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Do stocked tubes go rubbish over time? I'm stocking tubes that I found in discount. One of my friends said that tubes get old over time. Do Butyl tubes do this? If it is true, what are storage tips for stocking them? And they came packed with a powder-like solution, how does this work? <Q> Yes, they do degrade over ti...	One semi-related tip: wrap the tube you carry with you in a sock or leave it in the box.
Thinner tires for my Mountain Bike I know little about all of this, so, go easy on me. I've got a mountain bike, fairly light in weight and rarely ever used for anything other than road use. The current tires say 58-559 / 26x2.35. Is it possible to go for thinner tires with the same Rim and how much will this affect th...	On the other hand, smaller tires can be made with more flexible casing and absorb small vibrations better.
Website with bicycle only paths in Europe? Does anyone know of a website that has a map of bicycle paths in Europe that are bike/walkers only, i.e. no cars? <Q> OpenStreetMap <S> (a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world ) has a very up to date and accurate cycle route layer available. <S> ...	Google Maps has a Bicycling overlay that can help you.
What is the benefit of fat tires on pavement? This year in my area, I've seen a lot of people using fat tires on paved bike paths and roads, when there was no fat bikes before. I also see a lot of these bikes in grocery stores. It is summer, so there is no snow. I'm curious of the benefits of a fat tire beyond the obv...	What you're witnessing is probably a mixture of convenience and all-around-increased popularity of fat bikes, rather than actual 'benefits' A lot of people don't have the luxury of owning multiple bikes: one for the road, one for grocery trips, one for cross country, etc.
Cassette & crank combo for commuting Okay so I've been reading about gear ratios and what not all morning and I can't make any sense of it. Some of it is registering but it's still kind of over my head. I'm ordering a Tiagra group set for my commuter bike. It will be around 10-15 miles a day (5 days a week) carrying ...	From the bike that you know, think about what you'd like to improve – say a higher climbing gear, or maybe a couple of options for a cruising gear (especially if it is windy where you are).
Building bike from scratch: why more expensive than pre-built? I was going to ask about the pros and cons of building one's bike from scratch , but I came to the conclusion that I'm not going to do it (asking and building). Now my question is: why is it (usually, if we leave the silly high-end prices alone) more expe...	A bicycle manufacture buys thousands of the same component and thus gets huge discounts. Most parts are sold and installed at shops and the labor cost will not change shopping around. You have to get retail packaging instead of bulk packaging. Most consumers do not have the skills or desire to install parts themselves,...
My tube lose air once inside Tyre and mounted on wheel? I am getting this weird experience.My tube holds the air when removed from wheel and tyre but lose it once in tyre mounted on wheel.I removed it 4 times and checked for bubbles in water bucket.No puncture.Air holds even for days out side wheel and once it is inser...	Perhaps you should cut your losses and just fit a new tube. I checked the tube outside the tyre and wheel again by filling more than 15psi air ,as per the suggestion by Daniel R.Hicks and found one recently fixed puncture was leaking.
Biking against traffic on a one-way streets in Europe My recent experience with new Google Maps shows that it constantly leads me against traffic on a one-way streets in Europe in general and in Poland (where I live) in particular. Are there any laws or regulations for this? I assume Google wouldn't set a track tha...	And cycling against traffic in a one-way street without the sign is indeed illegal.
Biking to the airport / leaving a bike for a week I'd like to try riding to the airport or to public transit when I travel. Does anybody do this? Any suggestions for how to secure a bike if you're going to need to leave it for a week or so? <Q> This isn't uncommon in our neck of the woods. <S> If you're a light packer,...	If you only use a cheap lock that can be picked or cut with small tools, then your bike is at risk wherever you leave it. But leave your bike only at a designated bicycle parking area, don't lock it to any other railing or lamp-post like you would do in any other place.
Any experience with spokes breaking on new Trek 720 touring bike I have a new Trek 720 Touring bike with about 1000 miles and have broken two spokes on the rear tire in the past two weeks and haven't yet added the weight of panniers. This is a 24 spoke wheel and I'm told Trek doesn't have a 32 spoke wheel for this app...	If you break a spoke, it could engage the brake caliper and you could beinvolved in a serious accident.
How do I know what is wrong with my brakes? My brakes are not powerful anymore, it takes a few meters when fully pulling my brakes for my bike to come to a stop. Which means that the brakes'pads are touching the wheels but not enough. So, my question is: how do I know if I need to change the brake pads or give more te...	The brake cable may have stretched or slipped.
How does riding on bumpy road while suspension fork locked and without slow down effects? Is urban riding on bumpy road while suspension fork locked and without slow down harming to my bike or me? I don't care about my comfort so much. I don't want to slow down or to lose energy. <Q> On a bumpy but fairly level road, a...	You can reduce jiggle by using lower air pressure in the tires, but this increases tire/road friction. The bike will not break from simply having your suspension locked; It still absorbs impact, just in extremely minute amounts.
How should the brakes on a child's bike be adjusted? I picked up a child's bike from the recycling center - and I was going to give it to a financially strapped worker that I know. The brakes could easily be adjusted to be quite a bit stronger - but I'm wondering if that's a good idea. (It looks to be for someone age...	Strong rear brakes aren't dangerous, but strong front brakes (when in inexperienced hands) can cause a crash. From firsthand experience I would say weaker front brakes and stronger rear brakes.
