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What cleaner and oil should I use on my bike chain Hope everyone is well. I need to clean and oil my chain as its getting a little clunky when I’m changing gears. I have no idea what I should be cleaning it with and then what I should oil with. Any help would be great. It’s a road bike that is used every day no matter ...	For slightly more aggressive cleaning (on a derailleur bike), get a "chain washer" and the associated solvent. I would use Dawn if I could squirt it out of a spray bottle. Well I take a soft bristal brush and some dish soap
What should I expect from a bicycle service? I'm thinking about getting my bicycle serviced for the first time to make sure it's entirely roadworthy. My question is what should I expect from a bike service from a professional? i.e. what checks are carried out, what maintenance is done, to what price level will part...	Most shops offer a free "tune-up" with the purchase of a new bike. Personally, I wouldn't go for the tune-up service package unless I needed to have everything done that was in the package.
Rattling of a Shimano Nexave roller brake In a suspended fork I use a Shimano Nexave BR-IM75-F roller brake and the cooling disc of the brake is not tighly fixed on the hub and it was like that since I got the roller-brake installed. I'm not sure whether this is "by design" or a fault. Opening the brrake side of the hu...	I pressed small pieces of rubber between the disc and the spokes and it stopped the rattling without impairing the brake's function.
Are road bikes durable for use on roads full of cracks and potholes? I live in Reading UK and commute between home and workplace 5-6 days a week (round trip about 6-7 miles). I know that hybrids are good enough for pretty much anything, but I find road bikes really light and good for the job, especially to go around cu...	Any modern road bike of reasonable quality will be fine. Mind that you'll likely have to change thin tires more often compared to a hybrid tire if you ride through the rough stuff. Ask around for a builder with good reputation and have him/her build up a wheelset suited to your purpose.
What to do with old tires? I recently upgraded to puncture resistant tires on my road bike. The previous tires are old, but still usable. Is there any value to doing anything other than throwing them out? For instance, is there any reason to keep them? Is it possible to sell used tires? If no one wants them, can/should...	I keep old tires, as a quick fix for such situations until I can buy new ones.
lacing Alfine wheel, trailing spokes inside or outside hub flange I am about to lace an Alvine hub wheel. Reading Sheldon Browns article there is a suggestion that the trailing, and so key, spokes might be better laced the opposite of what would be done for a deraillieur wheel. Meaning that the trailing spokes would go...	This is not an important issue! There is a sizable minority of good wheelbuilders who prefer to go the other way around, and good wheels can be built either way.
How can I repair a swollen tire allowing visibility on the inner tube (picture provided)? I have a new problem on my bike which occured after patching my inner tube. Since I put the patch on, my tire is pushed out away from the rim near the intake valve (not near the patch). In the picture below, you can see the inner ...	Without an intact bead, the tire will not properly adhere to the rim when inflated (consistent with your description).
Recovering confidence after a fall One month has passed since I fell on a mountain bike trip. The accident wasn't critical, it just left a huge scratch. The accident happened during a fast descent when my front tire hit a little crack. My problem is that I don't feel confident riding descents anymore. My mind gets afr...	If you can find what the limiting factor was that caused the crash you can become a better rider because of it. Once you have decided you are going to ride a section, only think positive thoughts about how to do it.
Can I replace chainrings without replacing the rest of the drive train? I now ride a 60cm SurlyLHT with chain rings at 26/36/48t. Can I replace with a smaller set at 22/32/46t (or similar combination) without having to replace the entire drive train - cassette, rear derailleur, front deraileur etc.? <Q> The simple answ...	If you are buying a new crankset it has to be appropriate for the number of gears on your bike, this is because chains are different widths to accommodate more gears on the rear cassette. Going from a bigger front chainring set to a smaller one isn't very likely to cause you problems in the rear. Also it's sometimes if...
How to lubricate noisy joint on Dahon foldable bike? My Dahon foldable bike makes a huge noise whenever I fold the frame and unfold it. I tried spraying a lubricant into the joint. I do not know if the problem is continuing because the lubricant went around the joint and didn't enter it, or because I used the wrong lub...	Any similar thick grease should work for this joint, but the crucial thing is getting it into the right place.
How to: Sram 2x10 to 1x10 I'm thinking on converting my Sram transmission 2x10 to 1x10, this is with a single chain ring. My biggest doubt is how to prevent cross chaining, do I need to get a special chain or how do I prevent the excessive wear out and grainy feeling when I'm in the biggest cassette ring. <Q> If it's ...	If you're able, use a crankset that is specifically designed for a single chainring as opposed to simply dropping rings from a double or triple.
How to keep my manbag in place If I'm going out in the evening and don't want to carry a big pannier bag or rucksack, I keep my lights and whatever else in a small 'man-bag'. It's like a smaller version of a messenger bag: about 20 x 15 cm on a shoulder strap. I try to keep it towards my back rather than under my arm, ...	Instead of adding an additional stabilizing strap as suggested by @obelia, you could wear the bag like a fanny pack, around your waist.
Minor hamstring pull, can I keep going at easy pace? I'm 53 and for the past year have been pushing it slightly. Have always been careful to not push it too hard, but yesterday I got a mild pull in my right hamstring. Just a slight soreness right behind the knee. Can I keep riding, 5-10 miles a day, at an easier pac...	But it would probably work to lay off for 3-4 days (at least until you can gently cycle without immediate pain), then start up again, being careful to limit the stress on the area. You will be following your doctors orders.
Packaging a bike for flying with a bike bag I am doing a cycle tour of Japan starting from Fukuoka and ending in Tokyo. I will be flying with the bike and as my start and end points differ I will not have the opportunity to use a box (unless anyone has any ideas?). I will most likely use one of these bags and I have ...	My advice is to use a proper box http://www.wiggle.co.uk/b-w-bike-box/ or if you are to use a bag like mine do this: You might want to try bike shops and see if they have any shipping boxes. Travelling with a bag such as this has one unexpected advantage: you can get round weight restrictions on most airlines; they don...
