THRIFT SHOP BICYCLE GAMBLE! Was this Mongoose worth saving? Clean, lube and adjust - bicycle tuneup!

I had a very optimistic and excited customer bring me a bike he just picked up from a local thrift shop to have it "just checked over" because "it felt really good in the parking lot!" At $35, his risk wasn't great, but how big is the reward! After a basic Bikefarmer tuneup - cleaning, lubing and adjusting - we will certainly find out if he just bought himself garbage or struck gold!

[@mr2timer100]

I'm a bike mechanic too (past 20 years) and I work on modern bikes, although I love watching this guy work. Gib's practical skill is something you wont find in every shop. A true mechanic as I like to say!

[@tomalcolm]

This guy wrenches. This is exactly what it’s like to work as a bike mechanic. He really nails it. I’ve seen no other KZbin mechanic true wheels and fiddle with a front derailleur, and make it feel like the real experience. This is cutting room floor material for all the other guys, but it’s so real.

[@TheVTX88]

Thank you soooooo much for not playing a horrible soundtrack like other channels do!!

[@46FreddieMercury91]

Old guy comes back to collect bike: " Have you seen my bracelet?"

[@DB-gr7ch]

Tuning up /restoring old bikes is a really satisfying, relaxing hobby. Great tips here.

[@daveclark8788]

"...so I'm loosening the spokes that are connected to the right hub flange...that'll move it over there" Talk about nuggets! Thanks for stating sh*t like this so simply, I learn a ton watching your vids, Bike Farmer!

[@AliHAfshar]

You are an artist and an inspiration. Your viral videos are fun, but these ones are gold. Thank you.

[@bkefrmr]

Wow, thank you!

[@gblan]

I bought a Cannondale hybrid back in the early 90's for commuting. I've owned a great many bikes before and since but that Cannondale frameset seemed as though it were custom built for me. I just loved it. Fast forward to today. I dug the frame out storage and bought a used 1" Surly Cross-Check fork. I had them powder coated and built up with an Alfine 8 drivetrain, Velo Orange bars, stem, cantis, levers, rims, front hub, pedals, Thompson post and Brooks B68 saddle and Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tours. Got 4x what it cost new into it but what a dream it is to ride! Sometimes the thing that we deem ancient is superior in some ways.

[@kippywylie]

Thank You so much for this. My retirement life is half a year in Washington where I'll buy at least one or two garage sale neglected bikes, then in the winter I drive to Mexico where I sell or give these bikes away after 5 months of beach rides to the taco stand. You've provided me with an attack plan for my next restoration. Clean-Lube-Adjust. I think about many of the bikes in the past and believe most of the issues were dry, rusty, dirty cables

[@bIack0rchId]

Feels like watching Bob Ross.

[@nicholaskoenig3106]

It DOES! I think he mentioned that before...I love it!

[@peterclark4424]

​@@nicholaskoenig3106hqqhhqhqhqwhqyjqyhraqyyytqyqgqqyyrhqwyeqrwhqyeyqwtwyyqyqqyqyqyqqqqqtqyyqtqyqwyyqyhqyhyhwhktkhhhhhkkhqhhqyhhyyhqhrhttyyyqyywyqyqytqyqyyqyoqqyeyqwyqyqyeeyqrhqhyhhhhhhhhkkhhhhhheyyhkhhh hi thought ahahhhhhhhbhhhhhhhbbbbbbbhhhbhhhbbbbhaahhhàq1a1aaàà

[@davidhakes5141]

The "Bob Ross" of bicycles. Who knew?

[@mbtravel7294]

💯

[@ryancole6098]

Absolutely agree

[@godfellas483]

I get the same relaxed feeling watching these "Bicycle Whisperer" videos as I do when watching a TWoodford guitar repair video..."cleaning"...,"lubing"... "polishing"...lol! When they are over, you know that there is a small corner of the world that is "just right!" 😎

[@inaheap7172]

That front derailleur is a prime example of why I like friction shifters.

[@mal74]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that struggles with the front derailleur.

