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Is a recreational bike sufficient for a 10-hour bike trip? I am planning to go on a bike trip from Chicago to Milwaukee in the end of June. Is my Trek Allant , a recreational bike, suitable for the trip? <Q> Your bike is definitely fine for this trip. <S> I've ridden further on a cheaper hybrid bike fully loaded, an...	Make sure you have a few water bottles and food for the trip. Sure, the bike would make it. If you plan to stop and eat, then you can carry a bit less.
Cure for numb nuts? It's been about 5 years or so since I did any amount of bicycle riding to speak of. Recently, I picked up a mountain bike ( Giant Revel 2 ) and started getting back into riding around some local roads on a semi-regular basis. My goal is to work myself up to at least riding for one hour, three days...	Tweak your bike fit; then, seriously consider a new saddle. Cycling shorts definitely help this, as do not overly padded seats. An upward tilt is bad news for the perineum.
I'm looking for options for carrying 2 children on the back I'm looking at the Yuba Mundo with 2 Bobike Junior seats to carry my 4 and 6 year old children. First, does anybody know if those seats will mount on a Mundo? Second, I'm open to all other recommendations, but would like to keep the cost under $2k, so I ...	At age 4, the younger child can likely be carried with just some "stoker bars".
Annoying clicking sound from the bottom bracket I just purchased a Fuji ACR 2.0 road bike from a guy who bought it three months back but didn't ride it at all. I brought it home and found that it is making a clicking sound when I pedal. The sound is coming from the bottom bracket. Please check the video for more detail...	It might be cracked and when you back pedal the freewheel teeth might be catching on it. My friend tried three things to fix this: 1) tighten the chainring bolts; 2) lube/grease the crankshaft on the non-drive side; 3) remove the crank, and coat the threaded bearing holders/cups with anti-seize lubricant. My crankset m...
How to attach maps, etc to handlebars of a Boris Bike? (London bike hire scheme) How can I attach maps (or any routing tool) to the handlebars of one of the Boris Bikes (i.e. the 'rental' bikes in the Barclay's Bike Hire Scheme) in London? I tried cobbling something together: but I kept dropping my smart-phone (it ...	and you could just clip it to something like a basket or a laptop screen or whatever.
If I report intentional dangerous driving to police, will it have any effect? Today I was riding ~3 feet out from parked cars (dooring is the most common way to get killed) and this pickup truck comes up behind me and just lays on its horn for an entire block. The driver was also revving his engine and coming within a ...	The cops may want it to get official as well, if they've gotten some complaints and want to shut the guy down be prepared to file a report. I would talk with the local law enforcement first rather then "reporting". They can't hurt, might help, but avoiding/fixing the problem needs to be priority.
Is it a good idea to get a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire on a road bike? I am currently running Continental Grand Prix S 4000 in 23-622 / 700x23C front and rear. I am about to buy a new set of tires for my road bike and am fancying a smaller tire for the front and a wider tire for the rear. Actually Contine...	More rubber touching the road means more drag, which will probably help with braking.
How can I fit 6 bikes on a hitch rack? How can I fit 6 bikes on a hitch rack for my Toyota Sienna van? Thank you! <Q> Here's a rack that will do six. <S> I have no personal experience with this one and the fact that neither of the top two rack companies (Thule and Yakima) do a six bike rack makes me think you should a...	If you do, you need to strap the top of the rack to the roof of the car, and strap the rack and bikes to limit the twisting forces in the hitch. The hitch is not designed to take the kind of forces that 6 bikes can produce. I am sure you could buy a small utility trailer for much less, you would be able to haul at leas...
I need help replacing my bike's tube I recently popped the tube in my front tire and need help replacing it. I don't really know very much about bikes or the assortment of numbers on tubes, tires, and wheels. Here is what I do know: The tire that popped has 700x35/43C on it. The spare that I got when I bought the bik...	Any bike store, and probably any Walmart/Target/etc, will have what you need. The size you need is 700x35 or 27x1 3/8. Someone who has changed a couple hundred tubes can usually give you pointers on how to roll the tire back on without tools, hot to prevent a pinch flat, and how to make the whole process quicker and ea...
Why doesn't "butt soreness" affect serious cyclists? Over time, my seat (butt) has been broken in by my saddle. I don't have a callus, and nothing obvious has changed. Physiologically, why doesn't riding cause seat soreness anymore? On the flip-side, what does a saddle do to a less-experienced posterior? Is soreness c...	So, one gets sore at first, but as muscle/skeletal tissue adapts, one is not sore later on. When seated on the saddle, your weight is primarily supported (or should be) at the ischial tuberosities which are commonly known as the "sit bones". It's the hairs, all tangled together, that create most of the "butt burn" that...
What type of saddle doesn't hurt the pelvic bone? I have been having issues with my pelvic bone when riding my bike. I have a very good bike, and the saddle is wide, but after riding 10 minutes my pelvic bone kills me to the point that I have to stop riding to rest it. I want to be able to ride more than this but am co...	Get a saddle with just enough padding.
Why is my chain riding up and skipping teeth on the freewheel? Due to a number of reasons, I would like to keep my freewheel at all costs (It's a Sachs freewheel, the bike has all sorts of more 'vintage' components, and they're hard to come by). From reading all the related questions, it seemed the solution would be a ...	Especially on older derailleurs, this can allow the chain to be received by the cogs at an angle whereby the cog above and/or cog below can 'trap' the chain. The smallest cog appears to be rather badly worn (hard to say for sure without a shot from the side) and the second smallest is sorta worn, but otherwise the clus...
