Off course. No one cares about silly "rules" like "never turn your bike upside down". If it is easier to have the bike upside down, to spin the cranks for instance, why not? Scratching your saddle? Come on...
Yeah, I have done this for two reasons: first, cleaning the bottom of the frame with a sponge (don't have any pressure washers or something) and second, truing a fresh-built wheel. The frame is just marginally worse than a truing stand if you do it for yourself once in some years, not multiple wheels per day. And of course I did this indoors and put some tissues on the floor so nothing gets scratched.
Flipping the bike upside down on some soft grass is the easiest and safest way of fixing a puncture, particularly on the rear wheel. How are you supposed to protect the drivetrain if you didn’t flip the bike? That is far more important than a few grass marks on your hoods and saddle.
It used to be the case in the old days of exposed cables exiting the top of the levers because putting the bike upside down could damage them. Now with modern internal cabling that reason has disappeared but it just looks wrong to see a bike upside down.
makes no sense specially if you are not running hydraulics why wouldn't i flip my bike if i want to fix something quick and i do not have stand by,so silly 😂
After reading alot of the comments, I think this channel needs to do a video just about repairing bicycles while on the road. Show how to do it without flipping the bicycle over.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with turning your bike upside down, sideways or hanging it from a tree branch in order to do some roadside repair or adjustments. Limiting your options when conditions are less than ideal is idiotic!
Next video: how to remove and put the wheels without putting the bike upside down and not dropping the wheels, the frame, the axle, putting the chain, not binding the rotors...
That is true. And perhaps it is seen only with beginner riders, as advanced riders don't have to do repairs. They will have team cars behind, or will get a new bike and continue. If you are riding alone and you have a puncture, keeping bike upside down does seem the smartest thing to do. Maybe after putting everything back, unfasten the quick lever and fasten it back to make sure it was fixed right when the bike is standing right.
I was wondering this as well. At home with a work-stand sure, but outside on your own I'd rather my saddle got a little dirty then derailleur or brake callipers got broken.
Crikey, maybe because I come from mountain biking, but an upside down bike is how you fix stuff on the trails... from indexing gears, straightening rotors, replacing spokes, fixing chains, straightening wheels etc. Even when putting together bikes is a combination of right way up and upside down. But the fish and chips looked fantastic.
I don't know how am I supposed to fix the bike on the road. I'm not actually carrying a stand with me on the go, and I would need some kind of support or a third hand to keep the bike up on its wheels. One can always put a shirt under the saddle if scratches are the problem, or find some soft but still supporting ground next to the road.
I’ve been standing my bike ‘upside down’ whenever I need to fix a puncture for about 50+ years and won’t be changing anytime soon. It’s just easier to remove a wheel/fix a puncture and replace wheel with the bike ‘upside down’.
Lots of comments disagreeing with the upside down comment, particularly when fixing a puncture. They're all correct. It's bog all to do with being a beginner. Source: been cycling for nearly half a century and I still do it
It's usually a point in regards to hydraulic brake systems. In that case, even the manufacturers themselves advice against turning the bike upside down as air might leak up into the system.
@@ericb8985 It can, and in my case, it HAS happened. I had the bike for nearly a year, but turning it upside down one time, freed a dormant air bubble. You don't want to bleed your brakes on the roadside.
Heh this one triggered me too. Now I don't say to flip it every time but sometimes is much more convenient to have it like that when you are out, especially if your back doesn't always agree with your cycling habits.
Disagree, the wheel goes in much easier the right way up and the chain doesn't get in the way. The knack is to put the bike on the wheel, not the wheel on the bike. Some people!
@@stevemawer848 "some people" ? Most people including myself,an ex bike mechanic, I have,and will always put the bike upside down when out on the road,except for a front wheel removal,as the bike balances nicely on the front forks. I guess if you have a friend with you it is a better way to do it the right way around,to prevent scuffs,but I am always very mindful of damaging anything on my pride and joy,and there is usually something at hand to cushion the affect. We are all individuals,and there is no written law about it.
The very first ride on clipless pedals, I had 4 situations where I needed to emergency stop. Not once I fell of, always clipped out on the side I was leaning and it felt great, my confidence was skyrocketing...until I got home, clipped out on one side (vey slight slope to the other side) and a single breeze pushed me over to the other side and brought me and my ego down to earth, with a few of my ride buddies laughing loud. 1/10, would not recommend, but yeah, everybody is going to fall at least once.
every time i've had a dumb accident like that, it's always been right as i'm almost home. i figure i'm much more on-edge when i'm out on the roads, but relax and start shutting down my anxiety on that final stretch. which is where the accidents happen, lol.
CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ALERT: Clipless pedals do not make an iota of difference in performance for the average rider. Platforms work just as great and they are SAFER to use for the average rider.
I've always put my bike upside down! Granted I don't have a maintenance stand but soon I'll be investing in one😁 But I agree with these guys, when I have a flat (still not on the tubeless wave yet) upside down bike is a must. Just try to find some grass, sometimes if I'm on a longer ride I'll even put my jacket down if I'm not somewhere I can flip it onto grass. The bike is a beautiful woman and you better throw your jacket in that puddle to save her 😂
Yeah bought a bike stand. It was great for the week or so I needed it. Now it just sits in the corner of my garage. Outside of washing my bike it never sees any real use.
@@travisjohnson8599 did my first race yesterday on some cat 4 gravel. Two flats and mechanical issues 😭 will be running 38mm as 45 psi if I ever go in that course again, with 4 replacement tubes!!
I use to flip my bike upside down to change the tires. And I use to ride with my seat to low. Now that I have my seat at the proper level, riding has been much more comfortable! I have learned so much from GCN! I appreciate the videos!
Been cycling for 40 years and done 'em all. Fell over on a very steep part of the North Downs in Kent many years ago, when I was grinding to a halt in clips and straps. And, yes, I've done it in clipless pedals as well. Pitched over the handlebars on a fixie when I forgot about not being able to freewheel. I could go on. Amazing I still love cycling really.
They mistake I made is clipping out of clipless petals. It was a painful and embarrassing experience. I finally changed from the SPD-SL to the SPD system and they are fantastic!
I have never missed to unclip when I come to a stop at a junction. Although I have happen to unclipped my right foot, leaned to the left and hit the floor. But I still count that as not missing to unclip!😅
Upside down is the only way I know how to put the rear wheel back on. I don’t do it for long time. I know it’s probably not good also if you are using hydraulic disc brakes. But it’s definitely easier.
Bike shop employee here, not bad for disc brakes at all, if there is air in the system it will rise to top and after a few pumps you will have brakes again
Not a problem, I do it all the time. If (and that's a big if) some air bubble finds it's way into the system from the reservoir, just pump the levers a few times. It's quite easy to feel it: the soft feeling will give way to that lovely hard touch, when the pads bite the disc. In other words: pump the breaks until they go "tuk tuk tuk".
I really find the shimano spd pedals easier to clip in and out of..the 2 bolt ones..plus shimano now have multi directional cleats so you can pull your foot out in an emergency..a lot easier to get on with for beginners..
I use spd pedals and visor helmet while road cycling myself as I was a mntn biker first..I also need new shoes and just found ( I believe) road shoes with spd hole option on them, brilliant.
I've been riding clipless for 10 yrs now and it is certainly a game changer. You become one with the bike and can use all of the muscles. Improved my performance overnight dramatically. Although, clipless can be pretty dangerous, especially in traffic, so it is important to practice extensively. Better unclip without a reason than fall under a car passing you or down the hill. When you are tired your reflexes will kick in and reflexes don't take in account you are fixed to the pedals. Study well how your pedal "lets go" and practice it. If you can expect you will need to unclip, just do it. Sometimes I unclip for whole descents or pass whole settlements with left foot unclipped.
Agree with the comment section, I always flip my bike upside down. As a newbie to road bikes (I have been riding fixed forever), one thing I tend to keep screwing up on is shifting under load. Even when I feel like I don't have much torque on the cranks, when I shift it still clunks it's way into the next gear. Still not there intuitively yet I guess. Soon enough.
I bonked badly, and was shaking with cold, on a winter ride a couple of years ago. I stopped and bought some fish and chips which I ate slowly before continuing my ride. Was a really good choice and I made it home in much better condition, sometimes you hit the wall and need a lot of calories but definitely just a mid-ride top up.
