We have fairly extensive, almost shop-level, bike maintenance capabilities at home along with supplies to support them. Extra chains, multiple sets of brake pads for all the systems we use, bits-and-bobs collected over many years, and a solid selection of good tools. If I have a fork that needs more than a lowers service or a shock that needs more than an air can, I’ll contact the good folks at SuspensionWerx but otherwise, we’re covered for most other service needs. 

I look at this stuff as an investment. We’re going to buy chains, pads, cables, and housing anyway so I like to have them on hand when I need them instead of having to make a special trip. I also tend to do bike maintenance in the evening after most shops have closed so having what I need on hand adds significantly to my efficiency. But, it’s true that some of these ‘investments’ are long-term. I’ve been pulling housing from this 50m box of 4mm for just over a decade.

I always lube shifter housing when I’m replacing cables or doing fresh builds so it tends to last me a long time. Even Nina’s commuter has been shifting nicely for years on the same Shimano SP41 housing and stainless steel cables with a little liquid magic dripped into the housing. I also don’t work on very many bikes. Mine, Claire’s, Nina’s, Crash Test Kevin’s, and then the very occasional middle of the night emergency suicide-shifter build for a friend in need. 

I had a couple hours set aside to crank out the build on what I’m calling my “rehab rig” and a lot of work left to accomplish. I mean, the headset was pressed in, the wheels were mounted, and I’d even installed the bottom bracket but there was a ton left to do from swapping out the rear brake line for a longer one, bleeding both brakes, and routing the dropper post and rear derailleur cables. 

I reached down for some housing, where the box is sandwiched between inner cables and my random widgets bin, and gave a sharp tug managing to just save myself from a trip to the floor as I stumbled backward holding the last couple of feet of SP41 from the formerly bottomless box. Ugh. Check the time – we’re leaving to walk to Claire’s swim lesson in 15 minutes. There would have been just enough time to finish the job, and even if there wasn’t I could have finished it in the evening. Ugh. 

It was about 6:30pm as we were wandering home from the pool and happened past the bike shop closest to our place – North Shore Bike Shop – and they just happen to be open from 11am-7pm on the weekdays. Win! As an added bonus, when The Clairebarian and I ducked our heads in our friend Mike, who is also a DBNV alum, was working. Double Win! 

I know it’s only an hour after most shops in town close, but it’s enough that I’ll be getting out on my new rig before the weekend and that’s an extra little bit of awesome. And I know from experience, as much as morning rides rock, that sometimes it sucks to work later hours for your customers’ convenience. So thanks for being open NSBS. If you are in North Vancouver, and you do need something in that magic hour from 6-7pm, be sure to ask for Mike. He’s one of the nicer shop folks you’ll chat with.