[@vinceabarca]

The Bob Ross of bicycle shops with the voice of Bob Belcher. I love your show my dude!!!

[@rangersmith4652]

This turned into a nice little bike for the cash, no doubt. If an old bike provides a safe and reliable ride for someone who lacks a ride, it's worth refurbishing. One of my favorite kinds of bikes to refurb is the "hopeless case" that just needs a little TLC and maybe some new consumable parts. With such bikes, I always rebuild the hub, BB, and headset bearings, and maybe the pedal bearings (though sometimes new set of pedals is called for). They might feel OK, but that could be because they just got shot of WD40 that'll last about a day. Properly rebuilding and adjusting them takes some time but ensures they'll last and run smoothly for a decade or more. (Freewheel and freehub rebuilds are usually a bridge too far because there are so many types that each require their own tool.) I also wear check the chain, then I remove and replace or deep clean it. I clean the rest of the drive train while the chain and the wheels are off. Such bikes often need new cables and even housings, and they nearly always need tubes and brake pads. Tubes, a chain, and brake pads might total to $50-60 and are a worthwhile investment.

[@rickc303]

Read between the lines, properly regressing wheel bearings on a bike less than $300 isn't worth his time

[@merlinobreslin987]

Awsome find , that one is 30 years old , love vintage bikes .....

[@bensbikessequim]

then it would have had cantilever brakes

[@MHH3180]

I had The Trek equivalent in The 820 as a Winter commuter for a few years. It worked great. Several years ago I gave it to a group that feeds those experiencing homelessness. Last I heard it was still in use. I really enjoyed the bike, even the fake leather, sprung saddle I put on it.

[@Appalachian4WD]

Old bikes are still great! I know everyone wants the new hotness coming out, but I have a near mint '96 Fisher and a 08 Muirwoods that ride amazing. Especially if you're just cruising around on paths and the street.

[@bkefrmr]

Durable. Functional. Practical!

[@terrycruise-zd5tw]

that one kinda skimped on the budget with an integrated derailleur hanger though, at least in my view. the frame will get bent instead and need fixing whereas you could have just bought a replacement derailleur hanger for like $5 instead

[@wattsdronewilltravel3881]

So today I bought a trek 820 WSD went through it tip to tail including wheel bearing grease. $50 Inspired by your videos, I gave it to my granddaughter to replace her big box bike. She’s excited. Thanks for a great “how to” channel with details that are easy to understand and follow.

[@shaunbrowne3963]

Mongoose bicycles are some of the cheapest available in the market, yet you have resurrected a thrift shop bike for a customer. With some lube, spray wax and some knowledge, this bike is ready for the new owner. Well done!

[@indianadave8881]

That Mongoose is not a Walmart Mongoose. Before the Walmart days, Mongoose bikes were sold in bike shops. They were top of the line bikes. I have an 80's Mongoose ATB that I still take on the trails. Also have a Mongoose 26" BMX Cruiser that is worth thousands, and I ide ot to work often. Mongoose used to be the shuit back in the day.

[@leonarddaneman810]

@@indianadave8881 I think Mongoose contracted custom frame builder Tom Teesdale of Iowa to design some of their frames.

[@treyhorn5645]

Not a bad little bike. Good job. It has a new lease on life... ❤. Hell yea

[@NKopp714]

I love the fast forward music section.

[@kenlang6672]

New setup looks squeaky clean and shiny. It's lighter, brighter, and your camera angles are better especially for the mystic things you do on the truing stand. So...Ya gone Hollywood on us!

[@bkefrmr]

I’m like 3 weeks away from destroying Lambos for fun

[@petermorrison680]

love your attention to detail and a good sense of humor !!

[@Commander_ZiN]

I got a GT Chucker 2.0 for $35 AUD, rusty AF. Spent near $200 AUD fixing it up, tyres, tube, chain, tools and petrol. Still a good deal and fun to fix.

[@xmateinc]

Never used furniture polish, heard of people using it. I personally like Pedro’s bike lust. Bike lust works on the axels and wheels to, without having a degreaser near your hubs.