Painful Feet: Might be related to pedal-foot positioning Sometimes when I set out on a ride I will get the absolute worst foot pain. It is like a cramp in my arches on both feet. I am wondering where exactly the center of the pedal should fall in relation to my foot. <Q> Definitely open to debate. <S> Steve Hogg has s...	Specifically, you want a better arch support, but more importantly you want a metatarsal "button", which is a little bump positioned underneath where your foot "knuckles would be. Everyone I've ever known and everything I've ever read has stated that the ball of your foot should be right on the pedal spindle.
Is there any kind of adapter to mount v-brakes or cantilevers to a frame that's not designed to accommodate them? I have an aluminum single-speed frame that was marketed as a fixie. I'm wanting to convert it to a single-speed commuter. (I'm getting older and the fixie doesn't agree with my knees anymore.) It has enough...	You can buy a pair of good-quality dual pivot side-pull calipers for $40-$60, and they will just mount on the single-bolt brake bridge you already have.
I live in a place where it frequently floods. How can I keep my chain from rusting? My poor bike's chain lasted all of three months before it gave in to the winter floods where I live. Storing it indoors is not an option, and despite my maintenance efforts, the knee-deep floods that come once a month or so, rain every ...	You can also purchase a stainless steel or nickel plated chain which might hold up to the water a bit better. Perhaps a couple of hooks on the wall and some rope or a simple bench or couple of large stones to stand the bike on. You could remove the chain from the sprockets while it's not being used.
Sizing guide for road bikes vs mountain bikes i usually take a 21 inch size in mountain bike, but I want to buy a road bike. I'm 6'2'' and have a 34 inch inner leg. How do the sizes translate from mountain bike to road bike? Thanks <Q> There does not seem to be a universal standard for bike sizing. <S> Due to the varie...	You really have to test ride several sizes and brands to see what fits. If you had "comfortable" (for a male) clearance of the (traditionally-positioned) top tube then the bike was the right size.
Tires for 28' city bike (622x19C) to reduce rolling resistance? I've got a simple city bike that needs some new tires. The bike has been fairly hard to ride lately, and I would like to speed it up a bit. The rims are 28' 622x19C, the current tires are 47mm or 1.75' according to the imprint (although 47mm = 1.85'). It ...	Pressure and tread are a bigger factor in rolling resistance than tire width. The only thing I think is very important: these skinny tires work fine, even with not-ideal road condition, if the bike has a more performance-oriented position (a firmer grasp on the handlebar - which is lower - , less weight on the saddle)....
Which is the most stringent bicycle helmet certification? There are numerous safety standards for bicycle helmets available, but which certification is the most stringent one in terms of safety? <Q> To test a bicycle helmet you attach it to dummy head and drop it from a height onto a solid object. <S> The acceleration ...	To elaborate some more, the Snell standard specifies higher drop heights, but the really interesting thing I found out from reading is that the Snell standard is the only one that takes helmets purchased at retail and tests those.
Are there electronic/active theft deterrents for bicycles? In addition to mechanical/passive deterrents (locks, chains, etc.), what electronic/active bicycle theft deterrents exist? * My dear bicycle was stolen two weeks ago and I then vowed to dedicate my life to the eradication of cycle theft. I calmed down since, b...	You can get GPS trackers for bikes, just like cars and motorbikes.
How can I determine whether rust has made my bike unsafe? I ride a 1972 steel frame bike year round through Canadian winters. When I got the bike it was in good shape, but after putting a few thousand km worth of commuting on it, it has a lot of scratches in the paint - mostly from things like road salt getting kicked...	Rust on the frame is the least of your worries. Ensure they are all solid.
Tubeless fatbike setup, does valve choice matter? I've got a pugsly setup as tubeless, running endomorph tires, typically I run between 8 and 12 PSI in the tires depending on the conditions. Is there a significant difference between performance of presta vs schrader valves at these low pressures? <Q> As far as I'm aw...	As far as for the tubes I have used, schrader valves offer a less restrictive air passage, that is they create less resistance (less pressure) on the pump side. Since this is a fat bike, you're hopefully riding through some dirt and mud, so I'd go with the presta myself.
greasing closed bearings on the outside Assume I have a couple of closed bearings on some pivots on my bicycle. These bearings: are fitted on a housing have an axle going through them are tightened by bolts which also have cups to "protect" the black plastic part of the closed bearing My question is, would you ...	You can try injecting some low viscosity oil, but you're unlikely to get much into the bearing without removing the dust cap. If you really feel compelled to maintain them, the best option is go down to a local bearing supplier, and get identical size open bearings which to can be easily striped and cleaned whenever yo...
Smartphone mounted on handlebar: Will vibrations during cycling damage it? I would like to mount my smartphone on my bike's handlebar. However, I am worried about that the vibrations when cycling will damage my smartphone's internal electronics. I am using a trekking bicycle in a city and sometimes travel longer trips...	Basically any constant vibrations will damage your phone. I have had my phone attached to the handlebars in a little sleeve made of gaffer tape and some clear plastic I got out of the recycle bin I just ruined my iphone6+ after a hard mountain bike ride (much harder than I have ever done before)
Is it OK to use coffee or other drinks to clean road rash? This may seem like an odd question, but I was wondering if it's safe or a good idea to rinse road rash with iced coffee or other drinks? My usual strategy for road rash is to clean the fresh wound as soon as possible as thoroughly as possible, but normally I'd ...	If you are travelling longer trips or outside a city (where you should have some water with you anyway), you can use urine as wound cleaner . Plain black coffee would be okay; it's just water and it should be nearly sterile.
