12 Common Bike Maintenance Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

We’ve all made mistakes in the workshop when maintaining our mountain bikes, from not using the proper tools, rushing jobs or simply not being prepared. MTB maintenance inevitably results in a few cuts and bruises, bodge jobs and frustration. Doddy shows you how not to perform bike maintenance and has a few tips for you to not to repeat them.
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[@gmbntech]

What's the worst mistake you've ever made in the workshop? 🤔

[@Mallchad]

Slipped dicking around with chainring and smashed my hand on an exposed chainring.

[@billy2258]

GMBN Tech once I trusted my friend to fix my suspension forks 😂😂 I had to spend £150 to get it repaired after what he did to them!!

[@inthehead1763]

I just cut my rear hose too short...like a muppet.....😱🤢🤮 Shimano Zee, had to order a new one..😤

[@mtbboy1067]

Trying to change the pedals and turning the Allen key the wrong way round and smashed my nuckels into the 5 millimeter long pins of my reverse escape pedals

[@zyoungson215]

Bleeding sram brakes without a kit

[@timgarland8619]

A great way to find tiny, dropped parts is to take off your shoes and walk around barefooted with the lights off. You'll find it.

[@pat9861]

Tim Garland yeah....... there may be some pain involved though

[@blackturbine]

Parts will get attracted to your feet

[@bronsonlaunder4540]

Do this on my bike track to find bindis

[@LauriAP]

My feet are hot and don't use shoes or socks. I clean often and walk barefoot. The slipped washers, bolts and nuts are nicer to look for when less dust on floor.

[@lucasmart46]

hahahahahhhahahahahahaha

[@johangilchrist]

I take pictures with my phone whenever disassembling a component I'm unfamiliar with. This helps me keep track of the parts needed for the component re-assembly and also how it should look at each step of the re-assembly. Wearing a helmet cam to film the disassembly will probably lead to the most useful footage any of us amateur riders will ever get from our helmet cams

[@ogog5077]

Yeah I do this to my motocross bikes when doing a rebuild

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Good idea. I take photos also. When working on bikes, cars, even my lawnmower. Can never be to careful.

[@ogrbrg]

Great idea. Im gonna start wearing my helmet from now on.

[@connerdesnoo3008]

“Those roadies probably cant even lift it!” Killer line 😂

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

Doddy: "Buy your fox tool with your friends." Later: "never lend your tools!" Buy Fox tool with friends, never share it. Got it.

[@ilovemotocicleta]

Share the community tools. Dont share personal. If any community tool goes missing last person that was in possession has to replace it.

[@SomeIdiot983]

I'm fortunate to have a buddy that has all the tools. If I want to use any, I just have to do the work at his place - or bring a case of beer and he'll do it for me.

[@saltlight5788]

I give to anyone and help anyone(for it is written)☝🙌🙏👊😇

[@randallmiller3842]

Thanks I’ve done them all I think. Two other things I’ve learned. Safety glasses. Taking a photo of what it looks like before I take it apart. Oh yeah. Respect the mechanics at the bike shop. Thanks to them for fixing things I’ve screwed up.

[@lordbeermonster]

When disassembling multi component parts it's a good idea to take photos at each stage. This can make reassembly much easier.

[@andrewince8824]

I agree. Make your own Haynes Manual. Potentially run off a copy or two if you've got mates with the same or similar kit.

[@liuby33]

tip: Use quality tools. me: Checks quality tools on Amazon. A single quality tool is as expensive as my bike.

[@joeocarroll1561]

The little clips of Doddy were hilarious😂😂

[@chris-rb7bm]

yea cracking me up :)

[@demackire6368]

Yeah 😁

[@SusiBiker]

My dad said to me: "Buy Well, Buy Once." My dad had been dead for over 20 years, and I still use some of his tools on a daily basis. I kept up the tradition. Also, REALLY impressed with the comment about grinding up an old socket - as you started talking about it, I thought, "Just grind off an old one!" I can see from this alone that you know what you are talking about. Kudos.

[@ElliotFlowers]

Was he talking about his coffin?

