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train · 95.7k rows

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Road tyres on mountain bike I bought a Repco Warrior 29 mountain bike 3 months ago. The back tyre is now almost bald and needs to be replaced. Because of where I live there are no bike shops, so I can't buy tyres here and will have to order them from overseas. My problem is that 3 months seems a short time to have to ...	Road tires in general will be very narrow and the beads securing the road tire to the MTB rim may not seat well. It's totally fine to use smooth tires on a mountain bike, if you use it as you describe. Though your q is about 29er wheels, there are a lot of tyres available for 26" wheels that fit this purpose.
Should I go clipless? My bike is a Giant Reign, and I ride in the UK. I like going to local gravity parks and trail centres and my local tracks are mainly downhill orientated but I also like to get out on longer rides. I'm currently running some cheap pedals off an old XC bike and am using skate shoes. When the terrain...	Toe clips on the pedals are stupid and you should avoid them - they have a bad habit of catching things if your foot is not in them properly. If you have a friend with pedals you'd like to try, ask to borrow their bike for a ride.
How to measure and cut chain I am currently building a road bike. I measured the chain using the largest ring and largest cog method , I counted two extra links and cut the chain using a chain tool. Both ends of the chain now have narrow ends. I want to use a power link, I understand that if I use the power link to j...	If your chain is too short, you can jam your RD in large-large.
Cycling training - 220km in 4 weeks I have 4-5 weeks to prepare myself for a one day, 220km ride on a road bike, flat terrain (Germany, Ruhr Valley). This year my max is 70km (I could ride 100km, I'm doing bike rides since 2 weeks ago, have done only 3). I'm training since 5 weeks. Weekly: - gym strength training 3x a...	Another important thing to train for is how to fuel yourself during the ride. As for whether your target is achievable - if you are fit, healthy & motivated - for sure it is.
key broke and stuck in U-lock with bike locked Luck would have it my key broke off when I was trying to unlock my bike. The lock is U shaped ABUS. I've read people had this before, however biggest problem is that bike is now stuck at the school, locked to a metal grid. Half of the key is inside the lock and there is no...	Jam key method - One that may or may not work depending on how deep it broke off, would be to hammer a small screwdriver into the key hole smashing the key fully in. If you live in an area where you don't need a license to use lock picks you can purchase a set. I have also seen this done to actual racks but i wouldn't ...
Nearly getting hit by reckless vehicles. What can be done? Today I nearly got hit by a driver not paying attention: I was stopped, waiting to turn right. She was turning right off theroad. She did not indicate. It was a quiet residential area, daylight. The driver saw me around 1-2 seconds before stopping her car...	The cyclist has no control over whether they do see you or not, so your best defense is to not be in the bad place at the wrong time. The driver could be given a fixed penalty (probably 3 points), or made to go on a driving course, or taken to court, or let off with a warning.
Cranksets for tandem with internal gear hub I am thinking about assembling a trekking tandem bike. I would like to use an internal gear hub and put both chains on the right side of the bike. I have some questions about the cranksets: What cranksets can I use? Can I replace the sprockets on any crankset with bigger on...	Any cranks should do, as long as you can attach two chain rings to the rear spider. If you want one rider to have an easier time of it, look for different length cranks. A different length bottom bracket for the captain or stoker could be used to fine tune that if necessary, but almost all tandems are built with the r...
How to measure handlebar diameter? I don't know my bike's stock handlebar diameter. I am going to upgrade some parts, for handlebar I tried to read any information written on it but there is only it's brand name. Can you help me please? EDIT: Sorry for my poor English. I am trying to mean the "diameter" by "width", li...	A good reference if its a road bar is about shoulder width in the drops.
9 speed Shimano shifter with 7 speed drivetrain Can I use a 9 speed shifter with a 7 speed drivetrain, with good shifting and without needing complex adaptations? I am considering that as an alternative for this need: Using only the brake lever, separated from an integrated shifter/brake Suitable Shimano integrated ...	If you used a 7 speed cassette, with a 9 speed shifter and 7 speed derailleur you would not pull enough cable and the shifts will get mangled. You can try it, but don't expect perfection.
What are my options for correcting a bent aluminum fork? I have a Cannondale ST700. A few weeks ago, I had a head-on collision. At first glance, the bike was fine. But the next time I went to ride it, it pulled to the side when I turned. Turns out my fork is bent backwards (although it is bent evenly). The bike shop th...	So realistically you can fit a new fork to the shock and ride the bike another few Mm, but when the shock needs servicing you will likely be out of luck. It's not clear what is actually bent. The consensus online seems to be that reducing adapters and a standard suspension fork will work for most people, or a rigid for...
Why are most BSOs mountain bikes? All department store bikes, that I have witnessed, are mountain bikes. Many of them are even full suspension and some feature dual-crown forks. Why the lack of BSO (Bicycle Shaped Object) road bikes? <Q> When shopping for BSO bikes, people are just looking for a recreational ride that...	Many BSO's are styled like mountain bikes, probably because the mountain bike features tend to be appealing to people who don't know a lot about bicycles. The appearance of ruggedness is cheaply achieved with inferior components that don't last, are poorly serviceable and heavy. Many BSOs forgo the traditional diamond ...
What is the minimum repair kit/parts I should bring on a 150 mile bikepacking trip? Planning a 150 mile rails-to-trail ride (GAP trail from Pittsburg) with my family of 5. We'd potentially be 10 to 15 miles max from "civilization", probably further from a bike shop. But expect to see other riders on the trail (it's fai...	Sunblock and rain coats and warm clothes. 150 miles isn't all that far, but if I had five people, I'd bring a chain whip, spanner and cassette removal tool, some spoke wrenches (in the right sizes for everyone's spoke nipples) and spokes in various sizes Fully charged cellphones if you expect coverage there, and a USB ...
