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train · 95.7k rows

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Is front suspension remote lockout worth it? My old city bike is getting worn out and I'm considering getting a new and better bike. I will use it for my daily commute (paved road - very uneven in places) and the occasional trip outside the city on unpaved roads. I have decided that a cross-road bicycle/29'er is what I...	It may be possible to physically reach the lever on a non-remote lockout fork during riding; however, this isn't necessarily a great idea for a few reasons. On One (UK & EU) sell 29" compatible carbon rigid forks that will improve ride quality over steel / ali forks.
Do silent freewheels exist? I have only just noticed that my bike dosen't seem to make a lot of noise when free wheeling, in fact it's pretty much silent. Is this down to the fact that I have been putting off a major clean?, is my bike damaged? or is my bike equipped with a silent freewheel that I didn't know existed? ...	The quiet smooth feel, but working normally is just a good, sealed hub that the manufacturer built in a way that has smaller or less splines. If you feel it slipping under load the hub could be damaged beyond repair. There are some models which have spring-loaded cylinders mounted around "tilted" teeth: when you spin i...
What tools do I need to disassemble and re-assemble an 80's road bicycle I would like to do maintenance on my 1982 miyata 310 road bike myself. What tools are necessary to take the entire bicycle apart, lube, and put it back together? Here is what I have come up so far: Bicycle stand Hex wrench set Chain breake...	Besides the other things mentioned you will need: Big spanner / variable spanner for releasing the headset Grease
What are the advantages of angling your saddle down? I have seen a few people do this where their saddle was angled down a bit. Why would someone do that? <Q> In general, I don't know why one would do this. <S> Especially men. <S> Here's what Sheldon Brown has to say, and I tend to agree:"If the saddle is tilted do...	For time trialing, or other riding where the rider will be in a very aggressive position for extended periods of time, a slight tilt forward can relieve unnecessary pressure on the perineum. Women who are riding on saddles that were designed for men frequently tilt their saddles down.
Rust on chain and cassette It looks like rust on my chain and cassette. Both were new 5 months (4000 km) ago. The chain is about 60% worn/stretched. I've been riding 5 days/week, 40 km/day, Toronto on mild winter roads, and using only 'dry' lube (i.e. alcohol and teflon) on the chain. What should I know about that? ...	The best thing you can do to improve chain life and performance is to frequently wipe it down and lubricate with a high quality chain lube* appropriate for the conditions. The next thing is to regularly check for elongation, say a couple of times a month.
Why are both Schrader and Presta valves still used on tubes? It is standard for road bikes to adopt Presta, whereas nearly all else use Schrader. I personally think Schrader are better: I've had fewer Schrader valves break on me than Presta No problems if needing to use car pumps Have also seen long Schrader valv...	But with a floor pump where there is a pause between pumps, Presta works better because each time you release pressure, the valve head closes. Maybe it is just a case of what you are used to, but I think the Dunlop least fussy, easiest to use and least likely to fail.
What's the benefit of a titanium skewer? What's the benefit of using titanium skewer beside the fact that it's light?Is it strong enough to hold my weight? <Q> Titanium is an alloyed steel, and has no limitation on weight or riding style, generally, although there are likely ultra light versions which do have limits. <...	Main benefits of Titanium is no corrosion, immense resistance to fatigue (material failure due to cyclic constraints), and weight indirectly (i.e. stronger material allows to use thinner tubing, for bike frames for instance). Aside from weight, there is no real benefit. The skewer just provides compressive force to sto...
Guidelines for buying a new seat So far my only approach to buying a seat is "That looks like a good one, I'll buy it and hope it works for me." That isn't very cost effective... I don't think the bike store will let me return it after I ride around on it for a few hours. Which means if I don't like a seat that I boug...	If you can't demo the saddle, the first thing you need to figure out is why your saddle is uncomfortable.
Does the top tube typically open into the head tube? This must be a very basic question, but as it often happens with very basic questions, it is often hard to find the answer by searching. On a modern bike with metal (welded) frame, is the interior of the top tube (and/or the down tube) accessible through the head tu...	Any welded tubes are going to have holes in their ends in order to let the hot gases escape.
What tool is needed to remove a Shimano HG-50 freewheel? What tool is needed to remove a Shimano HG-50 freewheel from the wheel hub? It looks like a 12mm or 13mm Allen key. Will this do it or is there some detail I have missed? <Q> EDIT: <S> This is an HG 50 Cassette. <S> This is an exploded view of a Shimano free...	The HG-50 is a cassette , not a freewheel . I believe this is the allen you are referencing, but it need not be removed to remove the gear cluster. You'll need a lockring tool to unscrew the lockring, a wrench to hold the lockring tool, and a chainwhip to hold the cogs and keep them from spinning as you're loosening th...
Cycling in high traffic roads Riding on roads? I want to go to the work (in São Paulo, Brazil), by bicycle. But I live in a neighbor city, and I need to get a high traffic road. What is your experience with this, and could it be safe? <Q> I live in Brazil too (Porto Alegre), and I would adivise you to use only roads...	If you have a road with a generous shoulder then you can usually ride on that safely in even the heaviest traffic.
Learning to bunny hop on a MTB I have watched many video clips on YouTube on this topic. Also, seen couple of pros do it without clipped pedals. But I just cannot lift the back tire up. How do you hook your feet on to the pedals and pull it up? The pedal slips and i always end up getting an seriously blow to the knee...	Throwing your weight backwards is more effective than using your muscles to lift the bike, you also have to have your weight behind the back wheel to pop up the front. Tucking your legs brings the back wheel up even further, this is an explosive movement, you should bring them up as hard and fast as you can.