I've found plenty of ways to do that without putting the bike upside down, even when out on the road. Hook the seat to a fence, treebranch etc. for gear adjustments (or just lift up the rear wheel...) Lay the bike on it's side (drive side up, obviously) in grass to work on the chain or change a tire. I'm not dogmatically against flipping the bike as long as you think about where you do it. I've seen plenty of scratched up bikes from people putting it upside down on asphalt or gravel and bikes falling over in wind...
35 years cycling - disagree with not putting your bike upside down Just make sure it's balanced, not on any super scratchy surfaces, and it's the ideal "mobile bike stand"
I really don't agree with the upside down maintenance. You don't have to put it on tarmac. You haven't really shown any alternative for on the road maintenance. For example, tube exchange.
@@neozes Only your pedal which will be scuffed anyway and the tip of your bars, and bar tape is cheaper than saddles and hood covers. No reason anything else should touch the floor and not even a hurricane could blow it over. Anyway what has that got to do with it? Its still an alternative that even a moron should not need a tutorial for.
If you are so concerned about scratching up your handle bar hoods and saddle, then bring along covers. They will only weigh a couple of ounces and will protect your hoods and saddle while the bicycle is flipped upside down.
I hardly ride now. Trying to get back into it which is why I am subscribed to this channel. I used to ride to work two or three days a week and went for rides on the weekends. I used extra thick throrn resistant tubes and never once had a flat. They are heavier but to me were worth the piece of mind. Never had to turn my bike upside down. Another thing I learned to do was a track stand at stop lights. I got to the point where I could balance the entire red light. Even learned to roll backards a bit then back forward. Never had to clip out.
Growing up that’s the only way my brothers and I ever worked on our bikes was putting them upside down and I still do that today. After 50+ years I don’t think I’ll change either, while out on a cycling vacation I did have a flat repair and yes our bikes are worth way more then they were when we were kids. It was an easy fix I put the bike upside down with the seat resting on a small towel and the same for the handlebars, I always carry a few towels in our pack for something like this or to clean up after a crash or ?? This way is way less likely of scratching the forks or the rear mech while the wheels are out.
I remember when I was about 25 I had a real nice mountain bike with a quick release front wheel; upon repair of a flat tire I did not clasp in the front wheel to the forks properly and when I started ascending down a steap hill the front wheel released and I was flown off my bike. Luckily only a couple of bruised ribs. So I learned early in my day to make sure and be patient. Everything has to be mechanically working. Great channel btw..
Awesome video Manon, I made all these mistakes in the past :) I agree with others comment, I always flip my bike upside down to fix flats. If you have hydraulics breaks make sure breaks works fine after repair, this is in case you have air in the system that you didn't know of. A lesson learned, be careful not to use too much CO2 to inflate flats, it will blow the tube. Perhaps, a GCN video about how to fix flats on the road will be appreciated by beginners.
I felt a little bad after watching the video. I recently purchased these "Kool Units" that attach to your handlebars so that you can turn your bike upside down for maintenance. After reading many comments though I'm just fine. Thanks community! My bike has cantilever brakes (I'm 68 and the bike is 45 years old) not disc, therefore air bubbles are a non issue for me. I once had an elaborate "Trunk" rigged unto my bike which made it precarious to flip but if at home I hung it from the rafters in the garage and if on the road, I utilized my "chain stay" kick stand combined with some "Cirque du Soleil" moves to get the job done. Now, when I can afford some fancy disc brakes and stuff, (thanks to the comments section) I’ve learned to be careful with the hydraulic system. Be safe out there! Edit: To those commenters proclaiming that an upside down bike is a sure sign of an idiot/noob/rookie or whatever. You have NO IDEA what their personal situation is. Did you pull over and offer a friendly word of advice? Or, just ride by pointing and laughing? Maybe you would have learned something like I just did.
Good Video! Yep done all these things. You live and learn. I do still fix my bike upside down and yes, my hoods are very scratched! Funny you mentioned the brakes being different round the world. I learnt this when I borrowed my friends mountain bike in America and went over the bars on it pulling what I thought was the back brake 😞
Great video Manon! Absolutely loved the blooper bits! Agree with everything except bike upside down for mechanicals while in the field. Changing innertubes on the rear means upside down to prevent taking out the derailleur. When touring, you have to improvise. Thanks for the light hearted but very accessible tips! Look forward to more of these wonderful videos!
also learnt that in order to fix a puncture in the rear wheel it's important to put the chain in the smallest cog, in order to remember at which gear we had the bike and also 'cos it's easier to put the wheel in place
here's a face-saving (metaphorically and literally!) tip I learned after only about 40 years of cycling... If you need to do an emergency stop, you have to pull the front brake harder than "feathering" and risk doing a faceplant. Unless you lock your elbows! This keeps your weight back, and you'll only flip if you do some seriously extreme braking. Practice it, it could help you save face!
1:56 ~ I am not a fan of clipless pedals for a myraid of safety reasons....in fact I pulled my cleats from the shoes. In the USA, one needs the ability to jump a curb, ditch or whatever to avoid texing or intoxicated drivers and fractions of a second could be injury if not life saving. I prefer quality BMX pedals. I would suggest riding for about a year before trying clipless. 3:36 ~ Being left-handed, I've found flipping the bike over for replaciing the chain on a ride to be much faster than any other method. I could see how it would confuse right handed folks though. 7:41 ~ LOVE fish and chips! I thought they were the required carbohydrate intake fuel on British bike riding. But yeah I tend to pick them up and take them home. Great vid Manon.
5:09, i think that's the reason I went flying away while going fast downhill. It's such a shame I had some memory loss and I don't quite remember what happened to learn from my mistake, so in order to learn , I need to crash again.
Definitely some very valid points in this video, and I have taken somethings with me, but I can definitely see the gulf between road cyclists and those of us that play in the dirt
You totally forgot when discussing Riding in the right gear, when going up a hill being in the big chainring and trying to drop to the small while under too much power. Takes time to learn when/how to go from that big chainring to sustain the speed going down a hill to dropping to the smaller chainring to maintain a good speed up the hill.
5:57 i just got a MTB today and I was about to go throw myself off a cliff right away.. but i decided to go home instead and play around with it. Turns out my breaks had never been used.. idk how hydraulic breaks work but, the first times I used the breaks I had to really squeeze, after some use, the pressure became “normal”. I’m so happy I don’t throw myself off a cliff with a brand new bike with out stress testing the breaks.
I have some golden rules before going on the adventure: eat, drink and *empty your bowels* - then you're good to go. It's a mistake heading out too quickly only to realize you've got to have a prolonged and uncomfortable stop in the first hour, nor having the energy to get anywhere.
Cyclists are lucky these days to have clipless pedals. I used to ride deep cleats with Binda Extra straps. If you didn't remember to loosen the straps you were not coming out of the pedals;) Worse yet was to loosen up one foot as you stop only to find yourself leaning the opposite direction. I too, flip my bike upside down to fix a flat. I carry nitrile gloves to handle the dirty parts! My friend that got me into cycling had a good rule for shifting, "Always be in a gear you can increase your speed easily".
I spent 2 months on effectively flat tires (20psi when I needed ~60psi), thinking I just sucked at balance and had no leg strength.... Then I got a tire pump with a gauge on it and went "oh." The bike was still a clunker, but it was a LOT better with inflated tires!! Now on a nice steady commuter and happily pump her tires to 85psi every other week :)
I recently got lucky enough to talk with a world tour mechanic and now with disc brake bikes there is 1 exception to the rule of not flipping your bike upside down to do maintenance. That exception is when you are adjusting the position/angle of the rear brake caliper and if you don’t have a bike stand around. That way you can more easily see what you’re doing when adjusting the bolts and you’re less likely to strip the bolts. However, that was the only time he suggested flipping the bike over.