I have a hybrid bike which the frame is too big, is there any modifications I can make to make it more comfortable? I bought a hybrid bike from halfords around 6 months ago, however i have only recently had chance to ride it. I have found that the frame is too big, they wont exchange or give me a refund. I was wonderin...	If your frame feels large you can get a shorter stem, lower the seat, move the seat forward, get riser bars or 'trekking bars' rather than drop bars. One other option would be to find someone that has a similar quality bicycle that is slightly small for them and trade! One other option would be to show up at your local...
why would my chain slip on the road, but not when the bike is on a stand? The chain on my bike has started to slip a lot -- every couple of seconds when riding. It happens, as far as I can tell, in every gear, and is unrelated to shifting. The precise nature of the problem is hard to diagnose because I can not make it...	If it's a more recent issue, usually this happens due to wear & tear on Chain/Cogs/Chain ring. It is always best option to attach bike stand clamp to seat post (beneath the seat) and not on some other part of bike frame (where center of gravity is) where you can accidentally stretch cables.
Shoulder pain caused by messenger bag? I have a professional messenger bag (chrome mini metro messenger) I have been carrying for about 2 months. The bag weighs around 3 lbs and I generally carry about 4 lbs of stuff in it. Biketools, phone charger, gloves etc. Its less than 8 lbs and I still get shoulder pain. I am ...	I've also found that a loose bag, which can move around a lot, can cause pain while biking versus a bag that is held snug (but not too tightly) on long rides.
My rear wheel isn't properly spinning. How can I tell whats wrong? I'm just getting back into cycling after a long hiatus. My bike is a little old and worn and its got some issues. The biggest one is the rear wheel. My rear wheel spins, but it seems to be off center. When I look at the wheel spin the distance between ...	If you have put the wheel in out of line this could also be the problem, loosen the nuts, and use the frame to realign, ie make sure that the gap on either side is the same using the frame as a guide, tighten up gradually,
Why/how did flat bars take over? Is there a verifiable reason for the ubiquity of flat bars on bikes these days?-- if so, what is it? It seems that 90% of the time I see people riding a newish bike that isn't a Dutch bike/roadster , they are holding their arms straight out in order to grab onto some flat piece of m...	The explosion of MTB bikes in the 80's and 90's (which featured flat bars). Flat bars are easier to learn on than drop bars (unless the latter have interrupter brake levers). Some people (e.g. me) like the extra height of flat bars for seeing and being seen over cars.
50/34 vs 52/36 crankset for 11-32 cassette (shimano 105 5800FC) Following up on this enlightening answer , I would like to know the differences between 50/34(compact), 52/36(mid-compact) and 53/39 (standard).The cassette I am choosing is 11-32 to give me a wider flavour of gears but normally I don't use the lower(bigg...	Importantly, you should consider what cassette goes best with the chainset you have chosen. 50/34 with and 11/32 on the rear is going to be very spinny. If you are riding the very steepest of mountains - than the 34/32 combination might be what you are looking for. Choosing a big widely spaced cassette like an 11/30 me...
Inner chainring bent on 6 week old MTB I bought a new Voodoo Bizango 2015 6 weeks ago. When I was out earlier I changed down and the chain somehow got wedged between the 2 front chainrings (It's 2x10) and bent the inner ring. I've read on here that this just shouldn't happen unless the chainring was a bit dodgy. Do y...	A chain shouldn't even come close to fitting between the chain rings if all the parts are selected to work together. Work with your bike shop to come to a resolve that makes everyone happy. This could also void your warranty. If you are a do it yourself person, you could remove the right side crank, remove the small sp...
What's the strongest way to bond a cable stop to an aluminum frame? I recently picked up another well loved GT road bike frame- it's in great shape aside from a missing downtube cable stop. The model is a ZR 4000 probably from 1999, it's 7005 heat treated aluminum. My best guess is that the cable stop was originally gl...	From the looks of it the original was only glues around the edge which is probably why it came of.
replacing wheels on a hybrid running on 700c Using 700c wheels limits the choice of tyres and when touring tyres might be hard to find. Is there a problem in using 26 in wheels instead. <Q> Brakes, tyre clearance, and lowered ground clearance are the three points. <S> If you have rim brakes, give up now. <S> They s...	Tire/Tyre clearance should be okay because your new rim would be smaller.
How do you clip your helmet to your bag when not wearing it? I've been using a carabiner through the strap to clip my helmet to my backpack. But it seems clumsy, and the helmet dangles around a lot. I've seen other people with helmets closely mounted on a bag. How do they do it? Is there some kind of clip for this ...	There is also possibility to use rubber strap with hooks to fasten your helmet.
Can I use a hardtail for MTB trail riding? So, I have a tight budget of 600 USD. Now, I just wanted to say that I live in a big city, but I do want to ride trails more often. My intended use with the bike is to ride trails, and perform techniques like bunny hopping, manual, etc in order to ride streets. But after resea...	First and foremost... Yes, you can definitely ride trails on a hardtail and it will help you get lots of technical skills that a full suspension bike wouldn't give you, unless you jumped class (enduro) on a trail bike. For your budget I would look for a good quality second hand bike,
Bicycle crank is wobbly My bicycle's crank is sorta wobbly - it tilts left or right, according to pressure applied to pedals. How do I fix it? What tools do I need? Video showing the wobble. <Q> The "bottom bracket" assembly is loose. <S> Or there may have been some sort of failure of the bearings. <S> Regardles...	It may just be that it's a one-piece "cartridge" and is rattling around in the frame, or it may be that the unit is "loose bearings" and the bearing caps need to be adjusted. Although your best option would probably be to take it to a shop. Tool wise if it is this style of BB you should be able to dissemble it with bas...
