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How can I gauge what angle I can safely ride at on a downhill curve? On a Strava segment featuring a 80-100m-long, 40-50m radius curve going downhill on a paved road at about 8-10%, I make generous use of my brakes out of fear of wiping out on my 23mm, fairly slick road tires. Because of this, my 30-second time is almo...	Also, aiming for downhill segments is pretty much setting yourself for a crash, people have already died because of that. But let me remark that it is not a good idea to go for downhill KOMs. On dry pavement, slicks have more grip than tires with treads, so your tires being "fairly slick" is not a bad thing. Your equip...
What to Look for In Gloves for Winter Commuting We live in Buffalo, NY where winters are harsh. My husband rides early in the morning and afternoon about 6 miles each way. The temperature is often below freezing, especially early in the morning – wind and snow make the cold worse and make his hands very wet. He says he...	If your brakes and shifters allow, lobster gloves and even mittens are great.
What is the weight difference between frame sizes? I was wondering if any one has an idea of how much more weight a larger size bike weighs. Specifically S-works Tarmac. So for example what would the difference in weight be between a 56 compared to a 61? 100g, 400g any idea? <Q> One thing you should be aware of is ther...	Most weights listed in advertising literature are not for large frame sizes. The important thing to remember is that on a modern road bike, the frame is actually a small percentage of the overall weight of the bike. According to the Weight Weenies.com web site listed weight can differ from actual weight by as much as 1...
Lamp holder for bicycle stem Is there any lamp holder for the bicycle stem?The normal 360º degrees spinning lamp holders do not work, because the stem is slightly top-wards inclined. Bike stem Normal lamp holder <Q> Maybe something like this may do the work? <S> But I couldn't find anything around the stem. <A>...	In your case a saddle post light bracket might fit round them stem giving you something to pick up on to mount your light.
B01S brake pads for Deore A-M615 brakes? I bought replacement pads for my Deore A-M615 brakes. They installed just fine. But after cleaning the old pads, I saw that they are G01S , while the new ones are B01S . G01S, the original: B01S, which I bought by mistake: The "incorrect" B01S have just fitted fine, and s...	I know this because I thought they were all the same but a genuine Shimano bleed block wouldn't fit in a BR-M395 caliper that has B01S as the specified pad. It probably isn't dangerous our anything, at least not over the life of one set of pads, but it will chew up your calipers some, which is more expensive than buyin...
My bike brakes are lethal, help! I've got an old Raleigh Winner (1980s 10 speed racer) which is perfect in almost every single way for what I need it for (I got given it free, it's very speedy and also looks cool). However, the brakes are dodgy to say the least. I had to take the rear brake off entirely the other we...	Brake cables -- these can rust or the lining of the cables can be worn out making them not work properly. The judder could be lots of things -- theres a certain amount of judder on all bikes.
What was the rationale for reverse brake levers? The Porteur style of bicycle popular by newspaper delivery men in France in the 1940s-1960s had reverse brake levers, seen here in this diagram from an article from Bicycle Quarterly (the photo jpeg is titled rebourherseville1960.jpg): A bunch of manufacturers inclu...	By moving the brake lever to the end of the bar, you're afforded more room on the handlebars for grips and shifters.
How to properly remove bearings from shouldered-axle track hub I am trying to learn the right way to remove bearings from a track hub. The bearings are cartridge bearings pressed into the hub. The axle has a ridge that prevents it from being removed while both bearings are in place. I know there are bearing puller...	With a trapped axle like that you use a hammer, ideally a soft face one or I use a bit of wood as a pad.
How to cut a brake/derailleur cable? I need to cut a cable, cleanly enough that it can be inserted in its housing . What kind of cutting tool do I need for this? I probably won't be using it more than once every few years, so cheaper options are preferred. Also, tips to make sure the cable does not get disorganiz...	If using a cable cutting tool, make sure to either use a deburring tool to remove the sharp edges.
Is my pump faulty or my tyre? I have recently bought a Specialized women's road bike and for the last couple of weeks was borrowing my boyfriend's hand pump with no real issues. Last night I finally purchased my own ( Topeak RaceRocket HP ) but each time I try to inflate the tyre (just a top up of air, not from flat)...	A larger diameter pump will require fewer pumps to inflate a tire but with more effort. Perhaps the weight of the frame was pushing the valve down...!
Do you know of tubes that are fully flat-proof? I am looking into whether there are inner tubes that are fully flat proof. Do you know how much they would affect performance and comfort? <Q> Yes, they're usually solid rubber <S> and they're very heavy, hard to fit and have a lot more rolling resistance than you're use...	You're better off with puncture resistant tyres. Companies like "airless tyres" make them, and I suggest trying to fit them yourself before taking them to a bike shop and paying whatever they ask to have them fit the solid tubes.
Did I choose the wrong size bike? I don't know much about bicycles, and I have relatively little experience with them. I bike for fun, or to get around the city, not for sport. Recently I bought a BTWIN Rockrider 340 mountain bike , in size M. My height is 168 cm. After going out for a ~35 km ride, I found it some...	I'd try adjusting the seat first since that is usually easier than messing with the handlebars. In reality, it isn't that straightforward; proper fit can be achieved within a range of values.
Does a brand-new bike bought online need a service before riding it? I bought a brand-new road bike from a website. The bike was preassembled and delivered in a big box. The only things I had do were: - remove the styrofoam wrappings - screw on the pedals - loosen/reposition/tighten the handle bar (when the bike was ...	In general, it is a good idea to bring a bike bought online to a shop for a once-over check.
