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How can I tell if I have properly patched a tube? (specifically a 2" mt. bike tube) I normally swap out a the tube on the trail if I get a flat and then patch at home. So that leaves me with a patched tube ready to put in a tire and I'd like to test it without having to swap out a tube ('cause I'm lazy :). I thought...	However: I you get these tiny punctures and specially if they develop on the inner side of the tube (or "high" on the face sides), then the problem may be a faulty or degraded tube.
How do I get my hydraulic disc brakes working well again I just bought a new bike (my first brand new one ever) a few months ago and a while ago I decided to give it a wash and after that my front hydraulic brake hasn't been working as strong as it used too. I used to be able to lock it up on gravel with two fingers, n...	The discs should be well cleaned before installing new pads - Use a solvent such as brake cleaner, methylated spirits or Isoprop alcohol, and rub the discs to be certain no contamination is left on them. If you do a google search, there is a video (made by Tekro by the looks of things) which talks about how to replace ...
Is it ok for the trunk bike rack to rest against the glass of a hatchback? I feel like this is one of those obvious questions, but I have been unsuccessful at finding an answer (even in the manual for the rack!). I just purchased a bike rack (only holds 2 bikes) for my Subaru hatchback. I have found that I can mount...	Also, make sure the contact point is clean, which means lossening or removing the rack to clean behind it.
Rear hub for randonneuring - any "classic" model? I have recently had a failure in my rear-hub during a brevet. The bike I use for brevets was assembled from used parts, and I tried to choose components that are dedicated to randonneuring (super-reliable, not too heavy, low maintenance and, if possible, not super expen...	I randonneur extensively (on a touringy Kona Jake with a saddlebag) and have found Novatec hubs with sealed industrial bearing to be very cost effective, offering tens of thousands of kilometers with virtually no maintenance and no degradation of performance to speak of. I've used American Classic hubs for MTB race whe...
Annual technology gap of high end road bikes Somewhat general question. Could someone give me an idea of how much of a 'technology gap' there is between annual models of high-end road bikes (~$2000)? Specifically: Which components generally see the biggest improvement each year? In what sense is carbon fibre technol...	Changes in bike technology are not linear but rather generational. There's a point where most people won't be willing to pay (or maintain) an electric shifting system.
Damaged (scraped) tire - what to do? First of all, I am either inexperienced or very lucky because I have never had a flat bike tire in my life. Now comes the question. I have a basic "Specialized Sirrus 2013" hybrid bike which has run 2500 kilometers (over 1500 miles) in various conditions. The tires are "Specialized...	It looks to me from the condition of the tread like you'll be replacing the tire pretty soon in any event. As we all know, there is nothing more permanent than a temporary fix that works. Especially if you are not doing anything intense (I assume because you ride a hybrid), this should not be a serious safety issue.
2,600km on an 8 speed bike? I am about to go off on a 2,600km tour from Austia through Italy, finish in Malta. I originally planned to do this solo trip on my Giant Trance x2 full suspension but decided not to since it is too high maintenance. So after a lot of searching (budget being the greatest restriction), I have...	What is good about this bicycle - it is light, which is important in long rides. There exist some gear ratio calculators online, most of them include the common internal gear hubs. Overall I found it to be passable, but not ideal and really requires a strong rider. The range of the Alfine 8 speed hub is higher than wha...
Difficulty inflating my bike tire When trying to inflate my bike tire, I pump maybe 5 times then it gets difficult for me to pump because the handle is hard to pump? <Q> Does your bike have Schrader valves (the kind you see on a car) or Presta valves (skinnier, with a kind of pointy top)? <S> If it has Presta valves,...	It sounds like your pump is not on the valve properly, so instead of inflating the tire you're just pressurizing the inside of your pump.
How to fix V-brakes Somehow the little black rubber thing that goes with the brake got folded over the silver round clip... I tried various tools (After my fingers etc hadn't proved useful) in trying to drag it back but it proved seemingly infeasible. So I cut the black thing, then tried to brake and it clicks as thoug...	If the "noodle" doesn't clip in right and seems like it is sliding through the "noodle holder" when you apply the brakes, then you might have messed up the noodle holder when messing about with the boot. The 'black thing' is just a boot to keep dust and dirt out.
Carrying Pizza on a Bicycle I have a rear rack. However, I don't really have a good way to carry pizza. Cables? Any big enough bags? I can avoid leaning too much, I'll slow on the turns if I have to.. Edit : Delivery? Not in this town. I just want a pizza... <Q> This are/were used by ramen delivery bicylists in ...	For the ultimate in pizza carrying, you want a pneumatic air suspension, pendulum-based anti-sway bar equipped carrier.
I want to weld or braze the pedal to the crank arm, but what metals are they? I ruined the threading in my crank arm, and would like to weld or braze it back on, instead of buying a new crank set. It is a cheap old bike, so the result does not have to be perfect, but it should be cheap and durable. I have welded on i...	You'll also have to be really good at brazing not to completely destroy the aluminum crank arm in the process. You local bike shop might have some compatible used cranksets they'd sell for cheap. Assuming the threads still engage a little bit, I'd get some hardcore epoxy resin (the sort that's specially designed for me...
Do softer tires provide better suspension? From my limited experience, soft tires feel more bouncy than hard ones, with same pressure. That is, if you lift and drop front side of unloaded bike, with soft rubber on front wheel it will jump like a bouncy ball (kind of). But with hard rubber it'll jump more like badly inf...	A softer rubber compound should mostly be for increasing grip (and many tires are made of several rubber hardnesses in order to increase longevity).