Do I need to replace hydraulic fluid in my brakes? I've had my bike (GT Avalanche 1) for maybe four or five years now. I've changed the pads once, removed and cleaned all parts on the bike a few times now, but I've never touched the brake fluid. Does this need to be changed, and if so, why and how? I couldn't honest...	The main reason for replacing the fluid is not because brake performance may have become worse, but to prevent corrosion of brake components due to water in the fluid. Replacing the fluid about every 5 years would seem to be reasonable -- not a terrible burden, and not being over-zealous. If your lines dont leak, you s...
Need advice on choosing the right folding bike I'm looking for a bike for about half an hour of use a day in town. Don't have room in my flat so it will be a folding bike, and it has to cost less than £200. I consider buying this one Is it a good choice, or are there better options in the same price range ? <Q> Ther...	My advice is that you buy the best you can afford, and the best folding bike by far is the Brompton, it wil last you decades. I myself uses a Brompton M6R but only for short range commutes or for multi-modal commutes where I would only ride a maybe maximum of 5 km one way The bike you have linked to I would put in this...
Which Crank Brothers cleat do I need? I ride these pedals: which came with these cleats: Now I see that Crank Brothers are selling their "Premium" cleat: I'm ready to replace my cleats. Is the premium cleat compatible with my pedal, or do I need to stick to the earlier style? Do the 'wings' on the original cleat ...	To directly answer your question, yes, the Crank Bros Premium Cleat is the one you want.
Why do I ride so lousy after a tour? I'm a male, 44, "fast" (?) recreational cyclist, who has been doing week long -- mostly 50 to 80 miles/day -- tours for about 15 years. While I love touring, I have come to dread the aftermath . . . namely, that for at least 6 weeks following the tour, I ride and feel like a, uh, p...	All those days of steadily pumping out the good stuff makes the tour feel great but when I stop, ooops. The body adjusts hormones based on steady power output all day, and when that degree of power production drops (even though you're still quite active) You should also make sure you eat plenty of protein as soon as yo...
Sources of vibration at high speed in and around rear wheel I’m experiencing vibration somewhere in the rear half of the bicycle when descending at high speed (say more than 30 mph), and I haven’t been able to pinpoint the cause. Everything looks fine, everything I’ve tried wiggling seems solid, and nothing seems to be...	I'm assuming you don't see any obvious dents or seam separation, but a wheel can become untrue in such a way that the wheel is further from the hub at one end and closer to the hub at the other. Seat post is tight to frame. My recent experience sounds very similar to your's - vibration only when descending rapidly.
Can I use gear oil on my chain? I don't have any chain oil right now, but I have some gear oil left over from working on my car. Would it be an effective chain lubricant? It's listed as 80W90, but reading the Wikipedia article suggests that that's not equivalent to motor oil viscosity ratings. <Q> Short answer: <S>...	It's an extremely good high pressure viscous lubricant, and unlike engine oils, it does not contain detergent additives which make engine oil less resistant to water washout. Of course you can use gear oil on your chain.
Bottom bracket is ticking Recently my 2008 Devinci mountain bike sounds like it's ticking when I push down on my left pedal on a usual rotation. When I turn the bike over and go through rotations, I can't get it to tick. When I put my left crank all the way down & jump a little on the left pedal, I don't get the ti...	On bikes with loose bearings (vs a cartridge) in the bottom bracket a loose cup can allow the crank to actually tilt slightly, such that the chain hangs up on the sprocket. There may be a bent chainring tooth, or a deformed chain link.
Best practice for patching snakebite pinch flats on skinny tubes So, I tend to run 700x23c or 700x25c tires on my commuter bike. Sometimes I'm lazy and forget to check the air pressure and inevitably get a pinch flat when I hit some stationary object, pothole, or big curb. When I get a snakebike type of pinch flat (2 ...	(Avoid using large patches as they won't expand as the tube expands.) Try making sure you used the dime sized patches and vulcanizing fluid as directed. You could also try a latex tube as they have smaller holes between the molecules of the tube, which has less air leak over time.
Protecting yourself from briars / brambles / jaggers while mountain biking Riding in the northeast US, I find myself encountering a lot of overgrown mountain bike trails in the spring. Many of these trails are bordered by briars / brambles / jaggers. I can't totally avoid them, so what can I do to protect my legs fro...	The shin guards are usually worn inside the socks, but if the vegetation damages the socks too much, it could be adviseable to wear the guards over the socks. I have always worn full length trousers while riding, normally over padded shorts or bib shorts.
What purpose do the rubber 'hairs' have on new tyres? Up close you can see at least three 'hairs' of rubber from this picture from the side of my tyre: Why do they exist? I've heard they are just a bi-product of the manufacturing process. <Q> Note the technical term for what you are calling "hairs" is "vent spews." <...	i can only imagine during the manufacturing process that hot rubber is injected into a mold like device and then spun till cool enough to remove, these little hair like things are formed during the centrifuge process through little holes that serve as a way for air to escape to prevent imperfections in the tyre (tire)....
51cm top tube too small for someone who normally cycles frame with 55cm top tube? I'm looking to buy a second bike and have found a really nice frame. The bike I cycle at the moment, which fits me perfectly (I am 5'11" (180cm)), has a 55cm top tube. The frame I'm looking at has a 51cm top tube. Is this difference too m...	So, to answer your question: Yes, you can ride a frame with a 51cm seat tube lenght, achieving a similar fit, IF the effective top tube length of the frame is similar to the corresponding measure of the former 54cm frame. Measurements only get you so far -- you need to ride the bike to be sure.
How to train for a long tour? Recently my interest was piqued with a very long tour: http://tourdivide.org/ Being time constrained by an 8 hour job, how does one train for a ride that will require 160 kilometers (100 miles) per day for 30 days? <Q> I confess, I have not done this kind of ride. <S> But I know a few fo...	Make sure you have some really good shorts or bibs, and some good chamois cream. Saddle time is essential, but you can use short-but-intense rides to help train. Plan on carrying spare tubes, a spare tire, and extra spokes, especially if you have funky wheels that use proprietary spokes I have ridden 200km dailyfor ten...
