes a single-purpose tool--but that's OK! #BR Shops in the U.S. were required by law to deliver new bikes (even "nice" expensive bikes) with reflectors attached. 2 pedals = 4 reflectors = 8 bolts and nuts -> all that time adds up.

Customize! #BR Sometimes standard tools don't quite fit right, if at all. The 11m size appeared in some brake pivots and good luck trying to find a thin 11mm. Make your own tool if the need arises--it will save you so much time later.

Maybe make some thread chasers out of junk bottom brackets. It be a little safer.

POP QUIZ: What three issues am I referring to when I call this the "Lazy Mechanic's Trifecta?" #BR Answer shown in image [ALT] text.

There's gonna be trouble if green gear engages grey gear. #StuckGears www.slideteam.net/gears-misc-p...

Todson Recalls Concord Bicycle Helmets Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Head Injury www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026... #recall

Bike Tip: When using zip ties on your bike, use nail clippers to clip the extra length. It leaves a smooth edge that won't be sharp and cut you later.

The TS-2 turns 50 this year! I teased it on the other social platforms, but Bluesky gets an exclusive: we will *definitely* be doing *something* fun to commemorate the golden anniversary of the TS-2. Stay tuned...

Uh oh. #StuckGears

Phew, gears NOT stuck, for a change. #StuckGears

R.X.Y Bicycle Helmets Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Head Injury www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...

Gazelle USA Recalls Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro Cargo E-Bikes Due to Injury Hazard www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...

Rear Bolts on Trek and Electra Electric Bicycles Recalled Due to Fall Hazard www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...

This is how I found the shoes mounted on the the brake. #BR The shoe that is visible is shown on the right hand side of the photo from my previous post. bsky.app/profile/bicy...

Haven't been working on too many kids' bikes lately. #BR Department-store grade kid's bikes are notorious for having rim strip issues.

Pet peeve: Stamped shoulder nuts that are too shallow and with large chamfers. #BR Both a 12-point box wrench and a 6-point socket wrench fail to grip this 1/2" nut securely. The shoulder and shallow flats limit the wrench engagement while the chamfers cause wrenches to walk off under torque.

POP QUIZ: What's wrong with this pictures? #BR

Remember this strange modification? #BR bsky.app/profile/bicy... It turns out that there was a tire clearance problem. The tire was flat when I removed the wheel, so I didn't notice the lack of clearance at the time.

Sometimes a tool finds an unexpected use. #BR In production work, a common 15mm cone wrench would suffer too much wear from continual use. The thin cone wrench is too short and can be painful to grip. This pedal wrench pairs perfectly with the 17mm open-end needed for the locknut.

Mysterious flats may occur from chronic underinflation. #BR

#cargobike and #ebike owners might like this trick for suspending your heavy bike while preforming maintenance!

Radio repair service in the self-help exchange. Washington, D.C. January 1942

RIP Frank Arroyo www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2025/...

One of the most extreme weather divides of the year is here. The Sierra Nevada faces a snowicane with up to 8 feet of snow and 100 mph winds. Meanwhile, the East gets a Christmas torch with temps 30 degrees above normal. It feels like October, not December.

What's up with this weird DIY mod? #BR I found this modification on a common, 1980's style 10-speed bike with fenders. My best guess is someone wanted more tire clearance at the chainstay bridge (or fender mount)?

It's as if 6mm x 1.0mm (M6) nuts suddenly need a 3/8" wrench: Half-inch pedals have evolved to have 15mm wrench flats, combining two measurement standards in the same part. Some other bike parts have mixed-units dimensions, like 36mm x 24TPI.

Your bike is retro if the 1/2" pedals accept a 9/16" pedal wrench. #BR Most modern 1/2"-20 threaded pedals (to fit "one-piece" cranks) need a 15mm pedal wrench, same as most 9/16"-20 threaded pedals. Bike parts with mixed measurement standards--why?

"Three-speeds" with five gears, animal edition.

Here's a tool combination I used VERY often during the Cotter Pin years. #BR Since the shop had only one caliper gauge, having an inexpensive diameter gauge to carry around was invaluable. A miniature 1-meter long tape measure for checking frame sizes of display bikes completed the duo.

Meshing three gears together doesn't work. #BR #StuckGears But making the gears wildly mismatched isn't helping.

Here's a cool photo of a tandem bike with a large collection of batteries between the two riders. It's an electric battery-powered pacing machine on an outdoor racetrack! (France, ca. 1898)

Inspect and correct any faults with rim strips when building or refurbishing a bicycle. #BR YIKES--I found THREE instances of mis-installed rim strips on the same bike!

Extremely bad news for everyone who rides a Rad Power Bike 😢

Trek Recalls Bicycles with Coaster Brakes and Replacement Rear Wheels Due to Crash Hazard www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...

Making the gears all the same color won't help. #BR #StuckGears

A chainguard that works!

For most nuts, use a box wrench or a socket wrench. Pliers may be used as a last resort--but you're going to cause damage. #BR

Each of these gears could turn freely, so no #StuckGears in this illustration!

An abbreviated history of car bloat, courtesy of @xkcd.com xkcd.com/3167/

Currently above Michigan!

Knog Recalls Bicycle Lights Due to Fire and Burn Hazards www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...

Making the gears in bright colors won't help them to operate. #BR #StuckGears

Someone tried to "stretch" this tire onto the rim! #BR Hint: Tires are constructed to resist the force of inflation pressure. Therefore, they are designed NOT to stretch.

Lezyne USA Recalls Bicycle Floor Pumps Due to Serious Injury Hazard www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026... ride.lezyne.com/pages/pressu...

A single loose bearing locknut can affect many things! #BR The wheel: -may not tighten properly -may not center properly in the frame -cannot be trued correctly -may affect proper derailleur adjustment Always inspect axle hardware on new bikes at assembly time, when it's easier to correct.

A possible cause of some brake failures: turning handlebars around too far. #BR

Can you see it? #BR This "radial" spoke pattern is not built correctly. Not a big deal on a kid's bike, but if you spoke a pro wheel like this, you're going to get called out.

POP QUIZ: What is a common cause of mysterious flats? #BR Answer is tn the image [ALT] text. Fun fact: Both these wheels are from the same bike!

Living Glow Portable Waist Fans Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Manufactured by Guangzhou Jiguang Lighting; Sold by HSN Because lithium-ion www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026...