I do wear my undies, seamless ones, very comfy and after six times crossing the alps in both directions, no issues. I had no issues clipping out, starting it as a 13 year old, 19 years ago, on an MTB. I do flip my bikes because otherwise I would have no choice to change the tires, otherwise I have to lay it on the ground and, tadaaa, scratches. But, last time fixing stuff in the wild was many years ago, when I ripped the rear derailleur off. Tubeless and checking my bike before each ride, MTB and road bike. And, to be honest, if you ride your bike for a certain amount of time, you may have scratches anyway. They are telling stories about your time together. Learned how to brake quite early, living on a hill with 18% descent, riding down narrow forest paths. The cadence was medium from the beginning, as I first had a bike with one rear sprocket, and had to have a medium cadence to keep up with my family. I rode my bike almost every day, living at a country side in lower Bavaria. To get anywhere. So i had to have a certain amount of training level and kind of endurance. But yes, overeating causes problems. But, sometimes I can’t resist eating a load of pasta, just because I love it. Thank god it’s good carbs 😅 And after all of that, I’m not better than anyone, I just had great support and training, my dad taught me the most, and I’m grateful for that. Now he’s paralysed, thanks to ALS. But these skills will be transferred to my daughter one day, so his spirit will go on. So big hugs from a fan, cyclist, father, husband, and lucky rider with undies, bike flipping, braking correctly, clipping out in time and having fun eating a lot ;) Cheers guys!
When I bought my first set of clipless pedals the shop were helpful with some advice on setting the cleats. The guy did say I would probably fall over a couple of times until my reflex unclip kicked in. He was right.
Not turning the bike upside down when taking a rear wheel out is very difficult to avoid, especially if you'r on your own. There isn't always convenient road furniture where your forced to stop with a mechanical. I think I would rather risk scratches than damage my derailleur. One tip is to do it on grass, that offers some protection.
Next week on GCN: Manon learns how to take the rear wheel off and put back on when the bike is upside down. She also learns how to fix a puncture for the first time.
When I was New to clip on's shoes , I was riding with a cycling group and we were doing hills, I had a very bad hair day... I fell 5 times, I was a bloody mess but, I did do the ride all the way. that was 8 years ago. there is Alot to learn on cycling, Top of the List I would put Down Hill riding, and group riding skills. The public does not watch out for us, we have to be more careful the way we go about cycling in a group or on your'e own. Going too fast at times in slow area's is a mistake at times. my best advise that I follow is to keep a pace going from 18 to 20.
Obviously, getting a little dirt on the seat and hoods is much worse than getting the same dirt in your chain, jockey wheels, etc. I guess when you get a rear puncture you could always use one hand to hold the bike in the air while using your remaining single hand to dismount the tire, replace the tube and reassemble everything.
I’ve been flipping my bike upside down all my life 😂😂 I can’t imagine how could I repair a puncture otherwise … also I only use Clíp shoes on indoor cycling… too afraid of an unclipping disaster while out and about… problem solved 😅
I am a rugged Man with a rugged bicycle... it's like how they say; the dog takes after its owner looks, and or imitates their behavior. So, Yes! I do occasionally work on my bicycle upside down and from time to time It can be a little bit confusing when working on it that way Lol. I guess you could say; we both have scratches, and Scar marks on us, but there's nothing wrong with the body work/Style, and grace. 🃏
Always flip my bike to put the wheels on sorry. Much more stable, both hands available, and my seat and bar tape have never been so much as nicked. Sometimes simplicity is better than fanciness - and I think this is one of those times.
I'm a mechanical engineer, so physics is a subject I'm pretty good at. In addition to being a cyclist, I am a motorcyclist with a lot of experience on the circuit. I have spent years studying the mechanics of braking seeking to optimize my braking and I have come to develop a technique that allows a motorcycle to stop from 60 km/h to 0 km/h in just 6 meters, which is very, very short. What I say below applies to floors with good adherence, not to wet floors or dirt. Both on a bicycle and on a motorcycle I recommend only using the front brake at all times. As you apply more pressure on the front brake, more weight is placed on the front wheel, increasing ground pressure, increasing grip. At the same time, the pressure on the ground of the rear wheel will decrease, making it easier for it to skid, which greatly reduces the stability of the bicycle or motorcycle. So to maximize braking capacity, we will have to gradually release the rear brake and increase the pressure on the front brake. This is very difficult to control precisely, especially in an emergency stop. So we have that the point of maximum braking is achieved when the rear wheel barely kisses the ground, at that moment the rear brake will be of no use since it will only make the rear wheel skid. Instead, the front wheel will be on the ground putting a lot of pressure, making it difficult to skid. If we exceed the maximum braking pressure, the rear wheel will rise above our head and we will face the ground. This is the point that we must master, being able to reduce the pressure on the brake when you feel the rear wheel rise, and to achieve this it is necessary to apply the brake little by little, if you slap the brake you will not have time to react to rear wheel lift, count "one, two" as you increase the pressure on the brake, practice, and eventually it will come automatically.
You cant remove the rear wheel without putting your bike upside down or on the stand, and i'll also prefer to get a couple scratces on my brake levers and saddle instead of resting my fork on the ground while doing something with the front wheel. Besides, there's some kind of padding on most of the saddles and rubber hoods on brake levers, so they wont get scratched, just a bit dusty.
I ate fish n’chips and mushy peas at 57 miles on my longest ride to date 115 miles. Rode fine afterwards, the carbs or the 1 hour break or both got me through the following 58 miles.
I must admit in a bind flipping the bike for certain stuff is pretty good but I remember in my youth having quite a nice BMX and thinking I was all cool to sort my back wheel out flipped it over and no joke a random screw ended up ruining my seat :(
On the BMX with a 72cm handlebar, a plastic Kashimax seat and new AME grips every 6 months, upside down was OK. We fixed punctures right at the gas station, just patches needed. The BMX bike has horizontal drop-outs and you needed to balance the rear wheel & "tighten" the chain at the same time. For a road bike with a computer/mount, maybe a front light, white bar tape (hey), a polished Cinelli stem and a $150 seat - not a good idea. I would not know how do they push the rear derailleur down (up) when it's upside down, but I'm sure there is a way. Turn it back with greasy hands.
1st day in cleats. Got overconfident until I hit a busy roundabout. I couldn't get out and went sideways. Bruised arm and, more importantly a bruised ego. Definitely take your time before hitting the busy roads, especially in big cities like Sydney. Drivers are unforgiving.
@@gcn All good. I was more worried about my bike than myself. Still have not mastered clipping in/out as still new to road bikes. I tend to ride around quieter streets and less busy times until I'm more confident. Love the channel btw.
A lot of comments on upside down bike maintenance. Here's 2 more cents. At home I do maintenance on a stand, but on a ride "maintenance" is emergency repairs, so do it however it makes sense to you. However, unless you've practiced the gangly standard method of a rear flat repair with a disc brake/through axle wheel, the upside down method has the benefit of freeing up your hands and providing a makeshift tool tray with the underside of your saddle (gravel in the threads of your through axle sucks). A properly bled/maintained modern road disc system will survive more than a few minutes being upside down, and if you practice at home first it's actually easier to get the wheel back in and have your axle at hand when the bike is upside down. Just find the grass or throw your jacket/gilet (or even your jersey) under the bike if you're really concerned about damage. I keep a small ziplock bag (for trash/dirty stuff), a pair of nitrile gloves and one piece of paper towel with my on bike tool kit to deal with the chain mess (if you don't wax) and to eventually keep you riding gloves clean.
Turning the bike upside down is also a big no no with hydraulic disc brakes. You can get air bubbles migrate up through the fluid lines and get trapped inside the pistons. The only fix then is a re bleed. I’m speaking from experience here.
Acidosis. Getting over acidification of the leg muscles when you overexert yourself after a well known miscalculation of the route distance in combination with other important factors. Also what you can do to reduce the unpleasant feeling, on the spot.
Not sure if anyone has commented on this, but regarding braking, it’s important to understand that most of your stopping power is in the front brake. As soon as either brake is applied, weight transfers to the front wheel, increasing friction and braking force. Obviously, too much front brake is dangerous, but modern brakes are very progressive, and practice will let you develop a feel for how much squeeze to apply for maximum braking. Until ABS is invented for bikes, it’s a vital skill to learn.
I love taking advice on bicycle maintenance from someone who has clearly never tried to fix a difficult problem on a ride. What the hell am I supposed to do, at 3am, in the rain, with a flat tyre? Levitate my bike? Hold it up in one hand whilst fixing the puncture with the other? Just put the bike upside down on the grass, near that gate. Job done. Wipe your hands on the grass afterwards. My credentials? 45 years of fixing punctures and gear issues, with my bike upside down in a lay-by. Dirty Brake-hoods?.... oh dear, what a pity... never mind.