Does an SPD-SL AND SPD compatible pedal/shoe exist? I am soon going to buy a pair of pedals (and new shoes of course) for my road bike (mostly used for commuting, and short-ish rides (40-50 miles/80Km). Most important to me is being able to walk in my cycling shoes BUT ALSO, be able to cycle my bike without needing to...	there are spd pedals with a shoe platform on the flip side of the cleat.
Good Gloves to Prevent Ulnar Numbness I recently noticed that towards the end of my 6.4 mile ride to and from work, my hand and arms began to numb. A friend recommended I try cycling gloves, so I purchased these from Amazon. They do seem to lessen the numbness, but not prevent it entirely. What's more, it doesn'...	If your bike is not the right size, or if it is set up incorrectly, this may cause you to put too much weight on your hands. It could be the fit of your bike. If you ride a road bike, try changing your hand positions as your ride.
What features should I look for in a cool helmet? I have a Bell Metro helmet. It's fine but even with all the holes, it is very hot. It also causes skin irritation on my forehead and causes (sorry people) pimples on my scalp. Are there specific features that I should look for to have a cooler (as in temperature) and...	But a better vented helmet will also add to the cool air coming in.
How do I know if it's worth restoring my bike? I found myself in need of a bike, but buying a new one is out of the question. So two possibilities remain: buy a used one for a low price; fix one of my old bikes. But here comes another problem (and my question): how old is too old? I mean, apart from comparing the...	So you have to "simply" to look at all signs of damage at those parts which are important for you. The odd dent is fine, but if a bike has obviously been bent in an accident I scrap the frame. The ideal bike to find is a reasonably good quality one (that fits you!)
Is it possible to use road-style brifters with an internal gear hub? I have a touring bike with road-style Shimano brifters, which I love. I'm also very intrigued by internal-gear hubs, but these hubs seem to focus on rotary or push-button shifters. Is it possible to run an internal-gear hub, especially one of the 11-...	Various people have tried to make adapters to fit Rohloff shifters to drop bars, but they (IMO) don't work very well.
What caused my cycling shorts to get damaged during washing? On a ride yesterday, I noticed a spot on my shorts where the fabric felt rough. After washing, the problem became much worse, and there are major areas of damage on both the front and back of the shorts. The following picture shows a close-up of a section of ...	I suspect that some of the fibers in the fabric have broken with use, and the washing causes the broken fibers to slip out of the fabric and "show themselves". I've experienced wear on some of my cycling shorts before and after a while I traced it back to the velcro strap on my saddle bag.
How do I properly apply chamois cream? There is a lot of advice out there to use chamois cream on long rides to prevent sores and chafing. How are you supposed to apply it? In particular I'm curious about the following: Do you apply the pad or to your nethers? Do you wipe it on with your hands or a cloth? What ...	Depends on the type of lube/cream you're using. After applying I try to wash my hands (when a sink is handy), when it is not then I use one of the handi-wipes I keep in my saddle bag. I agree with @Daniel, there really isn't a wrong way to do it. I don't like applying it to padding in the bib because I hate that feelin...
Is there a good resource for helping to discern the cause of pain / soreness? I went for my longest ride of the year this past Sunday. I guess my body wasn't expecting it or my bike is slightly misconfigured. I'm interested in finding a resource where I can look up what I might have done wrong based on where I am exper...	There are probably some "sports medicine" sites around, but they can only take you so far.
How can I remove a fork if the bolt on the stem is rusted? I got run over a car a few weeks ago and now i have to change the fork.It's an old racer, as you can see in the picture, with a 1 inch fork. I am trying to loosen it from the frame, but I can't loosen the bolt marked with 2 because of the rust and now it's comp...	Occasionally it helps to have two headset wrenches or a nice big adjustable wrench so that you can work the bolts against each other if they are binding. If you still have issues, you might consider cutting off the fork from the bottom with a hacksaw (since you are replacing it anyway) which will give you more access t...
Is it possible to measure your sit bones at home? Some bike shops have gel pads that you sit on to measure the distance between your sit bones. Is it possible to take this measurement on your own at home, or does this really require special-purpose equipment? [Related question: Should I use a narrower saddle on a roa...	Sit on a bike on a trainer, get into riding position, and have someone you don't mind touching you physically measure your sit bones, in proper riding position. A saddle’s width is measured from edge to edge across the top, and Specialized recommends a 130mm saddle width for narrow, 143mm for medium and 155mm for wide....
Good goggles over glasses for a small head? I have a pair of prescription sunglasses that partially wrap around my face, but when I ride (mountain biking and commuting), dust and debris still end up in my eyes, and after twenty miles, my eyes are watering. I am looking to get a pair of goggles that can fit over my glas...	Until then, you could pick up some cheap hardware store goggles, a pair of ski goggles, or moto-cross goggles and try them on for fit over your glasses.
Are 22mm tires too thin for commuting? I recently switched from a mountain bike to a road bike with 22mm tires for commuting. I noticed right away that I could not do the things like hop over curbs with this new bike. I also got flats. Lots of flats. I would get 1 flat per week, and I got good at patching tires. Afte...	Get some decent tires with puncture protection and chill out a bit. I also popped it up kerbs when I had to, but would take that a bit slower, and aim to pop the wheels up exactly the height of the kerb, so they wouldn't either hit the corner or come down from a height. My stopping power compared to the mountain bike i...
avoiding punctures in 22mm tires I used to get a lot of punctures on my 22mm tires riding to work every day in boston. All of the punctures were from small pieces glass. After a few weeks of almost weekly flats i got tuffy tire liners and now i no longer get flats. Question: Is there some other better solution then...	Most companies make tires that are "puncture-resistant. As someone else suggested, you could use slime. Additionally, I'd suggest that you move to something a bit larger such as 25mm for commuting. 22mm/23mm tires are mostly used for racing and are usually very soft and prone to picking up and holding on to debris like...
