Stuck Seat Post

There's nothing more frustrating than having a seat stuck in an uncomfortable position because of a seized post that won't allow you to adjust it. This is often caused by the post rusting into place after years of storage and essentially becoming welded to the opening. The method to remove the post is time consuming and involves a lot of elbow grease while not always being successful. A DIYer can start by pouring penetrating oil, ammonia, or carbonated soft-drink down into the post to try and dissolve the corrosion. If that doesn't work the next step is heating the lug area where the seat post goes in to to make it expand. If that doesn't work the seat post it can be chilled with CO2 or nitrogen to see if it contracts. Not every DIYer has the time and materials to try and free the post so this may be a job left up to the pros.

Tune Up

Many people have tried to tune up their own bikes, but almost to a T they agree that it's a job better left for a bike shop. For one, the shops simply have the tools and the expertise that make them well worth the $50 or so service fee. For instance how many DIYers have the knowledge or wherewithal to give the bike drivetrain an ultrasonic cleaning, flush the disc brakes, tension the spokes, replace bearings and hubs that are starting to fail, true the wheels, and adjust the front and rear shifting all in a couple hours time? Second of all how many more problems would be encountered when a DIY er tried to accomplish those tasks which result in a trip to the bike shop anyway.

clincher wheels

tubular wheels

carbon clincher wheels