Could I use a 30 tooth chainring with my current crankset? a few months back I installed a 34 tooth narrow-wide chainring in my Santa Cruz Bronson. I decided to install the 34 tooth chainring, basically, because I couldn't fit any other smaller chainring using my current crankset. You can see my current build in the f...	So you can deduce that it is a 3/32 ring, and should therefore fit with your current chain. Lastly, note that if you are going to fewer T, you may need to shorten the chain.
Bicycle's inner-tube got puncture right next to the valve, How to patch it there? There is a very small cut 1-2 millimeter or less long in the inner-tube, right next to where it's the bottom of the Schrader valve. The cut is only 1-2 millimeters far away from the valve's bottom. The hole has a shape of a cut, paralle...	This will work as long as there is enough space between the valve stem and the hole for the patch to seal the hole. Otherwise its time for a new tube, they're not expensive. Get a Dremel (rotary tool) with a cone shaped sander (e.g., the 3/8 in bit shown below).
Protecting bike attachments such as lights against theft I was wondering what one could do to keep his bike attachments from being stolen. On Monday two lights were stolen off of my bike. I only had them for a day. It was the kind that has a rubber "strap" of sorts that goes on the handlebar. I only really care/want to...	The also sell a security seatpost clamp to help keep thieves from stealing the light by stealing your seat.
Are there permanently mounted bike computers? Over the years I've owned multiple bike computers (whose things that tell your speed/distance). Each time the head either falls off while I'm riding or I remove it, but lose it somewhere. I want my next purchase to be one that is permanently affixed to my handlebars so tha...	I would look for a way to improve your existing mount interface to make it less prone to falling off rather than making it permanent. The best computer, is no computer at all! If it has to be permanently mounted, glue it into the out-front style mount and glue the tightening bolt into the mount. However, if you want to...
Why are derailleur jockey wheels commonly made of nylon? Almost all derailleurs seem to come from the factory with nylon jockey wheels . What is the rationale for the use of nylon (rather than alloy or aluminum)? Is it merely weight savings (which would seem to be trivial given the size) or is there a functional advan...	I'd always assumed nylon was used because it was a softer material than alu or steel, and therefore reduced wear on the chain.
Can I ride a triple front chainring with no front deraileruer I've managed to strip the threads on my front deraileruer mechanism. Its off the bike now - can I ride it as-is until I locate a new front mechanism? The chain does stay on the front chainring where it is placed manually, while stopped. (I'd not do this wh...	Cross chaining is less advisable than usual, you will tend to drop the chain especially with large chainring-large rear cogs, but most gears are usable. It was mostly okay when steadily pedalling into the wind.
Individual cassette gears and swap a 10 speed for a 9 speed Why can't we buy individual cassette gears? Probably 90% of my riding is on just 4 to 5 of the gears on the cassette. The rest of the gears are used much less. I have a X0 SRAM derailleur 9 speed set up. Since I need to replace the chain and cassette very soon...	Most modern cassettes now are not only just individual cogs and spacers. It's not easy to measure them like you measure chain wear as well as tighter tolerances between cassette cogs on 9-10-11 speed bikes making it more difficult to sell single parts of a cassette and ensure good shifting. Sure, you would probably acc...
What benefits do bike clubs provide? Some bike clubs charge annual dues or fees to join. What do I have to consider when determining whether to join a club? Any clear tell-tale signs to avoid? A more subjective question is: what is the point of joining a club, especially if you are going to be contributing an annua...	Your fees pay for the running of the club, and your return is that they exist to do some/all of: run bike races, on road or off road or track or whatever. The best thing to figure out to avoid or join a club is to talk to cyclists in your area -- you may want to visit bike shops you trust and talk to the staff there, a...
Effect of salt on bike chain I have seen other questions on this forum where preventive measures against salt water on bike chain are discussed. I have seen them in context to rusting. What I want to ask is that, rusting will be caused by water, then what is so special about salt water ? What effect does salt specific...	Salt accelerates rust because it is an electrolyte. what is so special about salt water Pure water when it dries is gone, there's no residue. Rust is not specific to a chain.
Winter tyres or winter wheels? I've just picked up some lightly studded tyres - winters aren't too bad here but ice can be a problem. The bike is a hybrid mainly used for commuting, with some early starts. Most of my route is theoretically salted, but not all and not always. I'm planning to mount them this weekend o...	One of the advantages of having winter wheels is that you can spec wider rims for the winter season. But yes, you'll have to realign your brakes if your rim width changes or if you switch wheel brand/makes.
is this cassette and chain ring combination good in terms of number of teeth? I recently bought a used bike which has a shimano alivio 8 speed gearset. When I look at the drivetrain, it really looks small to me. Below are the size of them in terms of the number of teeth: chainring: 24t,34t,42t cassette: 11-23T. Is t...	It may also have low capacity derailleur I read that as you already have a bike with this gearing, you're asking if its okay, not whether it will fit and work. The front derailleur has a certain number of teeth it can shift between chainrings, and a largest and smallest cog rating. That bike currently comes with 11-32T...
Can I put a rack on a carbon road bike? I got a carbon-framed Kestrel Talon Road Bike recently but I also want to use it for commuting to and from work and I want a place to put my lock and other stuff on the bike. Is it possible to have a rack on this kinda bike. <Q> It is (strongly) not advisable to put a rack on c...	Yes, you can put a rack on a CF frame, given the right rack. You could get an over-sized seat bag. I have a rack on Carbon Fiber Trek 5000 series frame.