What is the advantage of a reverse arch suspension fork? There are a couple of suspension fork manufacturers that have adopted a fork design where the lowers have a reversed arch. I can't see that they claim any particular performance advantages for it, although there are some people on mountain biking forums saying t...	One of the few things I can think of is that if the fork fails, or is improperly adjusted, having the brace in the back means there is some possibility that the brace will slam into the downtube or back of the headtube rather than the just the upper and lower of the fork meeting violently.
What factors influence the maximum tire pressure other than the tire itself? On the tires of a bike, there is a label which shows the maximum allowed pressure for it. However, I am wondering if there are any other factors that affect the maximum allowed pressure in a tire? Does the innertube also has a "maximum allow...	The main factor limiting tire pressure is the tire itself, but some problems can be caused or exacerbated by tire pressure.
How can I increase the highest gear ratio? I am looking for some higher cog front gears for an old bike I am considering. I've been away from it for some time and don't know the current number of cogs on the front ring, but I am looking to maybe put a really large ring on it. I just find that there are times I need one...	Just as an alternative, you can also replace the cassette at the back to change your gear ratios. Also, if you significantly change the size of the cogs/rings, your existing deraileur and chain may not have enough scope to take up the slack.
How can I mitigate the risk of public urination charges on long rides? Qualifying offenses for the sex offender registry can include public urination . Though the chance may be small, the potential consequences are severe. Unfortunately, bladders are apparently designed in ignorance of these laws. A few obvious solut...	Alas, if you are that far out, you could always go off a side road or into the bush and relieve yourself there. Assuming you aren't willing to go for the obvious catheter based solutions , there are ways you can urinate in public which do not attract much attention. Obviously the best solution is planning.
Why are higher-end freewheels so much louder when coasting? I tend to ride relatively modest gear (Tiagra/Ultegra), but when I'm riding near higher-end bikes, I sometimes notice that the clicking sound that comes from their cassette/free-wheel while coasting seems to be much louder and more distinct than on my bike. W...	Tension on pawls could be higher causing more noise as they glide over the engagment surfaces High end freewheels have more pawls and engagement points than lower end freewheels, so there are more ridges in the engagement surface and more pawls hitting the splines on the engagement surface. The cassette acts like an am...
How to repair shifter housing I have shifter with damaged housing. It shifts well, but I guess if housing is not repaied, rain and elements will quickly put an end to it. Which material would be suitable to fix this hole? Epoxy glues? Maybe ones with metal filler? Are there some sensitive parts in the damaged area that...	Try some sugru, a moldable rubber like putty, it should provide a seal against water and cover the opening.
Training fasted: just about weight loss? Preparing for a 100mile ride in August I was thinking of following a training plan which came in a "Sportive Guide" given away with Cycling Plus magazine this month. Some of the days on the plan mention training for an hour before breakfast in order to burn fat. Is this just a...	In theory, if you exercise while your body is deprived of carbohydrate it will become better at utilising fat for energy. I know some running coaches advocate this approach for marathon training: There's research showing that this approach can increase the effect of training, in particular VO2 Max , which is often of i...
Is it possible to transport many (up to 12) bikes using some sort of auto-trailer? I would like to be able to use a trailer, either open-air or enclosed to transport multiple bicycles at the same time. When I google hitch racks the maximum is 5...I am looking for a towable option...do these exist? Where can I find one...	Go to a northern tool, fleet farm, or some similar store that sells trailer parts, and you can build up a trailer as big as you need.
Can oil/grease damage tires? I've noticed a small puddle of light oil beneath the rear wheel of our Rohloff-equipped tandem. I'm told that a small amount of leakage is normal and I'm not worried about that. The issue is that a lot of it falls on the rim and the tire. Obviously it's bad news on the rim for braking, so ...	Now, as for rubber, not an oil based product, it can be damaged by prolonged oil coverage as it softens and expands the rubber far too much (over polyurethane with a light softening once in a while with tranny fluid) and oil in one spot alone on rubber, can create a bump, and a soft spot on a tubeless tire is a weak po...
Getting the right cockpit position. Sliding forward. What should I adjust to keep my sit bones on the seat? I am experienced rider and I'm looking for some advice on how to adjust my cockpit position. I am a daily commuter, and do regular 40-50k rides on the weekends, and with the warmer weather will work on some 100-2...	Because the saddles act like a sling you can can have the nose higher than more modern saddles without sacrificing comfort. I changed to a bigger frame, but the real solution was to set my seat a bit off the horizontal (back is lower than front). Your KOPS (knee over pedal spindle) may be too far forward as well which ...
walkable clipless pedal shoe to replace normal shoe? I have a touring bike which I use almost exclusively for commuting. I am thinking about getting a clipless pedal with walkable shoes. At the same time, my normal shoes which I wear when not cycling need to be replaced, and am thinking that to save money and avoid t...	As far as pedal systems - SPD style cleats are the way to go - theres a huge range of MTB shoes that take these - everything from dedicated cycle though to comfortable street shoes.... Walkable" clipless pedal shoes are not designed to be used as a replacement for normal shoes.
bike racks for outdoor use at a school We're looking for some bike racks for our school, but we're unsure as to the styles of bike racks and what's best. What features should we be looking for? Are there styles of racks that work well for schools? At the moment, it's looking like these for price, capacity and desig...	You definitely should look at the mix of bikes in your situation, and the need (or not) to securely lock them to "inform" your rack decision.
Hybrid or Road Bike? I was given a Raleigh Venture comfort bike as a gift a few months ago, and took to riding very well. I am overweight, but dropping quickly. I started at 275 and sit around 250 now after two months of regular riding and a changed diet. I'm quite certain I've outgrown this bike. I struggle to maintai...	If a road bike fits you properly and doesn't have the handlebars too low compared to the saddle, you ought to be able to get comfortable. If you're comfortable you'll be able to go faster. The weight of the bike is likely to be negligible compared to the weight you've already lost, so don't blow the bank for the sake o...
