I used a zip tie to set a derailleur limit screw and it actually worked

Had this old 90s mountain bike in the stand yesterday, the low limit was stripped and the chain kept dropping into the spokes. I mean, I was ready to tell the customer we needed a new derailleur. Then I cut a thick zip tie, wedged it between the frame and the derailleur body to hold it in the right spot, and tightened the B-screw to lock it. It held through a full gear check. Anyone else ever try something this janky that actually fixed the problem for good?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sam28d ago

That's a solid field fix. Just hope the customer doesn't try to adjust it later.

kellyjones28d ago

Consider the legal side if that field fix fails later. @the_sam is right about the customer messing with it, but liability gets messy if it wasn't signed off. A good fix now can still be a court case later.

olivia39824d ago

Sometimes a temporary fix is the right call for an old bike. If the customer knows it's a band-aid and the part is obsolete, you saved them money. Mechanics have been using lock wire and epoxy for years on things that aren't worth a full rebuild. The important part is being clear about what you did and why.