[@tauncfester3022]

Lemon Pledge has been an unspoken bike shop mechanic's staple since the early 1980's. It's relatively cheap, it's really good at cleaning and it leaves a bit of wax for polishing up, One of our suppliers even had LP as a shop supply.

[@Ad-wv8zt]

😍😍😍You are a pleasant, spontaneous man to watch, you can watch your videos repeatedly without it becoming disturbing, I have learned a lot during the videos. Thank you. Gr from Amsterdam NL 😍😍😍

[@davidwhocares3293]

Great stuff here ! always Always ALWAYS.... CHECK THE NECK/STEM BOLT TOO ...along with the seat like you did ❤ it....i totally agree with you on cleaning /lubing of cables, noodles and brake pivots...makes all the difference in the world !

[@peterweatherby8816]

New studio is awesome!

[@Alex-mt6fe]

I never saw the furniture polish thing. Good idea, Im gonna try it.

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Excellent tips on service and cleaning.... love the bikes

[@peterbaskind9872]

And there you have it… another reason why entry-level bikes should be 1x.

[@bkefrmr]

Yes. It's not worth "converting" this bike, but certainly, most non-cyclists would prefer 1x drivetrains. Unfortunately, most non-cyclists think that "more gears" means "better bike" so this is a challenge for the marketing department.

[@brandohim]

I still have a 2009 Mongoose Pinn'r, ritual street, and a nugget. Ride them to this day. I could buy any bike i wanted, but i prefer these beauties. Great job on that modern day clunker! It's a rad bike.

[@myshihtzudontstink]

The kids in my neighborhood will leave their bicycles in my yard knowing I will tune them up. I see a lot of these old mongoose, hyper, schwinn, and huffy bikes. I much rather work on a bike store brand bike since they’re much better thought out and the quality is so much better. I can actually get the wheels true on a bike shop bike.

[@richardchaney6990]

Clean, lube, adjust!…….sounds like good advice for many of life’s little challenges! Life hacks from the Bike Farmer. Thank you, Key West Rick😊

[@thesmithsmaf]

Just discovered your channel - i love it!! Your enthusiasm and passion for bikes is infectious - I am lucky enough to have just been given a Specialized Turbo Tero EMTB but watching you fix up old classics and not so classiccs is totally inspiring. Thanks for producing such informative and inclusive films...All the best Maf in Portugal

[@slideman.]

good work! the lighting in new setup is brighter which makes better videos. thanks for sharing

[@josephbarrett9563]

Real useful info for slackers like me who don't want to do too much like servicing the bottom bracket etc. etc. Good enough is a key phrase. I suggest getting rid of the kick stand. Dead weight.

[@rug212]

Great video! Makes me want to pull my wife’s old Mongoose out of the tool shed to see if we’ve got something to work with.

[@irondistance4313]

Love you attention to detail and perfectionism ❤

[@OblivionRatula]

Love these videos. I've driven past the Lake Mills sign off the Interstate a few thousand times in my life. I'll have to stop in to Gib's one of these days.

[@LukeHague]

Man I love the smell of Tri-Flow.

[@captainbandini]

i love smell of wd40 too lol

[@brittweir8844]

Banana juice😂

[@JasonGreen-ek4bd]

Wd 40

[@Reulonfr]

It's magic fr

[@Bull3tBikes]

It’s the smell of brain cells dying…..jk

[@greg1083]

Just saw a Path Less Pedaled video "We had no idea" about a shop that restores vintage bikes. Amazing shop. Just subscribed to your channel and it sounds like your looking for the same vibe for your shop.

[@techjunkie68smusicandtech56]

I do volunteering in a bike workshop and last week I managed to pick up a 1996 Mongoose IBOC Pro SX, really cheap as it was donated to us as a job lot from another bike shop that had closed down. I have used the parts from this bike to complete a build on my 1999 GT Tequesta. I'll be cleaning up the Mongoose frame (Ritchey tubing) and sell it on. The Mongoose I bought was nearly top of the range, just below the Team edition, so good spec parts too! A very lucky find for me. I also bough a 2011 GT Zaskar Sport, which was also donated. The Zaskar was missing pedals and chain, thankfully I had some spares to fit to complete the bike and is a blast to ride! I consider myself very lucky and I am obsessed with my GT's now.