Will strapping salsa anything cages on my suspension fork damage it? Will strapping salsa anything cages on my suspension fork damage it? I'm considering bikepacking, and don't have a rigid fork on the bike I would like to use. I would likely be carrying something of moderate weight like a couple litres of water on ...	It will add a little stress to the shock and possible make it wear more than normal, but it shouldn't be a problem if there's not a whole not of weight in the bag.
Cycle law: definition of Dismounting Some area requires you to dismount your bicycle. So what is the exact definition of dismounting your bicycle? Can you just simply dismount from your bike seat, but keep one foot on the pedal to propel the bike forward? Or do you have to completely dismount and walk the bicycle? <Q...	By definition, dismount means to get off the bicycle. You shouldn't just get off the seat and pedal with one foot or waddle, unless you have additional information that says its okay in that area.
What's this part of the bike, and is it safe to alter it? The video shows someone installing a gps bike tracker, however there is not much room in the top of the head tube, so he hammers down what's already in there in order to make room for the tracker. In this video, (starting at 1 minute 30 seconds) I wanted to...	The purpose of the bolt is to compress the bearing on the headset. The part he hammers down is called the "star nut". Having it moved that low, and something inserted between it and the top cap seems like a bad idea.
Why do skinny tires require less pedal effort? Everyone knows (citation needed) that (at fixed rim diameter) tyres with smaller section require less effort to move around (at least on a paved road). TL; DR. Why? A bit of context. I always thought this phenomenon is due to the size of the contact patch between each t...	By varying the width of the tire, while the contact area stays constant, the shape is different, notably the patch gets shorter as the tire gets wider. There is conservation of energy.
Are 29" and 26" bikes come with different size frames? I am going to buy a cycle. In this regard I got my framesize 20". Now I would like to know is it for 26er or 29er ?? Is frame size will be different for 29er and 26er ?? I am going to buy a GT Timberline. My height is 5' 11.5" inseam is 34.5". I am from Bangladesh...	So, you need to know the frame size you need for the particular model of bike you're going to ride. And theres a good chance that if you ride a 20" 29er, a 20" 26er will be too small for you. When 29ers first became popular many buyers found that many manufacturers did not adjust their size charts to allow for the incr...
Disadvantages of run 650B wheelset on a 29'er I am in need of a new wheel set for my 29'er, and wondering if 650B's are an option. My current bike handles more like a supertanker than a bike. Great for straight lines once up to speed, but if there is a corner, watch out... The 650's are supposed to more responsive tha...	When rolling over the same rough surface, a larger diameter wheel won't drop as far into holes that are smaller than the wheel, so the larger wheel will follow a shorter path and the force experienced at the new contact point as the tyre bridges the gap will be at a smaller angle from the tangent at that point. One thi...
how to remove oil from mtb disk brake at home My cycle has got an front disc brake I not know how but unfortunately few drops of oil got on my disc brake now it was making a very bad sound like a violen and and could even not able to stop my cycle at all now I have only one way to fix it,s you please help me <Q> I use ...	The disc is the easy problem - as already suggest, brake cleaner, alcohol, methylated spirits all work well. If you can afford it, by far the best solution is to replace them.
How can I paint a kryptonite key? I now have 4 kryptonite keys on my key ring that I carry around for my family. These are the ones with a black plastic bulb on the key's bow. In order to make my life easier, I would like to paint it for easy identification. What type of paint do I need to use along with techniques ...	Then, you could use spray paint (there are ones which are marked as specifically good for plastic -- some of the ones which aren't marked this way will peel off), or if you go to a crafts/hardware store store there will be paints specifically marked for plastic use (but crafts store paint is likely be less durable in t...
Is it possible to move a wireless computer between two bikes? I have a cateye velo 7 wireless computer on a Hybrid bike and I use it mostly to check the speed and track my miles like an odometer. I love it, its simple and cheap and works. I recently got a road bike that I am going to use on the weekends and but I wa...	If the tire sizes are different, you'll obviously need to either recalibrate or have the computer have settings for 2 bikes since the circumferences are different.
How to proceed when pedestrians occupy the dedicated bike path? I go to work every day on my bike. In my town there are only few bike roads but luckily one is about half of my way to job, but a lot of pedestrians believe they are bikes and occupy bike path. At this point there are several scenarios. Sometimes they hear...	You really need to check this for yourself, but don't be surprised if you find that pedestrians will have right of way over cyclists, and if there were a collision then the cyclist might be presumed to be at fault. I would say the best approach is not to scare them, do not pass too close and at high speeds. Wait patien...
If I currently have 700x23/25C tires on my bike, will 700x35C winter tires fit? I understand that the first number is the tire diameter, so on that part I know it will fit, and that the second number is the tire width and that's my main concern. I want to put winter tires on my bike and all the studded winter tires th...	If you use a very wide tire on a narrow rim, you risk sidewall or rim failure. That depends on a number of factors specific to your bike (for which you have listed no specifics), but the likely answer is no.
How can I mount my phone and my battery pack to my bike? On long bike rides, my phone dies often. Is there any way I can mount my phone, a galaxy s5, and my battery pack, pictured, to my bike? I'd say that mounting to the handlebars would be ideal, but I'm open to suggestions. Battery pack is a "Fremo P130" <Q> How ...	So I use quite short USB cables to do the connection, and lay the phone on top of the battery inside a top-tube holder like this: Some people ride wearing cycling tops, which generally have a couple of big pockets in the small of the back, so you could put a phone and a battery in there on a short lead and ignore it fo...
