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Bike Polish for Carbon Frames I'm looking for a recommendation for a good bike polish for carbon clear coat frames. Something the fills in minor hair line surface scratches and leaves a nice shine. <Q> Not sure about filling in hairlines, but I have used Pledge and have been very happy with the results! <A> Again, n... | Bike Lust is very popular, but I've also heard the Pledge recommendation. meguires quick detail car shine is a fine product. Also you could wet clay bar to get rid of the small stuck on grime. To fill the fine cracking in your clear coat caused by UV exposure, you do need to go outside the bike industry.
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What's the difference between galvanised brake cables versus stainless steel? I'm looking at buying a set of new brake cables and I'm wondering what the difference is between the stainless steel ones and the galvanised cable? I'm only getting relatively cheap ones but I can't find an obvious description of the benefit... | New cables always trump old cables for shifting and braking and the steel being stainless or not makes very little practical difference.
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Suggestions for progressive upgradation of bike I have one bike, which is pretty cheap. It's a Mid-Level Mountain Bike of Motache (I tried to find a picture but, no luck) . But, now I want to upgrade this bike progressively and change it into High Level Bike (or somewhere near) pduring course of time. For doing th... | The other problem with upgrading is that each component bought individually will be vastly more expensive than buying a bike with better components in the first place.
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Aero Wheels, Velocity Wheels. Does it really matter? Of course, they look pretty. But what I do not understand is: How will having taller rims or composite wheels improve a ride? Is the increase in efficiency drastic enough to make you think twice while changing rims? Or is it really not that necessary with the cash i... | Taller(Deep Profile) rims are more aerodynamic, so once moving they reduce wind resistance. The benefits of an "aero" bike over a standard bike are minimal and likely of little use save in racing.
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How should I alight from the pavement? Whenever I'm exploring a new bike route or climbing a steep hill, I often need to get of the road and onto the pavement to avoid motorists, pushing my bike on the pavement until I feel it is appropriate to join the road again. I look left and right for passing cars, but I feel tha... | In those situations where I may need to move from shoulder to roadway (as in when the shoulder is coming to an end) I generally try to plan it well in advance, look for a break in traffic, signal as for any lane change, and then move over when it's safe to do so. Lift the bike down onto the road, close to the curb, fac... |
Why would I need a torque wrench for a bicycle? I was rather surprised to find a question about choosing a torque wrench on this site. I haven't cycled for years, but many years ago when I actually cycled I would do with a set of ordinary wrenches just fine. What bicycle maintenance tasks would require a torque wren... | In the olden days it was just chainring bolts that were tricky to get right without a torque wrench. There are several related causes: with lightweight parts the manufacturer has shaved off everything that is not absolutely essential. It takes away the guesswork of being sure you are tight enough. If you are no pro and... |
Do aluminum rims provide better braking than steel ones when wet? When I upgraded the brakes on my bicycle recently, the shop asked if I wanted to also switch from my (chromed) steel rims to aluminum rims, saying the aluminum rims would provide better braking power. I opted not to at the time to save money; with the b... | In the wet, with regular brake blocks, the alloy rim will have a better coefficient of friction than the steel rim.
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Could road rims be damaged by using v-brakes? I once heard that road rims aren't strong enough to deal with the force of v-brakes, is this true? What about your standard cantilever brakes? <Q> Not true--the pad/rim contact force should be more or less independent of the brake design (assuming the pad/rim friction coeff... | In answer to your question, under certain "extreme" situations it could happen, however this shouldn't hamper your choice between cantilever or v-brakes, just change your brake blocks and other than light wear and tear (over years)
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Where Can I Find a Single Right Front Crank Arm for a Tandem? Among the bikes in my stable is a department store tandem that really isn't worth much, but would be enjoyable to ride with my wife. Like many department store bikes this one was not assembled correctly and now the pedal threads on the right front crank are... | The helicoil is probably the easiest option, but if you can find a wrecked tandem that will possibly be cheaper.
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A month in Italy (May or June) on a bicycle - advice needed I'm going to travel in Italy by bike for 1 month, from the north (Venice) to the south (Sicilian) and back to Rome. I'm not professional, but also not a beginner. I need some help information about my route. Can you recommend some popular routes and camping... | Busses usually don't have the cargo capacity for bicycles, but this may vary by locality. ad 2: The Touring Club Italiano maps are by far the best for cycling in italy. ad 3: The train is by far the best option for alternative transportation.
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restoring old bike, remove scratched stickers, yes or no? I'm restoring the first adult bike I owned. It has about 30 years and was made by a brand that no longer exists, which makes it some sort of a semi-relic :) My problem is that the brand stickers at the frame, are very scratched and I plan to paint the frame an... | Clearcoat over the stickers is a nice feature too. Most UK frame restorers/painters have no problem at all in getting replacement stickers, even if they are not identical your mates will not spot that, they will just see 'wow' paint finish.
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Are chain-drive gears 'ridiculously' efficient even when dry of oil? Allegedly chain-drive gears are something like 99% efficient when well oiled and something like 98% efficient when without oil. Personally I do not like the noise a dry chain makes, this has a 'I must be going slow' psychological effect on my ridin... | If the efficiency gains of an oiled chain are minor then that means the main reason for oiling the chain is to reduce wear/prevent rust rather than efficiency/speed.
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Weight of disc brakes People say ( for example here ) that disc brakes are relatively heavy, giving this as a reason for not using them. How much heavier than rim brakes are disc brakes? Is the extra heaviness in the brakes, or in the stronger rims, tires, and/or forks? <Q> Scott, for instance, is building a complete,... | Disc brakes do add weight due to the caliber, pads, steel mounting hardware, and if they are fluid operated, then they are generally even heavier than the cable counterparts. The difference in weight is there, but hasn't really been significant for the last few years.