How to deal with lock that keeps jamming? I have a kryptonite U lock and lately it's been sticking a lot while trying to turn the key. Usually I can eventually get the key turned. It was getting worse though and a few days ago I (unable to find any lube/wd-40 etc) cleaned it out with soap and water which seemed to help...	Squirt some lock "de-icer" in there. It might help to let it sit awhile between applications.
Crank arms are not parallel to each other. What could have caused this? It is a cottered crank. Crank arms themselves don't seem to be bent. It is a non-cartridge style spindle. Any ideas as to why they are not lining up? <Q> Like you said, they are cottered, what makes them aligned is that pin through a hole, which at...	One of the cotter pins is in backwards.
What should I do at, and what should I know about, bike shows? The Toronto bike show is this weekend. I've never been to it, in previous years, or to any other. Apart from what my LBS told me briefly about the show last year, and the show's web site, I don't know what to expect. I think the show is for consumers, LBSs...	If you intend to go, bring a list of bicycle stuff related items (tires, wheels, pedals, saddles, etc.) The main reason people go to these bike shows is to look for bargains. And also, talk with manufacturers about things you find of interest.
Cycling traffic signs and rules in Germany I'm over 30 and have just started cycling in real traffic, my first experience, as I have only ever ridden as a child in parks and such. I live in a university town in the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Unfortunately, I have no clue about traffic signs as I neither dri...	Many local groups even have explicit meetings for people new to the area, or new to cycling in general, where they try to pass on useful knowledge. Perhaps you should get at least one lesson in person from an experienced rider: who can tell you what you want to know, and, correct anything you're doing wrong which you d...
Taking a bike on a sailing boat Marinas are often located a bit outside from town centers and shopping locations. So a bike might be a good thing to have aboard a sailing boat. Given the limited space on such a vessel I'm thinking about getting a folding bike. What should I look for in a bike and storage location, con...	And aluminum-framed bike will not rust like a steel one. I would be sure to keep your drivetrain well-lubricated, as well.
Replace S-RAM S7 gear hub with something better I have an SRAM S7 gear on my bike, and I'm not content with it. I find it more or less impossible to get the adjustment right. Supposedly I just have to leave the shifter in position 7 and then assemble the outer part, but that doesn't always hit the spot and the result v...	If you can use a disk brake on your bike the Shimano Alfine 8 is a good option, about $US400 with a cheap brake by the look of it. If it several years old another option is to have the internals repaired and not shifting while pedaling after that.
Supervising a beginner in traffic Let's say you persuade some significant other to ride with you in the city. You both have good bikes, they are inexperienced, and you are (I am) used to commuting, including in traffic. How do you prepare the inexperienced rider to ride in traffic, and keep them safe while they learn ...	It depends on how inexperienced the other rider is...and providing that you had a pre-ride discussion of cycling safety. Once your SO/partner/friend is up to speed, then try things out where you lead, and see if it is working. The important thing seems to be that you both know where you're going, what junctions or road...
How do I keep my pants/trousers from getting caught in the gears? I have the unfortunate habit of always getting my jeans stuck in my gears and end up with a nice rip on the seams. I've used those velcro braces to keep the bottom of my pants leg close to my body but I guess I pedal too close to the gears as those get...	Use braces as you have, or clips such as these to keep your flappy pants close enough to your legs.
Front derailleur doesn't seem to be moving I'm trying to troubleshoot my 24 speed hybrid bike. As it was, the front shifter was having very little effect. I would change gears and not much would happen. When I had a chance to look at it, I noticed that the derailleur seemed to be barely moving when I shifted from 3rd...	The derailer is bent. If it doesn't move and stays out at the biggest chainring, the internal spring might be broken, or very weak.
Cassette HG 51, which chain? I need to replace my cassette (Shimano HG30 8speed 11-32) and chain (KMC Z7) that is currently on my bike (pinnacle Aura), however these parts are now discontiuned and I need to find the replacments. I have been recommended the HG51 cassette but don't know which chain to get. Can anyone he...	You can also replace with a non-Shimano cassette, which is compatible with the HUB. You can find an 8 speed HG50 cassette in the gearing ranges from 11-28T to 11-34T ("Mega Range").
How to use Windstopper gloves most effectively? The Cold hands due to cold/wind question had a number of good recommendations, including using gloves with Windstopper branded material. My ski gloves are worn out so I purchased this silk weight Windstopper pair of gloves (WARMER - not WARMEST or WARM) last week to see...	While a "warmer" glove might be fine for an "average rider", you might be freezing even with a "warmest" glove choice.
How can I make my own chamois cream? I am about to ride a 300km brevet, and the plan is to let the faster bike alone at home, and go with a heavier one, for a lot of reasons, and one of them is the riding position on the fast one makes friction against the saddle a long-term problem. Besides, it is fixed gear and since...	Most of your chamois creams/"butt butters", such as Paceline's "Chamois Butt`r", are fairly conventional combos of standard skin cream ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on lanolin. I just don’t think it mixes well with expensive leather saddles, and it doesn’t come out in the wash, so you’re kind of stuck with it afte...
Should mileage on a trainer be considered mileage on the bike? On my road bike, I have an old Cateye odometer and the sensor is in the front wheel. Therefore, when on my trainer, I can pedal away all day long and the odometer doesn't have any mileage added to it since the front wheel doesn't spin. When I sell my bike ...	An obviously well maintained bike will get a much better price on the used market than one that looks crappy. So, don't bother to track trainer miles for other than your own purposes. The only determination of bicycle mileage is whether or not the owner tracked it or not.