How to play video games while cycling on trainer? I'm interested in playing video games while riding the bike trainer this winter. Using a controller with a regular setup would likely require me to sit up on the saddle, possibly setting myself up for some weird / painful conditions due to unusual posture for extended p...	You can ride in sitting position every now and then to stretch your hip and back.
suggestions of affordable clothes for beginner rides? I am new to riding. I have done some research, and found out there are plenty of guides telling people how to pick up cycling gear. But I want suggestions for affordable, good quality clothes. I need advice from someone who actually bought the clothes. I don't nee...	I would look at using a pair of shorts like these under a normal pair of shorts so that you've got a pad to protect your under carriage. For shoes, ideally you want something with stiff soles that doesn't restrict your ankles (like low-top hikers), but really, any comfortable shoes will work.
What can I do to stop my front dérailleur rubbing against the crank arm? I recently changed the crankset of my Cannondale Synapse 5 from the stock FSA Gosssamer crankset to a Rotor 3D24 crankset with power2max power meter. This was a bit of an iffy modification to make - the Cannondale frame has a BB30A bottom bracket ...	You can try modifying the derailleur
which type of bicycle should I consider for bicycle routes I have no experience in biking and have never made any tour/route. I just like riding it. I love extreme and travelling in general and I am planning to start from small bicycle routes. I understand that it is a very general question, but what kind of bicycle wo...	The top thing you need is a bike on which you feel comfortable. Your only real requirement is to make sure it takes larger-sized tyres.
Is there a preferred frame size calculator? I am buying a new road bike. I have looked online for calculators but I am getting different answers on which frame size I should get. I've got 53 cm on a calculator that only considers inseam height and 56 cm on another one that also considers riders height so I don't know w...	Try to find out what stack and reach you need, either by consulting a bike fitter or by measuring a bike that fits you very well.
Would a moist cloth wrapped around the nose be reasonably effective as compared to an anti-pollution mask? On looking at the prices of masks and filters , I figured that it could eventually get rather expensive for me. Moreover, there's an article in a newspaper that these masks don't really help: Don't be fooled ...	To properly filter air, you will need a mask that seals around your mouth and nose and has a proper one way valve(es) and appropriate filters. You cannot obtain the necessary fit using cloth alone.
Should I change my chain? It broke once, but its condition seems rather good Expanding a bit on the title, I ride a 27.5" KTM Peak XT with a 3x10 setup. The chain I'm currently using is of unknown provenience (it was already there when I bought the bike, and it wasn't new). It's been almost one full year with me, proba...	(Poor lubrication is unlikely to cause the chain to break as a first indication -- excessive wear of chain and cogs is far more likely, and the chain will only break when wear has reached extreme levels.) If the rear cassette is near worn out is when I might ride it to get some more miles.
How to get this dustcap off? I have this problem where my pedals seem to be able to be able to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the straight travel of the bike. To take off the cranks, I need to get past a dustcap. Unfortunately, the dust-cap looks like this: That hole in the middle is supposed to be slot for a s...	Get a big flat head screwdriver and use it more like a chisel - wedge the flat under the parts I can see and break them off, trying to break the part that has the thread on it at the same time. Upside is that since it is plastic you'll be able to dig it out.
How to reduce vibrations to handlebars on aluminium road bike Question : How can I reduce the vibrations to the handlebars on an all-aluminium road bike? Either to the rider's hands or to the camera, or both. I have been riding an all-alloy road bike for the last couple months, and while its so much faster than the ...	In theory, wider (and possibly thicker) tires ought to help though that may be anathema on a road bike. For video, I'd opt for an inexpensive helmet mount (straps preferably but sticky pads do work) but if you've got cash to burn then you could look at either a bike or chest mounted gimbal which will produce smooth vid...
How long will this alum frame last? I picked up this very cool 96-97 GT rage from Craigslist with the intention of restoration- a few rusty pinch bolts, spider eggs in the brake hoods, grinding bearings and pitted races, and all the good stuff that comes to a bike living outside for 5 years. I was excited to get my f...	You also have to think about what would happen if the frame were to suffer a critical failure in this position - it will most likely be landing from a drop or, more likely, while sitting and hitting a hole/bump; neither great options and the more likely of the two being much more painful! A crack developing there, is m...
What to wear under tights with fabric padding? I have a pair of performance bike cold weather tights that have some fabric padding where a chamois normally would be. Should i wear these tights over underwear (worry about chaffing), bike shorts (too much padding) with chamois or nothing at all? Never had a pair like th...	The tights your have - err towards the unpadded variety and without actually seeing the level of padding - I would guess a pair of padded shorts should be worn with them.
Why (and how) would someone steal only my innertube? Upon my return from winter holidays, I found that someone had stolen the rear innertube from my locked bike. They took only the innertube : the rear wheel was still there, the chain correctly attached, and the bike otherwise seems untouched (so far at least, for obv...	Pretty simple they needed a tube and decided to steal yours. Perhaps someone was playing a prank on you.
Are there fenders designed specifically for bikes with racks? I have a bike with a rear rack and want to buy a rear fender. Is there any fender that is specifically designed to be used in a combination with a bike rack? <Q> Fenders don't fall into an "ok with racks" or "not ok with racks" category. <S> There may be cer...	Generally speaking, most traditional fender designs will work on bikes with racks attached.
Gear shifts and drive speed on bikes If I am driving in the 5th gear, can I know what is my velocity? Let's assume I am on a perfectly flat surface and moving monotonously. <Q> 1) RPM to rad/s:Firstly determine how fast the front gear is turning, assuming that you are pedaling at one complete revolution per 2 seconds:...	For this you will need to know the gearing ratio from front to back (or number of teeth on each gear), the wheel diameter, and the rate at which you are pedaling. A simple way is to count wheel revolutions directly, this is how most cycle computers work, as you can ignore the gear you are in.