If I can't find the hole causing a flat tire, do I need to replace the tube? My back tire got flat. If I pump it up now, it can hold the air for about 30 minutes to an hour before it's totally flat. I took out the inner-tube yesterday, pump in a bit air and put it into water, trying to find a hole but couldn't find an...	My favorite method is to remove the tube from the tire, reinflate it a bit, and completely submerse it in a swimming pool. If you have a Schrader, get your finger wet and put it lightly over the top (I spit on the ground and put my finger in it)
What is this rubber ring around the top tube for I have seen these on a few bikes. What is the purpose :S <Q> It protects the frame from the handlebars. <S> The handlebars, unrestricted by brake or derailleur cables, can rotate freely to the point that they can smack into the top tube. <S> This is particularly easy to ...	Now, getting to the pad on the top tube, that is a protector that some riders use to protect the tube if it gets hit by the handlebars.
Front derailleur is hard to shift into the big ring. Where to start? I have a shifting problem on a bike that has a crank with a triple set of chainrings. The bike is a tandem. I have to put a great deal of effort to get it to shift into the big ring. Where should I start? Is there a simple adjustment I should look...	After fiddling with it for ages I moved the cable outside of the cable pinch bolt clamp to give greater leverage. After that, make sure you're not cross-chaining too much when shifting up -- you should have your rear near the outer cog before up-shifting the front, so that the angle of the chain isn't fighting you.
What causes the threads on bike pedals to become stripped? Is there something I can do to prevent my bike pedals from wearing out? And what causes the threads on a bike pedal to wear out? I have a 4 year old Raleigh road bike with just regular open pedals. After 300 miles of riding, I had to replace the pedals becaus...	I would guess that the pedal was cross-threaded.
XC (mountain bike) tire for dry hardpack and loose conditions I am just looking for a a new set of tires for my front suspension mountain bike (has a newer nicer fork on it now). I mostly ride in the Gatineau Park in Eastern Ontario. The conditions are almost always dry. There is quite a bit of loose gravel and ...	A good quality bike tire usually has a better size tolerance, a better rubber compound (might make more difference on traction than thread geometry itself), a better seating on the rim, and a better "feel" -
What are the pros and cons of sunscreen vs. protective clothing? I have decided that, lack of sunburn aside, I need to get back to being pretty serious about UV protection. I've been sloppy about it for a few years, and would like to not continue inviting skin cancer. I'm on my bike for 90 to 120 minutes every day, a...	Clothing is a good choice for sun block while cycling. The UV protective clothing can be expensive initially.
Rotate or replace tires I ride a cross bike mostly on the road right now and my rear tire is wearing much faster than my front, which is to be expected. I found the following thread which I think is a similar question but not quite the same, Should I change both tires when I need to change one? which says to just buy...	Rotating tires on a car is usually done to even out the wear (unless you have specific front / back / left / right tires) across the tread - they'll often wear on the outside of the tread, so rotating them presents fresher tread to the gripping surfaces (i.e., they're wearing at the places that make the most contact wi...
Cross training athlete, running out of energy during long rides, what should I eat before I ride? I'm a high performance rower that uses cycling extensively to cross train (the local waterways are.....suboptimal some of the time). When I'm out for longer rides (2-3hr) I generally run out of calories and crash, occasio...	Most cycling jerseys have enough pockets to store a lot of energy bars and bottles of water. Actually, you need to consume calories during the ride.
Left side of my foot -- 8 inches up leg numb? First of all -- I know this isn't Medical-Overflow-Exchange, sorry. But, I think my issue may be cycle related. I've been riding a lot lately, and actually just started riding Fixed again. And for about 3 weeks the whole left side of my foot and about 6-8 inches up my leg ...	It can cause numbness on the way down to the foot. The fact that the numbness extends up the leg suggests that it's neurological, likely due to a compressed nerve somewhere "upstream". Ensure that you handle bars are properly aligned. You need to cut back substantially in your training and see a doc. But I would start ...
Can I fit a cassette with a larger range with my Shimano Tiagra 10-speed ( GS-4600) derailleur? I'm currently running a 2x10 shimano tiagra 10-speed drivetrain with a 50/34 compact crankset, a 12-30 rear cassette, and a Shimano Tiagra GS-4600 derailleur (that's medium cage aka road long cage) on a light touring / road ...	Using anything larger risks damage to derailleur, derailleur hanger, rear wheel and your frame, since shifting into a cross chain position can tear your derailleur off the bike.
Why are rear shocks at a 30 degree angle and the mud-guards so high? For bikes like these , why aren't the rear shocks (the shocks are directly above the pedal) vertical like those of a motorcycle? I don't see how the bike can take shocks when the shock absorber is at such a low angle. A friend said the mud-guard i...	Take a look at this bike, the shock is vertical. An upward force against the rear wheel will cause it to lift, reducing the distance between it and the mount point of the shock, allowing the shock to resist that movement. The mudguard is high so that the wheel doesn't hit it and to ensure there is plenty of mud clearan...
Self-made studded tyre with glue? Can I glue circular pieces of some sort of uneven tiny metal heads, on every other knob of my mountain bike tyre, to bike in winter with snow and ice? If glue sounds too naive to some, there are some really professional hard to undo glues out there today, like those used in contruction...	But given a flexible glue that bonds to the rubber and fills the space between tyre and metal object, I think it could work. I'd even go further and say even if you got them joined, it wouldn't be a very good or effective tire. If money's really that tight, look for used studded tires on craigslist or eBay - some will ...