[@TheDustyShredder]

Dude. I can't believe you went there. As for the tools, that mantra still rings true. However, you can still buy value and get incredible tools. Just take a look at Bikehand. Those things are just as good as Park, and are about 1/5 the price. I'm gonna be buyin another set actually, cause I unfortunately lost many of them by not putting them back in their box... but they lasted a good two years without any wear. Just keep em clean, and use em proper.

[@superlazy3355]

@@ElliotFlowers gta say that made me chuckle a touch. Was guna put a funny in there but you got this

[@ObscureStuff420]

It's worth it to spend a little more and buy something that will last, also it is more enjoyable to use a tool that feels well made.

[@SabrinaCWB168]

It's also worth it to buy quality brake pads. The cheap ones will work but the better ones are so much easier to put in properly!

[@sloops4398]

The colur of your clothes doesn't matter as long as you use old clothes for it.

[@andypastore3299]

Exactly right.

[@MariusTheDude]

aaa who uses clothes?

[@AllIsWellaus]

Sure. But if you need to talk to a customer like that, it could be an issue.

[@rattlesnakz9716]

@@AllIsWellaus I hate that, because if your wearing an old tatty jumper covered in oil then automatically your unprofessional ? I don't agree, it just means they are focused on what there doing not on what they look like, or chatting with customers. It's idiotic and just shallow in my eyes, I'd much rather have work done on my bike by someone covered in oil wearing an old jumper rather than jeans and a Ralph Lauren shirt ( be it light OR dark )

[@rattlesnakz9716]

@@robertcowling4313 it's just a bit stupid and I blame the younger generations the fact that you can't wear kickers shoes as a child without being laughed at is pathetic ... When all said and done if the work is done to a good standard and you have not got oily hand prints on your bike or walls or whatever it may be then leave the guy alone .... If I can choose to fucking identify myself as a woman or a fucking badger nowadays then the fact that I don't have a company shirt or fresh hair cut, its my damn choice if the work is right then it's fine if it bothers you then fuck off to an overpriced workshop where they all have groomed beards perfect hair and charge you an extra 50% because half the time they were supposed to be working they were checking themselves in the dang blasted mirror then fine ... Feel free I really do HATE modern society... just... honestly .... Get a fucking grip for crying out loud!!

[@philstadnicki7882]

I usually drop a ton of c and f bombs when working on my bike. I have limited reserves of patience

[@rollinrat4850]

Every now and then cussin' and throwing things actually works!!

[@petersmedley459]

Sometimes there is nothing so necessary as a good round of f**ks! Wisdom from a former civil service line manager....he also told me not to do it in front of those of a sensitive disposition. I’m now self employed which means that the boss is an idiot but he doesn’t give a flying fiddler’s elbow about my language...

[@ryanhines6194]

"Share less commonly used tools between you and a mate" "You'll never see your tools again"

[@kevingliebe5607]

The tip about stress is real. NEVER work on a bike when you're upset or in a hurry.

[@foodmore]

I collect shower caps so that I can use them As disc brake covers when I have to spray lubricant near them.

[@santosj2274]

Gold!

[@haneenalloush5301]

I'm getting my first bike tomorrow (Trek FX2) and I'm preparing for it as if I'm preparing for a kid XD

[@snow-zb5gf]

Nice

[@zaidayaqub2474]

😂😂 I've been in that position many times before, it's really fun later on

[@br9760]

Both are investments. Protect them!

[@terrymanning1556]

I have one You will love it

[@roddrysdale3317]

When I was working as an instrument maker we were taught to organise removed items and put them in paper cups. You can even stack the cups to keep track for reassembly. No lost bits and reassembly solved.

[@timmygriffin]

My personal one: putting on a tyre which is directional the wrong way

[@austinradtke2896]

I did that once with a Nokian Gazzaloddi. Literally took about 2 hours just to put it back on right.

[@konradbanys2239]

Like what are the usual consequences? much less grip? Much worse aerodynamics? wonder how much.

[@imadehartawan187]

Same here..😂

[@brandoneedens7185]

I once put new wheels on my bike and did that and it was winter time road several times and was wondering why I was slipping just as bad as my old bald tires till my friend pointed out they were backwards lol

[@mikmerl1]

My OCD doesn't allow that .... I check at least 10 times

[@Kev5565]

From working in engineering health and safety always first, toe protection (at least be waring shoes), wear eye protection, gloves and apron when using chemicals and lubricants to avoid dermatitis (degreasers also degrease your natural skin oil leaving it open to infection)

[@mateuszkosmala4778]

Servicing your hubs in the garden => ends with 40 minutes of searching this little ball bearing in the grass. What a joy.