Is it better fitness-wise to ride at the maximum gear? I just wanted to know if I will be doing more effort while riding at the maximum gear all the time, rather than changing gears constantly. My commute is an hour long, but I want it to be tougher on the muscles, I've tried going at the maximum gear all the time but...	If you want to train for endurance, being at the steady state for as long as possible, but working to nudge the steady state up to a consistently higher average. Simply pushing really hard on your gears means you're exerting a lot of force through your knees, and mine ache just thinking about it.
Bike bag options for commuting to and from Airport I've got a quick trip later in the year to Italy and I'm considering biking on my full sized road bike to/from the airport at both ends of the trip. I'll have my trusty Chrome Industries Rolltop 37 with me for clothes/tools but I was wondering if there's a fold-able ...	Check your airline's policy on how bikes should be packaged, but I've managed to fly with British Airways Budapest-London using a giant polythene bag , which I just wheeled in and taped up as the front quick release had jammed.
How useful/valuable is internal cabling? I'm in the market for a new bike. I'm not a club rider but a utilitarian one: I commute on my bike, visit friends and run errands. On average I probably ride 2-4 miles per day, almost entirely on good roads. Very occasionally I'll ride on a rough track like a riverside path. I ...	If you have external cables on your downtube, they can get banged a bit if you lock your bike with a U-lock through the front wheel and triangle. While cleaning the bicycle I find the internal routing handier, because the surface is featureless, thus easier to clean. As many people have pointed out, it is not an especi...
How to equip a bike to avoid parts being stolen I'm looking for a bike (road bike) in Paris , to move around and avoid train and subways. The only thing that I don't want, is to see my bike stolen a week after I bought it. What are the good ideas to keep it's bike when riding in town ? What equipments can be p...	Some ideas to keep the equipment on the bike are: superglue small ball bearing in any hex heads to deter quick removal of that particular part, and wrap a section of old bicycle chain through the seat stays and a rail of the saddle to prevent the saddle and seatpost from being removed. In my experience, which is sadly ...
Can an aluminium frame rust from the inside if water has been in it for some time? My bike has been sitting out in the open for a few months due to lack of space. When I finally decided to strip it down and bring it inside, a lot of water came out of the frame. It could have been sitting there for a few months. The cha...	Some iron alloys such as stainless steel prevent rust. While the aluminum frame itself will be relatively ok, the problem will be your bottom bracket (almost certainly made in part of steel) which was most probably sitting in a big puddle of water.
Worries about a gear ratio of 1:1? I'm planning a randonneur-like bike with drop bars, STI shifters, and nevertheless some low gears. The crankset could be a "compact plus" (I guess from Sugino), 44 and 28 teeths, and the cassette a normal Shimano 105 11-32. With this setup, the second lowest gear ratio would be 28/2...	Unless you are climbing for a long period of time without any changes in gradient that would require changing gears, then I really don't think it's something that will have any real effects. I don't think that 1:1 would be particularly worse than 2:1 (42:21), or 3:1 (48:16). There is very little to no side to side stre...
how to increace the friction between tyre and road While designing a bicycle what are the designing factors to be considered to increase the friction to give more efficiency to the cycle.And what are the other factors that can be considered while designing.my interest is to design a modified bicycle to improve efficien...	Reducing friction (or grip in layman's terms) would cause your wheel to simply spin in circles when you pedal and you would fall down. However if the question actually means, as Mσᶎ believes, the design of any part of a bike then following should be done: You should design tyres (or tyreless wheels) as thin and hard as...
Hard to pedal even on flat street I have a woman's cruiser bike with pedal brakes only. Everything has been working great but when I took a bike ride the other day I was on a flat street and it was extremely difficult to pedal...why and what can I do to fix it? <Q> Start with the easier things before busting out the sp...	It is impossible to accurately answer this with the information provided in your question, however assuming it is because the brake is no longer functioning correctly, I would guess: insufficient grease and/or rusted bearings and/or too much gunk and dirt in the hub. Look for anything wrong, that's anything rubbing or ...
Is it worth wearing a headlamp when cycling as well as having a bar mounted light? Most bike lights seem to be the bar / seatpost mounted variety. Is it worth also having a headlamp for riding? I go cycle touring, ride in the city and do mountain bike xc trail riding. I've got a budget enough to buy something decent....	I also use a blinking pinpoint torch on the helmet which I use to light up reflectors and point out to drivers where I am.
front wheel takes more impact than rear? I was commuting to work this morning and was following a bus, suddenly I saw a huge crack, no time to steering around so just run over it. Then I felt my bike not steering properly. Pulled over and had a check I found the front tyre was complete flat. That must be from the impac...	A rider's weight is positioned behind the front wheel more compared to the rear wheel, so probably contributes to higher impact force at the front over a single crack or bump.
25 degree rise stem vs 6 degree rise stem with taller head tube - how is handling affected? All, I’m shopping for a new road bike with endurance geometry (more upright position and shorter top tube), 9mm drop saddle-to-bars. I’ve had a Guru fit done by a professional fitter. The main problem is I’m 5’5” with 29” inse...	My bike fitter set me up with a stem that has a shorter reach stem and steeper rise to compensate for my aging, stiffer back.
Safely Switch Bicycles before a Century? I did an unsupported century last year on my 30 pound "shop" mountain bike. The first 55 miles were easy but the last 45 or so were pretty horrible. This year, I want to try it again but with more hills. I really don't want to lug my 30 pound mountain bike up the hills, but...	Your core and arms are probably not going to be strong enough to hold you up for a century on a road bike unless you've trained on one. So I strongly recommend switching! If you are going to be around other riders, you need to be able to stop and start and steer safely. Use a rigid fork, use the correct gear for climbi...
