This past weekend was our big momma QBP's Frostbike event, and we had a blast. Thanks to all the folks who stopped by our booth to chat, give us ideas, and berate us for our questionable fashion sense. 

We're lucky in that our name describes exactly what we do. The one caveat is that there are several other "Problem Solvers" out there. Most notably, if you visit www.problemsolvers.com, you're greeted with a plethora of home improvement and decorating solutions. There's also a lot of "hard-hitting" Problem Solvers journalists at news stations around the country. Every once in a while, we get calls from very confused individuals:

(Image courtesy of Northern Tool)

We had a dealer ask us, "what makes a good vise for your workshop?" He'd been looking around and just found too many options. Personally, I only ever use a vice for my steerer cutting guide and the occasional freewheel removal. So I asked around the office, and this is what the folks had to say:

• Minimum 6" capacity
• Minumum 2 screw locks on the swivel locking base (otherwise the vise can knock side-to-side
• V-Jaws are ideal for holding steerers and bars
• Rotating heads are a bonus
• Replaceable inserts/jaw covers are especially handy to avoid damaging parts
• Getting a machinist vise is probably overkill

Brands:

• Wilton was the name heard most often, highly regarded as the best
• Snap-On is apparently for tool snobs
• Craftsman/Sears: less expensive, solid. More than adequate for a bike shop. 

I had an idea to make an instructional video that wasn't boring, and to do it on the cheap. In true DIY fashion, we started with one concept and ended up with something completely different. Let's put it this way, the intro sequence is half of the entire video. Here is our install guide for our Eccentric 46 bottom bracket:

Eccentricity from Problem Solvers on Vimeo.

Full instructions here.

I love me some generator hubs and lights. I wanted to use my Alfine hub and Planet Bike headlight with our new(ish) QR Nut Light Mount, but the close proximity of light to hub left me with a boatload of excess wire (apologies for the fuzzy phone pics):

I could've zip tied the excess to the fork blade, but that would've been mucho feo. Also, I was liking the idea of being able to take the wheel out without disconnecting the light from the hub. So, putting caution to the wind, I cut:

Did some rewiring:

And voila:

Admittedly, I probably went a little too short. When I pop the wheel out, the light causes the QR axle to spin in the hub, putting a little stress on the wire. I'll strengthen with a little electrical tape. But otherwise, I'm putting this project in the "win" column.