How to nonverbaly signal a drafting proposition to fellow cyclist? There are situations when words cannot be used, e.g. during heavy wind or when someone is out of breath. Is there an universal hand signal to communicate a proposition of a chain gang behavior to fellow cyclist? <Q> Yes. <S> There are a number of diff...	You may also consider slowing down slightly to further communicate that you aren't interested in blowing by her.
What is the hand gesture for "I'm sorry"? I usually signal "turn left" and "turn right" and "pass me by, take point". However, there is one more situation that happens to me often and I do not know a widely accepted gesture to convey my thoughts. How do I express that "I am sorry." to a car driver near me (car driver ...	There's no side/side or waving motion, just a hand up, fingers together, "Thanks/Sorry".
How did bubbles form on my tire? I was riding recently and kept hearing a noise similar to a rock stuck in a tread, but I have no tread. When I got off and inspected the tire, I found these weird bubbles had formed. I have replaced the tire (the bubble doesn't telegraph through to the inner wall), and the tube appe...	The defect is actually a bruise/rupture in the cord, allowing the tube's pressure to press out the tire.
"Clacking" noise coming from drivetrain I have a 2005 Specialized S-Works Tarmac with Dura-Ace components and Mavic Ksyrium SL wheelset. I get a "clacking" noise coming from the drivetrain area only when pedaling forward. I say "clacking" because it's not a click or creak noise. It reminds me of the noise those ac...	Once you have the freewheel open, make sure that the little pins stay in place, most new hubs will have springs keeping them in place.
Why do you think I nearly fell on this turn? I was riding my new Scott road bike yesterday and I nearly took a terrible fall. The pavement was wet and there was a curve. I was riding approximately 15 mph and I braked with the rear brake. As I applied the brake the rear tire nearly spun out from under the bike. Do y...	I suspect you either did not notice a slippery section of the path, or braked too sharply.
Fast touring bike / Roadbike with touring capabilities I am looking for a bike as primary transportation in the South Bay area.My commute is 5 mi, I like to do overnight trips on weekends and usethe bike for shopping, which will involve occasional trips not longer than 30 mi. My budget is $1500, but I would not mind t...	The Pacer doesn't come with as many rack bosses as you'll want (one advantage of the cross-check), but p-clamps did the trick for me. The bar end shifters on touring bikes are meant for durability on long hauls and can be a hassle, at first, to deal within a city commute, but easily conquered at 20 miles a day.
Are bicycle rear racks and panniers suitable for cross-country riding? Later this summer, I intend to make a ten-day travel. It is going to be mainly road touring with one-two-tree days of sloped dirt roads or forest trails possible. I usually pack heavily, carrying a 60 litre pack, that I will probably fill up for th...	The fatter tires you have the more they will absorb (bumps and the like), and prevent these bumps vibrating up to your pannier rack. I'll agree with all of the other comments in that a backpack will both put a lot of painful strain on your back and throw off your balance.
How to tell what length of chain to get? I am replacing the chain on my road bike soon. How do I know how many links to get? Does it have to exactly 114 or 116. Or is it not a big deal? I ordered a 116 link chain. Will I need to shorten it? Thank you. <Q> If your old chain was 114 links (assuming it was the right...	To determine the correct length, wrap your chain around largest chain ring in the front and the largest rear sprocket, without running it through the derailleurs.
Should I use a master link? I just ordered a new KMC X10SL Ti 10 Speed chain for my bike. And I am wondering if I should use a master link or not. In the past I have had much trouble with them. I used to use them on my 9 speed mountain bike, and the master link would fall of often. It turned out that how the sus...	For <=8 speed chains, you can probably get away with the pushing pin out and pushing back if you're careful, but even these chains generally come with master links/rivets which are easier to get right and install (so I would recommend using the master link or rivet if provided). I'd just as well go without the link fro...
How do I know if I can replace the 27 inch wheels with 700c wheels on my bike? I recently purchased an 80's Japanese bike off craigslist called "Jupiter King." It has 27 inch tires but I want to switch to 700c for greater wheel/tire selection. I specifically want some nice yellow wheels with yellow rim. Help? I am quit...	You may or may not be able to make that conversion with your existing brake/frame combination. I'd recommend borrowing a 700c wheelset from someone to see if you can line it all up. Depending on your setup, that may be possible.
Which tube size to prefer if several options apply? I have 40-622 (a.k.a. 28x1.5") tires, and Schwalbe offers two different sizes of tubes - their models "17" and "19" - as applicable for that tire size. Ok, either one would surely fit well. But apart from weight difference (150 vs. 220 grams), is there any reason t...	Anyway, I would suggest a slightly smaller tube over a slightly larger tube (in comparison to the tire) because there are more problems with pinching in a larger tube than stretching/herniating with the smaller tubes.
How to mount posters, bills or placards on a bicycle We want to do a ride through our city to show the presence of cycling and want that people do not only see bikes, but also a message. We thought of using some posters that we mount on our bikes, but we are not sure how to do this. We thought about glueing the poster...	Another idea would be to carry a flag on a pole attached to the bike. The most practical approach we found for larger posters was trailers.
Solutions for pedals screwed in the wrong sides? I have a Focale44 fixie with a single speed on the other side of the gear (this is called a flip-flop I think?) and I LOVE it so far! I've ridden it for about six months and haven't had to fix anything big on it yet. The only problem is that I must have screwed the peda...	If you simply flip the cranks around you are cranking with the threads (unscrewing), rather than against them (tightening), and the pedals will twist out of the cranks.