Can Garmin Edge 500/510 and 800/810 be charged while riding? Extended battery life is very neccesary for using the device on long brevets and multi-day endurance racing. Can Garmin Edge cycling GPS units 500/510 and 800/810 be charged while riding via external battery pack like or USB dynamo charger? Can you plug in...	I just tried to plug it into an external battery that will charge phones and the Garmin 500, but the Garmin will not operate while plugged in and charging. Just verified that the 510 can be attached to power while on/in use. Also worth noting, the 510 will go into a different mode when you plug it into a computer. I ha...
Worth it carrying spare spokes? Truing a wheel and lacing spokes is a big deal, requires a truing stand and everything. I know some do it without tool just with the spoke wrench and the naked eye, but feels like a big deal to me. When one breaks a spoke, I believe it is safe to say the wheel is out of true within a fe...	Unless you have a really low spoke count (which seems unlikely on a tour), breaking a single spoke shouldn't make the wheel unrideable and replacing the spoke can improve things and prevent them from getting worse.
Are there pedals that are both flat and cleated on each side? I use the same bike for commuting, fast lunch-time rides, and not-very-fast weekend touring. I recently switched from flat pedals to clipless (Shimano PD-M520) but am finding them impractical on my commute - too much clipping in and out, for no obvious gain....	The only care you must take for serious riding is that the shoe must have good sole texture, so it kind of grabs the center of the pedal and has good grip to the cage, because they are less safe than plain platform pedals. I think the most approximate thing, at least on Shimano is the Shimano PD-M424, which is a cliple...
What can I do to help me sustain frequent long-ish rides? After nearly a year of commuting by bicycle to and from work 2-3 days per week, I have recently started cycling to work every day, 5 days a week, rain or shine. My commute is about 11-15 miles each way (depending which route I take), including some steep hills ...	I admire your motivation and the effort you're putting in, if you don't get enough rest in between exercise, it may actually take longer to get fit (and be more painful). I don't eat during these rides (no need, if you fuel up beforehand). To lose weight you'll need to control what you eat during the day at work and af...
Can fresh hot asphalt damage slicks? Today I was riding with my road bike when I suddenly hit a patch of hot asphalt. The day before the one side of the road was already filled with a hard first load, so I didn't think much of riding along there again. Also there was traffic on the other side, so I didn't think about g...	I'd be a little more worried about the fresh oils on the surface of the asphalt, the oil might degrade your tires if in contact for a long time, and
Are single-speed bikes better equipped to handle cog/chain wear? I need to decide between a single-speed and multiple-speed bike. I usually ride multiple-speed mountain/city bikes in the highest gear anyway (around town). They're not intended for that, and doing so will wear out those cogs faster than the other unus...	On the other hand, the need to pack a lot of gears in a cassette requires that the cogs are relatively thin, and so the chain, and that means wearing out faster. As already been noted, I would not take into account chain-wear when choosing between single or multi-speeded bikes. The obvious advantage of single-speeder i...
What does "claiming the lane" mean? If one is "claiming the lane" does that mean: a) they simply ride on the street (i.e. on the left side of the lane in the US, Germany, France, ..) or b) they are riding in the middle of the lane, with someone else side by side, or some other way that they take over most of the lane...	Eg, if you're in a right-hand turn lane, "claiming your lane" is best accomplished by riding near the left-hand edge of the lane. Adopting the primary position makes it easier for drivers to see you and also prevents drivers from overtaking you.
How do I tighten up my headset? I've got an old bike with a quill stem, and the headset arrangement has a nut, and a textured lock ring. I presume I should tighten with a combination of a spanner and mole grip. Is a mole grip the right tool for the job? <Q> I believe this style is meant to be tightened by hand. <S> T...	If you tighten the knurled ring by hand, but not quite as hard as it will go, then use a large spanner to tighten the locknut down against it, which will tighten the race slightly more, you won't need any sort of pliers (or, less likely to damage anything, a strap wrench). Mole grips are almost always the wrong tool.
Will a bike stand that holds one wheel damage my bike? I have a similar bike stand to this at home: I'm happy putting my wife's and my commuter in it but worried that it will damage the wheels of my XC bike if left in there for long periods. Can wheels get damaged if there is prolonged pressure on a group of spokes? ...	Directly answering your question though, a stand that only holds one wheel can do so without damaging the bike... I would avoid using them particularly in outside windy environments.
A bike for city commute - disc brakes, bar-end shifters, tires I'm planning on buying a bike for city commute. My commute to work is approximately 12km (7.5 miles) one way. I live in Vancouver which means: I'll be riding in rainy weather frequently. I'll be going up and down hills. I'll be going through lots of ...	Disc brakes usually mean more expensive bikes and slightly less maintenance. Internal hub would be nice, but I wasn't willing to pay for wide enough gearing for the hills. I ride 700x28 or 700x32 puncture-guard tires, but I'm looking at a Conti' 700x37 winter tire for the next cold, rainy season.
BMX gearing - for road / commuting I have a 2010 Haro Pro Race, which I bought for commuting and general tomfoolery. I commute on it 2 miles a day, and I want to be able to go faster by changing the current single-speed gearing ratio. It currently has no modifications from the standard gearing: Crankset: 3-pc Allo...	Get a 40t front, maybe even try a 41, and since you have a chain-ring rather than a sprocket, you can replace them pretty quick and cheaper. However, the larger your gear ratio is, the slower you'll be able to accelerate from a standstill. My son has 9t rear cassette, and if you are willing to spend the money, you migh...