Will using this kind of parking rack damage the wheel? In Copenhagen, there are many of these parking racks (as shown in the picture), usually people (like me) will just slip the front wheel in and lock the bike. After using them for a while, I happen to notice the front wheel of my bike appears to be slightly bent. I ...	These stands don't hold the bike very well because if the friction grip fails, the bike can roll/move backwards and then fall over as the steering turns. Either luck just the wheel or use a cable lock.
Increasing stamina while in the office I started to bike again after 3 or more months of hiatus. I'm currently using a XXS Merida Scultura 300 (I previously used a Trinx R300 needed to upgrade because of the wrong geometry). Thing is I lost most of my stamina from my break (no exercise, lots of carbonated drink intake)...	Whilst about your cadence and your trouble clipping in and out, I guess all you can really do is put more time with the bike to have a better feel of what you can do... Parking or getting off the bus a few blocks away from work and then walking vigorously the rest of the way can help your overall aerobic fitness. Many ...
Is cycling with crystal sunglasses dangerous? I'm a commuter cyclist. I have a pair of Persol sunglasses with leaded crystal lenses. Do y'all think this is dangerous in case of an accident? I have terrible thoughts of wrecking and glass shards going into my eyes, but I'd rather not carry two pairs of sunglasses. Thanks...	Most times glasses will break at the frame before the actual lens shatters. Contacts for commuting would be one option, switching to the glasses if preferred once at work or wherever you're commuting to. Generally when there is an accident, bike or no bike, your bodies natural tendencies to guard your face kicks in, yo...
Help with the bicycle gearing I'm new to road bicycle with gears. I have 3 gears in front and 8 at the back. The principle behind Bicycle gearing is too difficult for me to understand. Please tell me what gears to use When riding on a level roadWhen riding up a flyover bridge and When riding down a flyover bridge. ...	If pedaling is too hard, shift to a lower gear. For downhill, you should use the biggest front gear
Is it OK to leave my bicycle unlubricated for a day after a hose-down? I just cleaned my bike with low pressure water but I don't have any lubricant. I left it to dry in my basement with the window left open. Is there any chance my bike will malfunction or rust before tomorrow when I buy some lubricant? <Q> No, of cou...	Washing it and letting it unlubricated for long period of time will cause you some issues.
Can I use 26" electric hub wheels on a vintage road bike? I got this old road bike that I bought for $20 and fixed up a bit. I'm having to use it for a very long commute in the meantime until I can get other transportation so I was looking at a cheap electric kit solution. The mid drives are too expensive because my ...	Wheels under the 26" designation (common on mountain bikes) usually have a 559 mm rim diameter. The cheapest way to get those intended hub drives installed into something resembling a bicycle is to get a different twenty dollar bicycle: one which takes that size of wheel.
Why is buying a bike as a whole cheaper than buying separate parts and building it? At least in Indonesia it is. Know why? <Q> Economics of scale. <S> The retailer not only must necessarily buy in lower volume, but also typically buys through one or more layers of middlemen, each layer adding their cut to the whole...	For instance, when a bike manufacturer buys thousands of groupsets directly from a component manufacturer, they get a significantly better per unit price than a retailer can. The separate parts (tomatoes, apartments) may be sold to different customers that have different needs, where the entire system (box, building) c...
How to handle vibration (big bumps, etc.) on flat bar when touring? I've got a fully-rigid mountain bike with flat bars that I'll be using on a 150 mile bikepacking trip on a "rails to trails" trail. So it'll get a bit bumpy. My hands get a little sore from all the bumps. What I've tried I'd rather not lower my ti...	Depending on whether or not you use gloves, they do make some that have gel in the palms that may help reduce vibration some if you're not already using them. I've found that the main solution is a good basic grip postion combined with the ability to grip differently for a while. I can even lay my hands on top of the b...
How can I tell if a tire contains slime? I recently had an inner tube on my mountain bike changed, but it was my wife that actually took the bike in to the shop for service. When it came back I noticed the stem has a blue cap rather than the typical black cap. I have seen slime inner tubes that have a green cap, so i...	You may feel the slime circulating in the tire.
Heavy Rider (300lb+) - Please recommend a 26" tyre to avoid tyre pinch I ride a hybrid on 26" rims currently fitted with hybrid tires. As I am 300lbs+ the rear tire runs permanently deformed/flat and the rims ride over the rubber causing tire pinch. Can anyone recommend the tyre tube combination that I should try to ...	A normal tire on the high/maximum pressure works fine to avoid pinch flats. Another good beefy tire the Schwalbe Big Ben tires.
Bicycle design for a crooked hip One of my hips turns out a bit more than it ‘ought’ to. It doesn't affect my walking, but on a bicycle it means that my knee on that side must transmit force at an unnatural angle. It was less of a concern when I was younger and lighter, but even so it's probably why I had considerabl...	Similar to the other answers it would be worthwhile getting a professional to assess your current bike fit (and potential modifications that may be required). leather hammock saddles (e.g. Brooks) break into a custom form fit for each rider.
What groupsets are compatible with my bike? Question Speaking generally, what things do you need to check about your bike (e.g. rear hub width and type, braze-on vs clamp on front derailleur attachment points, etc) in order to determine what groupsets are compatible with it? Background/ specific example I have a 201...	Make sure that the new brake levers are compatible with your existing brake calipers. You should be able to get either a 10- or 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset for this bike and have it work fine, provided you:
Pain in right leg, related to asymmetric leg position? I've been cycling two years now and have only just noticed mainly from using my new turbo trainer that when I'm pedalling my left leg is about 1" or so from the top tube whilst pedalling but my right leg is 4-6" away from top tube. Ordinarily this wouldn't concern ...	Often flexibility issues can cause us to modify our pedal stroke to compensate, including knee deflection, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries.