Why do riders not take advantage of other riders misfortune Today on the Tour de France, Vincenzo Nibali attacked while Chris Froome was having mechanical difficulties. According to the commentators and Froome himself, that's something you just don't do. Apparently it's seen as unsportsmanlike. Where does this come fro...	You answered your own question: it's not sporting behavior. Also every rider has bad luck at some point. In bicycle racing on the final day if there is a clear winner they just ride and a tight battle for 2nd and 3rd In pretty much all sports there is a sense of fairness that practiced and not part of the rules.
Safe to shorten a dual-pivot caliper mounting nut? I have a 2006 Specialized Langster. Unfortunately the brake bridge is not deep enough to insert the shortest caliper mounting nut I could find (10mm). The head of the nut should insert all of the way into the brake bridge, and the head of the nut should be supported on...	Place the bolt in a vice (taking care to not mash the threads) and use a fine-toothed hacksaw or other cutting device to cut the bolt off flush with the nut surface.
Help identifying this frame? I was told this was a Cinelli frame although it's clearly not. The fork seems to be original but I'm not sure of what it could be just by looking at its dropouts and lugs. The seat post is 26.8, english threaded and there is a "suntour pro" stamp on the dropouts.I would seriously be glad if...	It's hard to tell for certain just from what I see in the photos, but the lugs appeared to be thinned toward the ends, which is again not something you see on low-end frames. It's a Caloi Triathlon. The rear dropouts are not stamped, so it's not a low-end frame, and the single shifter boss on the downtube is for unitiz...
Can I run a 10 speed cassette on an 11 speed wheel, but also keep running 10 speed on a 10 speed wheel? I bought a second hand cyclocross bike (running Shimano 105) and I ... love it. I've been doing some short commuting on it as well, but the nobbled tires are copping a pounding. I've got a spare set of 11 speed whe...	If that happens you could (in theory) fix it by adding spacers of the right thickness to adjust the position of one of the cassettes.
Best bike for distance, best bike for speed I am biking the Pacific Coast from Vancouver, BC to San Diego this September. I am looking to purchase a new bike, but I am struggling with the choices. I enjoy racing with friends on weekends. On an average weekend, I might bike 80 miles and will sustain and 25mph pace. I ...	Get a randonneur or cyclocross bike with eyelets for a rack. I've ridden steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon and there's something about carbon that allows it to be stiff and compliant at the same time. Ultegra is my minimum and if I can't get a new bike with Ultegra at the price I need, then I would buy used.
MInor (I think) dent in top of Orbea Alma top tube - frame ok or no? UPDATE : My lbs mech / owner (same guy) looked at it this AM, says it is good to go, 'ride the hell out of it', he 100% backs it up. And FWIW re: the specifics of this frame and why it's purely cosmetic, he tells me that the top of the top tube, in th...	A hard landing or hard bump is where that would likely be the first point of failure. Just off the picture I'd say it's fine. The rest of the frame is there and even 50% strength on that section is a lot as most bikes will take a lot.
My rear disc brake makes noise when I ride fast I have a full suspension mountain bike with disk brakes. When I ride fast, my rear disk brake starts to make a noise similar to the one you would hear when sharpening a knife. It happens when I don't brake. If I brake, the noise disappears, I only hear the smooth braki...	When you hear the sound, stop, spin your rear wheel and look to see if the rotor is running true or has a deflection.
Is a used 1998 LeMond Buenos Aires worth $450? This is the bike I'm interested in buying: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=1998&brand=LeMond&model=Buenos+Aires . The bike is in good condition upon inspection and a test drive. Is it worth $450? What things do I need to look out for when buying ...	Early model carbon forks can wear also. It will be harder to ride than a modern bike, but not by too much.
BSO identification for amateurs I'm a biking amateur, but I've been wanting to upgrade and get more serious. Just recently, I was gifted a pretty new bike and I'm wanting to figure out how BSO it is so I can either upgrade it or get rid of it get a new, nicer bike. What should I check to tell how much of this bike is...	If your bike has a front suspension it may be worth upgrading. Other than the frame, the most obvious identifier of low quality is a one-piece crank. It used to be easier to tell BSOs from "real" bikes, but now the technology is changing so rapidly, and it's much harder.
Tips for cycling while pregnant, and is it safe? To clarify, I am asking this for my wife! Blog articles and other webpages differ on the question of the safety of pregnant cycling. Most seem to think that it is okay, but some think that a pregnant woman's balance will become skewed in late pregnancy. Does anyone ha...	She certainly should not be taking up new active sports. Only cycle if already a regular, confident cyclist. In the Netherlands all or almost all pregnant women ride through most of their pregnancies. The risks are mostly the same as any other road user in your area.
Best Tires for Cannondale Bad Boy 4 I'm just getting into biking and last week I just purchased a Cannondale Bad Boy 4 from REI. They still have it in the shop as I'm in the processing of moving and they agreed to hold onto it for me. My question is regarding tires. I purchased the bike as an urban commuter vehicle as...	Only thing I wouldn't use them for would be thick mud as they don't have enourmous amounts of tread.
Campagnolo chainring bolt stuck to crank I have a Campagnolo 11 speed Athena setup. I am enjoying a noisy creak which I suspect is located in my chainring bolts. I have replaced all of them, except the one that screws the chainring to the crank. That one is stuck. I tried to unfasten it, but I messed up the bolt. My h...	Sometimes it is possible to force a Torx bit into a stripped Allen/hex-headed screw, and if the bit is short enough you might be able to force it in using a clamp of appropriate size. Personally, considering the cost of a replacement crank and/or chainwheel, I'd probably take the bicycle to a trusted local bike store a...
