OK, have the replacement bushings for these so checked out the Straitlines website and their little videos and I know what I’m supposed to do. It’s the execution that’s the problem. 😳

Poodle clip – how on earth is this supposed to be removed? Have tried using a flat blade screwdriver followed by a kitchen knife and it just won’t shift.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

As always, thank you so much. 🙂

What on earth is a “poodle clip”. I Googled it and apparently the internet doesn’t know either

Part no. 9 at the end

http://www.straitlinecomponents.com/pdf/straitline-pedal-manual.pdf

Not much clearer lol.

Is it like a circlip?

Flat blade screwdriver in the gap and twist.

A screwdriver should do it; but it’ll need to be thin enough to fit between the poodle clip and the axle. With the screwdriver in place, pointing down the axle, just lever the poodle clip off. I’d recommend putting your thumb over the poodle clip as it’ll probably fly off and into oblivion otherwise.

Oh here we go. What’s the silly mare up to this time? 🙄

Love; give it to a feller to sort out, and get yerself back to yer sewing and baking…

X

[helpful non-patronising mode] I use a pair of suitably sized pliers to push the two ends up, then a flat blade screwdriover once you’ve opened a gap on the other side, to prise it off. Be careful it don’t ping off and become lost forever though. [/helpful non-patronising mode]

Thanks for helpful replies. 8)

Woo and hoo – had to employ my secret weapon … what every bimbo needs … 11 piece precision screwdriver set oh yes. Mind you, that ‘hot pink’ nail varnish I so carefully applied this morning is looking decidedly messy.

You have your own 11-piece precision screwdriver set??? 😯

Did you steal it from a man?

LOL, I’m going to paint my nails later on today, but probably after I’ve de-greased and cleaned my chain and cassette! (glad you got pedals sorted)

Well of course a woman could have designed this so much better. 🙄

Whilst a bloke might be happy spending hours faffing around in the workshop avoiding the missus, a woman simply has far too many girlie womanly chores to do.

Now how on earth am I going to rescue my poor little girlie hands and tatty nail varnish? 😀

Anna – hope you removed said chain, soaked overnight in degreaser and then scrubbed with a toothbrush? 😉

Sheesh. 🙄

Get some nitrile rubber gloves (not latex as they disintegrate with oils and degreasers and that). They give you enough feel to do fiddly things, yet keep yer hands all nice and clean. 🙂

I’m seriously unimpressed that you din’t already know this. See, you need a mayn to steer you in the right direction. You’d never cope on your own. 😉

X

My precision screwdriver set is rather useful and, no, I bought it myself! How dare you!

Hands are nice and clean thanks to Fenwicks beaded hand cleaner, just looking a bit battered with the odd cut. Skin feels like sandpaper mind.

Where do I get those gloves from, are they disposable or reusable?

Elf – believe me no man could ever put up with me. 😀

Here you go love, let a mayn Google that for you.

http://www.justgloves.co.uk/nitrile-gloves.aspx

🙂

(Am I being patronising and sexist enough, or should I try a bit harder?)

Nitrile gloves are good. I use mine for all sorts, including bike repairs, painting, etc.

Disposable, which isn’t good for the planet I spose. 🙁 Better for your skin though; some chemicals in bike lubricants etc are pretty nasty and not good for your skin at all. Can cause Dermatitis. Some are even carcinogenic.

They come in pink – brilliant. 😆

Patronising and sexist? You’re just like the rest of ’em on here. 🙄

Only kidding – some of the guys are really nice and helpful with their replies, just a good job I can’t hear them sniggering!

Remove a chain to clean it? I always said that was going a bit far. Plus those power links are a bit pesky – bet they were designed by a man too 😉 I did have a toothbrush on it all though…. didn’t wear gloves and worried I have hand cancer as per elf “harbinger of grim reaper doom” insafety post.

Anna – my lbs have been impressed with my chain cleaning! It’s actually quite therapeutic, in a rather sad way. Power links are easy to deal with when they are clean but Shimano are definitely designed by a man!

No gloves? 😯 Fancy going halves on a box of pink ones? 😉

Fancy going halves on a box of pink ones?

According to the website, the pink ones are:

ideal for tasks such as hairdressing

Not sure if that leaves us with 😯 😐 or 😥

😆

elf “harbinger of grim reaper doom” insafety

🙂

The mechanics at the bike shops I worked at were ordered to wear gloves as part of the elfinsafety gawn mayd/insurance requirements. I’d say that’s probbly good really, if you’re exposed to that much grime on a daily basis.

S’just less hassle. Take gloves off, nice clean haynds.

Please don’t cry Anna. 🙁

Not cryin elf. Am therapeutically happy thinking of my nice clean chain and cassette! I will say though, my hands feel awful dry after too much contact with halfords orangery de greaser. Where’s those pink gloves….

You do know that degreaser is pretty nasty stuff, don’t you? Even if it is meant to be ‘biodegradeable’.

It’s all nasty tbh. The less contact with it, the better.

But it smells so nice! Lesson learnt tho – gloves next time.

Moisturiser and sugar mixed together for hand wash, stops them drying out and scrubs them clean too, even chain/cassette oil.

For some reason, with any talk of haynds drying out and wearing gloves to prevent it, I’m always reminded of the bloke in I think it was The Grapes of Wrath, who kept a Vaseline filled glove on one haynd, to keep it soft for his lady. Very thoughtful, I always thought.

Was it The Grapes of Wrath? Or have I got completely the wrong book?

Just a wee update.

Two sets of pedals now serviced. 8)

It has been a real pita but I now have a brilliant new tool – long nose pliers! How did I manage without them?

What a rock chick lifestyle I enjoy. 🙄

PS Haven’t ridden the bikes yet. 🙂