1. Not proper Saddle height As a beginner, (a myth : to have feet touching the ground when sitting on saddle ) that height is inefficient . 2. Back pedalling or harsh pedalling during changing the gears. 3. Not a proper suspension adjustment according to weight if you have an hardtail Mtb. 4. Max air in tyres , unknowing.
Lol I love Manon eating all the fish n chips lol. She’s a real person, puts herself through the pain of cycling but also can scarf down the unhealthy food like the rest of us lol.
Upside down, hoods on the mitts you've already removed and placed on the ground (oh, but none of the weight weenies use mitts do they?) and a buff, skull cap or something else under the saddle...I even flip my E-MTB (battery removed) just make sure the controller can be rotated on the bars out the way...leaning bikes against something is a stupid idea- that thing called steering will always ensure it moves and turns in on itself and falls over...oh yeah, forgot I learned bike mechanics the old way starting with a Grifter in the late 70's!!
Forgetting to change down gears as you come to a stop, I have done this many times as I was learning to ride a bicycle, try to set off only to realise that you are in a very high gear.
Oh wow, I never knew that bikes in other countries have front brake on the right and rear on the left. Being in the US, I've always had the front brake on the left and rear on the right.
Tried the clip-less pedals in the garden, fell 4:42 over sliced my knee to the bone. So I ride mountain bike pedals on all my bikes. I had pretty bad foot problems anyway so having the freedom to move my feet about was helpful.
I think it's also important to learn to pace yourself. Not just for ultra long endurance races or whatever but also for the weekend ride. It's no use to put the power down on the way to the cafe stop, be sweaty and out of breath etcpp when you still have the way to go home ahead.
Plenty of this (and more) I reckon would be a good series to go through with Harriet. Seeing someone's genuine reactions and going 'Oh hey, that makes quite a difference!' has a bigger impact than someone on high delivering the commandments. Are you even a cyclist without getting the D Grade chainring tatt at some point? :D Re: Upside down bike; [Feigns incredulity] It's not a fuggin horse! TBH it really doesn't matter the bike is just a thing, an object, a metaphysical possession. Being protective of the pride and joy is one thing, but if you're spending multi thousands on one then is the a BIKE thing or a YOU thing? Also (and quite in regards to the audience the channel seems to focus to) who's keeping shifters and a saddle (or bike for that matter) for more than 5 years?
I think my most painful mistakes have been having the saddle to low - resulting on really bad cramps, and riding on the wrong gear - getting exhausted very quickly.
I watched the video because I wanted to know what's wrong with flipping the bike to remove the wheel. I agree with those below who say it's actually a better way of keeping your bike unscratched while lacking a wheel...and also--Manon it isn't hard to learn how to flip things around in your head when your bike is upside down. I'd argue it's a good roadside maintenance skill (to remove and replace a wheel while the frame is upside down), and it must also have cognitive benefits.
Putting your bike upside down is the proper way to not only install the back wheel but if you have disc brakes the best way to install the wheel and get the rotors lined up straight with the brake pads so you won’t have any brake uneven braking and noise. Just put the bike on the grass upside down.
Another win for rim brakes - dropping the bike onto the wheel the right way up is the proper way to do it, you're just wrong. Watch a pro mechanic changing a wheel during a race - upside down? I don't think so, maybe he doesn't do it "the proper way".
@@stevemawer848 lmfao did you not read my post? Notice Disc Brakes!! Yes we don’t have several bikes on top of our car, so we take our time setting the back wheel for with disc brakes. When you are patching or changing a tube on the side of the road your bike has to be upside down so your mechanical parts of the drive train don’t contact the ground or your rear derailleur gets bent.
@@stevemawer848Wrong scenario. That mechanic is just making a quick wheel change, he doesn't even have to put the bike down for those few seconds. If you've got a flat you are going to need both hands free and are going to have to put the bike down somewhere. The tried and tested customary manner is to flip it. Sorry - you do it another way if you want, that's OK.
On a flat and shifted from a high speed gear down into a low speed (my pedals went freeeee! Had no chain grip for a few good seconds)... Was sure my chain had snapped but thankfully it didn't... After that I learnt my gear selector better and started sticking to fewer gear shifts.
Do you put your bike upside-down when doing maintenance?
Yes, especially when working on the rear wheel. Just be gentle, don't slam your own bike on the crude asphalt like a madman
Off course. No one cares about silly "rules" like "never turn your bike upside down". If it is easier to have the bike upside down, to spin the cranks for instance, why not? Scratching your saddle? Come on...
Try changing a tyre or tube at the roadside without flipping your bike upside down.
Yeah, I have done this for two reasons: first, cleaning the bottom of the frame with a sponge (don't have any pressure washers or something) and second, truing a fresh-built wheel. The frame is just marginally worse than a truing stand if you do it for yourself once in some years, not multiple wheels per day. And of course I did this indoors and put some tissues on the floor so nothing gets scratched.
Only when fixing flats on the road.
Flipping the bike upside down on some soft grass is the easiest and safest way of fixing a puncture, particularly on the rear wheel. How are you supposed to protect the drivetrain if you didn’t flip the bike? That is far more important than a few grass marks on your hoods and saddle.
Exactly! Hate when people say never flip yhe bike upside down.
Obey the rules !!!!!!! Don't flip your bike !!!!! Period !
It used to be the case in the old days of exposed cables exiting the top of the levers because putting the bike upside down could damage them. Now with modern internal cabling that reason has disappeared but it just looks wrong to see a bike upside down.
@M M And end up with filthy banknotes? No thank you!
makes no sense specially if you are not running hydraulics why wouldn't i flip my bike if i want to fix something quick and i do not have stand by,so silly 😂
After reading alot of the comments, I think this channel needs to do a video just about repairing bicycles while on the road. Show how to do it without flipping the bicycle over.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with turning your bike upside down, sideways or hanging it from a tree branch in order to do some roadside repair or adjustments. Limiting your options when conditions are less than ideal is idiotic!
👍 and solo only, where there are no options (fence, posts, etc) to easily lean or hang your bike.
Agreed. And in that video, they need to use a bike that's NOT a feather-light Pinarello Dogma costing twelve Gs.
Cable tie the frame to a nearby metal gate? That is the only one I can think of.
Next video: how to remove and put the wheels without putting the bike upside down and not dropping the wheels, the frame, the axle, putting the chain, not binding the rotors...
Exactly what i was wondering... since i ride solo most of the time🤣
A bike stand
@@speedkitten9077 I’ll make sure I pack my bike stand in my back pocket next ride, thanks for the tip!
That is true. And perhaps it is seen only with beginner riders, as advanced riders don't have to do repairs. They will have team cars behind, or will get a new bike and continue. If you are riding alone and you have a puncture, keeping bike upside down does seem the smartest thing to do. Maybe after putting everything back, unfasten the quick lever and fasten it back to make sure it was fixed right when the bike is standing right.
I was wondering this as well. At home with a work-stand sure, but outside on your own I'd rather my saddle got a little dirty then derailleur or brake callipers got broken.
Crikey, maybe because I come from mountain biking, but an upside down bike is how you fix stuff on the trails... from indexing gears, straightening rotors, replacing spokes, fixing chains, straightening wheels etc. Even when putting together bikes is a combination of right way up and upside down. But the fish and chips looked fantastic.
that bit was the click bait and they got us.
actually mtb the natural repair stand is to hang your bike seat on a tree limb...works great!
That's probably because mountain-bikers aren't afraid of getting a bit of dirt on their @$$ 😆
I started on the mountain bike side too, and working on something with the wheels on the ground seems like an unnecessary hassle.
I don't know how am I supposed to fix the bike on the road. I'm not actually carrying a stand with me on the go, and I would need some kind of support or a third hand to keep the bike up on its wheels. One can always put a shirt under the saddle if scratches are the problem, or find some soft but still supporting ground next to the road.
I’ve been standing my bike ‘upside down’ whenever I need to fix a puncture for about 50+ years and won’t be changing anytime soon. It’s just easier to remove a wheel/fix a puncture and replace wheel with the bike ‘upside down’.
Wow, that's a long time. You should be done with that flat by now
Agreed!