Fixing rear-wheel puncture on belt-drive bike I just bought a bike that has a Gates Carbon belt drive and am wondering what I will need do to remove the rear wheel when I get a puncture in my rear tyre away from home. The dropout looks like this: The centre part of the dropout on this side of the bike (and not th...	You can just pry off the tire with the wheel still attached (after loosening the rim brake if applicable), and patch the inner tube while it's still on the wheel. When the recessed allen head bolts are removed you risk damage to the very end of the threads due to the belt tension.
What's the difference between road bike disc brake wheels /cyclosross wheels? What's the difference between road bike disc wheels / cyclocross disc wheels ? <Q> And tend to be sturdier. <S> Are you buying the wheels for a road or cyclocross? <A> The real difference to look for is the axle width and connection method....	Cyclocoss will tend to be wider to accommodate the wider tires used in cyclocross.
Larger sproket on a single speed crankset? I recently bought an urban bike that comes with a single gear crankset with a 42 tooth sprocket and an 8 speed rear with 12-36 teeth. I would like to swap out the front sprocket to a larger one to gain more top end speed. I'm thinking 48-53 teeth depending on what I find. I wo...	The easy way to make this change is to buy a new cassette (the set of rear gears). The more specific answer will depend on the actual crankset the bike is built with.
Presta valve pump or presta adapter I have a bicycle with Presta valves. Should I buy a Presta pump or a Schader pump and a Presta-to-Schader adapter? <Q> You don't actually have to decide :-) <S> For bicycles you want a pump that is capable of pretty high pressures (at least relative to a car) and most bicycle pump...	Unless you have a reason to support Schrader valves life will probably be simpler if you have your pump set up for Presta valves, but I think it is a good idea to also carry a Presta-to-Schrader adapter with you.
Looking for an old fashioned bicycle with coaster brakes & hand brakes for a woman I am looking for an old fashioned style bicycle. I had a bad accident on a new bicycle and I feel safer with with an old-style bike. I've never crashed before and I've been riding bicycles for over 40 years. <Q> They are still made! <S...	If you are trying to do this without a shop's intervention then I suggest posting some models of bikes with coaster brakes and members of the Stack will tell you if they are hand brake compatible.
How to estimate price of an old CrMo frame? So it happened. My old good CrMo friend got hit by a car and the blow was heavy enough to affect the whole frame. Now the car driver is expected to pay back the expenses but I am not sure how to estimate the price of such an old frame. It is a road bike frame, order-made in...	Bikes with earlier model years should be insured for fair market value, or what it would cost you to purchase the same modeled year bike as your original bike.
Should flywheels on stationary trainers be replaced periodically to avoid catastrophic failures caused by fatigue? I have owned a Computrainer stationary trainer for 20 years and recently had the flywheel shatter, sending shrapnel through the walls and ceiling of my basement, as well as into my hamstring. Should flywh...	For one, the replacement interval is not consistent and will depend on a number of environmental factors.
Is klunking the father of mountain biking? Is attacking downhills with coaster brakes where the sport of downhill mountain biking originated? Or did mountain biking and klunking grow up side by side? <Q> Klunkers were developed by customising early beach cruisers on 26" wheels (Schwinn predominantly) by spreading the r...	Klunker as a term is synonymous with early mountain bike (as it is currently known).
What is mysteriously slicing the inside of my tubes? For about the last year, I've had a problem keeping my bike on the road. Originally, my rear tube went flat when the tire was punctured by an office staple (don't ask me how a regular office staple could have been positioned properly on the road and puncture all the ...	However, instead of just checking the rim tape, check the whole inner rim to make sure there are no metal shards or other pokey things embedded in the bottom or inner walls.
Full Suspension MTB or just a new Frame Currently I have a hard tail that I love, but I know that as I get more into mountain biking I'm probably going to want to upgrade. But I'm still pretty new to the trails. I'm wondering which you all think (this question is opinion based) I should buy: a Full suspension bike or j...	One good route when you already have a bike with working components is secondhand.
Electric bike: Do I need display? I'm planning to buy an electric bike kit. However, I don't really like adding the display for aesthetic reason. However, the display (either LED or LCD) has function on/off and low/mid/high power on some model and this confuse me. Can I just have BLDC motor, controller, battery, PAS, ...	The reason pre-built ones have them is both safety and convenience -- you want to know when the e-assist is on for safety reasons, what power mode you're in, and how much power you have left so you're not stuck on the road.
Which option; cx bike or mtb and road bike? I've done my research and i've narrowed it down to 2 options for me Option 1: buy a low-end cyclocross bike for $1200or Option 2: buy a low-end road bike for $800 and a low-end mountain bike for $400 My budget is $1200I want a bike that will allow to me ride on the road and...	With CX tyres on you can ride the majority of the off-road terrain you'll come across A $400 MTB is unlikely to be very good, unless you find a second hand bargain I think your best option is the road-mountain combo.
Road Brifters with MTB Derailleurs I've just bought a lovely Surly touring frame and I simply stuck all of my mountain bike components on it. That means I've retained a flat handlebar. I'd really like to stick drop bars on though and change to road "brifters" without changing the drive train. I've tried Googling th...	Just make sure you find the model with the right brake levers, they have short pull (road brakes) and long pull (mtb brakes). If you want to run drop bars and don't care if you actually have brifters or not, I've had a really good experience using Gevenalle Shifting system. Shimano 9-speed road and mountain derailers u...
