When you pick up your new bike from a local bike shop all ready to go there was a whole process that happened before it was ready to roll. This had to happen before you could get a fit, or even put your cheeks on the saddle. This process is called building [...]

When building up a bike from the box there are several things I do that I want to note. These are just notes or opinions and are meant to simply just check after you pick up your new bike from the shop. There are many things to help with the brake in period, [...]

It is a myth that cables stretch. At least the metal ones that are woven together by a machine (I’m not sure about the new nylon type ones.) The term “cable stretch” actually is the housing seating in either the ferrules on the end of the housing or in the cable stops.
To prestretch I [...]

First learn what limit screws are.
Rear Derailleur - I first loosen the fixing bolt for the derailleur cable so it has no affect on the derailleur. Now I simply pedal with my right hand and with my left push the derailleur carefully up towards the wheel (or pull down if you have a reverse [...]

There is a new bike on the ropes here at Blue Collar. Last week a brand new 2008 Trek Fuel EX 5.5 showed up at my local shop with my name on it. Thankfully since I work for the local shop I am able to build it myself & give a [...]

For all you who have been following my experiment, welcome back!
To all that are just catching up here is where I stand. I am building a 69er out of a single speed frame that is set for 26″ wheels. The bike is built with tires, wheels and misc parts I had in my [...]