[@terrycruise-zd5tw]

to adjust the front derailleur cant you just do the same as the back? just remove the shift cable and set the limits without tension interference, then tighten the cable and use the barrel adjuster to index it all and then do the b limit as a finishing touch?

[@markschneider3915]

Most of my bikes are used, they include Rivendells, Bontragers, and an old Masi. I had to soak the seat post and stem on the Masi for 2 weeks in anti-seize lube before I could remove them, but I've never not been able to get them out, I try not to cut anything. I always pull old BB's before I purchase, so I can check for rust. What do you do before you buy a used bike for re-sale?

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

Those mongoose frames are aweslne. Knew a couple semi-pro riders who were buying them just for the frame and racing them built up with top spec parts.

[@chuffa1130]

I love the lingo! "Purr the Useghe or Youghe"

[@zl1rdnz]

You are a legend in your own mind! Best part of your videos nis the music when the video is speeded up.

[@samblenkharn8099]

You gotta love some of the names on these entry-level mtbs. "Pro" 😅 Nice work bringing it back to life though

[@KitBasher1]

Nice! Bike from by city MI! Mongoose are pretty nice entry level bikes. I just had mine upgraded to trigger shifters - whole new animal!

[@Yeetboii-wm5qf]

finally found the rainman ray of bicycles. take my thumbs up, good sir

[@Robert-tj3qq]

Older Mongoose,ive heard,were pretty decent bikes .

[@sethchapman8001]

They most definitely were. In the 80's Mongoose was among the top BMX bikes. The made some sweet frames that were really lightweight. Never had one, I had a GT. But between all the neighborhood kids, I think we had all the top brands and I often got to ride others.

[@jacobbrowning9687]

When using the furniture polish are you ever concerned about brake squealing? If so, how do you clean the rim or resurface the brake pads?

[@johnhenrick2298]

I know it was the thing to lubricate cables sixty years ago when I was young. 3-in-1 oil was used. When I got back into cycling about eight years ago, I decided to lube my cables on a bike that I knew was junk out of the box ($199) Schwinn 3rd Avenue hybrid. 21 speed. I didn't know the cable housings had some kind of a Teflon liner that doesn't need lubing, but I lubed it, anyway. I used a petroleum-based grease, just a very find smear. Over the next several weeks, the cables got tighter and tighter until I couldn't change gears. After disconnecting the cable, I had a tough job to pull it out of its housing; it was tight all the way. I suspected that the grease caused the Teflon (or whatever it was) lining to swell. I mentioned this on a bike forum and was told I don't know what I'm talking about, because that couldn't have happened. So I gave up the forums because of the know-it-alls who don't know anything. So over the years, I have not lubricated any more of my cables, and they all work well, no rust or sticking. Currently, I ride an Izip Zest step-through bike I bought new from a bike shop. It was set up very well (unlike another nearby bike shop who botched up everything they touched on the three new bikes I bought from them). It sounds like a cheap bike (which it is) but is super quality. List price is $795. I paid $435, but I think it's better quality than the big box store bikes. I only ride 8 miles a day, and sometime 20-30 miles during the Florida winters, so the bike serves me well. I'm too old to be hopping over the saddle, now.

[@adammackenzie]

Dawn should sponsor your vids ! I bought some , great video !

[@garyseckel295]

Love watching and learning from your videos!

[@MattNelson1]

Dig the new shop/studio set up man!

[@QoraxAudio]

Still interesting how derailleur bikes used to be the same for decades; just 5 to 8 speed with a freewheel, same chain, same chainblade... Only in the past 15 years things have been changing basically every year... different size chains, different width sprockets, different freehub things like microspline, different axles like thru-axle instead of dropout, wider "boost" frames, etc...

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Walking in my footsteps regarding the repair facility .

[@inaheap7172]

Reminds me of my Giant. Love that ride.

