24
Pro tip: When a customer brought in a bike held together with zip ties
I had a customer come into the shop with a mountain bike that had its handlebars secured with about twenty zip ties. (He said he lost the bolts on a trail ride.) I had to carefully cut them all off without damaging the stem. It was funny because he was so proud of his 'field fix'. This got me thinking about creative solutions mechanics see every day. What's the most unusual temporary repair you've ever had to undo?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
webb.daniel3d ago
That soda can and duct tape story hits close to home. I once tried to fix a broken brake cable with a cut-up plastic bottle and some old shoelaces. I was miles from home and thought I was a genius for making it work. Of course, the plastic just shredded under pressure and I ended up pushing the bike back. It taught me that some fixes are just too creative for their own good. Seeing these temporary repairs come into the shop now makes me cringe and laugh at my past self.
7
derek_bailey843d ago
Man, I read about a bike repair where someone used a soda can and duct tape to fix a cracked frame. They cut the can open and wrapped it around the break, then covered it in tape. It held up for a short ride, but that's just asking for trouble. The metal from the can isn't strong enough for real stress. It's crazy what people will try when they're stuck out on a trail. That zip tie story reminds me of how folks can make do in a pinch.
1