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how to reassemble mountain bike rear wheel hub and bearings So I thought I would sort out my wheel bearings (after asking a few questions here first). Did the front without much of a problem, (reused the existing bearings at the moment, had not got round to going to the LBS to get new ones). I tried to do the rear wh... | Degreaser and a clean rag helps - paper towels tend to be quite linty. If the ball bearings are vaguely dull just buy new ones - they're cheap.
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Does the chain direction make a difference? Recently, I helped a friend install a new chain on her road bike, and for the first time read the instructions for installing one. It seems to claim that there's a forward direction, and that it actually makes a difference. Does anyone know if that's actually true? My LBS (w... | Some chains are asymmetrical slightly, this is to improve shifting. When installing the outerlink should be forward to the direction of travel of the chain.
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Affordable GPS with maps? I have my eye on the Garmin 800. It looks fantastic, but alas I can't afford it right now. I would like a gps / cycle computer that would work well in Europe with maps. What are my options? I want something I can couple with wheel sensors for speed (better accuracy). Next month I intend to... | Try a handheld gps device with openstreetmaps. If you are using the device for turn by turn directions, then the Garmin 800 is really the only available choice which meets all of my requirements for a cycling computer with GPS. The Oregon, eTrex, or others are suited well for the handheld hiking options, and will work ... |
What is the widest tyre that you can get away with, on a standard road bike? In general, what is the widest tyre that you can get away with, on a standard road bike (with dual pivot brakes)? Edit: I have a Campagnolo Eurus wheelset. <Q> With a bike designed around modern "short-reach" 39-49 <S> mm calipers, you're goi... | The Campagnolo Eurus wheelset has a 15mm wide rim. On a racing frame, you likely won't get over a 25, and some won't fit anything larger than 23s. Cyclocross bikes are also set up for wider tires, and are often equipped with cantilever brakes to accommodate them.
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biking with lower back pain I have regular lower back pain (mostly mild, with severe episodes during which I generally stay home; there's nothing wrong with my spine, I just sit at a computer too much). I just started biking to work - it's just a couple of miles and pretty flat, but having my back arched still doesn't... | It is possible to get an upright position where the weight balance is good, 'Dutch bikes' seem to manage it, retro-fitting a road bike or MTB is very tricky to get right. When I'm getting back into commuting after not riding for a while, I give myself more recovery time between rides to gain strength.
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Disk brakes severely reduced in power after replacing bearings so I am creating a few posts about bearings and wheels, (story so far): how to reassemble mountain bike rear wheel hub and bearings mountain bike freewheel hub stopped rotating I have now got the wheels, bearings and freehub working. Started riding to w... | The best solution I've found is disc cleaner - just spray this on the rotor then apply the brakes and it will clean the pads as well.
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Non U-Lock that can be mounted for carrying? I recently moved away from NYC to the suburbs. In NYC, I always locked up my bike with the New York Lock, which is a super heavy duty U-Lock. With a plethora of signs and parking meters, NYC works amazingly well for a U-Lock. Now however, the security is overkill and also th... | However, cable locks have a great advantage over U-locks--you can coil them up and hang them from your handlebars. I think that something in the ABUS 'Bordo' range will be perfect for you being able to put your mind at rest when off-bike, yet easy to carry when on-bike.
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Are bicycle registration websites any use for recovering stolen bikes? Ther are quite a few bicycle registration websites aimed to help you recover your bike if it is stolen, such as Bike Shepherd , Bike Register and MyBikeNumber . I'm curious if these sites are of any use. What are the strengths and weaknesses o... | In my experience bike shops very rarely check bikes at all, largely because so few are registered (and a relatively low proportion of serviced bikes are stolen). You're better off keeping a record of the serial number and reporting your bike stolen with those details, because the police do actually check serial numbers... |
How do I make the platform side of a Shimano PD-A530 multi-purpose SPD pedal less "slippery"? The lock side is great, however, shoes does not stay on the platform side. Your leg always slip out from the pedals during pedaling. Any solution to improve it? <Q> Some people have modded the pedals to add set-screws which pr... | Wearing SPD MTB shoes on the flat side is the worst, especially when the cleat reaches the outside edge. Perhaps you need to change your pedalling style when you're riding without clips: push (only) down onto the pedal, instead of spinning. I would pay a visit to your local skateboard shop and get some 'skateboard grip... |
Why are most tyres black? While looking for new tyres that would fit my bike from a design point of view, it turned out that none of my color wishes could be fulfilled. Most tyres on the market are black, with a handful of exceptions (some mentioned here ) There are headsets, clamps, brake levers, saddle posts etc. a... | Practically all rubber products where tensile and abrasion wear properties are crucial use carbon black, so they are black in color. Since the same matching effect can be achieved by the sidewalls being colored, most manufacturers go that way instead.
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How many balls to put in a bearing? I'm cleaning out most of the bearings on my new (second hand) bike. I'm replacing the grease inside the pedal bearings and I was wondering. How many ball bearings should be inside? I thought there had to be just enough to fill the full circle, but a friend of mine told me I should ... | In practice most bearings spread a little as you tighten the cones so "full" when you're adding balls is not actually full in use. At the very least use the automotive grease -- I would not expect petroleum jelly to hold up very well in a bike axle. And be sure to buy new bearings; they are cheap and most authorities r... |
Better solution for uncomfortably low bars: a stem riser, or taller stem? I've got my (threaded) stem at the maximum height, but I'd be more comfortable if the bars were higher relative to the seat. It would be uncomfortable to lower the seat any further. I was intrigued by the idea of a stem riser as a cheaper soluti... | They increase the amount of force you can put on the headset (as does anything else that gets the handlebars further up), they can break (unlikely but possible), they add a little slop and they often creak (a consequence of the slop). Stem risers do work but have limitations.