Aero wheel on front, regular on back - why? I've seen a lot of riders in the city, usually fixe riders or courriers, riding bikes with an expensive aero wheel on front and a regular, cheap-looking, un-aerodynamic alloy wheel on back. Why would anyone do this? The main reason I can think are that: Ones budget is ...	It has also been claimed that messengers favoured Aerospokes, Tri-spokes and like because those are faster to lock: instead of carefully threading you could just throw a chain through one. Rear wheels break more often because they have more stresses. Other reason to have a setup like this is that it looks radically dif...
Can't find the B-tension screw in rear derailleur I am trying to register my old rear derailleur (a 15-year-old Shimano "7sis"), and I'm trying to find what every guide calls the "B-tension screw". I looked everywhere and couldn't find anything that looks like it. I only have the two screw for the upper and lower limit...	I have adjusted the "B tension" on old bottom-end Shimano junker derailleur very similar to this one. Though there is no screw for the adjustment, what you can do is drill another hole for the B axle spring, to create a lower tension position that will bring the jockey wheel closer to the cog for better shifting (which...
What is this spring between the fork and the frame? Sometimes on a bike I see a short spring, most often covered in rubber, connecting the fork with the frame: What is the purpose of it? The only thing that comes to mind is stabilising the fork so it does not wobble to the sides so much. Is that its purpose? Why do s...	The purpose of such a steering damper is to stop the front wheel from turning when using a (two-leg) kickstand or while pushing the bike. I think the spring reproduces some of the trail that would otherwise be absent.
Is it worth buying a second hand classic road bike for commuting? I am looking for a substitute for my commuting bike. It is a cheap second hand general store bike. It do the job but just don't worth keep maintaining. But at same time I have to keep my bike outside for 10 hours a day in place where several bikes where ...	If you ride clipless, you will probably want to add the same kind of pedals you have on your main bike. Check it for stuff like rust in hard-to-see places (small bolts etc.) The thief will not want to mess with your bike and just go to the next lock he sees.
How do I know when it's time to pump up my tires? I've been cycling for several months now. However, I have had the misfortune of having two bicycles stolen from me, so I've never had a single bicycle for more than a few months. With time passing, I've been thinking I might need to pump up my tires some. The thing is, ...	You'll have to play with the pressure to get a properly inflated tire . Ideally, you'd check before every ride, but for most people, weekly is a good enough option. You may also use different pressures depending on season or other conditions.
What is a good daytime nutrition plan for evening racing I've joined a local road racing league, it's lots of fun. I'm pushing myself and breaking lots of PBs in the process of trying not to get dropped (which I inevitably do). As well as the craft of racing, I'm also learning about the logistical side of holding down...	Nigel ensures his team have their pre-race meal 3-4 hours before getting in the saddle. Eat a normal healthy balanced meal, including a moderate amount of carbohydrates. As well as fluid, juices also provide a source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, with out the bulk of whole fruit and veg. Arrange to get a good...
Which components affects downhill speed? So my riding buddy can never keep up with me downhill. I'm slightly heavier than him (5-10lbs). I have an older non aero bike. He has a newer aero bike. His is probably a few lbs lighter than mine. I have a better aero position than he does. But I don't just go a littl...	There are many things slowing you and your buddy down, the largest factor being wind resistance. Slick tyres also contribute to the step-out-happiness of a wheel, so check and compare the tread too.
How tight should your stem valve nut be? I just got new schrader valve tubes that have the rim fitting nut on them. Since this question has not been asked on here before, what is the proper tension that the nut should meet the rim? My understanding is that the nut prevents the tube from slipping in the rim and being d...	I think an overly tightened nut can cause a leak at the point where the metal valve stem is fixed to the rubber tube.
Would Tri-Bars be advantageous for a 260 mile 2 day event At the end of August I am organising and completing a solo 2 day bike ride for charity that will be around 260 miles in length. The longest I have ever done is 105 miles in one sitting, about 6 and a half hours in the saddle. The first day of my event will b...	They are not worth the extra position, but they are worth the aero advantage and reduced ride time / increased speed. I first used tri-bars (sometimes referred to as aero-bars) for long rides back 30 years ago, on a touring bike. I think you're the only one who can determine if they'll be an advantage to you. With the ...
Frame Or Paint Crack (Cannondale Super Six Carbon) I am about to pull the trigger on a used 2012 Cannondale SuperSix bike. This would be my first bike and I'm very excited. However I am a bit concerned about some cracks. Seller claims paint is cracked and not the carbon frame but I have my doubts. I wanted to see w...	Especially with carbon fibre and other materials that can fail in non-obvious ways, a common reason to sell is that the bike has failed in some way that's not going to be easy for the buyer to tell before they buy it. Be upfront with the seller - tell him you're uncomfortable and would like to have a bike shop take a l...
Loading front wheel in a sharp turn? When turning sharp at high speed, does it make sense to shift the weight to reduce risk of skidding? I do not see the point of doing so. Both wheels are leaned at the same angle against the ground no matter how the weight is distributed. Whether the wheel starts to skid depends onl...	In order to correct the cornering, the front wheel needs to 1) counter-steer, to balance the leaning, and then 2) change the steering appropriately.
Should an amateur attempt truing a wheel I was in a bicycle crash recently, and noticed afterwards that the wheel was out of true (it hits the brakes once every revolution). The damage doesn't seem extreme to me though: it's not visible just by looking at the tire. I have little experience with bike maintanance or repa...	After a successful treatment the rim may clear the brakes, but braking will be strange. It's easy to go too far and come out the other side! If possible, go to your local bike shop and see if the bike mechanic will help you the first time... Don't use excessive force and take your time If you do round the nipple, you c...