Should I listen to music when I bike? Possible Duplicate: Is listening to music dangerous while cycling? Is it bad to listen to earphones while commuting? I have a lot of people tell me I shouldn't, but I find when I'm biking without them I completely zone out other audio and I don't even notice other cars. Is...	If you're riding in situations where you do not need to be aware of automobile sounds (quiet side streets, broad bike paths, etc) then it's probably OK. It depends on where you're riding.
How bad is this broken brake cable strand? I just bought a new bicycle. While I was fiddling with things (removing tags, mounting a light, etc.) I noticed that the boot on the rear brake cable was loose. When trying to reseat it, I found that one of the strands of the brake cable was broken, and poking through the boot...	I wouldn't say that a single broken strand on a new brake cable would render the bike "totally unsafe to ride," but if it is an option you should bring it back to the shop and have them replace it. And, contrary to what Kohi said, the bolt is not overtightened.
Are anti-pollution masks effective? In Toronto when the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celcius (90 degrees Farenheit), for a few days and without wind, there is smog. I find the smog irritates and makes it difficult to breathe in through my nose. Worse, if I breathe in though my mouth instead of my nose then it hur...	So, I'd tentatively say that yes, a good facemask can be (somewhat) effective at reducing the amount of particulates and other pollution a cyclist inhales while travelling through heavily-polluted areas. I was unable to find any evidence of rigorous testing of these masks anywhere -- by the manufacturers or independent...
Difference between "Track Frame set" and a "TimeTrial/Triathalon frame set" I am going to make a custom fixie bike (possibly with a front brake) that I will use to race on tracks and even commute with. I have been looking at a Planet X frame, and they seem to have very high quality frames for decent prices. But I a...	The TT frame is better as a geared bike with TT bars, the track frame is better as a fixed-gear bike with drop bars. Basically, the TT is a better geometry for TT-style bars. Belts can't be disconnected/reconnected like chains can, so you will have no way to route the belt through the frame to mount it around the chain...
What is the trick to riding on sand? I have been trying to ride on some trials that have very soft sand and especially agitated by ATVs. When I hit a soft patch my front tire pulls in one direction and I freak out a little. I cannot seem to plow through it and ultimately just end up moving slower and slower, which th...	Riding on sand is pretty easy once you get the hang of it, keep yourself heavy on the front of the bike through technical dh sections and over the back on a low gear on climbs, when riding on sand around corners (especially deep sandy sections) avoid leaning into the corners too much and don't be afraid to counter stee...
Would the seating position of a road bike cause issues with prescription glasses I currently use a mountain bike to commute to work but I am keen to switch to a bike more suited to commuting. I have been looking at road and cyclecross bikes but I am concerned the more horizontal seating position of these sorts of bikes...	Although I agree that the best answer is to get bike glasses with prescription lenses or contact lenses, waiting to get optimal eyewear is no reason to avoid using a road bike.
Handlebars for an upright seated position After injuring my neck, shoulder and arm on a fall from my bike I need the type of handlebar that you see more commonly on a cruiser bike. ie that is one that gives you anupright sitting position. My bikes are a Merida 100d and a Specialized Ariel. Does anyone know of a hand...	In this case, a BMX handlebar can be more adjustable because by rotating it in the stem you can adjust reach to get a good weight-balance and steering behaviour.
Determining which derailleur hanger is compatible with a frame When your derailleur hanger needs replacing, is there a good resource for matching frames to hangers? Mine was recently bent, so I had to dig through some websites and compare pictures of the hangers to my bent unit. Surely there's a better way. Any ideas?...	Wheels Manufacturing has a feature to search by brand for their hangers.
Clip-on to temporarily convert Look pedal to stand-on style? I have a road bike with look style pedals, and I am looking for an attachment I can clip-in to the pedals (where my cleats clip in) to provide a platform so that I can temporarily use ordinary shoes to pedal. I find this convenient if I have to lock up/walk ...	Fly Pedals came out with the best version of a clipless pedal adapter. You can, of course, also use the pedals as-is with your street shoes.
Is there any difference between professionally painting a car and a bike frame? I'm getting ready to purchase a new bike which I love but I hate the color scheme. I can't find any custom bike paint shops in the area. Can I simply take it to a car paint shop and get a professional team bike paint job? The frame is alu...	I would suggest going to a paint shop that sells touch-up paint for cars and have them sell you 2 or 3 spray cans of the paint you want (you can customize to any color on the planet and include "pearl" for that cool shine). I have repainted almost every single bike I have owned and have found the absolute best way to b...
Were there always teams in road racing? Did bicycle road racing always have teams? Were the early road races competed by individuals who were racing for themselves? At what point was it realized that having a team would confer huge strategic advantages? <Q> In this interesting video about the history of the Tour de...	In the first editions of Tour de France individuals and teams were allowed to participate.
Is there such thing as an automatic transmission for bikes? Has anyone ever designed or manufactured an automatic transmission (or automatic shifter?) for cycling? I imagine such a device would automatically change the gearing to allow the rider to maintain constant cadence or constant torque on the cranks. I used to...	One I recall used a 5-speed rear hub that was shifted by weights on the spokes, similar to a centrifugal governor. I don't know much about it and it doesn't seem to be publicly available yet but Bioshift is the most recent variant I know of. The major problem in developing is the input power is too low for a fully mech...
Deterrents against partial (component) theft Big question: Is there any way to increase the security of bolted on portions of a bicycle? Specifics: I cycle as my primary mode of transport (in East London) on a early 90s steel road bike with drop bars. It's a good bike, though it could use a paint job. A few weeks ago...	You can go a long way to making a great bike look like a total junker, which makes it a less than ideal target-especially for opportunistic thieves. That said, for my "errand bike" I use the cheaper Pinhead locks in combination with ugliness plus JB Weld in nearly every allen head on the whole bike. Leave scratches and...