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Why is it important to have good saddles? Why is it important to have good saddles? Other than the comfort in long rides. <Q> Taken from the livestrong website: A March 2005 article in "European Urology" discusses the overuse injuries that can stem from long-term bicycling. <S> The article states that, although cycli... | In addition, although I know you were not asking about comfort, if you are adapted to your saddle, it will be more comfortable. The main advantages are better power delivery and lower rider fatigue.
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How can many people move a car -trailer with bicycles? I need to move a trailer like this one here but with 4 wheels (two on both sides). I have no access to cars. The distance is about 100km or more, and I am a bit unsure how I am going to move it: where I should move it on pedestrian way or on car road? How sho... | Tandems often use drum brakes, particularly on the rear wheels, but if the trailer you're moving is as heavy as most auto/truck trailers, you're going to have a difficult time stopping it from moving, particularly when going downhill, even with a drum brake system built for bicycles.
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How do you connect and disconnect a quick release chain link? I can't find any nice video or pictures tutorial that explains how to connect and disconnect a quick release chain link . Am I not finding anything because it has another more common name? How do you connect and disconnect a quick release chain link? <Q> T... | The best method to do this is to move master link to top section between rear cogs and front chainrings and press hard on pedals.
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Should I get a bike that's too small for me? I'm considering buying the 2010 model of the Pinarello FP2. They're substantially cheaper than this years model (~£700). However, they only have the 55cm frames in stock. I'm 6ft tall, looking at this size chart it says the 55cm frame is suitable for people up to 5ft 9in.... | So a properly sized bicycle is important. Finally, you can compensate some sizing issues in this specific case with a longer stem and/or higher saddle. Therefore, I'd probably be most comfortable on a 53 cm FP2 even though I'm 2" taller than the max recommended height on the sizing chart you linked.
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Should inner tube have excess length? I've recently changed the default 700x35 tires and 35mm Schrader inner tube to 700x25 slicks with 25mm Presta inner tubes. However whilst fitting the new tire and inner tube, I noticed that the inner tube had about an inch or two of excess length to it. This mean I had to tuck it ... | If you installed the tube without inflating it first, just a tiny amount, then it hasn't got the shape to sit in the tire completely, and it will appear to be too long.
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Daily commuting - are dietary supplements recommended? I've been commuting daily (Apart from holidays, illness and some other exceptions) for the past year, riding 12 miles daily (6 miles with 500ft height gain coming in, 6 miles 232ft height gain riding back) on a hybrid. Recently there have been times when I've been... | "Eat a balanced diet" is the best general recommendation. But also understand that "energy level" is closely related to your degree of stimulation, and if you're simply not doing anything that interests you on the weekends you'll feel less energetic. It is a fair call to ask your doctor what could be going on, a lot of... |
What cause and cure for tense or cramped stomach muscles? I recently restarted cycling to work. I did four round trips. After riding back from the fourth trip, my stomach muscles started to tense and cramp. I heard that stretching before and after a ride, as well as remaining hydrated, could prevent this. Is there an... | Mostly a few slow warm up laps around a short course, or taking it a bit easy the first few trips out, as you get used to riding a bike again. You may want to consider some sort of torso (core) strengthening and flexibility routines. you're OVER-hydrating, but more likely your riding position is too awkward -- perhaps ... |
Why am I breaking a ridiculous number of spokes? First, this is a follow up to this: Why does my back wheel keep becoming untrue? (The short version is I bought a used bike a few weeks ago, I broke a spoke on the back wheel, replaced the spoke, trued the wheel with a tensiometer, and found that it had become untrue ag... | Riding without truing the wheel doesn't help the situation, but wouldn't by itself cause a problem unless the tension was so far off that a few spokes were bearing the lion's share of the load.
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Recommendation on new $400-500 hybrid Analysis paralysis. My wife says I can spend up to $500 on a first bike. I don't want to spend it on the wrong stuff. My intention is to use it as the "last mile" on public transit on commute/weekends, quick to the grocery, leisure ride, and perhaps even intentional exercise. I... | They are all really rather similar; variations in frame geometry are minimal, variations in component spec are also minimal. The main thing you are looking for is fit, which you already recognize as important, and the best components you can get for your money. solid forks pinhead security for the wheels and handlebars... |
What to look for in Riding Suits? I have been using a riding jacket but it is a bit hot during summer over long trips. I like the jacket because it is very simple, only one pocket for a key and it protects in accidents (or so I think). I have now used a so-called "technical t-shirt" used by footballers and armies as ... | First knee and arm warmers, then a cap under helmet, and shoe covers, then a lightweight jacket or winter training jersey. Any common jersey should do the job . The ability to 'layer' up or down is important if you want to be comfortable.
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Advantages of higher quality cranksets What are the advantages of upgrading the crankset on a bicycle? For example, my bike ( 2009 Kona Dew ) comes with a FSA Dyna Drive crankset. I'm assuming this is a pretty basic crankset since it lies at the bottom of their product list . Would there be a substantial improveme... | Also worth noting, some higher end performance parts are built with weight in mind thus keeping it the lightest possible. Cheap bikes are the ones more likely to be bought by people who either weigh a lot or are careless with their bikes, so are more likely to be overloaded. A higher end crank might have better quality... |
Metal seat post with carbon fiber frame? Is using a metal seat post on a carbon fiber frame advisable or not? I want to use a seat post mounted rack on my road bike (no regular rack mount points are on this bike), but I have been told that is not a good idea for carbon seat posts. So I thought I get a whole new metal p... | The one thing we know about carbon bikes is that they are generally manufactured with tight tolerances regarding weight and leverage points, and, even with a metal post, your frame might not support the added weight and leverage that add an unsupported rack might produce. It's likely that Sheldon's concern was for galv... |
warm up without bike Next weekend I'll participate in a relay triathlon (1100 mts. swim, 7 kms. run and 13 kms. MTB). I'll be doing the bike section, which is the last. Bike needs to be at the boxes area an hour before the start of the race. I guess I'll start riding about 40 minutes from the start of the race. That's ... | Jogging and stretching is a poor second to a bike warmup, but its better than sitting in a deck chair with a hot cuppa. Be on the bike ready to go as soon as the transponder gets to you.