How many watts is a good push worth? The other day as I commuted home a stranger gave me a helpful push as I approached the top of a steep hill. It was wonderful, and I immediately wondered if this is what an e-bike boost would be like. Is there some way to calculate how many equivalent watts a nice push produces? Ve...	The faster you're going the more power you get out of a given amount of force or "push".
Presta valve on new tube won't inflate Just replaced a bad inner tube with a new, Presta valve tube. Unfortunately, I seem to be unable to get any air in the tube; I hear air leaving the pump and not going anywhere. I tried investigating the usual suspects: The pump is not sealed on tightly enough: Doubtful; several...	The removable core is not seated properly, and needs to be tightened with a valve core tool.
Shimano Ultegra 6800...what do I need? I'm gearing up for my first bike tour. I have an old motobecane cross bike, I think it's a 2007. I need more granny gears. Right now I have a 9 speed 12-26. I'm looking into the Shimano Ultegra 6800 stuff, and so far it seems affordable with great reviews. My question is, I k...	In reality, you could probably get away without replacing brakes and bottom bracket, although you'd probably find it cheaper to buy the set, rather than to buy the individual bits and bobs.
Bike won't shift at all I have old old 90's Cannondale that has been sitting in a spare bedroom for the last three years just collecting dust (has not been ridden in those three years). I bought a bike trainer over the weekend and so I wanted to throw that bike on the trainer and use it for indoor use. I set it all ...	If you have any doubts about the shifters, putting a few drops on chain lube into the mechanisms there is probably a good idea too. If that's what you have then its likely the grease has gummed up, stopping the under-lever from engaging the release.
Is the balancing easier on big cycles after the kid learns to ride pedal less bicycle? Is the balancing easier on big cycles after the kid learns to ride pedal less bicycle? Kid is 2 years 8 months old. Is this a correct age to go for such a cycle? <Q> If they are steady on their feet and tall enough than a balance b...	Anacdotally, learning on a balance bike (no pedals) first, then transitioning to a pedal bike seems to work very well.
Hybrid, touring, or road bike for new commuter? I live in Los Angeles and have a 2hr commute to UC Irvine by train with bus connections on either side. After doing this for a year, I am looking to start bike commuting to and from the train stations to get back in shape. Because the routes are so different, I'm wonderin...	I like a cyclocross bike fit with touring tires for commuting I'd definitely stick with something that has a comfortable riding position that is going to provide plenty of visibility if you're going to be riding in the city though. You should test both flat and drop bars to see which is more comfortable for you.
Safe to ride with Kenda 27 x 1/38 inch studded tires in snow/ice? I currently have Kenda 27 x 1 3/8 inch tires on my road bike. I live in a snowy, icy city and am a bike commuter in warmer months. I would like to occasionally commute this winter. I am wondering about the safety and challenges of riding with this size o...	They are great for icy patches left by melt/thaw cycles, but definitely less forgiving than a wider tire. If your tire doesn't have a more aggressive tread pattern then you may still have traction issues.
Pedal on exercise bike fell off, not going back on My pedal came off my exercise bike/cross trainer. I have tried putting it back on, but the big screw will only go in so far. It is turning twice then getting stuck. Can anyone tell me what I need to fix this. I don't know the names of the certain parts etc to search m...	It is easy to cross-thread the pedal by having them at a slight angle when screwing them in.
Choosing the right size frame I'm planning to buy a bike. Based on my height (I'm 5 foot 6 inches / 167 cm) people suggested me to go for anything between 17"-18" frame. When I calculated its coming as 17.5" My dilemma is if I go for 17" (43 cm) as the frame is readily available is that right fit? Does 0.5" (12.7mm) ...	One of the better bike fit sites: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp Riding offroad needs more frame/rider clearance than street or park riding. Do you feel natural in your back, neck, and legs while trying that size Choose a comfortably padded seat
Does (square-taper) BB spindle length affect Q factor? I am having knee and ankle trouble on my commuting bike (1993 Specialized mtb) and this has a 73mm BB with a spindle length I haven't measured but there is space between crankarm and frame. I wanted to lower the Q factor and thinking that lowering the spindle leng...	The type of crankset will also affect the Q factor, as some will sit further out than others even with the same spindle length (I've seen cranks which on the same bottom bracket can have more than 1 cm difference in Q factor). In addition to crank arm / chainstay interference, your small chainring may get too close to ...
Tyre rubbing against frame Bicycle : Fixie, it came with fixed gear and freewheel, I use the freewheel cog. Today, after a tire and tube replacement it now rubs on the frame. The new tire is a little bit bigger but this problem existed even with the old smaller tire, just that I managed to keep it clear. It rubs onto ...	Another issue could be how the axle sat in the drop outs, you have to make sure the wheel is completely straight which is often done by drop out tensioner screws. You really should take it to a shop to have it looked at. These fixies are shiny and tight, but the tolerances are narrow and can be annoying to work with.
Need help identifying an old bicycle, unusual frame I was recently given a bicycle by an Italian restaurant, the owner had brought it back from Italy years ago and used it as wall decor. I have since replaced the chain, brake etc. However I am very curious as to how old it is, what it is, or any information. The decal ...	Its doesn't appear to be anything specifically Italian. I agree with the above, I do know that Freyus (frejus) was a french vintage bicycle company that made very nice bikes at one point, however in the mid 80's they were sold to Bianchi, so if I had to guess, It is a new bicycle made by Bianchi but sold under the gene...