Why are aero bars usually disallowed in gran fondos? Why are aero bars usually disallowed in Gran Fondos ( cyclosportive events)? I'm just curious. I would think it would be a useful piece of equipment when riding 100 miles. <Q> I now realise "gran fondo" <S> is American terminology for "cyclosportive". <S> That sor...	Aerobars are unsafe in pacelines because riders cannot maneuver as well as being on the drop bars. They're not great for cornering either. Hence the reason they're illegal in most events, except triathlon and time trials, where riders are mostly spread apart and riding fairly straight courses.
Rear wheel rubs frame after tire change I recently changed the rear tire and paid no attention to the original working state of the rear derailleur. After a miserable attempt at resembling, I lost what I now think was the Derailleur bolt and nut (one flat side, curved elsewhere) during a short ride. It's since been rep...	Once the axle is done up properly it will hold the derailluer, the small screw is really a locating screw and used to hold the deraulleur when the wheel is removed. You've lost the derailleur hanger mounting nut. That configuration is quite dangerous and clearly wrong.
Small Tear in Michelin Pro4 Tire, Does It Need To Be Replaced? Got back from a bike ride and noticed a small tear on the sidewall of my tire. I'm wondering if I can just seal it with some Goo Gone or do I need to replace the tire. I do have spares lying around so not a big deal. But I don't want to replace it if I have...	I've used a regular bike tube patch on the inside of the tire as well. With a tear that small, I wouldn't be too concerned running it as long as it doesn't get any bigger.
Quick Release on Fixed Gear Bike I recently purchased a fixed gear bike, Kilo TT . I had some fenders lying around, SKS raceblade . I tried to install them on my bikebut noticed that the fenders attached to the skewers. My fixed gear bike has bolts in the front and back and the fenders only fit quick release skewers....	I personally like to use chain tensioners on both sides so that the wheel doesn't get knocked crooked if I hit a bump. I've always used a quick release for the front of my fixed gear bike, I've only ever used the bolts on the back.
How can I keep spiders and other bugs off my bicycle? I am an extreme arachnophobe, to the point that I've left dishes in the sink due to a dead spider the size of an M&M. My bike at work is right in the open, and because of the soft winter, there are dozens of spiders around the parking lot. I very much doubt I can d...	Even if it's very well sealed I can't see any reason why spiders wouldn't want to wander around your cover just as they wander around your bike. What you can do: use your bike frequently, clean your bike frequently, carry an air blower for safe removal of stray insects from your bike without coming into direct contact ...
Can I use a Shimano 105 10 speed BCD 130mm 52t chainring as a replacement in my 9 speed tiagra triple crankset? I currently run Tiagra triple 9 speed crank, 50/39/30The BCD on the 50 being 130mm.I'd like to replace the 50t with a 52t to make it 52/39/30.I'm looking at a Shimano 105 52t chainring but it says it's intend...	As long as your front derailleur can be adjusted vertically to accommodate the 52tooth chainring, the drivetrain should run fine. The 105 chainring will be profiled ever so slightly thinner for the 10 speed chain, but will not affect 9 speed performance.
Advice for getting Campagnolo Zonda wheelset on a 2000 8 speed shimano rsx So I have an old road bike and instead of coughing up cash for new one I've decided to just start upgrading parts now and slowly build a better custom bike, one piece at a time. My bike currently has shimano rsx group set minus the shifters wh...	There are also freehubs which have parts which can be swapped for switching between Shimano and Campy (made by Mavic), but this is also rather expensive.
How can you identify if a Shimano rear derailleur is medium or long cage? I have a 2013 Shimano XT rear derailleur. It is part of a 2x10 drivetrain. How can I find out if it is a medium or a long cage one? The picture below shows the derailleur. <Q> The picture is a RD-M780-SGS long cage. <S> Shimano have three codes...	Short cages typically have just a centimeter or so of space between the two pulleys, and well, you can see that a long cage has considerably more to accommodate the extra chain length needed for larger rings in either the front or back ( or both the front and back! ). The clutched (shadow+) RDs come in GS (medium 35t c...
Traveling road bikes that disassemble I did a ride with a guy who had a bike like this http://www.sandsmachine.com/a_rod_r2.htm It was a regular road bike (Allow) that you could disassemble and fit in a case slightly larger than the wheels. He said he used his bike for Triathlons and other riding events. I am i...	Ritchey also makes a similar frame. For touring: It might be worth while considering bikes that come with a coupler installed already such as the Surly Trucker Deluxe ( http://surlybikes.com/bikes/trucker_deluxe ). Searching for bikes with this mechanism should allow you find other models of bikes that can be disassemb...
Shimano Tiagra Rear Derailleur - Barrel Adjuster Won't Screw In My rear derailleur barrel adjuster has unscrewed completely and now I can't get it back in. Is it likely that I've damaged something here, or is there some special technique to screw in barrel adjusters that I don't know about!? <Q> just in case someone e...	Things to do: Don't panic and try tightening a lot, it would worse your situation barrel adjuster get tighten to derailleur, only thread taphole and barrel adjuster screw are inline
How to remove completely stuck saddle post from frame I am helping a friend fix his bike that he got for free. Everything went well, except that I cant raise the saddle. The seatpost is really stuck in the frame. The clamp was easily removed. When I tried to turn the saddle only the saddle itself is turning, and the ...	The risk you take with a lot of force with a pipe wrench is you bend the bike or brake off the post or get the post out of round. You should also use some sort of penetrating lubricant to help get it loose. Secondly, yes, it is almost certainly rusted together. I used vise grips and clamped down very tightly.
Loose pedal bent under pressure I was riding home today (with clipless pedals; SPD) and noticed my ankle was twisting strangely with each rotation of my legs. I had just gotten to the top of a massive hill. I pulled off to the sidewalk and inspected my pedal. Turns out that the pedal had begun to loosen (perhaps it w...	So I'd guess your crank arm is damaged (especially if its at the point where you can't loosen the pedal). One thing in your favor: judging by the ~3mm gap between the shoulder and the crank arm, you might have about 3mm of un-molested threads on the crank arm.