[@tehsimo]

That WD40 on the brake disc was painful to watch

[@Ahaggah]

It was probably disc brake cleaner and not the oil

[@tehsimo]

@@Ahaggah you must be fun at parties. Says lube on the bottle

[@Rastaman420_]

Friend done it told him your not the first wont be the last

[@Matt-xq2vk]

I did that once to my bike. The brakes were useless until I jetwashed the grease off them. After that they were fine, I could finally stop.

[@jameylane9196]

Who the fuck cares just wash of the fucking wd-40 off you fucking PUSSIES.

[@sneakyivy]

Its like watching TOP GEAR and i like this concept so much👏👏

[@onesquirrel2713]

Once the screw on my cranks came loose, because the square cut-connection was slightly rounded. So I put a bunch of Aluminium foil in between and then tightened the bolt after putting some random plastic washer under the bolt head! I can't remember how long it lasted, I was still a kid back then...

[@nigeljones1969]

I'm just about to start riding again after 5yrs,I've never really done maintenance so I need all the help available. Great video,many thanks

[@jamiefenner123]

I’m a car mechanic and these are great tips in general I always have a good set of snap on torks sockets to smash into rounded Allen keys to get myself out of trouble a load of spare nuts and bolts is also essential to save yourself they can be picked up from hardware stores like screw fix for a very low cost for boxes of 50 or so

[@sickcunt9386]

Loving these skits Doddy 😂😂😂

[@abe3252]

That splat sound at 1:31 had me in tears of just sheer laughter😂

[@GoldSK96]

Love this channel and your humor, learned a lot

[@benhess807]

My buddy had cheap cable cutters and I was determined to not re-position them and leave a dent. I put about 200lbs of pressure on it and to this day you can see the left tooth in the ceiling.

[@EllisWaringMTB]

I think That is the best video you’ve ever made

[@gmbntech]

Cheers Ellis!

[@EllisWaringMTB]

It was very helpful and fun too

[@Max-pt4tx]

Doddys never stepped on lego. A hammer to the foot cant compare to the most painful thing known to man.

[@TheDustyShredder]

You mean one of those tiny little one stud legos? Yeah, those things hurt like a mofo! Not quite as much as going down the stairs only to step on a thumbtack. Which just happened to plunge into your heel.

[@avocette]

@@TheDustyShredder Done that! It only hurts when you realize though. I was so frustrated on being forced to do curtain work that I didn't realize I've had 4 thumbtacks pierce flush into my foot.. hurt like crap when I saw it

[@TimpBizkit]

Picking up a soldering iron by the hot end is worse.

[@nesurgrep]

Absolutely brilliant guide here & so many PAINFUL lessons learned here! Well done guys!

[@joejones2700]

So much good info here. Thanks

[@ricoranger2]

That was some De Niro level acting from Doddy there. 👌

[@mini14head]

F#@k DeNiro. Nothing personal.

[@rowdy7152]

hey doddy, noticed the canyon in this video has the ergon grips (with extra support) you were interested in trying. have you used them and, if so what did you think? i have always been interested as i get sore hands on longer rides. would love to hear what you think

[@ColeT_43]

The accuracy of your username is just improved after this comment

[@jonmordecai7245]

I used to get really sore hands and my small fingers used to be really painful after long rides. I bought new grips that were slightly wider, cant remember what they are called, but it has made a massive difference. I havent had sore hands at all since so it is well worth doing some research to get some new ones.

[@rollinrat4850]

Rowdy 71 I really like these sort of grips. Ive used both the larger sized Ergons and smaller.They both work good. I like the added support. Ive sprained and broken my wrists skiing several times and these help with the pain. I like doing very long all day rides or bikepacking for several days and these are comfortable and allow me to move my hands out on the ends for a different position. I highly recommend them!

[@dudarino666]

Im a BMW-Benz mechanic by training, recently moved to Germany, and now have found a job as a bike tech. A lot of these tips apply to cars. or most repair work really. Ever dropped a soldering iron on your foot from your home work coffee table? Proper footwear is important.