Lots of comments disagreeing with the upside down comment, particularly when fixing a puncture. They're all correct. It's bog all to do with being a beginner. Source: been cycling for nearly half a century and I still do it
That clip of Dan Lloyd missing the bean bag never gets old.
Staged, since you didn't actually see it happen. Kinda like Photoshop.
@@gregkent8955 Hey Debbie Downer, thanks for making my day a little sadder.
Can't say i agree with the not putting your bike upside down, especially if you're on a ride and have a puncture.
It's usually a point in regards to hydraulic brake systems. In that case, even the manufacturers themselves advice against turning the bike upside down as air might leak up into the system.
@@ericb8985 in the amount of time it takes to change a puncture, i don't think that would be an issue.
@@ericb8985 It can, and in my case, it HAS happened. I had the bike for nearly a year, but turning it upside down one time, freed a dormant air bubble. You don't want to bleed your brakes on the roadside.
@@ericb8985 I've left my bike upside down for days and it's fine. The brake line is sealed.
Heh this one triggered me too. Now I don't say to flip it every time but sometimes is much more convenient to have it like that when you are out, especially if your back doesn't always agree with your cycling habits.
I work in my bike upside down all the time and it's fine. Putting the rear wheel back on bike when the bike is upside down is so much easier.
Disagree, the wheel goes in much easier the right way up and the chain doesn't get in the way. The knack is to put the bike on the wheel, not the wheel on the bike. Some people!
@@stevemawer848 sure if you don't care about your brakes and like smashing the wheel into the frame. Upside down is the way to go.
@@stevemawer848 "some people" ? Most people including myself,an ex bike mechanic, I have,and will always put the bike upside down when out on the road,except for a front wheel removal,as the bike balances nicely on the front forks. I guess if you have a friend with you it is a better way to do it the right way around,to prevent scuffs,but I am always very mindful of damaging anything on my pride and joy,and there is usually something at hand to cushion the affect. We are all individuals,and there is no written law about it.
The very first ride on clipless pedals, I had 4 situations where I needed to emergency stop. Not once I fell of, always clipped out on the side I was leaning and it felt great, my confidence was skyrocketing...until I got home, clipped out on one side (vey slight slope to the other side) and a single breeze pushed me over to the other side and brought me and my ego down to earth, with a few of my ride buddies laughing loud. 1/10, would not recommend, but yeah, everybody is going to fall at least once.
Exactly same with me lol
every time i've had a dumb accident like that, it's always been right as i'm almost home. i figure i'm much more on-edge when i'm out on the roads, but relax and start shutting down my anxiety on that final stretch.
which is where the accidents happen, lol.
I fell once when I suddenly wanted to take a pic of the beach, forgot to clip out, and fell while reaching for my phone :')
CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ALERT: Clipless pedals do not make an iota of difference in performance for the average rider. Platforms work just as great and they are SAFER to use for the average rider.
God I know I'm tempting fate with this but..........I have never failed to un-clip, came close a few times but always managed to a get my foot down.
The best part is how GCN had a video what must've been some years back where ollie said its fine to put your bike upside down
I've always put my bike upside down! Granted I don't have a maintenance stand but soon I'll be investing in one😁 But I agree with these guys, when I have a flat (still not on the tubeless wave yet) upside down bike is a must. Just try to find some grass, sometimes if I'm on a longer ride I'll even put my jacket down if I'm not somewhere I can flip it onto grass. The bike is a beautiful woman and you better throw your jacket in that puddle to save her 😂
I just bought this: Raleigh Home Mechanic Bicycle Workstand - sign up for the mailing list and its £15!
Yeah bought a bike stand. It was great for the week or so I needed it. Now it just sits in the corner of my garage. Outside of washing my bike it never sees any real use.
just cause you tubeless doesn't mean you wont still flat. Especially if you gravel with unpredictable roads.
@@Kingjay814 washing is so important though! If I had a stand I'd definitely wash after every wet/dirty ride and probably every week or so besides
@@travisjohnson8599 did my first race yesterday on some cat 4 gravel. Two flats and mechanical issues 😭 will be running 38mm as 45 psi if I ever go in that course again, with 4 replacement tubes!!
I use to flip my bike upside down to change the tires. And I use to ride with my seat to low. Now that I have my seat at the proper level, riding has been much more comfortable! I have learned so much from GCN! I appreciate the videos!
Been cycling for 40 years and done 'em all. Fell over on a very steep part of the North Downs in Kent many years ago, when I was grinding to a halt in clips and straps. And, yes, I've done it in clipless pedals as well. Pitched over the handlebars on a fixie when I forgot about not being able to freewheel. I could go on. Amazing I still love cycling really.
I always have my bike upside down for various things. I just lay it down gently so the handlebars and saddle don’t get scratched/scuffed.
I usually grab the seat tube and the fork from the other side. No chance of scuffing the frame either.
They mistake I made is clipping out of clipless petals. It was a painful and embarrassing experience. I finally changed from the SPD-SL to the SPD system and they are fantastic!
Definitely upturning the bike is desirable.
I feel much happier seating a wheel back in the dropouts like this.
I have never missed to unclip when I come to a stop at a junction. Although I have happen to unclipped my right foot, leaned to the left and hit the floor. But I still count that as not missing to unclip!😅
Upside down is the only way I know how to put the rear wheel back on. I don’t do it for long time. I know it’s probably not good also if you are using hydraulic disc brakes. But it’s definitely easier.
It's fine, I do it with my hydraulic disc brakes. It's so much easier to put the rear wheel on when the bike is upside down.
Bike shop employee here, not bad for disc brakes at all, if there is air in the system it will rise to top and after a few pumps you will have brakes again
Bike mechanic here, hydraulic brakes do not care one bit how they are oriented.
Period.
Not a problem, I do it all the time. If (and that's a big if) some air bubble finds it's way into the system from the reservoir, just pump the levers a few times. It's quite easy to feel it: the soft feeling will give way to that lovely hard touch, when the pads bite the disc.
In other words: pump the breaks until they go "tuk tuk tuk".
Me too doing the same, very easy!
I’ve been doing upside down maintenance for YEARS 💀
I really find the shimano spd pedals easier to clip in and out of..the 2 bolt ones..plus shimano now have multi directional cleats so you can pull your foot out in an emergency..a lot easier to get on with for beginners..
I use spd pedals and visor helmet while road cycling myself as I was a mntn biker first..I also need new shoes and just found ( I believe) road shoes with spd hole option on them, brilliant.
I've been riding clipless for 10 yrs now and it is certainly a game changer. You become one with the bike and can use all of the muscles. Improved my performance overnight dramatically. Although, clipless can be pretty dangerous, especially in traffic, so it is important to practice extensively. Better unclip without a reason than fall under a car passing you or down the hill. When you are tired your reflexes will kick in and reflexes don't take in account you are fixed to the pedals. Study well how your pedal "lets go" and practice it. If you can expect you will need to unclip, just do it. Sometimes I unclip for whole descents or pass whole settlements with left foot unclipped.
Great advice! I am thinking about going clipless.
Agree with the comment section, I always flip my bike upside down. As a newbie to road bikes (I have been riding fixed forever), one thing I tend to keep screwing up on is shifting under load. Even when I feel like I don't have much torque on the cranks, when I shift it still clunks it's way into the next gear. Still not there intuitively yet I guess. Soon enough.
I bonked badly, and was shaking with cold, on a winter ride a couple of years ago. I stopped and bought some fish and chips which I ate slowly before continuing my ride. Was a really good choice and I made it home in much better condition, sometimes you hit the wall and need a lot of calories but definitely just a mid-ride top up.
Upside down frame is the only way you can work on a tire change or chain, not to mention gear adjustments. I dissagre with this one!
"Only way" is a bit of a sweeping statement - I've never worked on an upside-down bike .
Just call your Teamcar, they will hook you up with a replacement bike. If you dont have a teamcar you are not worth to ride such a shiny bike anyway.
@@stevemawer848 you're such a snob!
Why do you think that people who have been riding for many years, never remove a wheel like this?
I've found plenty of ways to do that without putting the bike upside down, even when out on the road. Hook the seat to a fence, treebranch etc. for gear adjustments (or just lift up the rear wheel...)
Lay the bike on it's side (drive side up, obviously) in grass to work on the chain or change a tire.