Replacing a groupset in step purchases At the moment, on my road bike, I have Shimano Tiagra groupset. I would like to upgrade it to Sram Red, but I cannot afford to pay for the whole groupset at one time and would like to buy them in steps. I am wondering if this would be possible to do. If yes which components would ...	With the release of the 11 speed groups you may be able to pick up some lightly used 10 speed parts at reasonable prices.
What is this brown goop on my new bike frame? I'm building a single speed bike, and ordered parts from various different places. My EAI Bareknuckle frame got delivered this morning, and it looks great, except for this part of the fork, that has this dried brown goop on it. It doesn't look like rust, though it smells k...	You can see if a hair dryer will soften it without hurting the paint Dunno what your frame material is, but you can try cleaning it with isopropil alcohol, and then cover the area with some type of grease. It looks like cosmoline which is a waxy rust preventative. Two additional suggestions: (1) Make sure there isn't a...
Lightweight foldable shoes for road cycling I want to be able to use SPD-SL cleats and still be able to access pubs/cafe's normally. I'm really thinking of something that could be taken on a 75km club run and with that kind of distance I think a bag would be a bit onerous to carry. Cleats on the local slate floors caus...	If you're using SPD-SL, cleat covers or insertable seem to be the only "nice" ways to go.
Suitable rear mech for Megarange cassettes I just bought an 11-34T 8 speed rear cassette and noticed that it is a Megarange cassette with a substantially large jump between the lowest and 2nd gears. Will this work with my existing Alivio rear mech or do I need to get a different one? (Such as in this question here )...	Yes, it works. With that really large cog, you might have to adjust your chain length, and then your derailleur might not be long enough to properly tension the chain. The change between the 2nd-largest and the 'Mega' cog is actually smoother than I expected, despite the big jump.
Tubeless conversion on schrader valve rims Situtation I have an old hardtail collecting dust. I occurred to me that a rigid fork, and some wide (i.e. >50 mm), slick tires would make it a pretty ideal commuter for me. Then I thought it'd be great the setup those wide, slick tires tubeless. Unfortunately, I just recal...	But I imagine that the combination of rim-tape, grommet, and Stans will be fine.
Tire popping out of rim when inflating tube This is very similar to this question . When I fill my tubes up to about 85 psi the tire pops off the rim and the tub gets caught on the rim and blows up. I have gone through 4 tubes in two days at this point and the only thing that seems to help is to inflate them to abou...	You may have a bent rim Chances are, though, that the tyres are done.
Rear index shifting not staying in middle gears I have replaced a chain (SRAM PC 830) and 7 speed freewheel (Shimano MF-HG37) on the back of my daily commuter bike about 300 miles/ 3 weeks ago with the same models. The old parts lasted me 4000 miles, and until recently, the new ones have been fine. Now I'm having iss...	If you still have the problem it may be easiest to replace the derailleur itself and the cable used for shifting. The high and low limit screws don't affect the shifting between the cogs - they just tell the derailleur not to throw the chain into the spokes or out into the frame.
Is it acceptable to cycle towards the centre of the lane on blind corners? Some context: I live near a very congested main road, and everyone goes through the villages whenever it is blocked. If I am cycling, I have a continuous stream of cars passing me, even if they can't see the road ahead. So to prevent them overta...	Unfortunately though some motorists will take exception to a rider defending their position on the road and you should always be prepared for that.
Titanium frame has a crack - advice needed I've found a Titanium bike frame on eBay. It's very cheap and the owner says that it has a very small crack on the seat tube where it connects to a bottom bracket. See in the image above: I've never gone for titanium frames. How bad is this damage, and what is likely to happe...	A stress crack may not be repairable at all, and I'm not sure I would trust it in any case on the BB. You can weld titanium (but you need an inert gas shield to prevent O2 & N2 absorption while the material cools). Seam and weld cracks are relatively easy to fix.
How do I re-insert a chain pin that has been pushed completely out? While breaking the chain, I pushed the pin too far and pushed it out completely. Now the chain is too short. How do I re-insert this pin, or should I look for other options. <Q> What type of chain - Shimano have chain connector pins for exactly this ta...	I am short on tools, so in absence of a decent pair of pliers/hammer, I put the pin inside the inner chain to hold it in place and positioned it on top of one of the outer chain's legs (resting on the ground or an elevated surface). The idea is just to apply a lot of pressure at as straight an angle as possible. Altern...
Difference between wet and dry chain lube I was in a bike shop recently asking for dry lube, and the sales guy told me that the wet/dry distinction is just one that Finishline uses for their product lines, not an actual distinction between chain lubes in general. However, other bike store folks have told me that there...	Wet lube is suitable for wet conditions, dry lube is suitable for dry conditions. As regards use, it really depends on where you live and your climate.
Thinking of putting wider tires on intro Scattante w330...thoughts? I'm buying a used Scattante 44cm w330 with starter components and I'm fairly new to biking/commuting by bike. My commute to work is fairly short, but its through a busy downtown area. I'm not so comfortable balancing on these skinny tires, much les...	When you install wider tires, be sure to carefully check the brake pads to assure they do not rub against the side of the tire at all , when brakes are being applied (since this will eventually wear a hole in the tire -- ask me how I know). Note that also you don't want to put a narrow tire on a wide rim or vice versa ...
Why are my Shimano R540 SPD SL Road Pedals incredibly stiff to clip out of? I'm new to clip less riding. I just purchased and installed Shimano R540 SPD SL Road Pedals for my bike. I also got Shimano R064 SPD SL Road Shoes. I have been practising clipping in and out indoors in the hallway using the walls either side ...	I also found that when my foot was at the bottom of the pedal stroke, it made it immensely easier to clip out.