Heart rate monitors for Cycling I am an absolute novice around heart rate monitoring and its implications, just trying to validate/argument my knowledge through a discussion here. I do 30 kms a day commute and upto a 100 km a day on the weekends, Over the past one year, I haven't seen a significant dip in my weight, ...	If your using other apps like Garmin connect, Polar etc a dedicated monitor and strap has more advantages. On the road I'll keep an eye on HR and use it as confirmation of perceived effort. The Wahoo kickr is a simple cheap option to use with your phone if you only using Strava. I would definitely recommend going the A...
Potential risks of sitting upright on the saddle during a daily commute I ride my bike to work Monday through Friday, about forty minutes both ways. The elevation changes a bit but not too much. I'm not a huge fan of holding the handlebars, and I often ride with no hands for as much of the distance as I can. I know ...	I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure I bruised my tail bone due to extended up-right sitting on a hard road bike seat. The downside (apart from balance) is that you can't get the same amount of power into the pedals since you are less stable and don't have anything to push/pull against with the rest of your body.
can I use my road bike off road? I have several bikes. I noticed that 90% of times I go on road so I got myself a road bike. But, can I use it for off road? Nothing extreme maybe some dirt roads or with small stones or poorly maintained roads. There is a really small amount of rains here so mud it is not a danger. The...	The problem comes if you have a soft surface that cannot support your tire pressure or sharp rocks that puncture a thin road tire. There's a whole sport - cyclocross - that involves riding road bikes off road.
What is the best pedalling technique to heal and prevent patellar tendonitis? I have a very mild case of patellar tendonitis. But, it is a chronic and recurring problem I have been dealing with since 2011. I get it mainly from playing tennis. But, I notice that when biking I can also agravate it a little. I bike on...	What you want to do is pedal by pushing down with your heel first.
What are the benefits of drop bars? I come from a mountain biking background but I've also done a lot of cycle touring but I chose to go with flat bars and bar-ends vs drop bars. I've also seen bikes that are designed for 'bike packing' such as the Salsa Fargo sporting drop bars. Recently I've done more road biking ...	But for most people, the same bike won't work well with drop bars and flat bars because changing the bar changes the riding geometry. A secondary advantage is you can also change how aerodynamic you are and your body geometry with respect to the bike by shifting around and using different hand positions relatively easi...
Choosing the right bike size I'm looking to get the Trek Domane 4.3 and debating between a size 54 and a 56. One shop I've been to told me I'm a 56 and another said 54. According to Trek's sizing chart I'm 56. I am 5 9" with an inseam of 30.5". Which is the right size for me? Btw, I prefer not to replace any parts or m...	You can look up the geometry chart for the model you are interested in to find the Virtual / Effective Top Tube Length and pick the one closest to your optimum. If you feel like 56 is too big and 54 too small go for the smaller.
Have I damaged my tyres? I noticed after mounting some new tyres that part of the side wall, just above the bead, seems to have been damaged while I was fitting them (see photos below). These tyres were especially difficult to mount, even with the bead seated in the rim's bead well all the way around. So tight, in ...	Those strings are quite common with continental tires and seem to be a part of their manufacturing process. To speed it up you can also put the tire in a vice and pull on the top of the wheel to try and force the bead to seat. As an aside, many recommend against running fenders with knobby tires, as the knobs can pick ...
Will hydraulic brakes work with vertical underseat recumbent handlebars? I have this type of recumbent. I want to upgrade to hydraulic brakes, but every bike shop warns me about the issues that will come from attaching the brake levers in a vertical position. They say that it will catch air very quickly. Do I have any...	With brakes where this is a problem, you could take the rather extreme step of closing the reservoir while immersed in brake fluid (after carefully turning and vibrating to release air bubbles). This bike I switched from cable to hydraulic after cooking the brakes on a downhill, and I haven't had any problems in about ...
Training to become a good cyclist I am a road cyclist but not a professional one.I am 21.Do you know a long term training,starting from zero, that can help me to become a good cyclist?I am 1,75 cm tall ,weigh 65 kg.My average bpm is 60 and maximum is 208,spo2 is 97%.I can train indoor 4 times per week.My goal is : 80km...	Assuming you mean a fast cyclist, your best long-term plan is to find ways to enjoy or otherwise remain motivated to train year-round so that you can be consistent for the next many years. And like any tool has to be used in the correct way (training).You can still get away with using a heart rate monitor - and they ar...
Carry road bike inside an SUV I'm in the process of getting a road bike. I already have a SUV with interior space large enough to carry a road bike. Worst case, I might have to remove the front tire and place it horizontally. Are there any problems in carrying a bike inside of an SUV by placing the bike horizontally? <...	Additionally, if your brakes are not properly bled and have air in the brake fluid reservoir, transporting your bike horizontally might get the air into the brake and reduce the brake's performance. Bottom line is: for a few times, if you plan to only do it once in a while or just meanwhile you get a proper rack (eithe...
What to pack for small 500km touring? I recently bought BTWIN Triban 520 (drop handlebars) for exploring into road biking and decided the best way to do it would be probably touring. I'm not looking to race but probably for endurance and planned this small tour of about 500km biking through Netherlands & Germany. The...	For 5 days with couch surfing and a good weather forecast in the summer you don’t need more than arm and leg warmers. I suggest reading random cycle touring sites and travelogues to get an idea of what people do and how they travel, in the area where you're likely to be riding. Do carry standard bike tools and spare tu...
What is causing this chain clicking noise? The click only happens when the chain is moving in certain locations. If the gear is low it happens every rotation and if the gear is high it happens 2 or 3 times per rotation of the pedal. I am trying to figure out if the chain is stretched or somthing is wrong with the cass...	Take the chain off, and feel it for stiff or grotty link. If the chain is too wide, it would have the same symptoms (grabbing the ramps)
Other than chain length, what are the limitations to the number of gear teeth? I need to replace my chainwheel and cassette, and it made me think. I know that the chain has to be a specific length relative to the number of teeth on the gears. I was thinking about changing the cassette for one which a bigger 1st gear. ...	Wether it is the range in chainrings, cassette or both you need a right size rear derailleur. If you need more chain, your local shop probably has bits left over from other bikes.