[@scmorton8]

How do you think about apply fresh wheel bearing grease on older bikes like this? Necessary? Based on feel?

[@jayknibbs8413]

Front mech defeat.. it’s hard to live with when it happens

[@thorn6809]

I like front derailleurs, but I don't like to have to adjust them.

[@vetteman95]

Just found your channel and it's a keeper for sure!! I wish you were monetized so I could pay Super Thanks for a buck or two, your vids are great! Also the term you want for wheel truing is "spoke wind-up" when adjusting nipples!!👍

[@kevinjnaquin11]

I find really good bikes at the dump. I love fairly close to a wealthy area and they get tossed out as soon as it starts to get cold. I’ve brought 4 home in the last few weeks that I’ve cleaned up made minor fixes and sold. But some up there are beyond my knowledge of repair. Sad to see how many get tossed

[@patthewoodboy]

I have never bought a "off the shelf" bike , early ones were buy the frame and buy the parts , the later ones got the parts transfered to new or second hand frames. Been building bikes for 50 odd years , love your videos , the humour is subtle , I love it 🙂

[@John-tf2we]

No checking the chainwear (or did i miss that)?

[@myvicariouslife4012]

I prefer the new workspace..Better lighting, appears to be more organized and last but not least..Not full of icky cobwebs lol

[@6479rob]

I prefer the new workspace.. Better lighting, appears to make a better video in the end. Nice editing, speed through the boring stuff highlight the main issues. 😊

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

After watching a ton of these great vids, all I want for Christmas is a nice used bike stand that will work on my Aventon Level e-bike. But I also want to be like Andy with my old Trek Navigator 200, clean it, lube it and adjust it.

[@bs8716]

I find applying triflow to each spoke nipple has saved me some grief if they feel a bit crusty.

[@velvetbikes]

THis absolutely.

[@APPOINTEDTIMES]

changing the cable or the derailleur fixes the problem. or replace both and watch the magic. ive come arcoss a few of them. cables stretch and the spring stops working.

[@RFVCXR200R]

You forgot to swap out perfectly serviceable 3x drivetrain for a 1x, and convert from v brakes to disc. Oh wait, those are the other crappy biking channels

[@SirBrass]

Yup, it always seems to come down to having to fiddle with brakes and front derailleur, doesn't it?

[@IBeHambo]

What was sprayed on the cassette and chain?

[@tauncfester3022]

OK I've watched a couple of your vids, I have a little pet peeve, you have this pre operative spraying the bike down routine with wood polish, that if I may be so brash.. is a bit excessive. What always worked really well, IMO was to do a two second spray of Lemon Pledge into the wipe down rag and then wipe the bike with the wetted part and finish with the dry. You're spraying 70% of your polish into the surroundings, if there were bikes nearby that overspray will settle out on braking surfaces, pads and make all sorts of problems. You'll also save on polish purchases. Just sayin'

[@bkefrmr]

You’re not alone

[@erik.reinert]

Can you put a quick-release on the rear of this style of bike, or does that require a new hub?

[@paularthur6456]

Yes, if you change to a hollow axel, otherwise no.

[@Donnadianee]

If you leave as is you’ll get the most workout… no air, brakes and chain rubbing you’ll beat in mile

[@jackcarter233]

I’m tied of handlebar bags lately. Just random thought.

[@Gavin-my6jb]

Was wondering what a thrift shop was how did they come up with that name for them

[@davidhakes5141]

Beautiful bike, looks like silver and candy apple red.

[@asmodeusasmodeus7591]

What is that stuff he sprayed on the rusty chain and the cassette - where he said "way to much"? Thanks.

[@davidhakes5141]

To me, a bike isn't practical, until you can set it up for grocery getting, or general transportation, with a good rack system and a trailer. I need to be able to live with it. A high fuel prices work around.

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

I expand a 33 liter back pack for the grocery runs. Holds a ton. I cheaped out on a pannier set and got what I paid for. A good pannier set, even my cheap set, is very handy and useful.