Chain slipping on middle chainring I have recently replaced the chain and the cassette. Previous chain never slipped. I never had any problems with it at all. But I have made about 10 000 km on it and the wear was beyound any limits, so friends and guys in the bike service recommended replacing both chain and the cas...	Though, overall, a stretched chain doesn't fit the ring, over a short section of where you are applying tension to the chain, it can mesh better with the worn teeth due to the stretch.
Replacement compatability for Shimano Mountain LX Chainring and or Crankset I need to replace Shimano Mountain LX Biopace Chainrings with 48/38/28 110 bcd and am having difficulty finding replacement chainrings, particularly the center chainring 38T. It appears Mountain LX is rare and I would like to know what other Sh...	Some people have stuck normal chainrings on a biopace crankset though (just need to match the BCD and number of bolts), and this is a significantly cheaper option. Unfortunately, Biopace components haven't been made for years (and other non-round chainrings aren't the same (e.g. Sugino Cycloid, Osymmetric)) and they've...
Halfords just replaced my chainset and it is a 10 speed one, but my cassette is 8 speed. Am I ok? Last week my chainset was replaced (in warranty) and I just found out that the chainset is 10 speed (FSA Vero) but my rear cassette (+Claris gears and shifters) is 8 speed. I want to know if I will be fine. The bike is C...	In other words, 8 speed chain, shifter, and cassette (these three must match except for 6-8 speeds) are ok with 9 speed elsewhere, but not 10. I'd say take the bike for a test ride and if you're happy with the way the front derailler shifts and it is capable of cross-chaining The distinction of speeds especially in the...
What are the advantages of a building an electric bike from a kit vs. prebuilt I'm trying to decide on what would be the best option for me for my first electric bike. I need a way to get around, and as I live on a hill where I will have to manage a fairly steep incline coming and going I am wondering what kind of bike...	E-bike kit should come with brake levers with a cut-off switch so the motor stops pushing immediately when braking (problem with some e-bikes). Installation is generally pretty straight forward and really quite quick, the kit is not to badly priced and the motor by all reports is a good performer. Based on my experienc...
What are my options for replacing a Shimano Hollowtech II BB? I have had a 'Deore' equipped mountain bike for 3-4 months now. However, there is grinding noise from the area of the cranks and I suspect the bottom bracket. On a local MTB forum I heard that Deore BB's last exactly that long. So I am worried about replaci...	Hacks - replacing and upgrading the bearings while retaining the Shimano cups. Shimano Ultegra was an instant improvement, works after several years and am going to try the newest sealed upgrade - at $25-35, there is zero justification to waste $$$$$ on any other brand. You can get higher-end BBs (XT, XTR).
How to destroy a LOOK pedal as it won't come off anyway I've tried everything, from brute force, WD40 overnight, heat from a gas torch (trying not to damage the carbon crank itself), to using an extended arm for extra force. Nothing will remove this darn pedal! The 8mm hex hole is now slipping so there is no more grip...	I would see if you can get the pedal part of the pedal off and have enough of the axle to grab on to with a pipe wrench. Soak it for 2 days in penetrating oil before you go at it with a pipe wrench. If you were previously turning the right way, your options are very limited, you can try hammering a Torx of slightly lar...
Is front-suspension a false-economy for cheaper bikes? I'm a 30 year old male looking to purchase my first non-department store bike. I haven't biked in more than a couple years. My use-case is 90% asphalt (inner-city, occasional low-speed highway) and ~10% trail. Trails would typically be flat, straight, with few ser...	Obvious downsides of unnecessary suspension are weight, money that's gone into it that could have gone into something more beneficial on the bike, and more stuff to go wrong. Entire bike is heavier, leading to a less agile bike. The best thing to do when trying to choose a new bike is to test ride as many as you can an...
What sort of bicycle helmet gives me better speed? I am working to improve my segment times on Strava riding 10km to/from work. My average speed is 32 kmph, and over short segments (1km) I can set avg speed 44 kmph / max 49. Over the last year I have invested in a new bike and bike shoes, and now I leave a week's sup...	There are now "sprinters" helmets that are bit in between TT helmets and regular bike helmets. For anything "fastest", either components or kit, just look at what the professional riders are using.
Can double chainrings be used with a clutch-type rear derailleur? I've been reading up on Sram's CX1 1x11 cyclocross-specific group . It hinges on two technologies to minimize the potential for dropped-chains/chainslap. The CX1 clutch rear-derailleur keeps the chain in tension, while the wide-narrow single chainring r...	Wide-narrow chain and chainrings are not compatible with front derailleurs.
Single speed bike with child seat? Are single speed bikes considered good bikes to use with child seats? I wasn't sure if the added weight of a four year old would make a single speed too hard to use. Will be using the bike on relatively flat terrain. <Q> It is unlikely that a four year old will slow you down much o...	I just used a singlespeed for a short loaded tour because my touring bike is broken.
What bike is better 2010 Trek FX 7.5 or 2015 Trek FX 7.2? My budget allows for maxing out at $500. The LBS sells the new 2015 Trek FX 7.2 for $450. I also found an excellent condition 2010 Trek FX 7.5 for roughly the same price. Assuming the used bike is in excellent condition with less than 300 miles of use, should I ...	Assuming the used bike is in good condition, you shouldn't be worried about being able to find replacement parts when the time comes. I hesitate to answer this somewhat, since it somewhat verges on product recommendation, but the components on the 7.5 fx are better quality and compatible parts will be available for ess...
Child bike seat usage when approaching max weight I've been reviewing some of the options for commuting your kid around (bike seat, trailers, mid tails, long tails, etc) and am having a hard time determining the best option. My daughter is 45lbs and is at or approaching the limit of most bike seats. Is the easy o...	Going with a tandem will give you probably the longest usability as your child grows up and allows you to go longer distances easily. It really depends on your riding habits (length of ride, type of ride, how often you ride, etc), how much money you are willing to spend, and personal preference.