Indoor cyclist keeps popping out of clips I bought a pair of Shimano indoor cycling shoes with two hole cleats to wear during my spin classes. Unfortunately, during my classes, I snap out of the clips. I know part of it must be my form but I think another part is that the clip isn't held in like mountain bike shoes a...	If you can't get the tension to adjust and swapping the cleats doesn't work (if you're using SH-56), normally indoor cycling bikes have toe clips available as well. Pedalling smoother will also help. And try to pedal straight, as in keep your feet pointed directly forward all the time.
Derailleur adjustment: front or rear first? When adjusting both front and rear derailleurs, which should be done first? <Q> If the derailers just need minor tweaking (they are basically in adjustment but are "not quite right") <S> then you adjust the one that is obviously wrong, check the overall adjustment again, then...	It is far easier to adjust the derailleurs by sight, so that rear one lines up with cogs and front one has correct limits, than try iteratively adjusting until the shifting is smooth.
I have a bicycle that is yet to have been identified by anyone It's a five speed with a Nervar crankset The rear derailleur is a Huret Allivet The single friction shifter lever is located on the downtube Remnants of a "Made in France" sticker cling to life close to said shifter It has a headbadge that is duplicate...	If you're refurbishing it, throw away the old cable inner and outers and fit new ones for brakes and gears. 1970's wanna-be-a-racer French bike. Significant amounts of rake on the front fork (looks quite "bent") Search for Motobecane Grand Touring on ebay for photos 100% sure this was made by Motobecane.
Should I ask for my money back - crack in Titanium frame About 2 years ago I got my new bike - an Enigma Ti bike. The frame was customised for Di2 and I had hydraulic disk brakes fitted. An expensive bit of kit that was supposed to last forever and make my commutes a pleasure.I love the bike, it's fantastic but yesterd...	It would seem that a £5,500 bike that lasts less than two years isn't of "satisfactory quality", but I would be surprised if the shop simply gave you a refund. They should replace the frame and rebuild the bike for you. The frame was several years old, had seen some heavy use, and the frame, forks and handlebars were p...
Bike pulses while applying the front brake. I'm unsure what the cause is Once per rotation of the front wheel, when braking, the bike pulses under me. The brakes are calliper rim brakes. Swapping wheels out fixes the problem - so it is definitely wheel related The wheel is true I can't see or feel anything differen...	If those wheels have significant mileage on them, you should worry that the rim wall (and braking surface) has become too thin and is bending under the pressure of the pads. On the other hand if you find that it does not occur at the same spot every time, maybe the problem is elsewhere. Wheels are very strong and can s...
Possible cause for Google Maps / bicycle odometer divergence (tire size setting correct) I have plot my exact route from home to my office using Google Maps. By exact, I mean that I took nearly every turn and change from auto-calculated route to match my exact route into consideration. Google Maps claims that my route...	The small weaving motions you make while riding to stay balanced also add to the distance, especially for the front wheel. Then I suggest also getting a proper map and making sure google's scale is correct.
Tall rider - good cockpit/body position for downhill I have been riding mountain bikes since a long time, and I am riding only downhill/bikeparks since 2009. I've had several bikes, but I've never been in a real comfortable position when riding (or if I was, the bike was not good enough) : I feel that my upper body sta...	Also, you can get stems with adjustments for angle and length, but they're a lot heavier and some have a reputation for undoing themselves after a while. I was taught that to get the best brake angle you should stand behind the seat, feet on the floor and reach for the bars. But as far as stem, I go with what is recomm...
Am I ready for a century? I've just learned of a local century ride that is only 2 weeks away. I'd like to join, but not sure if I'm ready. I've been commuting by bike for the last five years. The last year of my commuting has been 18 miles/day that I do at least 4 days/week. Over the last 2 months, I've done several w...	Another key thing that you haven't mastered is your food and drink regime for the ride. If you can do a 50 mile ride, you can do a century. If you can be seated on a bike for 6 hours in a day , you can do this ride.
stop air leak when disconnecting inflator from presta valve Presta novice question. When removing the adaptor and quickly screwing the inside core down, air escapes. I've changed from a short Zefal pump to using a compressor. The tire says 50-60 PSI, but by the time it is disconnected I lose a lot of air. Do I go with ...	But the tube shouldn't leak any air when the Presta core is unscrewed before or after you connect the pump; at that point you should have to push on the little knob that you unscrew to make air come out.
How much longer will my 10 year old frame last? My friends say it will last forever, and not to worry about it.Online results show anywhere from two years to 25. I have no clue what to expect!! Let me give some context. I bought a decade old Specialized Epic Comp for about $550. There are no real problems with it. I n...	More practically, if you carefully inspect the bike for obvious cracks, dents and other major damage, and don't find any, it's probably safe to ride. It may last for years and years as we are talking of an alloy frame, but it is not unbreakable.
Is there a type of bottle cage that doesn't scratch bottles? I have bottle cages similar to these ones and I don't like that my bottles get scratched after a while. Will this also happen with plastic or carbon fiber cages? I don't like the idea of having to buy new bottles every time they look all scratched. Any tips...	Depending on cage design, you may find that plastic or carbon fiber cages don't scratch bottles as much (but you have essentially some light paint on a water bottle, and if you rub it enough with any bottle cage it will eventually come off).
Stripped threads on left crank on the first ride I just purchased a new road bike and had a friend assist me in the assembly. There must have been a problem because it fell off after only 2 miles of riding for the very first time. I used a pedal wrench and tightened it. The pedal was indicated as being the "left" pedal...	Depending on the amount of damage to the threads, it may be possible to sort-of screw it back in the wrong direction, which will damage it even more. Warranty may be void if you attempt to repair it yourself.