[@danwhitsed8221]

Dropped one on my thigh whilst only wearing shorts, the burn taught me to wear proper clothes.

[@cwd1232]

Another awesome video!! Always useful info and always high quality!!

[@ObscureStuff420]

I love how neat and organized your workshop is, and that the tools are all color coordinated.

[@policies8534]

Well park tool only makes blue stuff..,

[@jasonchandlee7561]

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiimano lol I enjoyed this video a lot more than I thought I would. Great job

[@emmanuelblanco7258]

I said the same thing!

[@richardmcnally2056]

Excellent! Thank you. And I enjoyed the humorous touches.

[@racer89gt]

Such good info and videos, thank you!

[@gosdolgpendosov3131]

Doddy need oscar)

[@gowes-id5305]

11:31 RIP the rotor, its life slipped away because of Doddy

[@manuelgracia8488]

You are funny & kind sharing your knowledge. Txs

[@samerm8657]

Thank you. This was entertaining as informative

[@Duettoholger]

working barefoot is the best way to find even the smallest chippings :)

[@baleanueduard4872]

"Why these flippin roadies even need this for anywaythey probably cant lift the thing up"😂

[@thomaskane300]

Thankyou you answered my question

[@projectmorticia]

An important detail of the fork specific socket is that it's a 6 point socket. Most sets contain 12 point sockets that are easier to get on the bolt but are more likely to round the bolt heads. It's best to invest in a 6 point kit from the beginning.

[@rohankapoor5301]

Borrowing tools from your friends....now i have to make friends?? :/

[@markonikolic1386]

Just listen to tool and you can make them by using your mind power \m/

[@rohankapoor5301]

@@markonikolic1386 your comment opened my third eye ;)

[@markonikolic1386]

@@rohankapoor5301 Glad I was able to help 😀

[@BMad-we6qf]

You won’t keep them long if you borrow tools and don’t return them. This is a constant battle with my husband ( he borrows mine after misplacing his). Sigh.

[@edwardcarron4031]

That denim jacket is fire🔥

[@exodus0612]

find your video very helpful, m new into biking sir, thanks for uploading this video. God bless.

[@stripecooke4254]

Thank you for the clear professional presentation

[@paulrowell1820]

Working on my bike helps calm me down if im in a mood

[@NicoBiturbo]

Clothing Clothing Tools Tools Tool Wow, so many points

[@johnjohannemann536]

Great info

[@caseybrianb]

Very useful tips thank u sir..

[@johnschick716]

Lol “Oh SHHHHIIIIII-!!!!”

[@karffiol]

...mano

[@rupedog]

Fffff...ettling😂😂😂😂😂

[@geemail369]

ME2🤣

[@Wingthor]

shhii...mano

[@chmeditations]

This is my favorite gmbn video ever..laughed so much!! 😆😆😆

[@robertyuille3774]

You and your information are wonderful. Thanks for not having annoying background music.

[@vanguardsr368]

How about this. I dropped a new chainset that came in the post on my bare foot. Chairing first, no socks, no slippers, no shoes. I blead for ages

[@arietcela3481]

My brake pads are rubbing on the disk rotor, so I wanted to loosen the bolts on the caliper and one of the 2 seemed to be really tight so I put a lot of pressure on the allan key and rounded it off accidentally. What can I do to loosen it and to finally stop that annoying sound form the pads? Any advice? 🙏

[@Mallchad]

If it's only one of the two you could just see if you can readjust the whole wheel. It could be a case if the wheel just being slightly out of the proper location.

[@arietcela3481]

@@Mallchad I tried that, it didn't work, nevertheless thanks for the advice

[@nerfben]

you could maybe use a good pair of pliers to remove the rounded bolt, then replace it with a non-rounded one?

[@Mallchad]

@@arietcela3481 ok it's a bit of a long shot but his somehow worked when I compressed my callipers with no disc brake in them like a pleb. I got a pair of pliers and wedged them in and opened them up forcefully. it was fine after that. Idk if that would work long term though.