Is there anything I can do to prevent snakebites (pinch flats)? Riding in an urban setting, I've lost two tubes in the last week to snakebites, and it's easily the most common way for me to get a flat. I've got Gatorskin treads, which help prevent standard punctures, but don't seem to do much (read: anything) for snake...	Talcum powerder - I always rub a little on my tubes before installing - it lubricates the inetrface bettween the tire and tube. Inflate your tires to a higher pressure. You may find better success with narrower tires (or alternatively, wider rims), and as suggested by Daniel R Hicks, "the narrowest tube you can find th...
Can a 10-speed mountain bike chain be used on a 10-speed road bike? I would like to use a Shimano Deore XT Chain CN-HG94 on my road bike. Are there any differences between roadbike chains versus mountain bike chains that prohibit this? Sample Road Bike Chains: Dura Ace CN-9000 Ultegra CN 6701 Sample Mountain Bike...	Using the "approved" chain is probably better if all else is equal, and it may be worth a slightly increased cost for more peace of mind. I would not buy a chain unless it was specifically compatible with my cassette.
Is a Racing-Bike making creaking noises a sign of equipment damage? Last Sunday I noticed that my bike makes creaking noises (similar the hull of a ship, but on bicycle scale - imagine a rat making the sound "creak"). It seems to me that this is related to stressing the bike frame, but I can't generate the creaking in ...	If there is some play/looseness in the stem's insertion in a threaded headset, then the shifting weight/pull/push on the handlebars can cause vibrations that make it creak. All answers above were interesting - in the end I couldn't pinpoint the source of the creaking, but I gave my bike to a shop for a check-up, and th...
Is cycling better than walking to lose weight? I want to lose weight. I commute to my office daily by walking 3 kilometers. If I buy a bicycle and use it for commuting (total 3 km daily), would it be better than walking? <Q> This research claims around walking 334 kilojoules of energy expended for a 1.6km walk Using ...	Both methods may use similar amounts of energy, but cycling will be faster.
When is a child ready to switch from scooting to pedaling? Last year, we bought a child-sized bike and removed the pedals. My three-year-old has been using it as a push bike (a.k.a. balance bike, run bike, or scooter) and learning how to balance. The plan is that once she's ready, I'll put the pedals back on, but I won...	Make sure she can touch both feet on the ground at the same time, and it really shouldn't be much different than what she is doing now. If your child has to much trouble pedaling (intimidated, not having fun), then I'd suggest moving to a spot with a minor gradient and point the bike down hill to make the coasting easi...
Is this an abnormal rate of spoke breakage? I just broke a spoke and this is the fourth spoke I've broken in the last 12 months. This one was very puzzling because it came at the very end of an easy 30 mile (48 km) ride. I was pedaling very slowly into my driveway when it snapped. All four have been on the drive si...	Check the spoke tensioning and overall wheel dishing; the wheel might be out of true with the spoke tension out of whack. I would make the attempt to take the wheel back to the LBS where you bought the bike.
What happened to pumps? I'm an old-time bike rider who commuted to grad school every day for 3 years on a bicycle. Then after a 20+-year-long hiatus, started riding again with my son. I cannot figure out the fitting on the modern pumps. I can get some air in, but after several cases of the thing flying off or making...	Adjust any rubber sealing washer in the head to lightly grip the valve when you push the head on, then grip firmly when you press the locking lever in the right direction. Schader is relatively straight-forward to use while Presta requires a little finesse. If you want an old style pump, Google finds me the Zefal Lapiz...
Why is cycling on a road so much faster than cycling on a cycle path? I normally cycle on a cycle path and I struggle to go over 10Mph on my bike for any distance. My Daily commute took me 58 to 42 minutes depending on how much I push myself. This morning and yesterday evening I decided I'd try to cycle on the road ra...	If we do rule them out, a contributing factor can be the surface - cycle paths are often a different, rougher, surface than roads, and this can increase your rolling resistance considerably. Given you're likely to put out a constant power (since we're assuming identical rider and conditions) on both track and road, sin...
Thinking of quitting due to dangerous driving I used to cycle a lot, and decided to try taking it back up after last year's Olympics. But it feels like almost every time I try to go out for a ride I nearly get taken out by someone passing far too close and giving no warning. As I'm partially sighted this is particu...	Probably not the answer you are seeking but please cycle safe. I have also seen bikes with mirrors fitted and some sort of plastic distance keeper (a pole that sticks out with a reflector on, I would imagine this needs to break if a car hits it.) A few suggestions: Get some training .
What are the possible upgrades to a 95' Cannondale M900? Everything is original except for saddle, tires and forks. I have a sentimental attachment to this bike but would like to bring it into the 21st century. I'm looking to make this a nice project bike but don't know much about the compatibility of new components o...	The main reasons for me to replace rather than upgrade were cost exceeding the total cost of a new bike, no disk mounts and the old frame geometry not suitable for modern forks- I'd personally just put a disc in the front and then a good set of V-Brakes in the rear What I would do is tune it up, replace any obviously w...
Does never using the easy front gear give a better workout? I have a road bike with a 52/36 crankset. I make it a point to never use the easy gear because I think that it gives me a better workout when climbing hills. Another reason I don't use it is because the chain rubs on the front derailleur when going from the 36...	As for the getting a better workout, you are definitely having to put more force into the pedals with keeping it in the big ring, but depending on how big the hills are, shifting down into an easier gear wouldn't hurt.
Why did I feel like crap after racing against a car? I raced against a car yesterday for fun , in doing this, I rode at about 25-29 mph (40-47kmh) for about 3 minutes. The temperature outside was in the mid to low 40s (5-8 Celsius). Afterwards I felt: Out of breath for at least 3 minutes Wanted to cough but didn't...	Since your heart rate lags behind exertion you won't feel it right away, but you will after racing the car.