Minimal gear for dry winter riding in the city New bike owner here. I ride everyday in the city for errands and eating out as long as it doesn't rain (I don't like riding in rain). As winter is approaching, I'd like to find a bag of some sort that would pack the following as I stroll the streets, or linger in coffee s...	Just get a small backpack and a drybag that fits inside it. You can always add a backpack for shopping
New Trek 1.5 wheels need to be trued after 2 rides, normal? I took my new Trek 1.5 out for 2 spins after I got it and the front wheel is running a few mm off true. The back is too but it isn't that bad. I rode it approx 35km. I stupidly didn't check the wheels to be properly trued when I left the shop but I didn't thi...	I'd say it can be normal because there are many factors can stress a wheel and depends on the quality of the wheels, they might need to be trued again.
How did cyclists get over curbs before BMX era? There were curbs before 1970s, right? I wonder whether everyone had to dismount or dramatically slow down before curbs until bunny hop and wheel lift became popular, I guess, in 1970s among first BMXers. Same with cyclocross: for decades, from its beginnings, riders alway...	People were doing tricks on bicycles almost as soon as they were invented. They slowed down a bit, lifted the front wheel over the curb, and leaned forward to get the weight off the rear wheel.
Netherlands: where to buy cheap bikes? (Police autions, cheapest towns) We are a french couple visiting the Netherlands (starting tomorrow) by bike. We have few questions: are there specific places / city where we have better chances to find cheap bikes ? (except amsterdam, since without bike it will be too big to s...	They are quite often the party that receives "left over" bikes from the police and bikes removed for being "in the way" (which I explained in my answer to your previous question ) www.marktplaats.nl (with an "s") is a good source of cheap secondhand bikes. If you really want to be sure the bike isn't stolen: The Dutch ...
Are there any permanent solutions for holes smaller than 1cm on outer tyre? My road bike tire is damaged because of some biketrap I fell into. After a month I got a flat while riding. I found this hole at the damaged area while repairing the puncture on inner tube. After pumping some air the inner tube is popped out fr...	The tire patch kits go bad over time, so I replace them regularly. The dollar bill trick is good for getting home, but eventually the linen fibers will wear out.
Are parallel v-brakes fixed distance? [Avid Arch Rival 50] OK, this is naive question, but I have to be 200% sure :-) If you compare the regular v-brake against parallel v-brakes as Avid Arch Rival 50: the one thing which is always ignored is the way you can change the distance between pads. In the regular v-brakes ...	iirc - the Arch Rival V-brakes are described as parallel because the brake block surfaces are always parallel to the rim braking surface at whatever distance from the rim. All brake calipers have some spread limit.
Is it good practice to wave following cars through when safe? When I am being followed by a car that is unable to safely overtake, I would normally take the lane and adopt primary position as recommended , making an obvious move to secondary position once it is safe for them to overtake. Sometimes the car doesn't i...	In a car an example is to not stay in someone's blind spot as they are about to change lanes. I have also had a type of interaction where I was riding a bike and asked a driver not to overtake by waving my hand palm side down.
Bike too big for me I bought a bike online based on a recommendation that a 56cm frame would be ok for me (I am 5ft 10, with 30" inside leg). However I think it is slightly too big. I have to lean forward a lot and my arms are almost locked out to reach the brakes. At the moment, the handlebars are on the lowest settin...	If your legs seem to be fitting OK you can reduce the forward reach by switching stems or switching handlebars, particularly if your current bike has drop bars, you can look into getting flat bars, although that will be expensive due to brake lever changes. A good idea would be to go to a bike shop and pay for a bike f...
Reuse oversized hardtrail frame to build a commuter bike? I have a spare hardtrail frame which is too big (20.5") for me (5'7") for riding trails. Would it make sense to build a commuter bike for me as road/touring bike frames are generally larger than MTB? Could it be comfortable to ride this frame on road? I like to ...	It is not worth spending money on a frame the does not fit you.
Neck pain after BG Bike Fit? I did the smart thing and went in for a bike fit 3 weeks ago. I had some serious pain in my hands which has since been essentially resolved. Now, in the drops and at the hoods, I get pretty wretched neck pain 4 miles in. I stretch my traps before and during the ride but can't get any rel...	If so, you may also need to do some strength training of that area.
Should I use lights in foggy conditions? Today it was foggy, visibility was only slightly reduced, I already wear a high-vis on my bike but I am wondering if it is still worth me using my lights or is that overkill? <Q> I definitely recommend this. <S> Running lights will make you more readily visible as the light will...	Many accidents could be avoided if everyone drove with their headlights on during limited visibility.
I just replaced my cassette, do I need replace the 2 month old chain? I replaced both my cassette and chain in July (2.5 months ago). For some reason my chain started skipping when I was in the smallest cog in back. I took it to a shop, they could not find anything wrong. They measured the chain and the cogs and said ...	If you use a worn chain it will grind and wear out the cassette and chain rings prematurely. Generally you should change the chain depending on riding, about every 500 to 1000 miles.
Hill riding: What gears are usually the most comfortable? I've read this and this and I understand the good ways and the bad on how to ride up hills. In fact I consider myself a good hill climber (roadie), but some of the guys I ride with are beating my KOMs because of their gearing. Two of them are now on 32s whil...	If you think lower gears will help, then you are right. So, to be competing, either with friends or in open competition, if it's comfortable, you are doing it wrong ! It's 100% your responsibility to find out what works the best for you and what lets you achieve your ideal cadence and beat your mates up the mountain.