Does the valve have to be straight when replacing a tube? I've just replaced the tube on my bike and when I pumped it the valve wasn't particularly straight as can be seen in the image below. What I'm wondering is do I need to remove the tube and straighten it before use? I assume it wouldn't be any harm to do so but...	You may damage the tube near the base of the valve if you leave it as is when the tire takes a hit.
Would Putting BMX Bike Brakes on my Road Bike be Ok? I am a bit of a bigger guy (260lbs) and I'm not too confident with riding my bike at higher speeds just yet. Mainly because I feel as though my brakes, (Stock V brakes that came with my Specialized Sirrus) are just not beefy enough to adequately perform under the str...	Your V-brakes are almost certainly good enough.
Is my stopping dangerous when Idaho Stop is de facto but not legal? I've been bike commuting in the East Bay Area of California (5mi/day, plus public transport) for a few weeks now. I recently attended an in-class safety course, where I learned the fine for not stopping at a stop sign is $250, AND a point on your driv...	And if you see a policeman, then come to a complete stop. I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I felt less safe stopping than not stopping. In general the less urban parts of the East Bay are cycling friendly, but if you go by the rule of invisiblity 1 , I think you'll be fine. What I want to see is people...
Can I secure a 12v battery to my bicycle to charge it? And then attach a 12v horn to it? I'm from the Netherlands, so I mean a Dutch style bicycle, as in: Then I want to attach a 12 volt horn to it. I could just put it in the basket. It doesn't necessarily need to be charged while pedaling, or it can just be partl...	What you could do is to charge a 5VDC USB lithium-ion battery pack (using a variation of the USB Bike Generator circuit ) and then use a 5VDC->12VDC step-up to power the horn (or to get a 5 or 6 VDC horn). Firstly, you already have an airhorn installed in the middle of your face. I also put a car 12V-->USB adapter in t...
What is the purpose of a serial number? It seems like pretty much everywhere I look, serial numbers can't do the things that it seems they should be able to do. They can't help people figure out what bike they have. They can't help at all when recovering a stolen bike, unless you have the bike's number linked to your...	The main function of a serial number is to prove that you own the bike. It makes us feel like they're less likely to be stolen, without providing any real protection against.
Get a tubeless to seat It takes a volume of air to seat a tubeless. Even if you lube the tire it takes a volume of air to get it to pop onto the seat. Cannot deliver that volume with my floor pump. At the shop they remove the core to the presta and have this conversion tube they put over the open stem with a compresso...	If you don't have a compressor, you can use a CO2 cartridge (or two or three) inflator to quickly give that burst of air/CO2 that you need to seat the tubeless. You can also add sealant before inflating with USTs. It depends on what type of tubeless standard you are using.
How do I calculate calories burnt using my bicycle's weight? I've just finished a long bicycle tour on a loaded touring bicycle, and I'm interested in calculating the number of calories I must have burnt over the trip. However, all the calorie calculators I come across don't take into account the weight of the bicycle,...	I suppose if you wanted a very rough estimate, find a calorie calculator online, input the total weight, (you and the loaded bike), take the distance traveled, and the estimated total time in the saddle.
Shoe covers (or other tricks) for commuting in shorts I commute to work by bike, very often in casual shorts and waterproof North Face sneakers. Provided I don't want to change my clothes (in particular I don't want to get SPD etc.), is there a good way to keep my feet dry when it's raining? In particular, would shoe ...	My suggestion: Go for shoe covers when it's cold, but in warmer weather choose shoes that can't fill up with water (also maybe no socks).
When should I replace the brake cable? Here is the picture of the cable from my rear V-brakes: As you can see it's worn down. Should I replace it now or is it safe to use it for some more time? <Q> Yes, at least one strand has broken. <S> Looks like this happened where the cable was previously under the fastening bol...	I would replace it right away. Brake cable replacement, including the labor, is cheap--certainly when compared to the cost of an ER visit.
Winter boots or neoprene covers? I'm looking at options for new winter footwear and am split between buying new boots (must be look/3 bolt, which seems to constrain options somewhat) or buying covers, specifically the neoprene style which zips up the back and exposed ones' cleats through the bottom. I'm weighing pro...	MTB-cleats and pedals by design cope better with adverse conditions like mud and snow.
Combining Shimano RS500 crankset with Stages Shimano 105 5800 I've been thinking about getting a power meter for a while now. I finally decided I would get one, but now I realise that Stages only starts at the Shimano 105 level. I currently have a Shimano RS500 Crankset ( 50 x 34 ) and I'm very pleased with it, so I d...	Stages say that all Shimano non-drive side crankarms can be mix matched with any Hollowgram II Currently the pedal based power meters are my first option.
What are the benefits of removable presta valve cores? Once again, I spent some quality time debugging a slow leak and found out it was a loose valve core. I tightened it with pliers, but it raises the question, is there a situation where it is useful to be able to remove the valve core? Also, have replacement valve co...	I think the big benefit of a removable core is that it makes it possible to add "self-patching slime" to the tube.
Would Lowering my Handlebars Help my Performance? I ride now with pretty decent comfort, I have no real back/neck/shoulder pain. As I ride now I feel decent, but I feel as though I might be in too much of an upright position on the bike to get the best performance. I have been considering lowering my handlebars in ho...	Adjusting handlebar height is more about efficiency.
Are there any sub $100 gps devices that can export a gpx file I am looking to ride with strava, however as a teenager I receive very little to no money regularly and I do not have a smart phone. I would like a device that tracks my ride via gps and exports a gpx file so I may upload it to strava. It must cost less than...	I'll grant that a second-hand smart phone running the Strava app is easier to use, but an inexpensive hiking GPS is water-resistant, a lot more rugged than a mobile phone, and can also be used for backpacking. GPSBabel can be a pain to learn how to use, but it can upload or download from nearly any GPS device, and it c...