Is there more than one ideal seat post height based on type of riding? Assuming one has the correct frame size for one's height, can there be more than one perfect seat post height for the type of riding? I usually ride only in the city with traffic and less than 3 miles one way most of the time. But when I am doing ...	If you spend a lot of time pedalling hard or fast when sitting down you are more likely to want the seatpost high Based on my experience, the initial choice and adjustment of your normal static setup should allow for minor "dynamic" adjustments in your riding position -as necessary. Remember there is a difference betwe...
Why don't standard bike chains have inner/outer combo links so odd chain lengths are possible? I noticed while at an amusement park that on the roller coaster, each link of the chain has what can be considered a combination inner and outer plate. The side plates are somewhat diagonal so they start as an outer then bec...	Manufacturers don't use half link chains, and most people faced with that difference would need a fairly compelling reason to change to a different chain type from manufacture given the price difference.
brakes are wearing out very fast, why? My rear brakes are wearing out very fast. I am on my third set since Christmas (2 months). I have no idea why this is. It is a rim brake. <Q> The mud can form a grinding paste which wears the pads quicker. <S> Damaged rotors - If your rotors are scored or damaged, this can acc...	Assuming disc brakes, some reasons for short pad life could be: Riding conditions - If you're riding in gritty mud, pad life will be shorter than dry conditions. Not bedding the pads in sufficiently - New pads straight out the packet need bedded in before use.
Custom bike to offer smoothest possible ride on bad roads So, I am in a peculiar situation - due to an injury, shaking in any direction leads to pain and my condition is improving very slowly. I'm looking to find/customize a bike so that it offers me the smoothest possible ride on the unfortunately poorly maintained ro...	Race tyres feature lightweight compliant casings that are designed to provide lower rolling resistance whilst sacrificing durability, but for your application, these properties also add comfort. Based on your requirements I would say full suspension fat bike A few manufactures make them That bike is $6500 retail The st...
can only use right hand to brake reliably, due to disability - safer/possible to modify bike? I'm new here and hoping someone might have thoughts on this - had a look and couldn't find an answer elsewhere! Apologies for the kind of long question, and if it's silly, but any thoughts would be appreciated :) My situation...	There is also a company called Surestop whose product I believe works off of one lever and won't engage the front brake until the rear is already engaged, thus making it very difficult to catapult yourself over the bars.
How to fix folding lock holder I've got an ABUS Bordo Lite folding lock and the holder it came with which attaches to the bicycle's frame using two thin metal strips and/or two Velcro straps is now broken: As you can see, the soft plastic strap keeping the lock securely in the "holster" tore. Although the lock itsel...	Another solution might be to cut a ring of aluminium, and pop-rivet it around the hole. As an alternative a short loop of bungee cord would also do the trick (available from camping shops). If you haven't taken the time to yet, you should contact Abus, they are generally pretty proud of their products and stand by thei...
How good or bad would chainsaw bar lubricant be as a bicycle chain lube? A former coworker asked me this today, and I don't have a good answer. He has access to plentiful quantities of chainsaw bar lubricant, the stuff that helps a chainsaw's chain move around the metal support poking out the front of a chainsaw. Bar...	Chainbar lube would be OK as a lube, but far from ideal.
Questions about shifting from a new road cyclist I recently purchased a used bike from my local co-op. I've ridden previously on fixed bikes with straight bars, but this bike is the first one I've owned where I have to shift and use drop handlebars. I've been practising for the last two weeks or so, but am still uncomf...	Lessen the weight on your hand that is not shifting gear. I agree this is probably an issue with bike fit, or just not being used to handling a road bike. If the answer is no, which is what I suspect, try: invert the stem, if you have threadless headset. change the seat angle: change the angle so that the seat prevent ...
Do rollers ruin tires? I started using aluminum rollers to ride indoors this winter and noticed streaks left on the tires. I've also seen tires specifically advertised for use with rollers. I'm wondering whether using the rollers will tear up or degrade a high quality road tire in any way? <Q> It's generally a good...	Rollers don't cause as much tire wear as a trainer does, but they aren't exactly the road.
holes on the inside of metal fork blades, what are they I noticed there are two very small holes on both blades on my new fork. They are on the inner side of the blades at the end of the fork blade just above wheel axis mounting point. They are apparently designed to put there because they are at the same position and ...	Moisture can condense and build up inside frames and cause rusting (in steel frames) or delamination (in carbon fiber). On steel forks the tiny holes at the bottom end of the fork-blade are vent holes for the brazing process.
Make a Bike faster Few months ago I bought this cycle ( http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/2014/bikes/mountain/recreational-hardtails/2014-timberline-2-0 ). Now I would like to make my cycle faster. I would like to know about lubrication. Which lubrication steps can make my bike faster ?? I would like to know more about ...	If the bike is new then no extra lubrication should be required. The major resistance are: aerodynamic drag tire rolling resistance racing tires are going to make the bike faster
Can a carbon fiber bike have rack eyelets? With the new generation of gravel bikes, I was curious if any of them are being made with carbon fiber frames and rack eyelets. Are carbon frames capable of bearing the weight of racks installed on the eyelets? <Q> I have a 2011 Jamis Xenith Endura 2. <S> It is a carbon frame ...	Carbon fiber cannot take point loads like metal
Why are rear wheels dirtier? I have noticed that my rear wheel is always considerably muckier than my front one, after a wet commute. Why should that be? They both travel the same distance and terrain. I assume this is a common experience. Bike has mudguards. <Q> As mentioned in the other answers, there could be seve...	As a result, crud will fall onto the rear wheel more regularly.