Can I change my 7-speed rear derailleur to an 8-speed? I bought a 2013 Cannondale Quick 6 Hybrid for my daily commute almost exactly a year ago, and I'm looking to give it some upgrades. It currently has a 7-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, and I was hoping to replace it with something a bit more "road"-y, like the Shim...	You will be fine with an 8-speed cassette, as long as you also think about compatible shifters. If you have three rings in the front (which I see from googling is standard on that Cannondale hybrid), you probably want the "GS", which can better pick up the chain slack if you shift to the small ring, and a small cog at ...
Does the rear tyre carry more weight than the front tyre? As I'm riding my bike, it looks as if the rear tyre is carrying more weight than the front tyre: The rear tyre looks more squished downwards, even though both are equally well-inflated. This I think has been true for every bike I've had. Am I just imagining ...	(And I don't know if the numbers work out to make it significant, but keep in mind that when the cyclist applies power to the crank that creates a force vector that shifts more downward force to the rear wheel.)
Choosing a tool to take off the front cassette My bicycle is Merida Crossway MD 40. It uses Shimano Altus derailleurs. The front cassette looks like this: I measured the central circular element, that must be holding the whole construction. It looks like this: What instrument should I buy to disassemble the front c...	You will need a hex key and a special too called crank extractor (or crank puller). There are also chain ring wrenches for the other side if a flat head screw driver does not work.
Front fork pulling to center / "indexed steering" So I took my bike in to the repair shop, to have the rear wheel replaced, but after the repair I noticed immediately the steering feeling a bit strange.I've since worked out why. The problem is that the front forks are somehow pulling the front wheel back to a straig...	This is a usual issue if the bearings in the steering tube are overtightened.
Internal Gear Hub for 16in Wheel? My 4yr old son has a 16in Bikestar and at times he maxes out the gearing on it trying to keep up with his old man. How feasible is it to add either a 2 or 3 speed hub to such a bike? I'm concerned about how much space the hub is going to take up and since I doubt the wheel is a 3...	I don't think that its a good idea given that in a few months, you're going to want a 20 inch bicycle for the child. A Brompton uses a 16" wheel size, which means you could get a used Brompton wheel with Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub and swap it out. IGH's wouldn't work since the hub width is likely smaller than standard,...
The best way to deal with/prevent punctures on tubular tyres I recently picked up some rather expensive tubular wheels on the back of a lot of advice to do with rolling resistance, comfort etc. However I've recently found I'm quite afraid to use them on long training rides for fear of getting a puncture in the middle o...	Tufo Tire Sealant, Stans's No-tubes (and other tubeless sealants) can be used to deal with small punctures.
Do good tires lessen the chances of your innertube bursting? I have only bought my bike for a month and a half and within this time span, my innertube actually burst 4 times. The bike itself is relatively cheap so I doubt that the tires are of good quality.I am currently considering changing my tires to better ones so ...	A few tips whether you replace your tires or not: Keep proper air pressure to avoid pinch flats (i.e., the tirepinching the tube against the rim when hitting a pothole, curb,etc)
Can I change my large chainring without changing the entire crank? The bike I wanna buy has a 42/34/24 crankset and TX-50 FD, now I was wondering if I could install a 48t(or bigger if possible, do tell) ring upfront while keeping the rest (i.e transforming it to 48/34/24..). Is this possible ? What do I need to adjust ...	Otherwise, shifting to the large cog & large chain-ring could cause the chain to become stuck on this gear, damage, or even destroy the rear derailleur. If you really want to go faster on roads, look at a different (road) bike (possibly on the used market).
How to dress for biking 3 miles to work in 40°F (3°C) and below so not to sweat to much but still keep warm I bike to work. It's about 3 miles. I live in Minnesota. It is getting cold. When it is like 40 and below I bundle up but I sweat and then I am hot so I lose a layer and then freeze. Should I wear like a windbre...	But if you want some additional warmth in the around 40F and 3 miles, I'd say maybe some thin gloves (I have a set of Underarmour coldgear running gloves which are useful for longer rides in the 30s) and a hoodie - you might be cold for the first 2-3 minutes In general, you shouldn't dress enough to feel warm when you'...
Mechanic says not to use top three/bottom two gears or the chain will throw I just bought a BTwin Fit 5 , all stock, fresh from the distributor, Decathlon. Took it for light pacing at the store and things seemed OK. About 100 metres out the door, I shift up to the top end of the range, pedalling firmly but not hard, a...	On a side note, the chain should not be dropping in any gear combination, probably the limit screws should be touched a bit, as linac describes. Your bike should leave the shop capable of shifting into any combo of gears possible and riding any amount of time you like in that gear.
Fairings for an Upright Hybrid Bicycle? Do front fairings have an advantage for upright bicycles? There are fairings for recumbent bicycles such as this Zipper one: I wanted to know if anybody has experienced increase in speed/reduction in air drag with a fairing [with an upright hybrid]. I saw the body of F40 bike...	I doubt many riders could get a significant advantage from a fairing on an upright bicycle unless they were racing (and if they were racing, they wouldn't be on a hybrid anyway). The fairing was noticeably faster, and more comfortable, than the bare bike.
Lighting for xtracycle hooptie Does anyone have any lighting suggestions for our Xtracycle hooptie ? We'd like to keep it very visible (precious cargo in there) especially when viewed from the side. Was thinking about an options such as these wrap around lights. Though would prefer something that would make the ...	I'd say use one of the multitude of tail lights, reflectors in your wheels, reflective sidewall tires, or one of the many side lighting systems that are now being sold may be useful.
Legality of opening someone else's car door? This is in the context of having just been involved in a near miss with the car. And only applies at traffic lights whereby the car is stationary very soon after the near miss. So, generally the near miss is to do with the car pulling across a cycle lane shortly before a set...	If you opened someone's car door you could be committing either Dangerous cycling or Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling . It really could go south if the person is at all hostile or has had a lousy day. First of all, you don't know who you're encountering and how you will be received. Secondly, to be on your bike and...