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Should I use a gel saddle or not? My girlfriend have just bought a gel saddle for her hybrid bike. She does day trips with it (30-50 kms) and a bit of commuting. Some say this saddle is useless and she should buy bike trousers instead. What do you think? <Q> Generally you will find, for getting started a gel seat may h... | Gel saddles are quite comfortable when new. I think most of the current gel seats are worthless -- like too many bikes these days, built to sell, not to ride on.
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How can I fix bad elevation data in a GPS log? Lately I have been doing my bike rides with a GPS logger, and its elevation recording is extremely erratic and thus unusable. Please see: http://gpsloglabs.com/share/d9393bc6c20b8b0debfe26234169be632eb019e0/ You can see from the altitude contour that it does some measure... | Thanks to the simple reality of how GPS works, elevation data is never going to be as accurate as lat/lon position.
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What hydration system should I use for multiple activities? Looking for a hydration pack/system that I can use for cycling, running, snowboarding and (by removing the bladder and putting it into my travel pack) backpacking across Europe. My requirements are pretty simple: Small 2L capacity (or around that mark) Li... | Camelbak VeloBak Hydration Jersey or Camelbak Racebak Hydration Vest Downsides include water which must be cooled, or will heat to body temp. The Nathan packs are the best I've seen at this.
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What's a good bike for daily use in New Orleans? A flat city with lots of potholes and bad roads Something under $500 that is relatively unbranded. <Q> Better yet, look at a 29'er. <S> Like this one .from <S> Kona, Single speed, rigid, fat tire MTB. <S> Run fat tire slicks, and it's a great commuter. <S> The lack of s... | I vote for a used hardtail mountain bike with 700c wheels and a rigid steel fork. I consider the 700c a poor mans 29er.
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Mixing different front and rear tires My used bike came with different front and rear tires. It appears to have some kind of Kenda commuter tire in the front, and Continental Country Ride in the rear. They are both the same size (700x28). Is this perfectly acceptable or should a bike always have matching models (and/o... | The rear tire will carry more weight and generally wear faster, so that may be a consideration in picking different tires.
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Can anyone suggest a way to mount my rack to prevent it impeding the rear brake? I have a topeak rear rack the mounting of which is interfering with the operation of the rear brake. Unfortunately, my frame (a 2009 Scott Sportster P4 ) only has mounting lugs on the outside of the seatstay meaning that the rack's mo... | You could also get p-clamps and attach the rack stays lower or higher as needed to clear the brake.
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Why does my back tyre wear so much more quickly than the front? Identical tyres, identical rims, minimal braking on the back wheel, no skids, properly inflated at least once a fortnight to manufacturer's recommended pressure. Why does the back one wear out more quickerly than the front? <Q> Kerry Irons put together an... | Despite there only being one wheel, and the mass bearing down upon it being continuous, a unicycle tyre will wear down unevenly. It is clear that the acceleration being applied to the road is a significant cause of the wear.
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How much should I spend on my helmet? I'm finally going to buy a bike next month. And a helmet. I'm wondering how much I should budget for buying a helmet. I'll be riding around New York City, so I want good visibility around me. And safety is a big concern for me as well. <Q> Testing of helmets shows that there is... | Wearing a helmet may make the difference between being lucky versus unlucky, if you're in an accident.
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Why does not the derailleur adjustment work the same way while riding? I suppose most of the people have noticed it. While adjusting both front and rear derailleurs, it will shift accordingly, when you have adjusted or are adjusting it, but when you test it by riding, the adjustment fail to perform the same way, Why d... | The chain is the first part to wear out on a bike, and failing to replace the chain when worn (after 1000-2000 miles) will cause uneven wear on the cogs, resulting in increased difficulty when shifting, especially under load.
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Are there any drivetrain components designed and sold to last longer? If a chain is only supposed to last 2000 miles, a rear cassette 5000 miles and a chainset only 10000 miles, then, at a modest 100 miles a week you are going to go through 2.5 chains a year, a new sprocket set every year and a new chainset every coupl... | I would also invest in a chain cleaner , as they can increase chain life depending on your usage. Even if you go to a belt-drive , which purportedly lasts longer than a chain, you have to have a single-speed or internal geared hub.
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Good substitutes for WD-40 in emergency situation? I broke my bike in a poor location where I can only find poor rusted bikes. I am switching to one bike with rusted screws, I am trying to get things such as touring back rack and water-bottle holders to the new bike. I cannot find WD-40 here to take the screw out. The ... | Sometimes using a flat ended punch with a hammer, on the head of the screw, will loosen it in a jiffy. Actually, WD40 is a poor penetrating oil -- Liquid Wrench, et al, are better. Brass punches are best but you can use steel if that is all you have.
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Should I use a narrower saddle on a road bike than I would on my hybrid commuter? I ride a hybrid (Trek Fx 7.3) as a daily commuter and have found a 143mm saddle to be the right width for me. However I am looking into getting a road bike for long rides and am finding 130mm saddles seem a bit more comfortable on them.... | A significant factor is that the narrower saddle results in less friction on the inside of the legs -- important when you're riding for hours in a relatively fixed position, but less so when riding for shorter periods or in conditions where you're shifting positions frequently. Ask a friend to take a picture of you sit... |
Mountain bike tires for rocky, steep, dirt trails? I live in central Iowa and travel once a year to the Breck area (Breckenridge, CO) to do mountain biking. Since that is the Rocky Mountains, well they are rocky and steep. Very different terrain from the dirt top soil trails here in Iowa. Anyone have some tires they w... | My recommendation is for the Specialized 'lightweight' 'Armadillo' tyres ' Captain Elite ' - dual compound, nice and nobbly, good TPI casing, foldable - the wishlist boxes get ticked for where you are riding and what you plan to be doing (that'll mean no mud, then).