How can I stop a belt brake (band brake) from squealing? One of our bikes is an electric bike. It's an older iZip HG 1000 , and although we got it through the American "manufacturer" ( Currie Technologies ), like most of the low-end ebikes it's made in China of heavy steel and uses cheap, cheap, cheap components. Th...	1)The spacing of brake-drum and belt-housing is too close. This sounds like your problem, as you indicate that when you loosen the brake adjustment, the noise stops.
Broken pedal on an old french bike I broke the pedal of an old french bike (Peugeut Mixte 70's). The threading doesn't fit the one in modern pedals. Now I am wondering if I should insist in finding an old french pedal or if I should rethread the pedal support in order to be able to use modern pedals. Though, I am a b...	Start the taps from the inside of the cranks,so any possible thread damage occurs where it doesn't matter.
How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just has stress cracks I am looking at a carbon framed road bikethat has me concerned.On the topside of the bottom bracket,drive side there is a very small hairline crack in the paint.The seller states that it has been there for two years with no change.He was to...	Cracks caused by outside forces (impact) would leave other evidence on the paint, like scuffs, chips, etc. If you are even halfway concerned with a crack, don't buy the frame. Why don't you take the bike to a Cervelo dealer and have them check it
What do I do wrong to get hip aches after biking? I ride about 17 miles each session. After the ride, the outside of my hips sore: only the parts near the outermost joints, most likely the tendon (although this is only a guess). My knees are fine, my ankles are fine, etc. The only thing that might not fit perfectly fo...	If your pain issues are not solved by adjusting your saddle height, you may be running into other bike fit issues or personal physical issues. Lately, when I hit the hill initially I stand and use my momentum in higher gears, but this is WRONG! I suspect the problem here is the pressure the clothing excepts over the hi...
Townie gearing suddenly too easy So the rear wheel (26x2) on my Electra Townie 7d broke its axle, and I ended up replacing it with a new 26x1.5 wheel, that being what the LBS had in stock. The bike seems a bit faster, which is nice, BUT I find myself cruising in sixth gear (of seven) on flat terrain, and sissy gear is ...	If you are getting "the result" (bicycle is moving) with less effort, and the old gearing seems inadequate, I would suggest you to update the gearing, for example, getting a bigger chainring (not TOO bigger), and keep going faster. You could relace the cassette with one tha has better road gearing such as 11-28 or 12-3...
Day-trip bike for hefty 40-year-old woman? I have an Electra Townie 7d, and I'm quite fond of her (sorry, I do anthropomorphize my bike) as a commuter and farmer's-market hauler, but I'd like a more efficient bike for afternoon-trips (say, 50 miles round-trip), mostly on rails-to-trails with gravel or dirt surfaces. I...	An aluminum frame, being a softer metal, is somewhat more easily damaged (though the difference is probably negligible in normal conditions). An internal gear hub likely is a step in the wrong direction.
Are fixed or floating SPD-SL cleats most suitable for a long commute? After much procrastination, I've finally jumped in and bought myself a road bike, under the cycle2work scheme we have here in the UK. I opted for a Boardman Road Race , as it seems to be the most affordable entry level road racer. Since my commut...	Fixed position cleats, or 0 degree float cleats, require far greater precision about cleat setup on the shoe. Some of the MTB shoes come close to racing shoes in terms of stiffness, and there are certainly a range of good quality pedals on the market.
Where are the Online Bike Databases? I'm starting to look for a new bike, and have grown accustomed to shopping online (or at least, pricing online) for just about everything I buy. One feature that makes online shopping especially appealing is the ability to search through an online database with constraints. For exam...	BicycleDB is a new bicycle database with advanced filtering options.
Removing a stuck pedal I'm sure this question must have already been answered somewhere here, but it doesn't show up in any search results I make... I'm changing the pedals on a 40 year old bike. Pretty sure the pedals are original. The left one came off fine. Unfortunately, I got the thread directions mixed up and t...	My trick is to orient the crank so that it is a close to parallel to the ground as the angle of the "nut" will allow, put the wrench on with the handle toward the back of the bike and press down. I've heard that if you have an aluminum crank, you can remove the crank arm and heat the pedal If you have a partner who can...
Is it worth getting a suspension seat post as a cheap alternative to full suspension bike? I'm planning a ride from Birmingham to London on the Grand Union Canal (UK), which will be quite bumpy for most of the 145 mile distance. I have a front suspension bike and can't afford a new full suspension bike. Do suspension...	You might find a suspension seatpost to be comfortable, but a suspension seatpost is not a substitute for a full suspension bike. If you're looking to smooth out your ride, the #1 thing you can do is lower your tire pressure.
Recommendations for inconspicuous helmet-mounted video camera I'm looking for recommendations for a good, water-proof (or at least weather-resistant) video camera that meets the needs of recording general commuting rides. Some desirable attributes are: Several hour battery life. Ease of video download and erasure. ...	It depends on your phone and the app how easy it is to start the video, but for most purposes it might be enough to start at the beginning of the commute and just record. I bought a DOGCAM Bullet HD Wide camera , on the basis of a decent camera at a good price. After I fried a my first pair from water getting in by the...
geared to fixied options I've got a geared bike back tyre that has a dent in the rim. I'm considering a fixed gear conversion. A few points of issue: The bike has small vertical drop outs. The skewer width on the current back tyre width is for a 7-speed block. What are my options to deal with these issues? <Q> No EB...	But I think the solutions that would give you more satisfaction are those that allow you to solidly compensate for chainslack, and most of them were already mentioned: Eccentric bottom bracket; Eccentric rear hub; Custom-made chain "tensioner". Existing wheel has a freewheel, and is not going to accept a fixed cog. b) ...