Transmission (cassette/crankset) considerations for 1st road bike purchase I currently have a touring bike, with fenders, rack, panniers, and so on.I currently run a triple crankset 28/38/48 and 9sp 11-34 cassette.I mostly commute and tour with this bike. And with a fair load, I mostly ride on my 48 in front and 14-ish...	First, about the big steps between gears: you should really go on a test ride to see how you like shifting on a bike with such big steps between gears. For me, I care more about even gear spacing near my normal speed than I do about having a very high or very low gear that I will rarely use. For 7% climb 34/25 (front/b...
upsweep and backsweep for mtb handlebars Characteristics of the following bars for MTB are: • 780mm wide• 30mm rise• 5˚ up-sweep • 7˚ back-sweep I know what effects do the width and rise have on the feel and riding. But what about upsweep and backsweep? For the last 2 years I've been using bars with 3x9 sweep (comp...	Rotating your bars for more upsweep coupled with the risewill give better control/performance on dencents as it brings your ballance point backwards on the bike.
How can I avoid thigh chafing despite already wearing cycling shorts? About one year ago, when I first started cycling, I noticed that during long trips (60km or more) I get skin burns on the inside of my quads. That is when I decided to buy myself a nice pair of cycling shorts with nice padding. I read in several for...	If the seat is the problem, then replacing it will of course work, but there could be any number of potential issues that are causing it. I have shorts that chafe with one type of saddle, but don't chafe and are very comfortable on another. Creams and lubricants are very effective at preventing this rash, but they can ...
What tools on a multi-tool do I actually need? I feel like there are almost as many bike multi-tools out there as there are bikers. In a single trip to REI, I found nine different bike tools each ranging from only four to over thirty individual tools! But how many of these tools do I actually need? I feel like some of...	Minimally, you want to be able to tighten all of the bolts on your bike (likely a few hex keys will do this) and an appropriate screwdriver for adjusting derailer & brake pulls. Separate from a multi-tool, a pair of tire levers are the other tool you should carry with you. One for every removeable or adjustable part on...
Should I get a performance bike or an endurance bike for 180 km rides? I want to do the 180 km of cycling in general, that is the 2nd leg of Ironman. I don't have a bicycle, as of now. I am planning to buy a road bike (not the one used for triathlon). People ask me to choose between a bike for endurance and a bike for ...	You will want a bike for performance, but you will need endurance to finish the bike leg of an Ironman. Trek (the other manufacturer you referred to), seems to use "sport bike" to refer to the relaxed geometry bikes, and "race performance bike" to refer to the aggressive geometry bikes. If you are simply riding the dis...
Cost of maintenance of a roadbike I am going to buy a bike and ride upto 1000 km or more in a month. Adding them, I think it will come to 12 k to 15 k per year on an average. I will be riding on highways, so there won't be any off-roads. Nevertheless, the roads in my country are not well maintained. Let us consider tha...	Other incidental costs (Generally less than $10 for item cost, plus possible shop time for install) are brake pads, cables, bar tape, cable housing. Bearings wear out, but that takes a long time in most conditions. Chain/cassette - $50-100 per cassette, $20-50 per chain depending on quality, plus shop cost to install/c...
How do you evaluate a chamois (padding in shorts) before buying? Stores only allow you try out shorts with an additional layer of underwear because of the hygiene issues. While this is great for public health, it seems to make it impossible to evaluate whether a pair of shorts is comfortable before buying. While it may...	Bike shorts are, unfortunately, much like buying underwear: You need to try them on to know what'll work, and you pretty much can't return them after trying them on. Once you find a brand that you like the chamois in, stick with them. In regards to evaluating the chamois in the store, the only advice I can give is to l...
Do tires with worn sidewalls need to be replaced? My bike needs a bit of a tune up, particularly the tires since the back tube has a hole in it. The rims on the bike are 26"x1.5" and the current tires are 26"x2" and both have great tread, but the sidewalls look like they're worn through in spots (I can actually see th...	Assuming you're not purposefully rubbing something on the sidewall and that your tires are properly inflated, the most likely culprit would be a mis-aligned brake pad.
Can I use a SRAM PC850 chain on a 6-speed bike? I want to buy a chain for a 6-speed bike. I know SRAM chains have the special link, meaning that no tools are needed. I've seen a very good deal on the SRAM PC850 chain, but their website lists this as an 8-speed chain (rather than 6/7/8). Does anyone know if this chain ...	However, since it's only about a tenth of a millimeter thinner than many standard 6 and 7 speed chains, it tends to be sold as an effective 6 or 7 speed chain as well. I seem to remember when I bought it, that it was labeled as a 6,7,8 speed and at the time the 9 speed was unique. SRAM's website has no detail on its pr...
What is a good replacement for a cable end cap? I was adjusting the tension of my front derailleur cable and managed to pop off the cable end cap. The cable is now quite frayed at the end and I think it would be difficult to attach another cap. What would work as a suitable replacement for a cap? I've read that perhap...	If the cable is not too badly frayed it can be de-frayed with pliers, grabbing all the strands and twisting it in the right direction. If you have an unneeded old wheel laying around, use a spoke nipple.
How can I run a dynamo wire from my front hub to my dynamo light? I have a Pashley Roadster Sovereign, and wanted to upgrade the dynamo driven headlight. Sadly, I didn't successfully use the old wire to pull the new wire through the front fork, and now I need to fish a wire through the fork without the aid of something...	Then it was a bit of work to catch the wire and pull it through with fine needle-nose pliers, but I was able to get it twice within a minute or so after burning nearly an hour trying to fish it through using other methods.
What is the reason for starting before the traffic light turns green? I've noticed that a lot of commuters come to a complete stop at traffic lights but go before the light turns green. They start riding as soon as the light in the intersecting direction turns red. I usually get annoyed and assume that this could only ...	Basically for the same reasons that advanced stop lines exist - puts the bike where it can be seen by drivers setting off, rather than risk being sideswiped in a blind spot.