I'm not dogmatically against flipping the bike as long as you think about where you do it. I've seen plenty of scratched up bikes from people putting it upside down on asphalt or gravel and bikes falling over in wind...
35 years cycling - disagree with not putting your bike upside down
Just make sure it's balanced, not on any super scratchy surfaces, and it's the ideal "mobile bike stand"
upside down maintenance is genius actually. especially in a garage or grassy surface.
I really don't agree with the upside down maintenance. You don't have to put it on tarmac. You haven't really shown any alternative for on the road maintenance. For example, tube exchange.
Because they probably didn't think people would need a tutorial on laying a goddamn bike on its non drive side. FFS
click bait, that's why they picked it for the thumbnail.
jokes on them, I was gonna watch anyway.
I've patched tubes a million times and it never occurred to me to flip the bike upside down to do so...?
@@chris1275cc Because there is nothing you can scratch on your bike while laying it on the non drive side. FFS.
@@neozes Only your pedal which will be scuffed anyway and the tip of your bars, and bar tape is cheaper than saddles and hood covers. No reason anything else should touch the floor and not even a hurricane could blow it over. Anyway what has that got to do with it? Its still an alternative that even a moron should not need a tutorial for.
If you are so concerned about scratching up your handle bar hoods and saddle, then bring along covers. They will only weigh a couple of ounces and will protect your hoods and saddle while the bicycle is flipped upside down.
I do not care much about a saddle, but I can always put gloves under handle bar hoods :) and a bike will be OK.
I hardly ride now. Trying to get back into it which is why I am subscribed to this channel. I used to ride to work two or three days a week and went for rides on the weekends. I used extra thick throrn resistant tubes and never once had a flat. They are heavier but to me were worth the piece of mind. Never had to turn my bike upside down. Another thing I learned to do was a track stand at stop lights. I got to the point where I could balance the entire red light. Even learned to roll backards a bit then back forward. Never had to clip out.
Interesting read! Please get back to cycling its magical!
Old school track standing technique never fails to impress. I do the same.
Growing up that’s the only way my brothers and I ever worked on our bikes was putting them upside down and I still do that today. After 50+ years I don’t think I’ll change either, while out on a cycling vacation I did have a flat repair and yes our bikes are worth way more then they were when we were kids. It was an easy fix I put the bike upside down with the seat resting on a small towel and the same for the handlebars, I always carry a few towels in our pack for something like this or to clean up after a crash or ?? This way is way less likely of scratching the forks or the rear mech while the wheels are out.
I remember when I was about 25 I had a real nice mountain bike with a quick release front wheel; upon repair of a flat tire I did not clasp in the front wheel to the forks properly and when I started ascending down a steap hill the front wheel released and I was flown off my bike. Luckily only a couple of bruised ribs. So I learned early in my day to make sure and be patient. Everything has to be mechanically working. Great channel btw..
Been doing upside down maintenance for years, and it’s the best for when you’re indexing your gears.
It's the most comfortable, but it's not the best, gravity affects the derailleur position. Best way is on a bike stand, but you have to own one.
How is it better upside down? The derailleur isn’t made to work upside down so why would you index upside down?
It’s not better, is a good hack when out on the road and you don’t have a stand.
It's handy when you don't have a stand, I must admit. Otherwise just get a stand 😂
@@orangejuice7156 How does a stand help, out on the road?
Awesome video Manon, I made all these mistakes in the past :) I agree with others comment, I always flip my bike upside down to fix flats. If you have hydraulics breaks make sure breaks works fine after repair, this is in case you have air in the system that you didn't know of.
A lesson learned, be careful not to use too much CO2 to inflate flats, it will blow the tube. Perhaps, a GCN video about how to fix flats on the road will be appreciated by beginners.
I felt a little bad after watching the video. I recently purchased these "Kool Units" that attach to your handlebars so that you can turn your bike upside down for maintenance. After reading many comments though I'm just fine. Thanks community! My bike has cantilever brakes (I'm 68 and the bike is 45 years old) not disc, therefore air bubbles are a non issue for me. I once had an elaborate "Trunk" rigged unto my bike which made it precarious to flip but if at home I hung it from the rafters in the garage and if on the road, I utilized my "chain stay" kick stand combined with some "Cirque du Soleil" moves to get the job done. Now, when I can afford some fancy disc brakes and stuff, (thanks to the comments section) I’ve learned to be careful with the hydraulic system. Be safe out there!
Edit: To those commenters proclaiming that an upside down bike is a sure sign of an idiot/noob/rookie or whatever. You have NO IDEA what their personal situation is. Did you pull over and offer a friendly word of advice? Or, just ride by pointing and laughing? Maybe you would have learned something like I just did.
Good Video! Yep done all these things. You live and learn. I do still fix my bike upside down and yes, my hoods are very scratched!
Funny you mentioned the brakes being different round the world. I learnt this when I borrowed my friends mountain bike in America and went over the bars on it pulling what I thought was the back brake 😞
Great video Manon! Absolutely loved the blooper bits! Agree with everything except bike upside down for mechanicals while in the field. Changing innertubes on the rear means upside down to prevent taking out the derailleur. When touring, you have to improvise. Thanks for the light hearted but very accessible tips! Look forward to more of these wonderful videos!
also learnt that in order to fix a puncture in the rear wheel it's important to put the chain in the smallest cog, in order to remember at which gear we had the bike and also 'cos it's easier to put the wheel in place
here's a face-saving (metaphorically and literally!) tip I learned after only about 40 years of cycling...
If you need to do an emergency stop, you have to pull the front brake harder than "feathering" and risk doing a faceplant.
Unless you lock your elbows! This keeps your weight back, and you'll only flip if you do some seriously extreme braking.
Practice it, it could help you save face!
Unclipping and falling is one that you will still repeat on occasion. It's just a matter of time... Great video for beginners!
I am just new to cycling and learned a lot from this. Great content. Looking forward to see more of this in the future 😊
More to come! Welcome to the fun world of cycling 🙌
1:56 ~ I am not a fan of clipless pedals for a myraid of safety reasons....in fact I pulled my cleats from the shoes. In the USA, one needs the ability to jump a curb, ditch or whatever to avoid texing or intoxicated drivers and fractions of a second could be injury if not life saving. I prefer quality BMX pedals. I would suggest riding for about a year before trying clipless. 3:36 ~ Being left-handed, I've found flipping the bike over for replaciing the chain on a ride to be much faster than any other method. I could see how it would confuse right handed folks though. 7:41 ~ LOVE fish and chips! I thought they were the required carbohydrate intake fuel on British bike riding. But yeah I tend to pick them up and take them home. Great vid Manon.
Biggest mistake: thinking I can increase by 50% my weekly training without getting injured.
Just started road biking again after 30 years. Much to learn. Thanks !
5:09, i think that's the reason I went flying away while going fast downhill. It's such a shame I had some memory loss and I don't quite remember what happened to learn from my mistake, so in order to learn , I need to crash again.
Definitely some very valid points in this video, and I have taken somethings with me, but I can definitely see the gulf between road cyclists and those of us that play in the dirt
You totally forgot when discussing Riding in the right gear, when going up a hill being in the big chainring and trying to drop to the small while under too much power. Takes time to learn when/how to go from that big chainring to sustain the speed going down a hill to dropping to the smaller chainring to maintain a good speed up the hill.
good point
This is one of my biggest challenges to date,I guess it's all about planning and preparing
5:57 i just got a MTB today and I was about to go throw myself off a cliff right away.. but i decided to go home instead and play around with it. Turns out my breaks had never been used.. idk how hydraulic breaks work but, the first times I used the breaks I had to really squeeze, after some use, the pressure became “normal”. I’m so happy I don’t throw myself off a cliff with a brand new bike with out stress testing the breaks.
I have some golden rules before going on the adventure: eat, drink and *empty your bowels* - then you're good to go. It's a mistake heading out too quickly only to realize you've got to have a prolonged and uncomfortable stop in the first hour, nor having the energy to get anywhere.
Isn't that what the hole in the saddle is really for‽‽ 💩
/s for those who need it.
@@grndkntrl Better have a fenders! At least one.