Headset wobble after tightening I own a Cannondale Super Six 105 (Ultegra now) Carbon 2012 bike and I can't stop the wobble in the headset. If I tighten down the top cap (with 6mm hex) I can get rid of the wobble (hands on the drops holding brakes - headset has a fair bit of play) but I cannot move the wheels freely w...	Tighten the interior (the 5 mm inside) compression nut in place, then restart your headset adjustment process and hope that you haven't damaged the headset by riding it improperly adjusted. This setup is inappropriate for a carbon steertube since it damages the carbon. The bearings in the tube had worn out significantl...
How can I check if my bike is safe for touring? I have an old second-hand bike that I use daily for commute, and in a few weeks I want to take it on my first bike tour around Europe. I'm a bit worried, since the bike is quite old (has some rust spots, a loose spoke or 2, etc.), that it might not be the safest thing t...	Get the bike serviced, giving yourself enough time to thoroughly test it, so that if the service introduces any problems, you discover them long before your trip.
Frame manufacturer not covering crack as saying it was crash damage My Ti frame developed a huge crack in the frame a week or so ago. A pain I thought bit it'll be covered by warranty... The frame builder is now saying that it's crash damage. I really really doubt it's crash damage. I have fallen off this bike twice...	There is no way you can prove your case one way or the other, so you're reliant on the goodwill of the manufacturer. Keep a record of the contact with the company, try to follow their warranty procedure. If you're sure that the warranty exclusion isn't valid (crash damage), then it'd be worth getting an independent opi...
Disassembling crank on a 2006 Trek Pilot 2.1 I'm trying to disassemble the crankset on my 2006 Trek Pilot 2.1 ; the bike has all OEM parts. The crank is a Bontrager race crankset, which I'm to understand is a a rebranded Truvativ crank. For a bottom bracket, it uses an SRAM Giga X Pipe (GXP) . The crank is a two-p...	With the cups on tightly and nondrive side crank off, you may also try rocking the drive side crank arm back and forth I did try to bash it out by reassembling everything and applying wood + hammer to the spindle end.
Any drills for looking while riding? I have come to believe that the major skill when riding singletrack is scanning the terrain. After any turn there could be a hiker, a fallen log or just a boulder that you didn't memorize during the last pass. From then on, the reflexes, embedded in the muscle memory, kick in and br...	Don't point your eyes, don't even just point your head - point your chin where you want to go
What parts needed with new chainring? I've read that the chainring is that spikey gear wheel at the bike's pedals that the chain egages with. The teeth on that chainring are so worn on my bike that the chain jumps off depite adjusting the derailleur. The teeth of the chainring at the back wheel don't seem as worn,...	As with the chain rings, if you change the number of teeth you may need to adjust or replace the rear derailleur.
Is there a technique/tool to assist with rear derailleur high, low, and index alignment? Everything I read gives this picture like this: Yet the reality of this alignment, it can be somewhat difficult. Is there a better technique or tool to help get the high, low, and index shifting alignment perfect? Or is visual ...	Roll the adjuster until the derailleur is aligned with the smallest gear and spins quietly. Visual alignment will get you close. Well, the first thing to check is if the derailleur (usually the hanger) is bent .
How old is this rear steer skip tooth tandem? How old is this Tandem Rear SteerSkip tooth?? <Q> This looks like a prototype or maybe even a home-made version due to the way the horizontal cross tube for the second rider looks unevenly cut off just before reaching the first rider's seat post. <S> Dating will be a bit ...	Might be hard to do as the paint looks a lot newer than the bike and may have filled in the letter/number stamping on the frame, or any mounted/welded/riveted ID plates. i did find a serial number on the bottom of the front pedal shaft housing. I'm making an educated guess it is at least pre-World War 2.
Can these shifters be fixed? Scratches? I got into an accident where my handlebars got bent. They are very firm and do not seem to budge with force, but I'm a small guy. Can they be fixed? Can I do it myself? What tools would I need? How much would it cost for someone else to do it? Is this considered major damage, or ...	If it is the case that the handlebar itself is actually bent (which I think is unlikely; if this was the case, the brifter would likely be toast), I'd just buy a new handlebar.
Can a belt driven bike be used in a hilly area? I have been thinking about getting a Canyon Commuter 4.0 but I am worried about the internal geared belt driven system this bike has. The only ones that come with a pannier rack are the belt driven models. How would it perform on a hilly commute? Is it ideal? I climb ab...	Yes, the gearing should be fine. But the internal hub has more moving parts, so is slightly less efficient than derailleur based system, meaning you have to pedal a bit harder. There is no sign of wear in the belt, but the hub sometimes slips in 5th gear (the direct drive ratio) which means it might be time to strip it...
Should I seal the open spoke holes on my front rim? I have a 16 spoke front wheel on my road bike. The hub is an oddball Shimano one with 16 big nipples at the hub end instead of the rim end. This wheel also has a 32 hole aluminium/aluminum rim: I washed the bike in the weekend and dried it in the sun, then hung it...	But more importantly it will help you keep out small bits of gravel that could otherwise end up rattling around inside your wheel. First, you seal them with some substance which could actually wear the tube (this would be difficult because there should be rim tape in there).
How do I buy a used bike? Since we have a lot of questions asking about buying a used bike, I thought we could do a community wiki on how to buy used bikes as a be-all, end-all. There are a few main questions: 1) How do I check if a used bike is safe to ride ? 2) How do I assess the value of a used bike? Feel fre...	Well, the simple answer is a bike is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.
Town bike intermittently harder to pedal I have a Dutch town bike with backpedal brakes ( omafiets ). I live in Amsterdam where it's flat and have checked the tires are fully inflated. Originally the bike was very easy to pedal and often it still is. However, sometimes it feels about 20-50% harder to pedal. For exampl...	A likely cause is that the grease used to pack the rear hub, and aid in the clutch engagement for drive and stopping, is worn out. Seemingly at random it would be much harder to pedal, sometimes forcing me to hop off and walk up hills. Spinning wheels while bike is upside down will show which wheel is dragging.