Is bike fit really needed? I'm having neck pains and muscle cramps when I go for long rides (> 90kms) . I don't know if the reason is due to big kms or is it the fit of the bike.I live in India where a bike fit costs 12000 INR($195).Do you suggest me to get a bike fit compulsorily ?? Thanks. <Q> If you are having pain...	Even if you get a less than ideal bike fit doing it yourself, making even small changes can result in significant improvement.
How do I stop punctures for good? Last night I came out of work to a flat tire. This is the second time I've got a puncture with less than 100km done on a brand new set of schwalbe smart sam tires. needless to say I was quite annoyed. The first puncture happened after about 40km and the second was after 95km, last nigh...	Check the inside and outside of the tire for any embedded debris, carefully. Many manufacturers make kevlar belted tires which have stronger puncture resistance (such as the Schwalbe Marathon Plus), but if your punctures are happening due to rim tape or something, then its not going to help. The Smart Sam exists in a "...
Can I drop-in a compact crank set with my current 105 groupset I live near a lot of hills and am fairly new to biking. In my lowest gear I still can't keep up at an efficient pedal rate on the hills. I found out they sell "compact cranksets" which in addition to having a different bolt pattern have fewer teeth (50/34...	You can do a straight swap of the crankset, everything else will be compatible, although will need readjustment. So, basically, 5600 or 5700 cranksets will fit you perfectly (as would any other Shimano 10-speed road crankset). If you have a short cage or medium cage rear derailleur, this may require a long cage rear de...
can i use a 700c tire (Gatorskin 700c x23) on a 650 wheel I am thinking of getting some Velocity Rims that are 650c but I am wondering if I will be able to use my 700x23c Gatorskin tires on them? Also what do you think about 650c wheels pros and cons. Also, lets say I just buy the 650 rims do I need to change anythin...	The size difference between 700 and 650c wheels is very significant so there's no way to fit 700c tires onto 650c wheels. For the question in the comment: You will have to move the brake pad a bit further down to adapt to the smaller rim.
First cyclocross race - how to choose and set up the bike I have never raced but there is a cyclocross race at a park near me next weekend. All it said is some sand and some drop offs. I would like some advice on selecting a bike and setting it up. I have Bianchi Cylcocross Concept and Salsa La Cruz Ti. They are...	Most cyclocross tires are 33-35mm and with tubulars (glued to the rim) many will run very low pressures (20-22 psi). Many courses have run-ups and barriers to carry your bike, so go with the lighter bike.
Rear shifting - Unable to shift to toughest gear I was adjusting my rear shifting following the advice in this video: It was when I took off the wire tension and screwed the high limit all the way out that the chain wouldn't make it to the toughest gear. Instead it was stuck at the second-toughest gear. So it seem...	If it is bent, go to your LBS and see if it can be unbent (there is a special tool for checking unbent-ness, Park Tool DAG-2 or similar) -- bent derailleurs cannot be adjusted properly in most cases (and even a minor spill can cause a bent derailleur). If not, then it's possible that the spring which pulls it to the ri...
Carbon fibre vs aluminium for racing I've been commuting on a mountain bike these past 3 years. Now I want to get into road bike racing. Is it worth saving up money over a few months for a carbon fibre bike? Or should I just go and buy a good quality aluminum bike tomorrow? <Q> There are two answers to this question: ...	A good quality aluminium frame with some nicer wheels will generally give a better/faster ride than an entry-level carbon bike (bought just for the sake of having carbon!).
What is the use of GPS/Elevation on Bike computers Can any one let me know what is the exact use of GPS/Elevation on Bike computers(EDGE 500,510 or TIMEX 2.0)? I ride with a SIGMA BC 16.12 (with CADENCE) and POLAR HRM. I check my elevation using STRAVA. One reason that i can think of is all these data collated ont...	In touring I loved being able to track my total elevation gain for the day. Some analysis software supported getting elevation data from other sources, others didn't.
Gear to protect against hand injury in a crash I commute to work a few miles on my bike in the city. Today someone walked out in front of me and I squeezed the brakes too hard and went over the handlebars. I suffered a mild elbow fracture because I put my arms out in front of me and the palms of my hands are destroye...	Wearing big heavy gloves might protect you hands, but downhill riders and motorcyclists that wear these also wear full face helmets and body armour - unless you do the same you will come off and although your hands will be fine, the rest of you won't be. You can learn to fall to minimize injury - downhiller riders are ...
What are the practical limitations of a road bike compared to a mountain bike? I grew up on a big box store mountain bike. I want to get a road bike for my commute, but I'm curious about the limitations I'll experience. I know the benefits of a road bike: lighter weight, less rolling resistance, aerodynamic riding pos...	But for commute I would recommend a cyclocross and and put touring tires on it. If you find that you are bending your rims, the first thing to try regarding equipment is bigger tires, then tougher rims.
How to transport bulky things on a bike I am a hobby musician and would like to transport my instruments on my bike because there are just a few parking lots and it is too far to walk. Is there a good and safe way to carry a trombone, several stands, and sheet music on a normal bike? <Q> This is quite tricky, given...	If you wanted you could use something like the pannier mounting hardware from Arkel to modify a case to attach to your racks like a pannier. There are also transporter bikes with enclosed front boxes but those are often just that bit bigger that finding a parking spot is not easy.
Key Stuck in bike lock! My key has snapped off in my bike lock and I'm wondering if bolt cutters are going to do the job and if not what else will? Its this lock that I have: <Q> Angle grinder is the preferred tool of bike thieves. <A> Use a metal pick and pull the broken key out. <S> You can make a pick out of a ...	Either way, you should either take it to a locksmith to pull out the key (and perhaps make a duplicate to replace the broken one) or just get a new bike lock with stronger keys.