[@MetalTiger88]

as we like to say in germany:"ein bisschen öl wirkt manchmal wunder" wich translates to:"a little bit of oil can work wonders" :D

[@MrLmb4682]

What are you stocking in all those sram and shimano boxes ?

[@TheKoosterify]

subscribed! from a bike mechanic to another!

[@edselbobpacer]

I used these products on my bikes and they work good iam happy

[@nickycrawl]

What product are you using on the chain at 22:50? Thankyou

[@paullinden5905]

Quite the stock of cassettes in the background.

[@MarcKroetch]

Love your channel, great delivery. What do you use the hair spray for?

[@bkefrmr]

grips!

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

I’m gonna try hairspray on my golf grips. I think it will work well.

[@yardsalecycles]

I usually see shops use Wd-40 does pledge do a better job to make the paint pop????

[@leeelliott8631]

why i switched to a one bi system. what a pain those front derailers can be..

[@bkefrmr]

I don’t think it ever makes sense to “switch” a bike to a single chainring, but I understand the merits of a 1x drivetrain for modern mountain biking.

[@markfisher7962]

There's a reason for multiple front rings. Setting them up in the right sequence helps: Set position on frame. With cable all slack, set limits, for all extremes of rear cluster. Set cable and indexing. If you start chasing setup from the wrong step, everything else will be off.

[@pastapizza7370]

Any concern with the furniture polish on the brake pads Andy?

[@bkefrmr]

Never

[@NELSONG12]

Good show

[@coryedd3783]

Doesn’t lubing the cables invite dirt? That’s my only concern. Retired auto mechanic here and amateur bicycle mechanic. Love your channel by the way

[@bkefrmr]

Not if you use the right lube. I use TriFlow. It’s a Teflon lube that scares away the hippies, but it works best. Also, it’s so easy to loosen cables to get your housing out of the way to clean things, dirt is sorta a non-issue, IMO

[@xmateinc]

@@bkefrmrI like tri flow for my personal bag. But at the shop I use Kroil. It’s amazing. It’s a bit pricey so I dole it out to the summer help so they don’t use it like water.

[@marta150]

Kroll to loosen frozen bolts, quill stems and seat posts, PB blaster to loosen gummed up shifters. @@xmateinc

[@c.adamscott2312]

I was taught to True the wheel with air pressure so its under normal conditions - was that wrong or does it matter?

[@bkefrmr]

I’ve never heard that. I guess it makes sense enough to be believable!

[@c.adamscott2312]

@@bkefrmr I don't have an actual Truing caliper or I'd see if it made a difference ... Could be an interesting comparison

[@TimmHuffman]

So oddly satisfying.

[@nicholaskoenig3106]

Forgot to take off any and all reflexctors! Incognito is the way...also a good way to get hit by a car during a 'moonlight-drive'. 😂 Bring some lights youre all good! 😅

[@ingorippe5436]

Torsion, thats what the tension introduced by turning (a spoke) is called

[@GreggBrown-b8n]

What lube are you using for the cables?

[@GreggBrown-b8n]

I got it Tri Flo lube

[@solarheat9016]

It is OK to have rubbing in big-big combination and small-small.

[@bkefrmr]

It’s almost certainly unavoidable.

[@peterweatherby8816]

Yes, but in this case it was rubbing in big front small rear - a totally supported combo.

[@bkefrmr]

@@peterweatherby8816 then it’s not properly adjusted

[@bkefrmr]

I'm just seeing this again and I think I'm just figuring it out. You weren't asking a question, you were trying to tell me something about how bikes work. I misunderstood that. Then, you were telling me something about "this case" which I was assuming was a bike you were asking about, but in fact, you were referring to the bike in the video. That triggered a memory of making a video of a bike that I struggled to get to not rub in certain gears and eventually gave up on it. In this case, it really doesn't matter. It really isn't worth figuring out how to manage the design/spec flaws of the product to find parts that will work. Good enough for who it's for, definitely applies here. Thanks for watching and helping out!@@peterweatherby8816

[@peterweatherby8816]

@@bkefrmr Very good! Peace brother... Absolutely love your videos. They teach me much!