That advice is also very true for runners :) There is nothing making a runner to push for PB like a need to reach a toilet at the finish line :D
Cyclists are lucky these days to have clipless pedals. I used to ride deep cleats with Binda Extra straps. If you didn't remember to loosen the straps you were not coming out of the pedals;) Worse yet was to loosen up one foot as you stop only to find yourself leaning the opposite direction.
I too, flip my bike upside down to fix a flat.
I carry nitrile gloves to handle the dirty parts!
My friend that got me into cycling had a good rule for shifting, "Always be in a gear you can increase your speed easily".
The reach down to loosen the strap was ingrained in the muscle memory. I could probably still do it. Clipless are SO much easier.
7. Riding over a discarded aluminium drink can for fun, which then will wrap itself around your front wheel and wedge in your front forks.
Wow!
I spent 2 months on effectively flat tires (20psi when I needed ~60psi), thinking I just sucked at balance and had no leg strength....
Then I got a tire pump with a gauge on it and went "oh." The bike was still a clunker, but it was a LOT better with inflated tires!!
Now on a nice steady commuter and happily pump her tires to 85psi every other week :)
That clip of Dan missing the bean bag makes me laugh every single time. Good info in the video, too!
I recently got lucky enough to talk with a world tour mechanic and now with disc brake bikes there is 1 exception to the rule of not flipping your bike upside down to do maintenance. That exception is when you are adjusting the position/angle of the rear brake caliper and if you don’t have a bike stand around. That way you can more easily see what you’re doing when adjusting the bolts and you’re less likely to strip the bolts. However, that was the only time he suggested flipping the bike over.
I do wear my undies, seamless ones, very comfy and after six times crossing the alps in both directions, no issues.
I had no issues clipping out, starting it as a 13 year old, 19 years ago, on an MTB.
I do flip my bikes because otherwise I would have no choice to change the tires, otherwise I have to lay it on the ground and, tadaaa, scratches.
But, last time fixing stuff in the wild was many years ago, when I ripped the rear derailleur off.
Tubeless and checking my bike before each ride, MTB and road bike.
And, to be honest, if you ride your bike for a certain amount of time, you may have scratches anyway. They are telling stories about your time together.
Learned how to brake quite early, living on a hill with 18% descent, riding down narrow forest paths.
The cadence was medium from the beginning, as I first had a bike with one rear sprocket, and had to have a medium cadence to keep up with my family.
I rode my bike almost every day, living at a country side in lower Bavaria.
To get anywhere.
So i had to have a certain amount of training level and kind of endurance.
But yes, overeating causes problems.
But, sometimes I can’t resist eating a load of pasta, just because I love it.
Thank god it’s good carbs 😅
And after all of that, I’m not better than anyone, I just had great support and training, my dad taught me the most, and I’m grateful for that.
Now he’s paralysed, thanks to ALS.
But these skills will be transferred to my daughter one day, so his spirit will go on.
So big hugs from a fan, cyclist, father, husband, and lucky rider with undies, bike flipping, braking correctly, clipping out in time and having fun eating a lot ;)
Cheers guys!
@global_cycling_network would use their real account name if they wanted to talk to you.
When I bought my first set of clipless pedals the shop were helpful with some advice on setting the cleats. The guy did say I would probably fall over a couple of times until my reflex unclip kicked in. He was right.
If he hadn't told you you'd fall over, I bet you wouldn't have - you just lived up to expectations! 🙂
Not turning the bike upside down when taking a rear wheel out is very difficult to avoid, especially if you'r on your own. There isn't always convenient road furniture where your forced to stop with a mechanical. I think I would rather risk scratches than damage my derailleur. One tip is to do it on grass, that offers some protection.
Not remembering to wear some gloves. Came off and had a bad case of road rash on my hands. Still scarred two years later.
Next week on GCN: Manon learns how to take the rear wheel off and put back on when the bike is upside down. She also learns how to fix a puncture for the first time.
Uh, yeah, I think Manon probably knows more about bikes than you so...
When I was New to clip on's shoes , I was riding with a cycling group and we were doing hills, I had a very bad hair day... I fell 5 times, I was a bloody mess but, I did do the ride all the way.
that was 8 years ago.
there is Alot to learn on cycling, Top of the List I would put Down Hill riding, and group riding skills.
The public does not watch out for us, we have to be more careful the way we go about cycling in a group or on your'e own.
Going too fast at times in slow area's is a mistake at times.
my best advise that I follow is to keep a pace going from 18 to 20.
Obviously, getting a little dirt on the seat and hoods is much worse than getting the same dirt in your chain, jockey wheels, etc.
I guess when you get a rear puncture you could always use one hand to hold the bike in the air while using your remaining single hand to dismount the tire, replace the tube and reassemble everything.
@global_cycling_network would use their real account name if they wanted to talk to you.
Nice work GCN. That upside down "advice" was just there to trigger people in the comment to trick the algorythm... Clever.
I’ve been flipping my bike upside down all my life 😂😂 I can’t imagine how could I repair a puncture otherwise … also I only use Clíp shoes on indoor cycling… too afraid of an unclipping disaster while out and about… problem solved 😅
I am a rugged Man with a rugged bicycle... it's like how they say; the dog takes after its owner looks, and or imitates their behavior. So, Yes! I do occasionally work on my bicycle upside down and from time to time It can be a little bit confusing when working on it that way Lol. I guess you could say; we both have scratches, and Scar marks on us, but there's nothing wrong with the body work/Style, and grace. 🃏
Always flip my bike to put the wheels on sorry. Much more stable, both hands available, and my seat and bar tape have never been so much as nicked. Sometimes simplicity is better than fanciness - and I think this is one of those times.
@global_cycling_network would use their real account name if they wanted to talk to you.
I'm a mechanical engineer, so physics is a subject I'm pretty good at. In addition to being a cyclist, I am a motorcyclist with a lot of experience on the circuit. I have spent years studying the mechanics of braking seeking to optimize my braking and I have come to develop a technique that allows a motorcycle to stop from 60 km/h to 0 km/h in just 6 meters, which is very, very short.
What I say below applies to floors with good adherence, not to wet floors or dirt. Both on a bicycle and on a motorcycle I recommend only using the front brake at all times. As you apply more pressure on the front brake, more weight is placed on the front wheel, increasing ground pressure, increasing grip. At the same time, the pressure on the ground of the rear wheel will decrease, making it easier for it to skid, which greatly reduces the stability of the bicycle or motorcycle. So to maximize braking capacity, we will have to gradually release the rear brake and increase the pressure on the front brake. This is very difficult to control precisely, especially in an emergency stop. So we have that the point of maximum braking is achieved when the rear wheel barely kisses the ground, at that moment the rear brake will be of no use since it will only make the rear wheel skid. Instead, the front wheel will be on the ground putting a lot of pressure, making it difficult to skid. If we exceed the maximum braking pressure, the rear wheel will rise above our head and we will face the ground. This is the point that we must master, being able to reduce the pressure on the brake when you feel the rear wheel rise, and to achieve this it is necessary to apply the brake little by little, if you slap the brake you will not have time to react to rear wheel lift, count "one, two" as you increase the pressure on the brake, practice, and eventually it will come automatically.
Never lay it upside down...Lean it on the non-drive side. Fix your flat.. Let's go.
I turn my bike upside down but I put towels in the ground to protect saddle and handlebars. 👍. Love it. I’ll keep doing it.
You cant remove the rear wheel without putting your bike upside down or on the stand, and i'll also prefer to get a couple scratces on my brake levers and saddle instead of resting my fork on the ground while doing something with the front wheel. Besides, there's some kind of padding on most of the saddles and rubber hoods on brake levers, so they wont get scratched, just a bit dusty.
I can.
@@Finnspin_unicycles well technically i can too, but this is such a pain in the butt that I don't even consider this as an option
I ate fish n’chips and mushy peas at 57 miles on my longest ride to date 115 miles. Rode fine afterwards, the carbs or the 1 hour break or both got me through the following 58 miles.
loving that right handed front brake setup. definitely not for wookies!!
UK video
I must admit in a bind flipping the bike for certain stuff is pretty good but I remember in my youth having quite a nice BMX and thinking I was all cool to sort my back wheel out flipped it over and no joke a random screw ended up ruining my seat :(
On the BMX with a 72cm handlebar, a plastic Kashimax seat and new AME grips every 6 months, upside down was OK. We fixed punctures right at the gas station, just patches needed. The BMX bike has horizontal drop-outs and you needed to balance the rear wheel & "tighten" the chain at the same time.