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

@@Mallchad I would not advise doing that. As I think doddy even once said, you can ruin the seal of the piston doing that. My advice stands with ben. You could also try a counter clockwise cutting drill bit. That might be hard to find. There are other solutions aswell. Maybe try epoxy glueing in the tool? Might, might not work. When looseing tight things, never try to apply constant force. Always try to give quick hammer bursts to the screw.

[@FirestormAA]

Great workshop tips.... appreciate Doddy.

[@ronanderson1816]

good advice!

[@Mansana3000]

0:55 where is the ankle 😂.

[@Sb73659]

The most unfortunately relateable GMBN tech video to date lmao

[@xrenxshawx]

Mole grips for everything! Always in my bag when out, fit every nut if careful. Almost a tool box for a few grams!

[@Bessunger]

TY, very useful. As always!

[@nickthecarguy-channel]

Mountain bikers shouldn’t wear light clothing Wearing a white Gmbn shirt

[@DJaquithFL]

LMAO .. love your humor with excellent information! Earned yourself a new subscriber. 😀🤣👍👍

[@gtf2648]

I love this frickin' channel !

[@user-cd1rc7ch1z]

I click the like button when the hammer dropped to Doddy's foot.

[@HarryL2020]

I work on my bike bare foot sometimes XD

[@sticksman7819]

Great content with comical clips as I could see myself in some of these. New subscriber.👍🏻

[@ritzwanismayatim4034]

Thanks mate

[@charlesforonda662]

Doddy looks like nicholas cage..... for me

[@geemail369]

Looked more like Nicholas *_RAGE_* to me! 🤣

[@bike4life153]

1:19 it isnt even a foot😂

[@undrachevr]

Bro, you ruined the video now. Thanks for the spoiler. 😂

[@chemicallust77]

Cable cutters can be sharpened...I've been doing it for years with a small round file and it works great

[@willcross992]

After working on dirt bikes for a while the first 2 tips are hardly ever a problem,along with the wrong tool for the job,ratchet wrenches are hammers if you want them to be

[@Dan-qk4ns]

I stopped watching after you said not to work in sandals...🙄

[@TheCnelson3]

Omg! “Snap”. The look of surprise followed by “fu...beeeep” had me literally lol’ing. Been there. I had to watch it over.

[@bigchris80]

Topeak mini 18, best bit of kit I've owned 👍

[@HUKIT.]

Old video but probably one of my favorite thumbnails you guys have done.

[@wendyoffroad]

Great video and I am thoroughly amused! :) I will endeavour to avoid the mistakes.

[@stefanoskam3578]

Very useful advices !!!

[@celery_annihilator]

These vids are super helpful and entertaining at the same time. Thanks for taking the time.

[@gmbntech]

Cheers for watching Andy!

[@raleighdentcompany]

I started using a Magnatek mat when I work on anything. It's a big silicone mat with a bunch of magnets in it. It's saved my butt many times.

[@d3v0lv3d]

Lol ‘rare’ workshop rage! It’s every time I have to do anything to my bike. 😂

[@iota1126]

+1 for a quality set of cable cutters! Worth every penny.

[@mauktiksinghrawat8274]

Fabulous video!! 😊

[@JSkyGemini]

What's amazing is how your very words right from the start, is how I also do things. Especially when I'm basically inept, so yep, that's why I'm here! I have a stuck rear shifter that I need to deal with but I'm not touching a thing until I have at least a clue. Which means a lot of videos and websites because I'm pretty thick. I have to take photos in steps as I'm disassembling things to reassemble them properly. Or it can be Very bad. Thanks for sharing your vids and your tips, sorry to took so long to get to them. Nice socks!

[@edgargo3068]

Thank YOU

[@badlarry172]

great stuff ta

[@nadsim154]

Great video !

[@JohnnySw1f7]

Best work to date Doddy! The faces...epic.

[@joen3992]

In my little shop I work on my bikes: the most important rule is Wear SAFETY GLASSES. Cutting cables, cable housing is easy to get a piece in your eye. Excellent and informative video. Merry Christmas to your staff from Canada.

[@superlazy3355]

Small hack, soak your contaminated pads in isopropyl and they work again! It works so well I got to reuse the ones I hadn't thrown away!

[@hadleytfb1869]

great help

[@daverichardson6334]

Thanks for the tips Doddy! Thank goodness you got rid of the horrible, tacky silver watch. Like the new one!