It’s no fun taking your bike to the LBS only to hear that your problem is user error. Mechanics face these five customer woes all the time. Here’s how to solve them yourself. — By Lindsay J. Westley

Aligning Your Wheel

Problem: I fixed a flat. Now the tyre is rubbing one of the brake pads.

What Happened: You reinstalled your wheel crooked.If you slid the skewer all the way out to remove your wheel, you might have dropped one of the two skewer springs—which help keep your wheel centred—or reinstalled them backward. Check to be sure the narrow side of the spring is next to your hub; otherwise, it could increase the axle diameter and affect fit. Tip: You don’t have to remove the skewer completely to take off a wheel. Just open the quick-release lever and spin the nut on the other side to loosen, then gently dislodge it from the dropouts (slots in the frame and fork where each skewer rests). When tightening, keep the bike on the ground to help the wheel sit properly.

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