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Will it be a problem to bike uphill with a rear pannier with books (~2lbs) I've been biking to work ~11 mi and my back hurts from carrying books. I was thinking of buying a pannier and putting my books in it. But I'm not sure if it'll be harder to bike, as I live in San Diego, so there are a few hilly/uphill parts (not... | Oddly, though, bike handling is generally better with weight in front panniers vs rear ones, though front panniers require an additional rack (which must be stiffly mounted) and good-quality (though small) panniers, so that the load doesn't bounce around -- a loose load on the front is not good to have, especially goin... |
How can I adjust for uneven brake wear? Well, my problems with brakes have turned out to be not an issue with pad longevity at all -- see the following picture: Note how the one pad is excessively "toe-in" worn. Here's a picture of the brakes they came off of, with the parts labeled as far as I know them (with the... | If your pads are wearing out rapidly it's likely due to some other issue -- poor quality pads (or just the wrong ones for your use), rough rim surface, etc. The other method is to carefully bend the caliper/brake arm.
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Using the outer lane of an inner-city one way system - where do I ride? In my nearest town centre there is a fearsome one-way system with three lanes of traffic. This cuts through the town and is unavoidable - you have to cross it to get anywhere. It is always busy but not at motorway speeds, even if it seems that way.... | [I'd add that there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a bit slower than other traffic and occupying a lane for a relatively brief period.
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Can I use an inner tube that's too narrow for the tyre? I recently got a puncture and when I went to replace the inner tube I discovered that I'd bought the wrong size tube. My tyre is 700 x 40c, the tube is 700 x 28-35c. What is likely to happen if I use this tube? Will the tube explode when I attempt to inflate it? ... | yes smaller tubes can fill larger tyres, but they may fail quickly and unexpectedly. So, probably fine to go just one size down but not too much.
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How to measure calories burned? How can I accurately measure the calories burned while using my bicycle? My bike computer tells me how many calories I have burned. But it has no cadence meter. The only measurements it has are my weight, distance, instantenous speed, and time (and all information it can derive from th... | Number of calories burned is proportional to the heart rate. To do so accurately you need some sort of power measurement device. Mechanical systems are the easy, every day measurement that gives you your overall progress, or for us, lets you evaluate the vehicle performance as well (to some extent we don't care whether... |
What is the carbon footprint of a new bike? When you look at the complete journey from bauxite to bicycle via China, a big container ship and the bicycle showroom, there probably is quite a lot of CO2 emissions involved in making a new bicycle. Are their any easily quotable figures for this? Are there any handy equiv... | The easy numbers are for embodied energy of materials, and those you'll probably find in the building industry rather than manufacturing. No matter how you look at it, a bicycle doesn't burn fuel to function and a car does. I managed to find one on the Brompton website - "Manufacturing a Brompton bicycle creates 113kg ... |
Is there 28 hole front/rear drum brake hub No time research this now, so has there ever been made a 28 hole front or rear drum brake hub? I know that Sachs and Sturmey-Archer have done a lot of drum brakes. Neither to my knowledge have such a hub in production currently. The reason for asking this is that I have 2010 v... | Shimano actually made a 28H drum brake (model number looks to be Y.L 802-60 shimano m system rotatex). Visit a good shop and go out on a bike that does have Shimano Nexus - try before you buy.
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What kind of bicycles do they ride in the Tour de France? I've been looking at a lot of the coverage of the Tour de France. All of the attention is on the cyclists, and no attention whatsoever on the cycles. Even in photographs or videos, they are so far away, or the bikes are moving by so fast, you can't tell what the... | For many years, it was no secret that many of the team bikes were Lightspeed frames fitted with top-level Campy components and simply painted appropriately. |Madone 6 | SRAM
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Is a sprung saddle the answer to the saddle problems on my commuter bike? The current saddle on my bike is getting past it use-by date, so I will shopping around for a new one. I use my bike for commuting to work, about 40-45 mins, 50% on seal roads and the rest on forest trails. My current saddle is a non-sprung ve... | You would not drive those roads without the weight being suspended, on the bike your legs are the suspension, it would be nice to give them a break after a hard day's work, so why not go with the sprung seat.
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How do you prevent your lights switching on in your bag? Since it's mostly light here these days, and I don't want to leave my lights on my bike to disappear into someone else's schwag bag, I've been carrying my lights in my bag just in case, but not using them very often. I've started to have problems with them turni... | My spare set of lights had some thin plastic sheet put at the end of the battery that I removed when I needed to use them.
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Is this aluminum "rust" in my frame? I found an aluminum bike in the trash and it seems like it has been exposed to the rain, especially because some of the metal is slightly rusty. The frame is a different thing, because altough it is made in aluminum, it has worm-like bright shapes, with a small relief (when I pass ... | Freshly polished aluminium loses its sheen almost instantly, most shiny aluminium products have a layer of lacquer to mitigate against that. From that picture, it could also simply be scratches, but I assume not if you can sand it away. This type of corrosion starts at a scratch or other little defect in the lacquerfil... |
What hand signals are there for communicating with others when cycling in a group? Recently I took a hit from behind. Fortunately it was just my friend's bike rather than one of those large-boxes-for-one-person. I was partly to blame because I failed to indicate that we were slowing down. (However, as I understand the... | Using the hand signal (left arm (US) extended with elbow bent downward at about a 45 degree angle and with open palm facing backwards) for slowing is a bit more useful than pointing at road debris, but shouting "Slowing!" or "Stopping!" is still a better signal -- easier to accomplish, and more likely to get the attent... |
Can I put 700c tires on rims made for 27 x 1.25"? It's getting hard to find any selection for my old Avanti 12 speed. it currently uses 27 x 1.25 inch tires. Can I put 700c tires without needing to buy new rims? <Q> No!!! <S> I tried this when I was knee-high to a grasshopper <S> and it so-did-not-work! <S> I actuall... | 700 c tire will is too small to put on 27" rim... There are specifications for wheel sizes and tyre sizes - ETRTO. Normal 700c inner tubes will go in a 27" wheel with no problems.