Food to keep in pannier long-term until it's needed? For long planned cycles, I'm able to plan to feed myself. But sometimes in the evenings I leave work and just decide to set out for an extra half an hour's cycling about for fun - then four hours later I'm up a hill in a strange tiny village wishing I had something t...	I like to carry PowerBars, because they taste sufficiently foul that I'm never tempted to eat them just because I'm bored or peckish.
How to identify galvanised and stainless cables? Recently I bought some stainless steel gear and brake cables. I have 3 packets of cables from 3 Ebay shops. How do I identify if they are genuine stainless steel cables or if I've been ripped off? Using a magnet - 2 packets stick to the magnet, galvanised cables also st...	Galvanised steel would mostly corrode on the cross-section of the cable (where the cut is made). Some of what you are talking about to test the cables may damage them, or leave them vulnerable to premature wear.
Are carbon hubs a good idea? I'm beginning to see manufactures making carbon hubs and am wondering if they have the potential to perform better than conventional metal hubs or if they are just a way to save a couple of grams of weight, possibly at the expense of performance. Edit: These are the hubs I was originall...	Making the shell out of carbon instead has the the potential to preserve the advantages of a large flange without the drawbacks of having an overweight heavy metal shell.
Any detriment to hanging a bike by its front wheel? I came across the below image today and thought it a great idea for storing bikes. However I wasn't sure if literally hanging a bike by its front wheel might cause undue stress to either the wheel itself or the front forks. Has anyone else done this to no ill effect? ...	Even a lightweight wheel needs to be strong enough to hold the bike and cyclist. No, there are no problems with doing this.
Why is my bike slipping gears? I have a 1997 Gary Fisher Tassajara that got a complete overhaul and tune-up at a bike shop a year ago. (to the tune of $180, but some of that was new tires- I'm the original owner) I ride between 4 and 8 miles on logging roads and easy dirt trails several times a week, and didn't have ...	If you can't get it, the cable might have stretched to the point where it needs to be reset at its anchor point at the derailleur. If the chain isn't clean and lubricated it will feel like it "slips". The cables will stretch over time.
Is it Ok to lock or unlock my suspension fork while riding? When I need to switch the suspension fork, should I stop before switch? <Q> Similarly, you would not try to change the position of a deadbolt on a door while the door is partially open. <S> See <S> Do I need to take my weight off the bike to lock out the ...	Yes, you should generally stop and set the suspension to an uncompressed/unloaded position before you switch, especially if it's a cheaper lockout. All forks can be unlocked on the fly.
Do Bike stores allow you to ship a bike to them to assemble? I live in Orlando, Florida, and I am stuck with no transportation besides public buses, taxis, etc. as my bike literally fell apart in pieces in the middle of a road. I am looking to purchase a new bike, but I would need for it to be professionally assembled....	The time that it takes to work with a cheap bike is not worth the shop's time. Perhaps you could call your local shops and ask if you could have it delivered to them for assembly.
How do I fix a loose saddle? My seat on my bmx turns literally on every bump. If I tap it it'll turn and normally fall off.. The teeth on the seat look to be fairly worn. I don't really want to spend any money as it's just a bike for riding dirt jumps. I was thinking of glueing it but is there any other way? Cheers :) ...	It's possible to braze dissimilar materials together, but it takes some significant prep work. You could save some costs by removing ALL the paint from both parts within two inches of the joint before bring them to the welder.
My rear wheel shifts in the dropouts, what could cause this? I weigh 175 lbs. and I can put some good torque into my compact double (I'm riding a steel frame). I'm having trouble with my wheel coming out of the dropouts, or becoming misaligned. It's a big problem. Are the wheels to blame? I already took out the dropout...	Check the alignment of dropouts, and if QR mates with dropout with full surface on both sides. In my situation, the anodize plating on the dropouts was so smooth, as was the carbon finish on the frame, there just wasn't enough friction to keep the dropouts from moving horizontally. Looking at your pictures and assuming...
Standing to pedal is extremely tiring - should it be this difficult? I've gotten back into riding fairly recently. I used to ride a bicycle a lot when I was younger - the single-speed, steel-frame deal with coaster brakes. I'm now riding a Fuji hybrid. When I was younger, standing to pedal was the thing to do. However...	Of course, building up muscles will help, but some bikes are just not build for standing up. Some frames transfer your effort more efficiently than others. Keep riding, and keep riding hills. It's easy to cause injuries by being over-enthusiastic. Also, make sure you're in a high enough gear when you stand.
Are there any online bike route planning options that allow 5-10 mile incriments? I would like a bike route going from Camas, WA to Onalaska, WA. I would like something that is the shortest distance with as few streets and turns as possible. Both the routes I find at Google Maps and Mapquest have about 4 dozen differen...	You can also search veloroutes.com by location to see if anyone has a route like yours.
Road bike tires that are ok on sand I've got an old Trek 1200 road bike circa 1995 with down tube shifters and mostly original components. These days, I mostly ride it on my summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard where most of the riding is on pavement but occasionally I'll want to venture down a sandy road. I currentl...	Hitting the sand with speed helps but you need to be comfortable with sand for that. Narrower touring tires are an option too, get the widest that you can fit. If you want to sand then look for a used mtn bike.