Suggestions on buying a road bike for the city I'm looking to buy a bike with which to get around Atlanta. My budget is about $500. I've seen lots of suggestions for a fixie but those seem relatively difficult. I plan to ride about 5-10 miles a day. Any help would be much appreciated! Update: I need a bike in o...	With this budget, a used bike will get you the best bang for your buck.
Which parameters should I track with bicycle computer so I can analyze changes in my riding? I'm building Arduino -based bicycle computer with GPS at my free time as a hobby project.So I have to find out which parameters of ride will be useful to track to see a progress (or any changes) in riding. Later I will surely ...	Accelerometer, cheap and simple, too. You could try a guitar pickup to measure the vibrations of the chain and the links as they pass by and get both speed and tension. Aside from that, the most useful measure I think should be made by a multi-parameter sensor is torque (and its integral, power) which is what PowerTap ...
change derailleur and shifter in an old road bike reconverted to hybrid I have an old road bike, that I converted to a hybrid bike, I just use it for small tourings. Some time ago I changed the handlebar, the brake levers and the tires. Recently the derailleur broke up, it was in bad shape and there's no way to repair...	Depending on the age of your bike the derailleur may or may not fit.
What are the most significant factors affecting downhill cruising speed? When I'm riding with my friend, I notice that he rolls down hills significantly faster than me. We can be riding next to each other, both in a similar aerodynamic position, but if we both coast he pulls away from me surprisingly quickly. I'm a fa...	Pedaling A cyclist who continues to pedal downhill will go faster than one who is coasting. Factors include not only tread type and width, but also the type of rubber and casing. It's possible that your friend is getting into a tighter tuck, which as @ChefFlambe pointed out can even include your leg position.
any gps improvement on smartphones with barometer? I know that smartphones gps have problems with their accuracy, especially with altitude. But I heard that the Galaxy Nexus has a barometer that theoretically is used to improve the accuracy of the gps. Anyone has used it to track any route? It can compare (in accuracy...	So if you calibrate a barometer to a known altitude (using a marker, sign, map, or very good GPS fix) it is much better than GPS for measuring an altitude profile
Does a typical floor pump have an integrated one-way valve? In order for a floor pump to work correctly, something has to make sure that when we pull the pump piston up, the air from the tire does not escape back into the pump. For that there should be a one-way valve between the tube and the pump interior. My questi...	The valve on the tube (Schrader or Presta) will stay open the whole time your pump head is attached. Air is only supposed to leave the pump and never go in (via the connection to the tube, air gets in elsewhere).
Jammed Giant brand U-Lock. Unable to insert key The other day I locked my bike to a fence and upon my return about an hour later, I found the lock jammed. I am unable to insert my key fully into the keyhole. My friend suspects that while locking the bike, I might have removed the key too hastily, resulting in the lock ...	My method was to stick the key in as far as it would go, and then repeatedly try and wiggle it back to the most locked position, while moving the key back and for laterally (or whatever the perpendicular direction would be to whichever way it turns.) It's possible you've jammed dirt into the cylinder inadvertently. If ...
What bikes will be used by the competitors in the Mountain Bike Olympics? I'm just curious to know what bike models and setups will be used by the competitors? Is there any data out there on the web? <Q> There was a test event on the Hadleigh Farm Mountain Bike course which will be used for the 2012 Olympics. <S> There...	Most riders used a hard-tailed bike, although some had full suspension Also, most riders will use their team's brand 29er, 26er or Scott's 650b (27.5 aprox.) You can make out manufacturers names on many of the bikes and in some cases on individual components if you're particularly interested in those.
Will a 650x23 tire fit on my 26" rim? I have an MTB that I have been riding in the city for many years. As such, slick tires suit me well and I have been using a set of 26x1.25 tires for the last 3-5 years but they are starting to show their age, especially after I got caught in the rain last week and the water clean...	So if you want a 26 tire that fits your mountain bike rim but is only an inch wide, you should look for a tire marked 25-559. Personally, I do not like tires that small for city riding, as they must be kept at very high pressure, and even then, they are prone to pinch flats.
How exactly are pedals attached to crank arms? Recently I tried to unscrew the left pedal of a bicycle by turning it counter-clockwise with a spanner lengthened with a piece of pipe. The net result is the spanner broke apart and the pedal is still there. This makes me wonder. Is that just threaded joint or is there s...	Pedals are threaded as said above, but over time the pedal may become stuck, especially when the pedal is made of steel and the crank is made of aluminium. Sometimes spraying degreasant and waiting a whole day (or night) is sufficient to unscrew it, sometimes it just doesn't move, and my advice would be to just change ...
Do higher speed crashes result in less serious injuries. I have heard that the severity of injuries tend to decrease while riding a road bike at high speed. An instance of high speed would be like those in the Tour de France. The reasoning behind this idea is "enough" speed allows the cyclist to "roll" upon landing th...	Taking that to the tour de france (or crashing in general, even on a jump), if you roll rather than slide, your impact on the ground will be a lot less at higher speeds, your chance of twisting a leg or whatever is less because your limb doesn't have time to get planted. Those who can and do ride at higher speeds are g...
My Road bike pedals locked up tonight. Why? I was riding my road bike and my pedals locked up and I couldn't spin anymore. I got off the bike to check the gears and chains and while fiddling with them I heard a loud POP and my rear tire popped and kind of tacoed the bike rim. Why did this happen? What did I do and what...	If you didn't notice any broken spokes, it could have also been that the bead of the tire popped off the rim and caught on the brakes, preventing the wheel from moving and then ultimately dragging on the ground causing a blowout and maybe warping the rim.
Skid on small frame I bought a new, cheap and maybe nasty fixed gear bike. They were only in sizes 54cm and 56cm, so I had to go for 56cm, even though my road bike is 61cm and I'm 186cm. My first few skidding attempts today failed miserably, because I could not get my weight on the front wheel. I now removed all spacer...	Particularly when you're learning to do a skid stop, you need to hop your back wheel off the ground momentarily and then lock your back leg while your wheel is not in contact with the road. It's good to practice on wet roads.