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How to fix problem with mountain bike chain falling off gears? The chain on my girlfriend's bike came off the front gear today, it looks like the back gear changing mechanism isn't handling back-pedaling properly, whenever she pedals backwards the chain slacks rather than feeding through. The chain doesn't seem to be ... | Depending on how much you ride, you should lubricate your chain every few rides to every few weeks so your chain doesn't seize or wear itself down. If you are riding in dusty, dry areas, consider using a dry lubricant such as teflon that will not pick up dust like an oil lubricant will. The snow itself is not great for... |
What caused diagonal cuts in the sidewalls of my tire? I noticed some strange damage on my rear tire, where there appear to be diagonally cuts going around the entire wheel. I have no idea what might have caused this damage. I first saw it a few months ago, but didn't think anything of it because I had just replaced ... | First of all, you're right about replacing the tire--if you have any cracks in the sidewall and/or a bulging tube, a tire MUST be replaced. The tire is either at least 3-5 years old, or has been stored in a climate which speeds dry rotting. A tire has a shelf life of 3-4 years, even if not ridden. It appears like diago... |
Are there any 'anti-car' bicycle companies or shops? In the UK it would be a brave company that took the 'anti-car' stance when it comes to selling bicycles. Furthermore, most cycle shops, distributors and others connected with the trade are personally quite pro-car (the mechanic fixing bikes to pay for his car which h... | Well, I surely think bike shops should encourage cycling, its in their best interests, its also in their best interests to sell bikes to motorists.
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Sun protection while touring I'm preparing for a mini tour in the greek islands this August and I'm getting concerned about sun protection. I'm considering not using a helmet (as I'll reach 30 km/h max). Last year I was wearing a "buff" that protected me from sweat, but did not protect me from minor sunburn. Would a ha... | I recommend wearing a helmet and something like a cycling cap or something similar to an Under Armour skull cap that can absorb sweat and protect your head from the sun.
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How long should it take to rebuild a wheel? I'm planning to replace the hub on my front wheel, from a QR to a 20mm. How much labor, skill, equipment, etc. does that need, and how much time should I expect a pro to charge for, to do the rebuild? <Q> I think if you are willing to spend a few hours, it's worth doing your... | Because spokes stretch a little and settle in after you start riding, be prepared to true the wheel after the first couple rides. Now, if you do this yourself...the time it will take will depend on your experience... Unless you have a high end rim it is probably not cost effective if you are paying a shop. The time for... |
In which orientation should a front wheel be installed? A front wheel with a quick release mechanism can be installed in two orientations: the lever on the left, or the lever on the right. Does it matter in which orientation it's installed? If so, would any problems result from installing it the wrong way? <Q> In my ... | But it basically doesn't matter, so long as the tire has no preferred rotation direction (and you don't have something like disk brakes that demands a certain orientation). I make sure when putting a tire on the rim to set it up so, if both release handles are on the same side, the front tire is in the direction of rot... |
What are optimal fabrics for cycling clothing? The title says it all. However, should I vary the fabric through the year? Should I go with lycra in the summer and wool in the winter? And maybe, should I wear cotton? I do 2 types of riding. Commuting and endurance cycling. There are optimal fabrics for cycling and ... | Cycling gear should breathe, it should "wick" perspiration away from the skin, and outer garments should provide some wind protection.
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How long does it take to replace bottom bracket bearings? How long does it take to replace bottom bracket bearings? Is there anything that can make the procedure take more or less time? How does the type of mechanism affect repair time? <Q> There are three main categories of bottom bracket, adjustable type, cartridge-s... | Probably takes less than 5 minutes to get the cranks off and the cup out, unless something's stuck.
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Bottom bracket making noise, should it be fixed now or can I wait until regular maintenance? My bike has been ridden 4 months / 2000 miles and is no longer completely quiet. About a month ago I noticed a whispering noise like a wire brush sliding across a cymbal. It happens on the power-down-stroke, in any/every gear,... | Pedal bearings seem to pick up dirt faster than any other bearing on the bike (especially when offroad or riding on packed gravel), and unless they are well sealed may need regular disassembly and regreasing. A bike with only 2000 miles on it should not need any bearing service, unless it's been seriously exposed to ba... |
Is a 16 grams CO2 cartridge enough to inflate a 29" mountainbike I used to ride a 26" mtb, but now I'm switching to a 29er. Since the volume of the tire increases, I was wondering is one 16 gram CO 2 cartridge enough to inflate the tire? Notes: The tire will be between 2.1 and 2.25 wide. Since I'm big (110 kg) I nee... | I calculate that the pressure in a 29 inch tyre is going to be about 10% lower than a 26 inch tyre.
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What are the possible upgrades for a 40-year-old Bottecchia 10 Speed? I have a 40 year old Bottecchia (entry level model) that I took for ride yesterday after letting it sit for 20 years. Just inflated the tires and oiled the chain and off I went. The tires and brake pads obviously need to be replaced and I was think... | Upgrading the rear freewheel beyond a 7 speed cluster isn't likely to work, without new wheels, and if you only upgrade to a 7-speed freewheel, you will need to change your chain to match. Replaced the rather beat-up brake levers with Shimano items.