Bottom bracket creaking only when pedaling hard. When pedaling with a decent amount of force a very loud creaking sound can be heard coming from the bottom bracket area (it is very loud when standing on the pedals). It makes a creaking noise on each foot's down stroke. So with both feet pedaling equals two creaks per f...	Frame damage (e.g. cracks) can cause creaking too. Eventually I found it was the rear derailleur hanger bolt was slightly loose and was creaking against the frame, grease and tighten and noise is gone, relief. Turns out it was the rear skewer of all things causing the creaking! Given how much tools for dealing with pre...
How do people ride road bikes without fenders? I want to buy a bike. The road bikes look very gorgeous. However I noticed that they come without fenders to protect from water! I was really surprised for that actually and that made me wonder about how do people protect themselves when driving on wet roads. When one dr...	Some road bikes have fender eyelets on the fork and near the rear dropouts (newer eyelets are a bit hidden to preserve the aesthetic on some models). Wear waterproof / water resistant clothing, ideally breathable to allow water vapour from sweat to escape.
Are braking vibrations a sign of the end of the life of a wheel? My mountain commuter (2008 Schwinn High Timber) has picked up a vibration in the front wheel under braking. I'm worried that this is a sign that the rim is end of life. I checked the V-brakes and they do have some slight play front to back (about a 1 mm...	A sign for rim wear is also if you can measure a deformation (change in rim width) between zero and maximum tire pressure.
What size innertube for 35mm tires? (or: get innertubes on the big side or small side?) If you had 35mm tires (Schwalbe marathon supremes to be specific) would you get innertubes speced as 28-35mm or 35-42mm? Or whichever is cheaper? <Q> Either will work . <S> Use what your prefer. <S> Smaller will weigh a bit less...	A smaller tube also makes it easier to install. If you have another bike for which one size is also suitable, get that one.
does anyone still make competitive chromoly frames for road biking? Chromoly frames can be constructed relatively light if the quality is high enough. Does anyone know of any brands that concentrate on making modern chromoly frames for entry level competitive cycling? i.e. litespeed is to titanium as x is to chromoly...	Surly is more known for touring and off road bikes, but they do have a cromoly road bike or just hte frame There are still plenty of custom frame builders around.
Should I worry about a chipped carbon mountain bike frame? The other day while I was racing my Specialized Stumpjumper I noticed a chip on the frame. It's on the rear support bar right behind the seat post between the rear tire. My teammate who is a mechanic said its just outer damage, they tapped along the frame with...	If you flat out broke a seatstay, it wouldn't put you over the bars or anything crazy. I also have a Carbon Road bike that I have crashed a few times and has a major paint chip out of it, but is still structurally sound. That being said, for what sounds like just a minor chip I'd go with your mechanic friend's advice a...
Switching from a dérailleur to a gear hub I'm upgrading an old bike with a five speed dérailleur system which I'm trying to convert to use a three speed gearhub from Shimano. I have assembled the wheel, I know how to set up the gearhub itself, but there's one question that bothers me: the chain. Currently, the déraill...	If that's the case then you can probably don't need a chain tensioner, just adjust the chain length so that it is long enough that you can get the wheel into the dropouts and short enough that you can get the tension right before you hit the back of the dropout.
Can the top tube on a mens bike be cut off? I want to cut the crossbar on a mens bike to make it easier to get on and off. Will it damage the bike? <Q> This is downright dangerous and should never be done on a bicycle someone intends to ride. <S> The top tube is integral to the strength of the bike. <S> First, make su...	The frame can buckle or worse when you try to ride it.
Is there anything concerning about buying a half-price "test helmet" from my local bike shop? I just bought a Lazer O2 helmet and am loving it, but I got it half price from my local bike shop because it's a "test helmet". This means that people who want to test ride their bikes use these helmets, but the person I talke...	Because all of the helmets were used, some of the 675 would have been incurred some slight damage (e.g., being dropped, or bumped through regular usage) without showing direct signs of damage .
What does the number 3500 stand for on my Trek bike? I know that the higher the number the better the bike. My dad has a 4200, so I was wondering what kind of improvments are made to make his bike better? And also what does the number 3500 stand for on my bike? <Q> Over the past several years, Trek has been phasing out...	What 3500 "means" in terms of what bike shops will convey to customers is that it's a good recreational bike for light-duty trails and comfortable cruises around the neighborhood.
New D-lock failed locked up This doesn't appear to be a dupe of any of the stuck lock issues -- I've only been using the lock for 3 days and the key turns fine. It's an Abus Ultra 410 which locks at both ends and only one end unlocks. I suspect there's a spring or something failing to return the bolt to the unlocked ...	Tapping fairly hard on the end of the lock with a hammer where the bolt wasn't retracting whilst my other half wiggled the key in the lock sorted the problem in a few seconds.
How many lumens (lm) should a front light have? I need a front bike light for pretty quick night riding on roads beside the town. I found one that has 120lm, 30lux, and 92m shining distance. Is it enough? What parameters should a good front light have? <Q> A front light needs to have both enough lumens (brightness) an...	On thing to keep in mind is that a given output in lumens will produce a greater lux reading if the light is a tightly focused beam and a lower rating if the light covers a larger area.