Why do I have to keep changing positions? Despite riding seriously -- about 6,000 miles/yr -- for over 20 years, I apparently have some kind of obsessive-compulsion thing about always fooling with my bike fit. (95 changes -- NOT a typo! -- last year alone.) Seems to get worse every year. Before resigning myself to t...	Fit is a dynamic thing, but it's not so dynamic that it needs to be changed as often as you're changing it. And don't forget, riding a bike will always be an effort to the body. I'm no psychologist, but I think it's safe to say it's a mental thing.
Competing against a 10 Speed Bike with 7 Speed bike? I have been cycling for almost about 9 years now. I believe, I have worked myself up to become quite a efficient cyclist. Still, I never felt the need to upgrade my gears to 10 speed, except in races. Now, here is my recent small story A fresher, who just bought a...	Skills and techniques will not make you faster if you don't change your cadence or gear ratio. You should shift accordingly, perhaps until you reach the highest gear on your bike; You're using a different category of bicycle.
What should I use to wash cycling clothes? I know the labels say to use "delicate" detergent. Well, how exactly do I know if its "delicate?" I used to use Woolite, but then read somewhere that I shouldn't. (Article didn't say why.) So, what's best for cleaning them? <Q> For cycling clothing made of synthetic materi...	Cold water mild detergent or "athletic" clothing detergent.
Calluses on palms/Pressure on hands - what to do? I've been cycling for several years, but recently I developed calluses on the pads of my palms. I'm referring to small raised lines, similar to those you would get from weightlifting. And, by the location I mean: the start of the raised part of the palm which controls t...	Use a tighter glove that can't slide against your palm. A bicycle fitting or perhaps just a stem with some rise could help reduce pressure on hands.
Cutting down cartridge bottom bracket left cup I have a Tange 68x103 mm bottom bracket (pictured) that I plan to use in an old steel frame (building a single-speed/fixed). It turns out that my non-drive-side bottom bracket shell threads were a bit destroyed. My LBS was able to chase/tap quite a bit of it, perhaps eno...	The threads in the lockring will repair the threads on the BB cup as you unscrew the lockring off the cup. at my shop we have a bucket full of loose cups, you might be able to find one that works at your LBS (though they are mostly all the same size tbh).
What is the Optimal Tightness for Learning to Ride with SPD Pedals? I recently switched the pedals on my road bike over to the SPD clipless system. The pedals I got have an adjustable spring. Tightening the spring increases the force required to twist one's foot out, while loosening it does the opposite. Initially, I ...	Setting the release higher than your comfort level is asking for trouble. The biggest thing you need to do as you tighten the pedals up is to practice clipping in and (especially) out to build up the muscle memory.
Where can I find containers to dispense bulk chain lube So, I'm looking for drip style containers to keep in my messenger bag and my home shop to dispense bike chain lube. I want to just buy a 32oz container of lube for cheap on amazon and fill my own dispensing bottles since I need to clean a lot of chains on a lot of...	Otherwise I would just pick up a couple of bottles of lube from my local bike shop that had screw off lids and refill them when they are empty.
How do I put grips on mountain bike handlebars? I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to put a new set of grips on to my mountain bike handlebars.. The old ones came off fairly agreeably and I've got the new ones 80-90% of the way on, however, at this point both my hands are stinging from the aggressive twisting and...	The technique I use is to apply dish washing soap to the metal of the grip so that they are slick and put the grips in boiled water. I use a thin old electrician's flathead screwdriver to gently lever the edge off the grip up, then tilt the bike so that it leans to the side I'm working on, and then squirt a splash of w...
Can any bike crankset be exchanged for another? I have a Specialized HardRock from the '90s. It's seen better days, but I got it for cheap. I had a bike shop look it over, but for some reason the guys missed the rounded off teeth on the front gears. Whenever I ride it, the chain slips every few rotations. I'd like ...	It's really easy to find cranks that will fit a square taper bottom bracket.
Thread locking fluid on fixed cog I just recently got a single speed with a flipflop hub and got the bike shop to switch it to the fixed cog. While riding around, the gear came loose on the back hub and almost flung me off so I had to bring it back to the shop to get them to tighten it. Does anyone use any thread loc...	With a fixie lockring, though, there aren't enough threads (surface area) to really benefit from a threadlocker.
Should I get wider tyres/tires for my tour if I'm not going to go off-road? I'm going to do a ten-day long tour down the west coast of New Zealand. I'll have some luggage in rear panniers, but no tent (staying with friends and in backpackers accommodation). There'll be a fair bit of uphill and downhill on some days. Bu...	Either get wider tires and/or bring a high-pressure pump is the solution, and using a standing floor pump (most bike shops will let you use theirs for free) whenever you have a chance after getting a flat.
Which spokes to get, Wheelsmith or DT Swiss Spokes? I'm building two sets of 26" wheels, one pair of 32h triple cross with Bullseye hubs with machined sidewalls for rim brakes, and another pair of 24h double cross with Alex A-Class hubs with Sun rims for disc brakes. I'm now looking for which spokes to buy. I'm compar...	2) DT Spokes have a sharper, 'triangular' transition into the head, which has led to more cases of the DT Spokes popping heads off than Wheelsmith, which have rounded transitions. Out of my experience with WS, I feel confident that the DB14's will serve me well for at least another 10K and well beyond.
Bike Balancing, How is it done? When riding hands free, I am noticing my bike is more oriented towards a particular direction (In my case: left) . I tried to check of what my problems might be: I check the handles, if they were of equal lengths on both side I also check, if my saddle was not straight. I can't fi...	Check your wheels have been centred when fitted into the frame; when tightening wheel nuts or quick release you will find the wheel can be moved from side-to-side before the final tension is achieved.