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Rim tape doesn't quite meet, but covers all spoke holes - OK? The ends of my rim tape are about 1mm apart, but the spoke holes are covered. Is this ok, or should I pull it off and start with a fresh roll? Here's a picture. <Q> This is usually ok. <S> as long as it has strong enough adhesive to stay in place. <S> It's b... | You should be fine - the primary purpose of rim tape is to protect from the spoke holes. If it curls up on to the side walls of the rim at all, that is not a good option. There are different widths for 26" tape, so even if it is 26", it can still be the correct width.
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Redmond bikers: Can you ride all year long? I'll move to Redmond, WA in a couple months and since I was about to buy a bike, I have a few questions to see if I still should. Is it possible to ride all year long for both commute/recreation (I like XC and trail)? I'll probably be living just a few miles away from work. ... | Biking builds body heat, so you won't be cold - even when it's wet once you get the right clothes. Bike shops will quickly steer you to the ones that have the experience to let you know exactly what clothing works, and where to spend your money based on the local conditions. As for trail and cross-country riding, becau... |
What's the loss of effective output, with a worn chain? I was just bought a new fine ultegra chain for 10 speed road race bike. This is actually the first new chain for this not so old bike. I am a fan of statistics, measuring power with a power unit on my time trial bike, and so on. Let's focus on this worn chain. ... | From a practical standpoint I suspect you're losing very little efficiency with a moderately worn chain.
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Do tube protectors increase rolling resistance or just add weight? I have been experiencing a lot of flats lately (proportional to the increase in time/distance I have been doing), so I am thinking of adding a tube protector (e.g., one of these ) to each tire. Will this alter rolling resistance or just add weight to... | For high-pressure tires the liner just adds to the stiffness of the tire and might actually reduce rolling resistance slightly.
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What is the impact of changing to a smaller chainring? My road bike has a Campagnolo Veloce gearset. It's running 53 and 39 tooth chainrings. I have a 13-25 10sp cassette. I find that a lot of the time when I'm cruising, I'm on the big chainring and in the 3rd or 4th largest gears on the back. There is a fairly signif... | If you reduced the size of the large ring substantially it would probably be "recommended" that you to adjust the front derailer and shorten the chain (though from a mechanical limits/clearance point of view adjustment wouldn't be required). The amount of teeth on the chain rings and sprockets is always going to be a c... |
combining friction shifting with indexed components I would like to combine friction shifting and a 7 speed freewheel with current Campy Chorus derailleurs. It seems to me that the way that friction shifting works would allow this combination, since all that happens is that tension on the cable adjusted manually to get... | Yeah, the only real problem is maintaining fine enough control of the motion, both in actively moving the lever, and in avoiding "creep" between shifts.
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Mysterious case: chain falling off large chainring, how to fix? On my commuter bike I decided to rid myself of the small inner chain ring (which is almost never used) and front dérailleur (now redundant). However, I have come across an unusual problem. Whilst cycling the chain is coming off of the outer chain ring an... | A worn chainring could be part of the problem. This is a pretty common concern with cyclocross.
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What kind of handlebar should go on a fixie to sell it? I've seen fixies with mtb handlebars, sawed-off mtb handlebars, drop bars, and bullhorns. The fixie I built has drop bars, but I'm wondering if I should change that if I want to sell it. <Q> Handlebar type and shape is largely a matter of personal preference - es... | The handlebar on your fixie should be the one you want to ride. Let the buyer swap it out if they want something different. I would sell it as is.
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Should a chain be replaced even if it's not stretched? This question suggests using a tool or ruler to assess chain stretch to determine when to replace a chain. I have one such tool (Park Tool CC-3), and it tells me that my chain is not stretched even to the 0.75 level (is that %?). My chain has at least 2,000 mile... | A replaced chain means that you don't have to worry about your current chain stretching beyond the limit and damaging your bike. Just check the chain stretch every so often to determine when it's getting near absolutely necessary to buy a chain. Last, if you're worried about it, replace it.
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Is it really going to damage a bike to wash it with a hose? I was chatting to the guys at my LBS the other day about how they get my bike so clean when I take it in for a service. They said they use compressed air to clean it. They warned I shouldn't use any high pressure water because it can get into the sealed bear... | But pressurized water may force through the sealed bearings and push away all your grease out of it, making it dry all round. Using a garden hose without a sprayer is unlikely to do damage. Make sure you use an aluminum safe soap. You can make things easier by using a repair stand to hold the bike, and removing some pa... |
What make/brand is this bike marked "Challenger" and "Resistance"? I'm trying to find what kind of brand/make my bike is so I can find more information about it. It might help me determine if I should buy a new bike. All I can tell from looking around my bike are the words 'Challenger' and 'Resistance'. It's a hand-me... | The usual method of identifying a bike is what you've done. Some of the brands will be "no-name" brands, some will be "house" brands for your larger department stores, and some will be recognizable bike brands - "Raleigh", "Schwinn", et al. I am not sure how knowing the brand will help you decide whether or not you wil... |
Things to consider when choosing a recumbent Google's Sergey Brin asked for recommendations on buying a recumbent. What factors should he consider when evaluating alternatives? I'm thinking of getting a recumbent road bike even though +Dylan Casey will laugh at me. I would like to get a nice mix of performance, co... | My personal recommendation is to think about wheel base and where you want the steering. Any shop specializing in 'bents will understand that if you are making your first recumbent purchase, it's a leap of faith, and will be accommodating.
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Bicycle Socks for Road Rides There are so many styles of socks. Plus there are always debates on the best looking socks for group road rides. White, black, short, tall, logos, etc..... Some old school road purists say that black socks are for mtb only. How do go about picking the best style? Is there any reason t... | Find socks that you like the look of, that are comfortable for you , and fit in your price range. I still feel that when possible, go for white.