Do Kevlar Belts really offer puncture protection? My local bicycle shop is offering "premium kevlar belt tyres" and are "extremely puncture proof" how much of this is true? Does this "kevlar belt" offer good puncture protection? What does this protect against? Shards of glass? Stones? <Q> Kevlar fibres do resist cuttin...	Beware of tyres claimed on-line as having a Kevlar Belt in them.
how to convert my 21 speed mountain bike into a road/cycling bike? I was wondering if I could convert this https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/q71/s480x480/430156_461794267240029_1042500253_n.jpg to a cycling bike like what would i have to do to that bike to convert it ? tell where and what and how much the p...	If you have extra money in the budget, you may want to consider getting a road saddle. Once you put some slicks on your current bike you should be able to ride it comfortably for long periods. Tires would help you go faster, but if you are really just looking for more cardio, use your mountain bike and push yourself ha...
Which clothes to use in wet weather for long distances? When I want to do a longer ride (let's say 3 hours) in rainy weather, what are the best ways to keep dry? I already checked this question , but it does not address long rides and most answers only give information about rain coats and tips for short rides, like c...	If the rain is heavy and I'm only cycling: a waterproof jacket, ideally with as many ventilation zips as possible same underneath again with the overshoes : dress as I would if it were dry, namely wicky polyester jersey & socks, spandex shorts.
What supplies do riders cary on century sportives and how do they carry it? I'm planning to ride my first century sportive later this summer and am wondering what I should carry along on the ride, and how I should carry it. It's clear to me from my training rides that regardless of how frequently rest stops are avail...	Spares Two inner tubes and a set of tyre levers. I may wear a thin vest that collapses into a small package so it can be stuffed into a jersey pocket. I wouldn't take any clothes. Food will be available at the stops but you should take some food with you. I carry water and Clif bars I generally don't take a wallet
Is there a way to fill your tires with nitrogen? I know this is a rather controversial issue. I was skeptical as well before doing this on my car, and I have not refilled my car tires for several months. Before that I needed to adjust the pressure every couple of months at least. Now I think it is a good idea to try ...	I can inflate my bike tires to proper pressure by checking them once a week or so and inflating them as needed using free air.
Separate hex keys vs. combined multi-tool for bike adjustments? Are separate hex (Allen) keys better than a multi-tool for adjusting and maintaining a bike at home ? Some of the separated sets also have ball-ends for the 4/5/6mm keys: Apart from Torx T25 screws for the disc brakes*, my bike has hex screws mo...	I find that separate keys can give you better torque, but I find that more useful for removing stuck bolts (or overtightened seatpost clamps) than tightening. You should always have a multi-tool. For many bike parts I'd be just as worried about over-tightening than under-tightening (especially if your bike is carbon).
How to prevent the derailleur cable fibres getting all over the places? My bike is only 7 months old, but the front derailleur cable fibres are becoming loose i.e. the individual thin metal fibres twised together to form the cable are loosing out. I think I have lost the metal cap which was holding the twisted end of t...	Even if the cable end is partially disarrayed, a slightly larger tube can seal up the ragged ends, too. You can use JB Weld to prevent further unraveling.
What's the purpose of soft pedaling? Is there any advantage to soft pedaling over coasting? Does it provide any power to moving forward? Is there any aid it gives to your leg muscles recovering? <Q> By this do you mean pedalling when unnecessary (and without increasing the bike's speed), for example, on descents? ...	Further, you can talk to racing cyclists who will often say that soft pedalling is preferred when riding in a peloton, purely because coasting implies to other people that you're about to hit the brakes. I will do this on long descents just to keep my legs turning over and to prevent them getting too cold. I have often...
Riding in nice office/casual clothes? I'm a little new to bike riding, I've only been a commuter for the past couple of years so maybe I'm only now observant of this sort of thing. So over the past few days I've noticed people commuting in what looks like stuff you would wear to the office. I literally saw a guy riding...	It's normal in a lot of cities to commute wearing your work attire, but I can't recommend it if you ride actively enough to sweat. This actually doesn't relate to the weather as much as you might think, I find Winter riding to be much sweatier then Summer. You will also notice how many young and trendy guys ride a wome...
Worth it to touch up my bike? I have a Linus Roadster and it got scratched moving cross country. I love this bike and want to touch up the paint job. Has anyone had experience painting over scratches on bikes? Should I bother? Thanks! <Q> It's easy to apply, quick to dry, and will prevent rust and oxidation for quite a...	My trick is to find nail polish that roughly matches the finish. The frame can start to rust and loose even more paint.
Thinking of upgrading my brakes to these, is there an issue with "mushy" braking? I want to get these in combination with new levers for my bike, but under the description it says: "Use of these calipers with standard SLR enabled STI and brake levers results in a "mushy" brake response" I've got a simple, single-...	Some other things you can do are make sure your current brakes have good quality pads and are set up properly.
How to position a bike for work without a stand I want to tweak my gears, from time to time: Adjust my front and rear derailleur limits, see if the shifts are smooth, make small adjustments on the cable tension, and so on. Is there any way to get the bike in position without help of anyone? I don't want to spend mon...	I pull the bike on the kickstand, and put some weight (u-lock and chain) on the front of the bike so it tilts forward and back wheel gets lifted in the air.
Should the bike or the rider take the jolt from a bump, and how? The last part of my commute to work has some significant bumps in the road which are really quite jarring, since I'm on a road bike that, of course, has no shocks (but has a carbon fork). Most of the bumps are caused by cracks in the asphalt that have se...	If you're light on the bike (letting it jump under you), it takes the hit but then is able to move how it wants after that. This is not an either-or proposition. If it can move freely, it won't take as much damage. The jolts you're feeling are being transmitted through the wheels and frame.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bibs vs Shorts? I have so far used cycling shorts for my road cycling attire, but have noticed that bib shorts are prevalent with many road cyclists including many pros. What are advantages and disadvantages of using bibs vs cycling shorts? Any quirks, caveats or major pluses for each?...	The construction is different, shorts need to have the elastication around the top to keep them in place around your waist and on your hips, this has an obvious effect on the styling. To reinforce what Alex says, the "don't move" aspect of bibs should not be underrated. Not only are the shorts being held from above, th...