Problem with chain skipping when pedaling hard If I pedal hard, i.e. while standing/taking off/going uphill, the chain skips over the cogs making a load screeching noise and my foot just sinks to the bottom position. I attempted to fix this problem so I replaced the crankset, cassette and chain with brand new Shimano ...	The next thing that happens is that, since the chain is not moving through the derailleur, the entire derailleur is pulled by the chain and rotated backwards, which basically peels/unwraps the chain from the cassette until it loses grip. Under light load, you just need one or two teeth of grip, if the chain and cassett...
Something clicks while pedaling My road bike with square taper Chorus crankset has developed a click when pedaling. The click happens always in the same pedal position, right crank forward, on both chainrings. Since the noise started, I have reinstalled the cranks, tightened chainring bolts, and replaced the seatpost, ...	If you have another known good set of pedals, swap them out. In the end it turned out that it was bottom bracket bearings. Try yanking the handlebar every which way while stopped. Solutions: old chain, new chainrings, or if individual chainrings aren't economical, a new crankset and bb.
Preventing staining of clothes when carrying bike Is there any reliable way to carry a bike (of non-insignificant weight) without ruining the clothes one's wearing? I live in a part of the world where millions of people ride in plain clothes every day and also do "mundane" stuff like carry groceries on their bike on a...	If its the rear that is wedged (and this is much more likely) then slip right hand fingers through the top of the wheel and carry it just off the ground. The sidewalls of your tyre will be okay for a bit as long as you're not riding it.
For Biking do Sneakers offer any advantage over Sandals? I live in a tropical country. We have only two seasons. A rainy season that lasts for 4 months and a summer lasting the remaining 8 months. The maximum and minimum temperatures are 36 and 20 degrees Celsius respectively. I ride my hybrid cycle almost every day...	I would say that as long as the sandals don't slip on the pedals more than the sneakers do, then there are no advantages to the sneakers.
Why do men's bicycles have a top tube while women's bicycles don't? Bicycles intended for men have a top tube that always hits me on that embrassing part when I brake. Conversely, women's bikes often don't have a top tube. Why is this? <Q> Frames designed for women do have that part - its called a top tube. <S...	So the women's bike was developed with a slanted or sloped top tube so women could step though with their dresses and ride without their dresses coming up.
Is the fit wrong on my road bike or is my body too stiff / inflexible? I am very confused about how to get a correct fit on a road bike. I am female, 5'5", average weight and proportions, and have a 31" inseam. Recently, I decided to buy a Specialized Ruby after trying out my friend's bike and noticing how smoothly it ...	As you develop strength, a larger bike will fit you better. The main thing really is to find somebody to fit you that you have confidence in.
A pin punctured my tyre. Should I only replace the inner tube, or patch the outer, rubber tyre? Today I managed to run over a flat heat board pin, and my tyre got punctured. I will change my inner tube tomorrow, because it's not that expensive and I find it easier than patching it up. My question is: Should I be conc...	The size of the puncture really dictates whether a new tire is in order...
What ingredients are necessary in a sports drink when you must drink a lot? Comments to this answer say e.g., Can't stress enough how ... important it is to drink more than just water ... (and other people's comments then ask for details about the drink's contents). The context is in answer to this question, Ho...	Hence it's probably useful to add sugar and flavour. The stuff other than water your body needs you will get through food soon enough.
New Bike + Disc Brake Shuddering: Cause and Fix? I recently bought a new bike (cx steel frame, carbon fork, disc brakes) that I am using as a commuter/all-rounder bike. My question is similar to questions that have already been asked concerning disc brake shuddering/pulsing ( here and here ), but subtly different: ...	It's about depositing a layer of brake pad onto the rotor. Also, make sure the QR is tight if present, and if not, check the front wheel bolt torque. Skipping the "proper" bedding in process can do this yes.
Maxing out on gears I have an older specialized bike from 2001 that I ride and race on with a gearing of Shimano 53/39 and 9-speed cassette 12/26. On my regular weekly rides I end up maxing out on my gears and can't get any more speed. How do I get more speed out of the bike with only 9 gears? I don't know if an 11/?...	Changing to an 11 cog on the rear will certainly give you a higher gear.
Single disc brake front of SS bike? Just finished building a gorgeous commuter from a fixed track frame. I've got some nice fat 700x28 tires, a SRAM automatix hub in the rear, and a disc compatible front hub. The frame has mounts for rim brakes but lacks any elegant way to route the back brake cable across the top tube...	If there is some problem with the front wheel or the front brake, having a rear brake can be very handy.
Rubber on wall mounted bike hooks is wearing away. What can I use to cover them so my wheels don't get scratched? Vinyl covered wall mounted bike hooks coating is wearing away due to use. What can I use to cover them so my wheels don't get scratched? Using These type of hooks: <Q> @rclocher3's electrical tape is the e...	I originally used electrical tape - the "rubbery-ness" of the tape was quite appealing as it stopped things slipping, but it went gooey after a few months.
Normal for derailleur to make noises? I have a giant anyroad 1 2015. It has this as componentsCrankset Shimano Tiagra, 34/50Cassette Shimano Tiagra 11x34, 10-speed That is 7 cogs in the cassette, and 2 cogs on the crankset. Is it normal for the derailleur to make noise when the chain is on the smallest cogs? I...	If you cross-chain, such as using the big front chainring with the big rear cog or the small front chainring with the smallest rear cog, the chain runs at an extreme angle and likely there will be some noise at least from the front derailleur since the chain will likely rub (you can "trim" the front derailleur for some...

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