For a road bike with a computer/mount, maybe a front light, white bar tape (hey), a polished Cinelli stem and a $150 seat - not a good idea. I would not know how do they push the rear derailleur down (up) when it's upside down, but I'm sure there is a way. Turn it back with greasy hands.
1st day in cleats. Got overconfident until I hit a busy roundabout. I couldn't get out and went sideways. Bruised arm and, more importantly a bruised ego. Definitely take your time before hitting the busy roads, especially in big cities like Sydney. Drivers are unforgiving.
Oh no! Hope you're all good now 😬 Everyone makes that mistake!
@@gcn All good. I was more worried about my bike than myself. Still have not mastered clipping in/out as still new to road bikes. I tend to ride around quieter streets and less busy times until I'm more confident. Love the channel btw.
I see new cyclists adding padded covers to seats, which slide and cause more friction. More isn’t always better!
A lot of comments on upside down bike maintenance. Here's 2 more cents. At home I do maintenance on a stand, but on a ride "maintenance" is emergency repairs, so do it however it makes sense to you. However, unless you've practiced the gangly standard method of a rear flat repair with a disc brake/through axle wheel, the upside down method has the benefit of freeing up your hands and providing a makeshift tool tray with the underside of your saddle (gravel in the threads of your through axle sucks). A properly bled/maintained modern road disc system will survive more than a few minutes being upside down, and if you practice at home first it's actually easier to get the wheel back in and have your axle at hand when the bike is upside down. Just find the grass or throw your jacket/gilet (or even your jersey) under the bike if you're really concerned about damage. I keep a small ziplock bag (for trash/dirty stuff), a pair of nitrile gloves and one piece of paper towel with my on bike tool kit to deal with the chain mess (if you don't wax) and to eventually keep you riding gloves clean.
Turning the bike upside down is also a big no no with hydraulic disc brakes. You can get air bubbles migrate up through the fluid lines and get trapped inside the pistons. The only fix then is a re bleed. I’m speaking from experience here.
Acidosis. Getting over acidification of the leg muscles when you overexert yourself after a well known miscalculation of the route distance in combination with other important factors. Also what you can do to reduce the unpleasant feeling, on the spot.
Well the majority seems to have spoken. For me it’s much easier to remove that back wheel in the upside down position.
Can’t think of any harm done.
Not sure if anyone has commented on this, but regarding braking, it’s important to understand that most of your stopping power is in the front brake. As soon as either brake is applied, weight transfers to the front wheel, increasing friction and braking force. Obviously, too much front brake is dangerous, but modern brakes are very progressive, and practice will let you develop a feel for how much squeeze to apply for maximum braking. Until ABS is invented for bikes, it’s a vital skill to learn.
I love taking advice on bicycle maintenance from someone who has clearly never tried to fix a difficult problem on a ride.
What the hell am I supposed to do, at 3am, in the rain, with a flat tyre? Levitate my bike? Hold it up in one hand whilst fixing the puncture with the other?
Just put the bike upside down on the grass, near that gate. Job done. Wipe your hands on the grass afterwards.
My credentials? 45 years of fixing punctures and gear issues, with my bike upside down in a lay-by. Dirty Brake-hoods?.... oh dear, what a pity... never mind.
Lay it down drive side up on that same grass, You know NOT teetering on the expensive levers and saddle.
1. Not proper Saddle height As a beginner, (a myth : to have feet touching the ground when sitting on saddle ) that height is inefficient .
2. Back pedalling or harsh pedalling during changing the gears.
3. Not a proper suspension adjustment according to weight if you have an hardtail Mtb.
4. Max air in tyres , unknowing.
Lol I love Manon eating all the fish n chips lol. She’s a real person, puts herself through the pain of cycling but also can scarf down the unhealthy food like the rest of us lol.
Upside down, hoods on the mitts you've already removed and placed on the ground (oh, but none of the weight weenies use mitts do they?) and a buff, skull cap or something else under the saddle...I even flip my E-MTB (battery removed) just make sure the controller can be rotated on the bars out the way...leaning bikes against something is a stupid idea- that thing called steering will always ensure it moves and turns in on itself and falls over...oh yeah, forgot I learned bike mechanics the old way starting with a Grifter in the late 70's!!
This makes sense... It always did seem that shiny kit and lack of scratches were the #1 priority at GCN. We see you.
Forgetting to change down gears as you come to a stop, I have done this many times as I was learning to ride a bicycle, try to set off only to realise that you are in a very high gear.
Unclipped on the left, and fell on the right. Oh dear the memories
Thank you for teaching us again I gain another knowledge about my bike.
everyone puts their bike upside down for maintenance, it doesn't scratch anything and it makes all operations much easier, especially removing wheels
Really good riding tips! WRT gearing, as a rule of thumb I choose a gear where I can have a high pedal cadence yet not bounce of the saddle.
Oh wow, I never knew that bikes in other countries have front brake on the right and rear on the left. Being in the US, I've always had the front brake on the left and rear on the right.
In the UK brakes are mounted the other way. It is to do with making left turns in US and right turns in UK.
@@iananderson8498 is that really the reason? Interesting.... Thanks for the reply
Tried the clip-less pedals in the garden, fell 4:42 over sliced my knee to the bone. So I ride mountain bike pedals on all my bikes. I had pretty bad foot problems anyway so having the freedom to move my feet about was helpful.
I think it's also important to learn to pace yourself. Not just for ultra long endurance races or whatever but also for the weekend ride. It's no use to put the power down on the way to the cafe stop, be sweaty and out of breath etcpp when you still have the way to go home ahead.
I just realized, GCN covered fixing flats on couple of videos, great job.
Glad we could help!
Plenty of this (and more) I reckon would be a good series to go through with Harriet. Seeing someone's genuine reactions and going 'Oh hey, that makes quite a difference!' has a bigger impact than someone on high delivering the commandments.
Are you even a cyclist without getting the D Grade chainring tatt at some point? :D
Re: Upside down bike; [Feigns incredulity] It's not a fuggin horse! TBH it really doesn't matter the bike is just a thing, an object, a metaphysical possession. Being protective of the pride and joy is one thing, but if you're spending multi thousands on one then is the a BIKE thing or a YOU thing? Also (and quite in regards to the audience the channel seems to focus to) who's keeping shifters and a saddle (or bike for that matter) for more than 5 years?
I think my most painful mistakes have been having the saddle to low - resulting on really bad cramps, and riding on the wrong gear - getting exhausted very quickly.
I’ve been riding for years and always wear my undies.
Never had an issue once with chafe
I watched the video because I wanted to know what's wrong with flipping the bike to remove the wheel. I agree with those below who say it's actually a better way of keeping your bike unscratched while lacking a wheel...and also--Manon it isn't hard to learn how to flip things around in your head when your bike is upside down. I'd argue it's a good roadside maintenance skill (to remove and replace a wheel while the frame is upside down), and it must also have cognitive benefits.
Putting your bike upside down is the proper way to not only install the back wheel but if you have disc brakes the best way to install the wheel and get the rotors lined up straight with the brake pads so you won’t have any brake uneven braking and noise. Just put the bike on the grass upside down.
Another win for rim brakes - dropping the bike onto the wheel the right way up is the proper way to do it, you're just wrong. Watch a pro mechanic changing a wheel during a race - upside down? I don't think so, maybe he doesn't do it "the proper way".
@@stevemawer848 lmfao did you not read my post? Notice Disc Brakes!! Yes we don’t have several bikes on top of our car, so we take our time setting the back wheel for with disc brakes. When you are patching or changing a tube on the side of the road your bike has to be upside down so your mechanical parts of the drive train don’t contact the ground or your rear derailleur gets bent.
@@stevemawer848Wrong scenario. That mechanic is just making a quick wheel change, he doesn't even have to put the bike down for those few seconds. If you've got a flat you are going to need both hands free and are going to have to put the bike down somewhere. The tried and tested customary manner is to flip it. Sorry - you do it another way if you want, that's OK.
On a flat and shifted from a high speed gear down into a low speed (my pedals went freeeee! Had no chain grip for a few good seconds)... Was sure my chain had snapped but thankfully it didn't... After that I learnt my gear selector better and started sticking to fewer gear shifts.