What are the pros and cons of Double Butted vs Straight Spokes when building a wheel? Straight spokes will have the same diameter through the whole length, double butted spoked are thinner in the middle than at the ends. Here's my current understanding of the benefits of each: Double Butted Spokes Lighter than Strai...	A wheel built with butted spokes will be able to carry a heavier load before any of the spokes become slack. There is no load-carrying difference between DB spokes and PG spokes either.
How do I maximize my upper body workout from riding? I often hear people say “your bike is a whole-body gym”. I know my upper body workout will never be close to the workout my legs get, but so long as I’m a bike commuter, I figure I ought to get as much as I can out of it. I have a Trek 8.3DS, flat handlebars, no bull...	Riding a stationary bicycle that works both arms and legs simultaneously is an upper body workout. If you have or can scrounge some dumbbells you can do a bit more. Go for a ride, and try to get in as much climbing as possible. If your riding on rough terrain try to jump and wheelie your front tire over objects here an...
How do I get started riding on rollers? I want to train on rollers, and I figure once I get rolling it will be pretty easy, but how do I get my wheels turning fast enough to keep me upright before I fall over? <Q> Other than that <S> , you just have to keep trying. <A> Get the floating rollers and you will be steady ...	Until you get the hang of it, set up in a hallway, where you can brace yourself on the walls around you until you get up to speed and while you learn your balance. The main thing is to be able to support yourself externally so that you can get clipped into the pedals, onto the saddle and build up a little speed so that...
What should I use, VeloPlugs, Rim Tape, or Rubber Rim Strips in new wheels? I'm building two new sets of mountain bike 26" wheels, and I'm wondering what to go with. Both are double walled rims, so in addition to the standard rim tape and strips, I can use a product like VeloPlugs. Here's my current understanding: Ve...	Rim tape can actually slip, slowly, due to heat and/or mechanical stresses (rolling of the wheel, twisted tube), but would be my choice, since they're not elastic (accept high pressures well) and can't damage the tubes. Rim tape also comes in plastic variants that are lighter, last longer and cost more than rubber ones...
Keeping a leather saddle in good condition Is shoe polish a good or at least adequate solution for keeping a leather saddle in good condition? And/or better options? <Q> I guess shoe polish (the creamy one, not fancier new ones with sylicone and lots of synthetic polymers) at least won't do any harm, but maybe there ar...	Do not use glove oil on a Brooks saddle.
Strange noise coming from bottom bracket/crank I've just bought a Trek 6300 and I'm getting a strange creaking coming from the crank/bottom bracket when I'm stand pedalling. It only happens when I'm stand pedalling, and only what appears to be on my right hand side. It's like a triple click on each downward motion on ...	Lower frame creaks are very hard to diagnose as it can be so many things. Yep, if you just bought it, take it back!!! Even if you have to pay someone, this sort of thing should be fixed immediately, if not sooner, and avoid riding until you do, as the problem could be a loose crank, and, if so, riding it will destroy t...
What options do I have when replacing my fork's elastomers? I'm rebuilding an AntiGravity Fork and converting it to threadless for my 'Blast From the Past' bike (GT Bravado frame, U-Brake, Bullseye hubs and cranks, 21 speed). I really like these forks and I'd like to bring them back to life. The elastomers are shot. S...	Then I ordered Prothane polyurethane/urethane safe grease to coat the elastomers, rods, and fork internals with to prevent stiction.
Bottom bracket with built-in internal hub - does this exist? I've heard that one can install a bottom bracket that has what is essentially a built-in internal hub, giving one the ability to add a virtual double chainring where there's only one. This would be designed to be used in concert with whatever gear cluster or ...	The Schlumpf drives have been marketed to specialty bicycles such as folding or recumbent bikes that use small diameter wheels, and thus can have difficulty getting "normal" gearing using off-the-shelf components. An advantage of the Schlumpf drive is that with only one chain ring, there is no need for a front deraille...
How long should MTB disc brake pads last? I'm fairly new to mountain biking and I was able to put in around 900 miles on my first set of brake pads on my Giant Anthem X2. At that point they started grinding metal on metal. I went and bought new Shimano pads (I have Shimano brakes) and after only 100 or so miles one of ...	However, I have been riding using my Avid Elixir 3's since August last year and have only had to change the pads this week having done 25-40 miles every week. Sintered metal pads last longest, but are noisiest, often to the point of not being worth the better durability.
Speed and Cadence Bike Sensor Opinions I'm looking to start tracking my speed and cadence for my iOS app, Cycle Meter. The app works great for distance, time, but is not accurate at all for measuring my speed. So I'm thinking of buying a Garmin or a Wahoo speed/cadance sensor and wanted to get the community's opin...	I use the Garmin, originally with my iPhone, and since with my Garmin Edge 800.
Can you use a 8 speed Shimano shifter with a 7 speed cassette? I want to use an 8-speed shifter with a 7-speed cassette. I saw this question , but I am unsure if this would work, since I believe the spacing is the same between a 7- and 8-speed, but the length is not. <Q> You can do that, the spacing is the same. <S...	If you let gear number 2 on the shifter correspond to gear number 1 in the cassette, you should take care not to press too hard on the lever when you are already in gear 2, since this should overstretch the cable or the lever. I have revised cassettes both ways (7 to 8 and 8 to 7) successfully.
LBS said creaking under torque is normal? On my last question I asked about a creaking/tick I was getting when I was stand pedaling on a climb. I took it to my LBS today and they said they had stripped all the crank and BB and re-greased it all and all is well. When I took it out that evening it clearly wasn't an...	Second, your creak/tick is not normal (and, as many have rightly pointed out, could come from many components which carry your pedaling force). I'd suggest trying to find a better bike shop that specialises in servicing rather than sales.