What does an expensive wheel have over a cheap wheel? I'm looking to get a new front wheel at the moment for what is (supposed to be) an inexpensive commuter bike. My question is what's so good about a £100 wheel vs a £25 wheel? The cheapest option my usual port of call had available was over £100. I appreciate that...	While some bicycle wheels can be quite expensive, you want to strike a balance between total crap wheels that achieve false economy, and too-expensive wheels (which may not be optimal for commuting use anyway). The difference in price could be made up of a number of factors:
How to fix a stripped pedal crank The threads on my bike's pedal crank just became fully stripped and the pedal fell off, though the pedal itself is fine. Is there any way I can fix this without fully replacing the pedal crank? <Q> This is best left to your local bike shop. <S> To buy the tools that you will most likel...	If the crank arm is wide enough it may be drilled and a thread repair insert installed or tapped to a larger size. I have seen people succesfully filling the the whole space of the crank thread with weld, then re-manufacturing the thread in a turning/lathing shop.
Is it normal that the Abus Bordo folding lock rattles? I have the latest Abus Bordo Granite X-Plus 6500 folding lock: It is cased inside a rubberized pouch that attaches to one of the bottle-cage locations: Very convenient, but sadly, it rattles while riding on an uneven surface , which can get quite annoying, and...	If you use the screws, it's possible that the lock is bumping against them causing the rattle, but then again, shaking the lock in my hand without other metal also produces a slight rattle. Personally, the rattling doesn't bother me because I'm so focused on the ride and just being out on the bike. It's possible that A...
Concerns with different brake types for the front and the rear wheel I'm considering adding a disc fork to my surly cross check and using some avid bb7 road brakes for the front. I've got tektro road levers on drop bars (outfitted with retroshift shifters) I've got all the gear, so cost is negligible. The frame is no...	You will suffer weight penalty (as disc brakes are heavier), but the good news is that it will be small - you will retain the light rarely used rear brake. On some bikes, you can also install a bolt on conversion kit, such as http://2btherapy.com/bikes/brake-therapy-conversion-kit
How can I prevent cars from passing me too closely? Recently, a driver buzzed by me, leaving just a couple of inches between my handlebars and his car. It was very scary. In general, how can I prevent cars from passing me too closely? Please cite sources. <Q> Use proper positioning. <S> This is most important. <S> U...	If you can choose a route with wide roads then you're unlikely to be overtaken in a dangerous manner. Riding more in the middle of the your lane To prevent this: Use a safety flag. There will be always car drivers how try to pass you, no matter what.
What causes uneven wear on cleats? I find my right cleat is wearing a lot quicker than my left one. Usually I start with the left cleat in the pedal and then click the right one in while pushing off. Is the action of inserting the cleat that damaging? or is it the standing on the right foot while waiting? <Q> Of cours...	Also, it could be that there is something wrong/worn in the pedal itself on that side, causing excessive wear to the cleats.
When is using a suspension fork worth it? I've recently picked up biking again since my childhood years, so I'm quite the newbie. I've figured out most of the features I'd need so far but I'm at a loss at this one.Why would you pick front suspension? In my case, I'll be commuting 5 miles each way every day, 1/2 throug...	I also recommend a steel frame (or carbon if you want to spend a bit more) to take up some of the bumpiness on the ride since aluminum is much stiffer and will not feel so good on rough terrain. Suspension works great if you are riding a mountain bike on singletrack trails.
What tools are required to replace a spoke? When out riding at the weekend, for the very first time, I managed to break a spoke on my wheel. Because I've not done it before, and I want to get back out on the bike soon, this time around I am minded just to hand the job over to my LBS. However, I do like to do my own ma...	If the broken spoke is not behind the rear cassette, replacement requires only a spoke wrench.
How do you make the handlebar stem straight? I adjusted my stem height the other day, and since then, the stem hasn't felt straight. I've attempted to straighten it a few times, but because I'm just eyeballing it, the handlebars don't quite seem right when I ride. (I have similar problems when I try to straighten my s...	A problem many hit when trying to straighten the stem is that they end up aligning the stem with the bike while the wheel is almost straight. Use a ruler to determine the centre of the fork if you must
Is there legal recourse to drivers passing too close? I'm a daily commuter on my road bike. I commute into Manchester NH. Over the years drivers seem to have gotten better and better at passing me safely. I attribute this to the following: Me learning how to influence the driver (body language, lane position, eye con...	The only reasonable response is accept you cannot "educate" everyone and continue to "educate" drivers open to it - or stop riding your bike. From a legal standpoint, 3 feet laws give cyclists a legal upper hand in the cases of being rear ended or sideswiped as the driver of the motorized vehicle is by default in viola...
How to repair sticky Ultegra shifter I have Ultegra 3x9 shifters and derailleurs that were installed just a couple months ago. I purchased them on eBay and although they were new, they had been sitting in inventory for a couple years so not "new" in that sense. New cabling was used when they were installed. Today my...	If this screw has loosened enough to have the head stick out, it will also cuase the symptoms you are describing, and it is more likely to be an immediate change from working, to not working. Well, I tried soaking it with WD40 and then re-lubing it with spray lithium grease.
What iOS / iphone app can give me turn by turn navigation of a pre-planned route? What iOS / iphone app can provide turn by turn navigation of a pre-planned (mostly on road) route (stored in GPX or TCX file)? Voice features are nice, but not mandatory. I've found many apps that will track my ride, or display a route a...	As mentioned before, the RideWithGPS website is useful for trip planning, you can customize your cue sheets, save maps and route for offline use, etc.

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