How can you remove logos from a bike frame? I'm trying to remove all these annoying labels from my bike. On the main frame there is one big logo, but I'm not sure if it's a sticker or not. The frame is black, but it's very cheaply made, and the logo is a bit higher, but between the letters it gets lower again. Is there...	You'll need something to remove the sticker's glue, though. Unless you're prepared to strip it down to raw metal , prime it, and paint it, you're probably better of just leaving it as it is - especially if it's a cheapie. Get a rag soaked in HOT water, steaming or boiling, and wrap or cover the decal.
Should I buy a cyclocross bike or road bike to do Triathlons and CX? I have a mountain bike and used it in my first triathlon without slick on. Now I'd like to get into doing triathlons just for fun, not competitively. I'd also like to get into doing cyclocross. Here's my dilemma...should I purchase a road bike and jus...	If the triathlon's are going to be a priority consider spending all of your money on a road bike and add some clip on aerobars. If you do choose to buy a Cyclocross bike the big debate at present is whether you ride discs or canti's.
Does a rear derailleur guard provide effective protection? I recently caught my rear derailleur on a log and snapped it in two. I have done some recent work on some department store bikes and noticed that some come equipped with an axle mounted guard around that surrounds the derailleur. Does anyone have any experience...	It also depends on the bike - better bikes have a derailleur hanger that is sacrificial and bends, protecting the derailleur in many common prangs.
Replacing the front derailleur: unlink the chain? If I want to replace the front derailleur on an already set up bicycle (replace SRAM Apex with SRAM Force), do I have to unlink and relink the chain on order to thread it through the FD cage? Or can I open the cage instead? I notice that the FD cage has a screw near the...	Yes, if you have a removable screw at the back of the front derailleur, you can remove it, spread the derailleur cage, and slip the chain through.
Flying with your bike I am going away on a cycling holiday to the Alps and need to take my bike on the plane with me. Has anyone had experience taking bikes on planes and how did you protect your bike? Can anyone recommend anything which will solve this problem? <Q> There are two schools of thought. <S> 1a) <S> Bike...	Outside the Netherlands you could check the odd-size luggage department of various airlines to see if they carry boxes, but a better option is to ask your LBS to save a box for you. Box is safest for your bike, no doubt.
The back brake on my bike is not functional, is it illegal for me to cycle in the United Kingdom? I live in the UK and cycle to and from work. I recently noticed that the back brake on the bike is not functioning. Is it legal for me to be cycling on the road (the front brake works fine but it is a bit difficult to stop...	So for an ordinary bicycle with a freewheel, it would be a criminal offence to ride it on a road unless you have two braking systems in efficient working order. But as Stephen Touset says, it would be unheard of for police to check your brakes unless you were involved in a crash.
What are the disadvantages of wearing an aero helmet? During the Olympic Final of the Men's Keirin one competitor (Chris Hoy) was wearing an aero helmet (red helmet in the picture below), the other competitors wore normal helmets: The advantages of wearing an aero helmet seem pretty obvious - less drag so you go qu...	Aero helmets are more aerodynamic...as long as you look straight ahead.
Simple plain English explanation of VO2 MAX What is VO2 MAX and how is a measurement taken? By how much can VO2 MAX be increased in the average person? <Q> It is usually reported as as milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight, though sometimes you see liters of oxygen per minute with no adju...	VO2 Max refers to the maximum volume of oxygen that an individual can use at maximum levels of intense aerobic exercise. It is usually measured in a fitness lab setting using either an exercise bike or a treadmill.
How effective is checking spoke tension by ear? Sheldon Brown's Wheelbuilding page links to the article: Check Spoke Tension by Ear . Obviously a tensiometer would be ideal, but Sheldon suggests that checking spoke tension by ear is a reasonable alternative. The article was written in 1987 and updated in 1997; are t...	To summarize, with a good ear you can use pitch to check tension on spokes, but it's more of a timesaver than a replacement for a tensiometer as you need a baseline tone at proper tension to check the rest of the spokes against. So don't leave any loose ends, just buy the meter.
What is the usual pattern of use of a velodrome (cycling track)? In the first place, if the title is not properly describing my question, please edit it. The fact is: the bike advocacy groups of my city are slowly getting some attention from City Hall, and bicycle culture is slowly growing, with some cycle paths and e...	A velodrome is one place where a cyclist can ride as fast as possible, without endangering others, and minimal danger to themselves. Members of the public are allowed to ride on the velodrome during unscheduled hours provided they have signed a release waiver, are accompanied by at least one other person, and have comp...
Is there a quality alternative to powder coating when it comes to repainting a steel frame? I'm not a paint expert and want to make a choice that will last a few years. I know that powder coating will last a long time, but I'm restoring an older bike and don't want to spend too much. Maybe someone has a creative soluti...	A paint job will probably never be as durable as powdercoating or anodizing, but unless you're really hard on your bikes, the only places you might notice it are on the unders of the bike where rocks may strike, and you can get clear protectors for those areas if you want. There are a lot of business that will strip/re...
Why is BMX gearing so low I was watching the BMX racing on the 2012 Olympics and the gearing seems incredibly low. About half way down the start ramp they are already going too fast to keep pedalling and they barely seem to be able to pedal effectively any other time through the race. Why don't they adjust the gearing...	If the tracks had longer straights like a mountain bike course you might see more bikes with multiple gears and even higher gearing. Most racers will start with 44/45:16 then move up when they build their leg muscles to handle the higher ratios, but even then you really need that hole-shot a lot more than you need the ...

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