First long bike ride: Determining the cause of saddle soreness I went on my first long bike ride yesterday - approximately 30 miles. (I know, it's cake to you grizzled road veterans out there, but I'm proud!) I had a great time and we took a fairly leisurely pace - approximately 10 mph or so. Lots of cycling and a lot ...	Also, a wide saddle isn't always the most comfortable. If it's a bit too high then your hips will rock as you pedal, causing abrasion and leading to unhappiness. (There is also, of course, the need to otherwise "toughen" the butt, but a amazing amount of the discomfort is due to the hairs.) You can also get a bike-spec...
difficulty in shifting to lower gear on shimano (6 speed rear gear) I am new to using a bicycle with multiple speeds. I got this new bicycle 4 days back with Shimano 6 speed rear gears. I don't know much else about the components. There is no issue when I move to higher gear (2 to 3 , 3 to 4 and so on.) But I face is...	You either need to adjust the derailleur (specifically, the bowden cable tension) or consider a higher-level setup.
What is the significance of tire minimum pressure? Its quite intuitive that tires have maximum pressure figure - inflate it more and something could explode. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that under-inflated tires result in snake bites. What puzzles me is that all tires indicate minimum pressure. This could be...	Even if the bead remains seated and no pinch-flats are suffered, an underinflated tyre will over-stress its sidewalls whenever there is a torque difference between the bead and the contact patch. Many fatbike tyres, designed to be used below 10psi, will develop visible carcass grain over the life of the tyre.
How long will I survive? 5 wheel spokes missing What do you think, guys? Or should not I try it at all? <Q> Nope. <S> Don't ride it. <S> It's hosed. <S> You risk catastrophic failure riding this wheel, Other spokes will snap soon due to more load put on them and uneven tension. <S> That is if it's even true enough to n...	You could replace the broken spokes and have a working wheel if your rim wasn't damaged severly like it appears to be.
Fracture in folding frame - safe to ride? I cycle every day because I live in a city and I find it a fun, fit and convenient mode of transport. I am not a cycling hobbyist, am only averagely fit and know pretty much nothing about bike engineering. So every year or so I take my bike in to the shop for servicing. The bi...	Less frame repairing means it'll cost less sooner, leaving it later may mean more work which will increase costs. Just make sure you cycle slowly, as the folding bicycle was designed to do just the same. Please bear in mind that it is an unnecessary, albeit small, risk.
what suspension fork should I get Thinking to get a Montague bike for mountain biking. The reason for a folder is easy storage and transportation. And reviews I read all say good things about their bikes. There are these models available: http://www.montaguebikes.com/compare-mountain-folding-bikes.html I have almost ...	I would not recommend riding a folding bike on trails, due to the lack of stability in the frame. The basic fork often doesn't have a lock out and this feature will improve your peddaling efficiency if you're on the road substantially. Travel - XC has the lowest travel, downhill the most Wheelsize - Doesn't make a diff...
How to clean sweat-soaked handlebars/handlebar tape? I just moved to a new apartment in a more humid climate, and while fiddling with my bike trainer setup, I've noticed that my gloves and handlebars are soaked with sweat at the end of a ride on the trainer. I know that sweat is corrosive to metal alloys, so what shoul...	A good wash cleans that off and also helps preserve your bike.
How to avoid/deal with exhaust fumes when riding in traffic I live in Chicago, and I ride through the downtown area and other congested streets to and from work every day. Often when I am at a stoplight, I am directly behind or next to several cars belching exhaust. I can't help but smell and inhale it. Sometimes I try...	To attempt to address the last crux of your question, it may be reasonable to say that you are already avoiding more exhaust just by biking & not driving, other than that; take a less heavily trafficked route & otherwise don't worry about it. What’s more surprising is that on two wheels you might even be exposed to les...
Do saddle ergonomics matter if you've got padded shorts? Those of us who try to bite off 50+ mile rides without padded shorts really have to pay attention to our saddle's shape and padding. With padded shorts, how much of a difference can you tell between saddles that, when ridden without padded shorts, would mean a l...	On a saddle that basically works, but where you find yourself getting sore around your sit bones, padded shorts may help. The bigger benefit for myself seems to be the bib/short material.
Is it ethical to ride with races without being part of them? I find it tedious to spend half a day riding the dangerous streets of the city to purchase a mountain insurance, then spend money on race subscription and in then arriving early as hell on the start line to get my number. Provided I do not take any water or...	The race insurance won't cover you (obviously), but whatever insurance you have almost certainly has a an illegal activity exclusion. I think that any kind of closed course, even on the road, and even for a non-competitive rides is probably off limits. On the other hand, if travel is allowed, cycling is no more immoral...
Crank axle cracked on 1972 Centurion, looking for guidance on how to replace As I said, I have a 1972 Centurion. Today while riding I hit a pothole as I was coming down on my left pedal. I immediately felt like my pedal was moving around in ways it shouldn't. Stopping to look, I'd cracked the actual axle that the crank...	Sliding lock pliers to remove the lock ring Big spanner to remove the cups Cleaning products and rags to clean the hole and threads A drive socket that suits your new bottom bracket cartridge so unless you plan on investing in some tools I suggest get a shop to replace it. There are many types of bottom bracket standar...
How do experienced cyclists know which gear they are in without an optical display? Most mid to high level mountain groupsets (eg SLX and X7) have shifter options without any display as to what gear is currently active. How do riders avoid cross-chaining and other unpleasantnesses, especially when riding in the dark or...	And when you spend a lot of time on your bike you just start to recognise the gears by feel and are able to tell which one you're in... You don't need to know exactly which gear you're in, just enough to know (e.g) that if you want to drop a gear you need to drop a chainring. All the elite riders I have encountered jus...