Is Shimano Claris compatible with disc brakes? All of the Shimano Claris groupsets I have seen come with cantilever brakes as far as I can tell. Is it possible to get this with disc brakes, would I have to buy the individual components? What would be a good, affordable configuration of components (or entire groupset...	You can use disk brakes with road levers as long as you buy the ones specifically designed to work with road levers.
optimum frame size for very small 5'2" female I have a lady friend who's interested in getting into road cycling. The smallest frame sizes I've seen so far in the market are 48 and, in one instance, a 47. Is this about the most common and/or smallest starting point for frames for these riders? She's average weight (aro...	Different frame sizes work for different people of the same height (depends on leg length, torso, arm length, etc.) Some of the women's specific marked bikes go a bit lower in size than the mens bikes and most major manufacturers (certainly Trek/Specialized/Giant) produce them.
Choosing a road pedal system - Focus on durability What road pedal system can you recommend? They should be durable (pedal and cleats), have no tendency to fail hazardously and work well (a bit of float, support against rotation around the forward axis (unlike SPD), fast and reliable to enter (I can click into RXS...	I'd say SPDs, both the pedals I have used (the cheapest Shimano M520) and the shoes cleet seem to last forever.
Can I inflate to 8bar? I am quite new in the world of urban cycling and I am liking it A LOT.for the sake of curiosity I want my wheels to be as hard as possible, know how this feels and how my bike behaves. As of now, I have a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus 25-622 28x1.00 (700x25C) tires with their complement bicycle ...	You may be pinching the tube with the tire, have holes in rim tape, damage at the valve, something in the tire, etc.
Reverse Gear in Bicycles For an ordinary bicycle (neither fixed gear nor capable of changing any gears). Is it possible to modify it to have a reverse gear on it? (i.e. reverse pedaling causes the bicycle to go backward) (By modifying or attaching components to the rear wheel) Thank you in advance <Q> Such a hub ...	At full stop with the brake engaged continued backward pedal pressure will cause the cycle will move in reverse in a reduced gear .
Is it difficult for one person to ride a tandem bike? About 4 miles away from me, there is a bike hire shop that has tandems. I'm trying to work out the logistics of getting the tandem to my house to pick up the other rider. I'm an experienced cyclist, but have never ridden a tandem before. It's not convenient for bot...	Doesn't seem like too big a deal. It will certainly be more difficult than riding a standard bicycle. And the stoker's bars may get in the way of your backside if you lean backwards. Speed is generally not an issue - I've topped 40 km/h solo on my tandem, and the previous owner exceeded 70 km/h on it on a race, with t...
What to do with my old bike? I have an old, cheap, second hand bike which I use for commuting. I have to leave it on the street for 10 hours every day, it is old with damaged stickers and dirty which makes it less likely to be stolen. It is in awful condition though. It's previous owner drove his car over it or somet...	Moving components to a new frame may require some specialized tools and is likely not cost effective except for high end parts (usually otherwise, reselling the bike is a better idea, but in this case it sounds unethical). If rear hub is loose, it maybe a damaged hub, which will break itself over time (but no one can s...
Chain length when swapping between cassette sizes (11-28 and 11-23) Currently I am running a semi compact 52/36 up front and a 11-28 at the back. I'm planning on getting a 11-23 cassette for criterium races, and have the 11-28 for hillier rides. Will there be any issues with chain length when swapping back and forth ...	A chain length that is fine on 11-23 might not be long enough to go around the larger cogs of an 11-28, causing a disaster. Logically, the longer chain cannot cause a problem. It will work exactly the same if 11-23 is the entire range!
Selecting a GPS device I am out to purchase a (dedicated) GPS device for the outlined below use cases. Trouble is, I have never owned a GPS-enabled device. Furthermore, general articles on "how to purchase sports GPS" seem to vague. What features am I supposed to value most? What "type" of device do I need? Use cases:...	I would value longest battery life simplicity of display least size/weight usability with gloves on In my humble opinion two key factors for your application would be battery life [the biggest factor], or the ability to change or charge the battery, and Durability, considering you will be using it for Ski treks in addi...
When down-shifting my rear derailleur (Campagnolo 10spd) is skipping multiple gears. The problem feels like it is in the shifter as it just "lets go" when I press it. I'm told it could be the G spring. Is it something in the derailleur or the shifter? If its the shifter is replacing the G spring an easy task (doesn't l...	If it's from pre 2007 and is from the lower Campagnolo ranges (Xenon, Mirage, Veloce or Centaur) then it could possibly be a G-spring issue - all of these ranges pre 2007 used a lever mechanism basically the same internally as a Record or Chorus 10s lever - Xenon moved away from that mechanism in 2004/5, Mirage etc in ...
Should I worry about rain getting inside my frame? I commute to work every day and lock my bike on the street. I have a nice saddle so I remove my seat post and take it into work with me. This obviously leaves a hole open to the inside of the aluminium frame. Living in London it often rains. Should I worry about ra...	A hole this small in the centre of the bottom bracket casing will not affect the strength of the frame but will allow water to drain.
Preventing ergonomic handlebar internal rubber cylinders to stick I have a bike with ergononomic handles (Fuxon brand).Those are kept in position (as in prevented to rotate) with a mechanism which fits inside the handlebar. This mechanism works by compressing two rubber cylinders along their axis, so they expand in th...	Final resorts: if you're handy might be to remove the axis bolt and doughuts completely, and drill a small radial hole through your bars and through the plastic end. When tightening, the compression from the rubber rings might/should provide enough tension to hold the nut in place while the bolt turns. And it might cau...

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