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How do I remove a pedal from a crank with a crossed thread? I've part stripped, and ultimately crossed the thread on my crank and can't remove my pedal now. This was done whilst riding and then trying to remove the pedal from the damaged crank. I figure the crank is toast but I want to remove the pedal without damagi... | Your best option is to put pressure on the back of the pedal spindle and try to thread it out. The main problem with this method is that it may ruin the bottom bracket.
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Why can't Yellow Jersey change hands on last day of Tour De France? I've often read / seen on TV that the race is won by the end of the penultimate day. For example, this article in the Guardian describes this year's (2011) eventual winner as the champion elect in an article on the close of the penultimate day. The f... | Tradition holds that the last stage is a victory parade for the GC contender, and the yellow jersey. In addition, the layout of the stage, a 95 km flat ride finishing with multiple laps around the Champs Elysees, and culminating in a bunch sprint, rarely allows the opportunity for any major time to be gained. It could ... |
Why do racing cyclists wobble when furiously pedalling? In all pro-cycling races, they start wobbling towards the finish line instead of biking steadily (e.g., in this video: http://youtu.be/wJE69beIIoI ). Why do they do that? Note: I have no experience with racing or a bike with handles curved to the front, so maybe... | When pushing the pedals and pulling the handlebars it's quite difficult to prevent the bars from being turned slightly side-to-side, which results in part of the wobble. The more you're moving sideways, the harder it is for them to get/stay in your draft.
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Shimano Revo Shift Gives No Clicks I have a problem with my shifter. My bike is using Shimano Revo Shift(gripshift) RS-35 (see my picture). The one shifting the front derailer (the left shifter) does not click when I turn it but it can still shift the cable. How do I repair it? I don't even know how do open up the s... | If there's chain rub, simply move the shifter a little.
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Are 2-way bike lanes safe? For this question, I'm referring to bike lanes of the type shown here: To me they seem like a really bad idea. Firstly, one of the lanes is going against traffic. In this instance, the cars turning left at the intersection have to look behind them to see if bikes are coming from behind. ... | In my limited riding on these lanes, here are the some advantages that I have observed: Bikes get a separate set of traffic lights Cars have a controlled right turn signal, so minimal chance of a car turning right into a cyclist
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Road bike that is gentle on body, but can go in some dirt I found out that a racing type road bike is hard to shift as hurts the arthritis in my fingers. And even the frame is harder on the hips. I need something more gentle, but fast enough to keep up with road riders. I now ride a Trek Utopia on and off road and I... | Cyclocross bikes are typically geared for this situation--they are essentially a road bike intended to handle some dirt, and typically are fitted with somewhat knobby tires (similar to your Fischer hybrid) and a lower gear range. Some shifters (such as STI's) require strength of your index and middle finger; however fl... |
Does anyone have experience with Bottom Bracket Tap/Facing sets? I'm interested in recommending my boss get the workshop in which I work a bottom bracket tap and facing set. As it's quite an investment it's important to me to know what you're getting for your money. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm a... | For a set of taps and facing blades that will be durable, and also are likely to maintain compatibility with future similar tool sets from Park, it's hard to go wrong there. In my workshop experience getting the bottom-bracket re-threading tools was not an every day occurrence.
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Is it safe to ride on a cracked rim? Doing my monthly inspection & clean of my wheels last night and I was shocked to see a crack around one the spokes as they enter rim. It is a rear wheel (Shimano R600 I think). I had obviously been riding on it for a little while, so I was wondering if there was any urgency in get... | (if it's on the sidewall, tire pressure can cause it to burst, which will almost definitely make you crash).However, there's a good chance that the spoke will eventually pull through the rim, and there's also the fact that once aluminum starts to fatigue and crack, the damage tends to spread relatively quickly, which m... |
Electra Shifter (Revoshift) is hard to turn My wife has a hard time turning the Revoshift grip on her Electra Townie 7D due to arthritis issues in her hands. Is there a way to help with this issue? <Q> This would mean getting both a trigger shifter and a grip because I think your current grip is designed for the Revosh... | I recommend getting a rear Shimano trigger shifter. We replaced her twist shift with cheap thumb shift and it made a huge difference. If you are mechanically inclined, it's pretty easy to do the work yourself, and it's a lot of fun when you get it working. After a while all shifters get a bit harder to work due to the ... |
isn't a fixie without a full chain guard a safety hazard? Yes, I know it would totally ruin the clean lines and the uncluttered, (well maybe just a discreet front brake), looks, but I've never seen this question asked, much less answered. A chain guard does more than protect the chain from wear. While fingers are unl... | Unless it's large enough to stop you pedaling, then it's not a problem. DEFINITELY buying chain guards asap.
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Why is my drivetrain so noisy after replacing the chain? I ride an SE Lager fixed . On the 30th of May this year I did a bit of an overhaul, replacing the rear cog, chain, wheels, tyres and brake pads. I measured the chain last weekend and discovered that it was already over .75 (which I asked about here ), but less... | As you removed the wheel to change the cog, It may be that the tension has changed as well. I guess there's also an off chance that I had something badly adjusted, but I use a chain tug and didn't change the setting
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How tight should a fixie's chain be? I ride an SE Lager fixed. How tight should the chain be and what is the best way of measure it? I have a chain tug so I can be pretty accurate in dialling in the right amount of tension. I don't like to have much slop. Part of the joy of riding fixed is having a direct connect... | Rotate the wheel and "feel" the slack in the top half of the chain with a screwdriver until it's at its tightest point. Typical tension on a fixie or single speed is roughly 1/4" to 1/2", or 5-10 millimeters, when pressing on the chain from the top, and from one side.
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