Should I grease press fit attachments? When two parts are press fit together (e.g., headset cup and head tube, crank arm and bottom bracket, etc.) is it proper to grease the surfaces that will fit together, or not? <Q> if you are using a high-end aluminum-shell BB, then get the "press-fit" specific Loctite and use that...	So ultimately there is no need to, however it shouldn't cause any harm if you do grease them before installation. The crank arm should definitely be lubed before installing into a bottom bracket.
Problems with Edge 510 Cadence/Speed Sensor I have been looking online for a while on how to fix a bug with my Garmin Edge 510 Cadence/Speed sensor but no luck, and now I'm indoors training it's more important that it works (so I can get "speed" data to approximate power). It often drops out as in this ride and this...	I did have a similar thing happen with my Edge 500, and re-pairing the sensor seemed to fix it.
How to avoid running over animals whilst cycling on a canal at night? I commute on a towpath in Hertfordshire, England and there is ample amount of wildlife about. During the day it's fine, I can see ducks, squirrels and rabbits in time and slow down if I need to. However at night it seems to be a problem as I occa...	I know when I ride at night, where there is no lighting you need to slow down a lot, even if you have decent lights. And hit the bell or yell rider before a blind corner. And if I hit an animal (or other obstacle) I would have a better chance of staying on two wheels.
Is there a cheap touring bike that is as light as a road bike I want a touring bike that is as light as a road bike - basically I want a road bike with a touring bike geometry - ie around 10 or 11Kg, excluding pannier racks, and other add-ons. My price range for a complete bike is £500 to £1000 max - is that possible...	If your current bike is ideal for everything you do then consider keep on riding that bike until you have a bigger budget. You might look for all day, randonneuring, endurance, or even cyclocross bikes.
Chain link jams after reassembling the rivet I bought a chain riveting tool. Here is how it looks like: It works fine, I was able to push the rivet out of a test chain. But faced an unexpected difficulty: after I restore the rivet to it's proper position the chain link becomes very hard to move. I think, the cause o...	If you are using a Shimano chain, then using the pins with a snap-off driver can help.
Should I replace both wheels/rims if I convert the front to a dynamo hub? The title mostly says it all. Is there a reason to or a reason not to replace the back wheel or rim if I replace the front wheel to get a dynamo hub? The only reason would be aesthetics, to keep the wheels the same, but that doesn't sound like a...	You should replace the rear wheel only if there is another well justified reason to do so, but generally both wheels are mostly independent, so you can perfectly change only the front.
Why some companies stop supplying frames to pro teams? Nowadays TIME hardly sponsors professional cycling teams at least with their frames, and I feel others like LOOK, De Rosa or Cervélo are also leaning away from it. Why it happens? Do they think their reputations are already established enough and thus they don't n...	Big high-revenue bike companies can afford to bet on multiple teams, while betting on one team may be a too risky proposition for a niche player (especially a team they can afford to sponsor). You will also see them removing logos from tubular tires made specifically for the cobbles, where most the big-shop tire sponso...
I keep breaking the tips off my presta tube stems I can't pinpoint what I'm doing wrong while inflating my tubes. I use presta valves and have a "Joe Blow" Topeak pump. I put the tube stem at 12 o'clock, I unscrew the tip of the tube stem (but not too hard), press to let out some air, place the pump head on, lock it ...	If you unscrew to far / hard the core comes out. The retaining nut will help keep the valve in one position, which might solve a part of the problem.
Bicycling 36 km per day in city traffic is feasible? I am planning (still in planning phase since last 1 month :( ) to use bicycle as my commute to and from office. My office is around 18 km away from my home. Almost half the road will be full of traffic. Everyone in my family has already told me that 36 km per day wi...	I would suggest wearing a good helmet and not these tiny plastic caps (possibly with face cover — sadly it is not scandalous to hear about a cyclist breaking their teeth and/or nose upon impact), gloves which you will trust with protecting your hands on contact with asphalt on 35 km/h, knee and elbow protection. It is ...
Replacing 14" x 1.95" With 14" x 2.125"? I have a super quick question here, my daughter (she's 5 years old) rides her bicycle extensively, to the point of the actual tire has worn clear through. I didn't think it would be this difficult, but I can't seem to find a direct replacement for her tires anywhere (her tire...	As others have noted, 14" tires aren't terribly common, but they do exist. You will almost certainly be fine with the slightly wider tire. Finally, if Wal Mart does not sell replacement tires for its own bikes (regardless of the marked width), any bike shop can order the correct tires for you and offer you a guarantee ...
Rockshox Quadra 21R -- Removal tips for old brittle elastomer I am tuning up the mountain bike I purchased in 1994, which has the old yellow Rockshox Quadra 21R front suspension fork. I have found a nice video on YouTube which shows how to service the suspension, and replace the elastomers, and also found an elastomer...	I did just what you suggested to remove it -- I bent the end of an old spoke into a "J" shape, and pulled it out of the fork.
Is it normal for my derailleur cables to cross over on the down tube? I've just picked myself up a Specialized Allez Sport 2014 road bike from Evans Cycles (UK). I test rode the bike and I'm happy with the bike, but when I got home, and flipped the bike over to make a note of the serial number (for insurance) and I no...	A gentler bend creates less internal friction on the cable. There could be manufacturer recommendations or anecdotal experience driving the decision.
Full helmet (BMX) for Commuting, what is the current 2014 opinion? So, back 15 years ago, I think wearing helmet is kinda hype. I started wearing cycling helmet around 10 years ago seeing how dangerous cycling on the road is. Just recently I got in an accident which I'm not sure what I can do better to avoid one (the ...	With that said if you want to protect your face then by all means wear a full face helmet. So my answer is you should wear whatever makes you feel more comfortable mentally.

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