How does one ride 'no handed'? Learning to ride no-handed has been on my new year resolution list year after year after year and I still haven't done it. I'm 46 so I need to be careful about falling off. Do people have fool-proof techniques for learning to ride no-handed they can share? Just to clarify after Daniel '...	It's a lot easier (at least for me) on a rigid bike than one with suspension, as the bike is more responsive to shifting your weight. One thing to mention is if the bike is messed up at all, it's a lot harder to ride no-handed. It's easy to work up to riding no handed comfortably. Like a learner driver, go find a car p...
Gash where valve meets tire tube; How could this happen, and can I fix it? I'm fairly new to bicycling; apologies if this is a standard question but I couldn't figure out how to phrase it to search for it elsewhere. I ride a KHS Urban-X with Kenda Kwest tires (just what it came with). I've gotten barely any use out of...	Most likely this is a result of riding the tire while the pressure is too low. If this issue persists (i.e. your tubes keep failing near the valve stem), then you likely have a "sharp" rim or burred valve hole.
Is this normal for my new Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6? I purchased a new Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6 in early March. I have roughly 250 miles on it. After the first 100 miles I took it back to my LBS to have it adjusted and tightened up. Before I did this, it would creak a fair amount when pedaling hard or shifting my we...	It will not harm the bike though it is very annoying.
Bike Rack for Hatchback vehicle? I have a hatchback-style Vehicle (2007 Ford Focus) and a KHS Urban-X Bicycle. Are there any standard styles of mount that work best in this situation? Can you recommend any in particular or point me towards particular styles? Thanks! <Q> My answer only applies if you will be haulin...	I have the Thule rack (on my mini cooper), it works great (takes about 10 seconds to mount a bike), and I can still open the hatch with it on.
Why are 10 speed chains so expensive? I've noticed that 10-speed chains cost 2.5 times as much as their 9 speed counterparts. Is this just because there isn't much demand for these, so the manufacturers can justify the ridiculous expense? Is there a cheaper option? <Q> There are 10 speed compatible chains starting ar...	I think the industry uses this as a means to inflate the prices on all 10speed/ racing style bicycles.
Bike lock for a Mountain bike with easily removable wheels I have a Trek 3500 that I need to lock up when I ride city trails, but I have been nervous as both of the wheels are incredibly easy to remove (flip a switch, rotate a lever a few times and they detach in seconds.) I purchased a cable lock assuming it would b...	No thief in the world would have this drilled key; Gravity-activated skewers, like this one by Zéfal: there is some moving part inside the skewers acting as a lock on certain bike positions.
Using Anti Seize in place of Grease I bought Nickel Anti-Seize to prevent any corrosion issues between metals, and I generally like using it on my vehicles on bolts and anything I plan on removing later. I'm wondering where it would be appropriate for me to use Anti-Seize instead of grease on my bicycle, and where it w...	You don't want to use it on any bearings as the lube. On quick release skewers antisieze on the shaft is ok,but avoid the threaded portion. I have used on bearing races at the mating surface,where the race presses into the frame.
Why offset the rear rim to the hub and not the hub in the frame? I'm currently reading The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt, and I'm reading all of the issues with offsetting the rear rim toward the drive side of the hub... Asymmetry in a rear wheel built for a multispeed gear cluster makes it weaker against side loa...	To keep the chain line correct would force the right pedal to shift out to match (as mentioned prior also). Running the offset on the bottom bracket would affect Q factor positioning on many riders, and while some riders like or need additional stance width, most do not. I guess yes, as long as front/rear wheels are in...
What bike computer (speedometer) to get for mounting on the rear wheel? I'm looking to get a bike computer, primarily for the speedometer function. I use my bike on a trainer most of the time, and I'd like to get "speed" from that, so the sensor needs to be on the rear wheel. I'd prefer not to spend too much, but my b...	Probably any wired cyclocomputer with cadence will have rear wheel sensor near crank. I've decided to go the cheap route - I got a Cateye Enduro 8 (which is wired, but not long enough) and I'll modify it to extend the wire.
Exact dimensions for Wheelsmith Rim Rods? Does anyone have access to the Wheelsmith Rim Rod ERD measurement tool? I need to reproduce this no longer manufactured tool. Specifically, I need the length of the yellow portion of each rod, the diameter of the yellow portion of each rod, and the length and diameter of the ...	I think even if you take the original to a metal-machining shop, some precision would always be lost; There would be no way to be sure anyone of us measure it right, even if we were most interested in this reverse engineering process (I am, for sure, but I don't have the tool unfortunately).
What is the best treatment (not prevention) of saddle sores What is the best way to treat saddle sores? Loose clothes, Gold Bond medicated powder, or Moisturizer? What seems to help reduce the painful symptoms of saddles sores once you already have them? I know how to prevent them, so I'd prefer to focus on wha...	After Ride Skin Repair gel all work well. There are many products, but they all boil down to one thing: Eliminating friction and moisture.
Setting up a bicycle for someone with restricted knee articulation My father, now in his 70's, had a left knee replacement several years ago. He has limited movement in that knee - probably about 85 degrees on a good day. His knee can extend fully, but cannot bend as much as it should. As a result, he cannot pedal a bi...	The idea is to such the pedal at an adjustable crack length without replacing the cranks. I purchased a Specialized Low-Entry Roll Sport bicycle and added the pendulum crank solution from Europe
what is the most secure bicycle combination lock? Which bicycle lock that is a combination lock (with a code instead of keys) is the most secure device available on the market? Of course everything can be broken, and its only a matter of time, but for which combination lock the time to crack it by a potential thief i...	I would say that you might have some luck pairing up an industrial level combination lock with a big security chain . Now for parking at, for example, a train station full of annonimous bikes (none of these parkings in my city, yet), I'd go with the keyed ones, no doubt.