How seriously should I take the maximum pressure rating of my cyclocross rims? I own a very nice cyclocross bike that I use for daily commuting. It is currently fitted with relatively wide cyclocross tires (Continental Cyclocross Race 35-622) that I inflate to 4 bar (58 psi). Since those tires are nearing the end of t...	The force on rim is pressure plus size so it should take more pressure on a smaller tire.
Replace rim because of 4 broken spokes? When replacing the rear brake pads I noticed that 4 spokes were broken and the wheel wobbles. I phoned a local bike shop and was told that they recommend replacing the wheel if more than 3 spokes are broken. I assume that this is a safety precaution but wonder if the recommenda...	Wheel repairs are reasonably easy, but take time and bike tools and the knack to true the wheel. It depends, and upon a number of things. No one wants to be responsible for any harm that comes to you (or your bike) if the wheel fails catastrophically.
How stay fit enough to make moderately hard rides a couple times a month? When I have time I like to get my bike and canoe out and do a day trip. Doing a mile or two is not hard but a good day trip is between 8 and 14 miles. When I started at the beginning of the year 6 miles was all I could do before leg muscle fat...	And trying to push too hard on a bike for a few tens of minutes might improve your aerobic capacity but quite possibly at the expense of your knees.
To Cold Set or Not To Cold Set? I have a Trek 620 (Reynolds 531 lugged steel frame) from the mid-80s the rear dropouts are spaced at 126 mm. I'd like to be able to run an 8- or 9-speed cassette and I was wondering about the issues involved with running a modern road hub with 130 mm spacing without adjusting the frame s...	If you remove your wheels often, and putting the wheel on is a pain, it might be worth cold-setting your frame. Depending on your monthly mileage and the road conditions, it may never be an issue for you.
Replacing quick release wheel with ebike - motored wheel I intend to upgrade my FireFox Sniper V to electric, by replacing the front wheel with a motorised kit wheel. My question is that the wheels (both) are quick-release: is it safe to motorise this bike. ! - the motorised kit wheel is bolt on type. <Q> Yes, probabl...	It is possible to use quick release adapters, but wheel nuts are more secure and will hold the anti-spin washers better than a QR. All Ebikes under 750 watts are legal WITHOUT a License, Insurance
Will panaracer 27.5x3.5 tires on Velocity Blunt 35 rims fit on a Medium Surly Karate Monkey Frame? Will panaracer Fat B Nimble 27.5x3.5 tires on Velocity Blunt 35 rims fit on a Medium Surly Karate Monkey Frame? I doubt there will be any clearance issue on the front fork since it can hold a 29x3 surly knard with plenty...	Rims appear to be velocity duallys which are a bit wider than the blunts, so if it is a good fit with these rims, the narrower blunt 35s should be totally fine. When you really start pushing the limits of tire width, you'll notice any wobble in the wheel because it'll rub your frame! After reading a bunch of other foru...
Storing commuter bicycle indoors during winter I got myself a road bike that I intend to ride occasionally during winter (mostly for commuting). I live in an apartment, so storing the bicycle in a dry and cold place such as garage is not an option. I know that frequent temperature changes may lead to rust on steel comp...	Chromed steel parts (often some small parts on the components) rust more easily but a thin layer of grease/wax/oil helps a lot. I do, however, recommend that you allow time for the bike to dry in between taking it out and keep the bike as free as possible from salt and grime (which will accelerate wear of your componen...
Is it normal for a presta valve to unscrew into two pieces? I have a Continental Road inner tube with a threaded presta valve. I also have a threaded bike pump which I screw onto the valve to inflate the tube. When I try to unscrew the pump, the uppermost part of the valve unscrews and detaches from the main body of...	Some higher quality tubes also have removable core valves for the same purpose.
How to use bicycle gear ratios In a 21 speed bicycle, which is the fastest gear ratio. Smallest on front and largest on back or vice versa? <Q> It depends on your cadence (number of times you're turning the chainrings). <S> In practice, you will not be able to keep up the same cadence on all gear combinations, so depen...	If you fix the cadence, largest chainring (gear in the front) and smallest cog (gear in the back) will be fastest.
How do people store bicycles in London? I just moved to London. They seem to have a decent bike culture but I just spoke with a letting agent about renting apartments and she said that most apartments don't allow bicycles inside and most streets don't allow bicycles chained outside. What do I do?! Or, to better fit t...	To add to Michael's comment if it's your property you can't be forbid to bring a bicycle into your apartment, unless it's somehow unlawful to be in possession of said bicycle. If you can meet the building owner or property manager and ask, indirectly, about bicycles, do so and get a feel for their attitude about it.
SRAM Force 22 chainset in an otherwise 10-speed SRAM setup I notice that SRAM web site still lists "regular" 10-speed Force chainset as one of their products. However, my attempts to find it for sale online came up with almost nothing. It seems to be "barely" available at some places, but the chainring/BB/crank length ...	Yes, it is possible to use a 22 chain ring on an otherwise 10 speed SRAM drivetrain. What you don't get with the 'regular' non '22' Force front derailleur is the yaw technology that helps with chain rub.
Fixed gear wheel NOT stopping when feet stop. Any ideas why? I have a Pure Fix fixed gear bike. I've been riding it in single speed mode for a while but recently decided to flip the wheel and make it a fixed gear. My problem is that when I try to stop moving my feet on the pedals, the bike wants to keep moving forwar...	Braking with the chain on a fixed gear is unlike any other manoeuvre in riding a bike, because as you slow down, your momentum change unweights the rear wheel, making your actions less effective. My opinion is that brakes are not optional equipment on any bike.

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