Does seat post suspension reduce efficiency? I have a hybrid bike with front and seat post suspension. It's easy to see how front suspension reduces pedaling efficiency by using some of the power for compressing the shocks, so I keep it locked on paved roads. In situations where performance is more important than comf...	Note that, in theory, suspension of any sort saves energy on a rough surface, since you "burn" less energy moving your own body up and down as you go over bumps.
Reducing saddle bounce when increasing cadence Trying up my cadence, but noticing a fair bit of saddle bounce. Few things that could be contributing. I use toeclips over cleats saddle height (thou I'm at the sweet spot of full leg extension without strain) Is there any techniques/exercises to reduce this or am I ...	Assuming the bike fits you properly, raising your max RPM is simply a matter of practice. Informally you can try forcing yourself to ride at lower gears than you're used to.
Trick or tool to help line up 48 splined crank arms Besides eyeballing it and comparing the line to the seat tube, are there any tricks to getting 48 splined crank arms perfectly aligned? I must have spent a solid 15 minutes looking at them from every angle until I was satisfied. <Q> If your bearings are decent, just t...	Turn the crank until the string lines up with the other pedals' thread center. Once I was satisfied with that, I'd line up one of the arms with the seat post or the down tube, take a few steps back, and eyeball it.
Are there tugnuts made to fit forward facing horizontal dropouts? Are there tugnuts meant to fit forward facing horizontal dropouts such as those on a Surly Cross Check, All City Space Horse, or Salsa Cassaroll which won't block rack and fender bosses and keep wheel from sliding forward during heavy pedaling or skid st...	The newer Surly Hurdy Gurdy chain tensioner is actually designed with the cross check dropout in mind (and should work with most semi horizontal dropouts). If your wheel is slipping in the dropout, then there is something else wrong, in my opinion.
How do I clean the inside of a freehub? I didn't know any better and I let degreaser drip into the freewheel body of my Shimano FH-RM65 . Now it makes a terrible retching noise when it rotates. How do I clean the inside of this thing? I'm afraid to put load on it until it sounds quiet and happy again. <Q> That par...	The good news is, there is a tool to lubricate the inside of a freehub, without disassembling it. There is no easy way to remove the old lube.
Using hub-dynamo for both lights and charging, with priority on lighting I currently have a Supernova E3 Pro powered by a Shimano hub generator, and I would like to add the ability to charge USB-powered gadgets. My main concern, however, is that simply wiring up a charger in parallel to the lights would result in dimme...	I do, however, notice that having the lights on limits the current available for charging – I would say the charger has the logic you are looking for.
Do cassettes and chains need to be replaced at the same time? Someone recently told me that if I replace my cassette I need to replace my chain (and vice versa) so that they wear evenly. Is this true? And, can anyone elaborate on the reasoning for this a bit more? Why is it important for them to wear evenly? Why does...	If you ride one chain beyond the point of wear, it will damage both cassette and chain rings to different degrees.
Can a road bike's rear derailleur be used for either a 9 speed cassette or 10 speed cassette? I currently have a 9 speed 11-25T cassette on my road bike. I'm thinking about switching to a different cassette with more teeth on the climbing gear. The cassette I'm currently look at is a Shimano CS-5700 10 Speed Cassette. ...	The pulleys on a 10 speed dérailleur are narrower, and a 10 speed chain will not rest correctly on the jockey pulleys of a 9 speed dérailleur. You might even need to change the rear wheel altogether. The width of the chain and the cogs is the biggest issue.
What's a good second lock option for around the frame and wheel? I've seen a few people, specially bike messengers that use a main lock to secure their bike to a post/fence/etc. but also have a second smaller one to lock the other wheel around the frame. Which is a good option for this second lock? <Q> You have some o...	Ulock the frame and use security skewers like pitlocks or hublox http://www.pitlock.com/ http://www.deltacycle.com/Hublox-Security-Skewers 3) Buy another ulock and double lock your bike 4)
Can someone give me a short description and comparison of the different road cycling pedal / shoe systems? I am looking at buying a pedal/shoe system as the clips and straps I am using are hurting my feet again. It's been a long time since I have bought a road pedal / shoe system, and I have forgotten the differences ...	As a large rider, I personally prefer Look pedal systems, as they have one of the larger platforms to connect my feet to the pedals. Crank Bros Eggbeaters are commonly used on mountain bikes where their simple design is good at shedding mud.
Can you buy bulk shifting/brake cable for road bikes? Is it possible to buy bulk amounts of shifting/brake cable for road bikes? It would be nice to just have a spool of wire that you run onto your frame and then cut off only as much as you need. A Google search for " bike cable spool " doesn't really result in much,...	Bulk rolls of cut to fit cable housing are available. Unless you are ordering parts for your local club, I would suggest buying what you need, when you need it, with maybe one backup set in the garage.
What is the best web application to create cycling cue sheets for future rides I'm looking for good software to help me map out routes that I have not done before and create cue sheets and probably also printable maps. I plan to use this for my own rides, planning group rides, and maybe even alleycat routes. Things l...	I think mapmyride.com is pretty good for mapping out routes.
Which parts of a wrecked bike would be OK to use or sell? A few months ago I was in an accident with a car on my way home from work (oncoming car turned left in front of me). My bike was severely damaged, the frame broke in two and the front wheel is bent enough to be un-usable. However, many of the other parts, the ...	The frame (obviously), the front wheel, the fork, and the headset should be tossed (though the front wheel hub may be salvageable). Scrap the bike for parts, and keep them around as spares for your next bike. The handlebar and stem, unless visibly bent/damaged, should be safe. But I think it would be unfair to sell som...
Does spin class prepare you for a long bike ride? I need to train for an upcoming bike ride and i wanted to see if attending a spin class 1-2 times a week (45 min course) would be appropriate way to prepare for a long bike ride (50 - 75 miles) <Q> Regular aerobic exercise is definitely of value for preparing for a big ...	If time is limited, try spin 2-3 days a week, and build up your endurance, but also do at least one longer outdoor ride each week. Try to get as many road rides in as possible. you'll do fine as long as its not a competitive event and you can ride your own pace.
How are tire sizes measured? I tried getting a good measurement with my caliper, but the flexibility of the tire doesn't help much. Let's say I have a 26"x2.125" tire. I know this fits on an ISO 559mm bead seat diameter rim, and 26" = 660.4mm. 26": The OD of the tire including the tread? The OD of the tire exclu...	As a reasonable first approximation, you can take the width part of the ETRTO codeas the height of the tire above the diameter part of the ETRTO code when inflated. Any diameter numbers other than the bead seat diameter are just names, not measurements.
How do I make my pannier bag less smelly? Because I ride my bike everywhere, my pannier bags (Ortlieb Back Roller Classic) carry all kinds of cargo, from wrapped-up fish-and-chips to damp swimming and gym kit. I store them open whenever I can, so they're not as ripe as you might think, but they've still developed a dis...	If your bag gets damp (inside) frequently, dry it out promptly and wad up newspaper in it, and that should absorb moisture from a bag (works for gloves and shoes.) There are special odor-killing laundry agents that can be quite effective against certain odors. Ask for, and insist on if necessary, a ziplock or similar p...
What should I consider when buying a respirator? I'm using my bicycle to ride from home to work and back. Now I face a problem that the air is not so clean: dust, car exhaust etc. So I'm thinking of buying a respirator (i.e., an anti-pollution mask) to filter the air I breathe. But before I buy it I need advice on wh...	One that has been marketed to cyclists has been the totobo mask which is from what I gather a re-usable N95 mask (although uncertified by any agency) with replaceable filter peices.
Is it normal to have some soreness in your knees after cycling with SPD? I recently got some SPD pedals. Initially, my seat was too high (old pedals added about 3/4th of an inch to height), and at the end of the downstroke, pulled uncomfortably on my knees. After even moderate rides (~5k), it would be painful walking u...	If your bike is set up with a proper fit to your body, and your pedal's cleat position is set up for your body, soreness in your knees like you describe is not normal. If you can find a professional fitter, and plan to ride a lot, it would probably be worth it to get fitted. So some knee pain is common. Before giving u...
Should I put my wider tire in front or in back? My used bike came with a 700x28 tire in front and a 700x23 tire in back. Should I leave the wider tire in front, or should I switch the tires? What benefits or drawbacks are there one way or the other? Is there any particular reason why the previous owner might have chose...	Generally there's more weight on the back, plus having the wider tire in front will make make steering more difficult. Therefore, put the wheel where it matters most, i.e. the back.
Learning more about racing I don't race and never will race. However, I am very interested in learning more about it. I read a number of cycling magazines, and I read about so many different racing terms, strategy etc. but they are never explained. Does any know of a good source (like a Bicycle Racing 101 course) where...	The best thing to do is to watch television coverage of races. I also learned a lot reading my roommate's Velo News magazines. You probably don't want to take on a roomie just to learn about racing, but you might be able to volunteer to help out a local team.
Is this a good road bike frameset to consider building for a 5'6" rider? Can this frame be used to build a decent road bike for someone 1.73m (5.6 feet)? It has 58cm ST, 58cm TT. 7005 aluminum Easton Ultralite aero tubing. 1" aluminum threadless fork. I'm coming from MBX and never even rode a road bike :) What are...	Competitve cyclist has an elaborate sizing procedure that you can use to determine if a frame is approximately correct. It's probably too big for you, objectively better frames are likely comparatively cheap, and potential component compatibility issues won't exist with newer frames. In addition, since the frame is all...
Are Allen key or Security Key skewers appropriate for bikes with rear facing horizontal dropouts I have a surly karate monkey set up as a single speed. The frame has rear facing horizontal dropouts (track style). I don't like quick releases due to potential theft when locking up my bike. Are standard Allen key skew...	As for allen keys, its slightly harder than a quick release, but its safe to assume an allen key or hex nut or similar standard non-security skewer is not much safer than a quick release -- any thief can/will have tools to remove it very quickly. I am a pretty aggressive rider and have snapped more than my fair share o...
Is it worth it to reverse the wrap direction of handlebar tape at the brake levers? The Park Tool Handlebar Tape Installation guide suggests that the direction of wrapping can be either self tightening or prone to loosening. Its basic instructions make the tape self-tightening on the tops. The guide also describes ho...	In other words, starting your wrap from the bar end at the bottom of the drop, you wrap the tape so that it crosses from the frame side to the outside of the bar.
What map / navigation / bike direction apps are available for the iphone for commuting / urban cycling I'm switching from an android phone to an iphone soon. I use the google maps bike directions all the time to figure out how to get to friend's houses, restaurants, bars and navigating around a new city, usually with n...	There's a new free app called Bikepath Country that has simple point A to point B cycling directions.
Should I get a road bike? Last year I started biking again. My current ride is a quite good "cross" bike weighing a bit more than 10kg (~22lb, I didn't weigh it). Currently I'm doing around 200km (~120 mi) per week, mostly on roads. Now I'm wondering whether a road bike would be beneficial for day-trips or such. I liv...	Since you're considering switching from a cyclocross bike to a road bike, you should expect a less dramatic change, but if you feel like you're losing out from using the wrong tool for the job, you might as well try a road bike.

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