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Is it OK to have a single front chainring paired with 7 speed at the back? I'm planning to have a single front chain ring to be paired with my 7 speed at the back. I'm still saving up for a 10 speed. <Q> Without taking into account whether it's a good idea or not; yes it's possible, with a few caveats. <S> You have t... | The front derailleur helps to keep your chain on the chainrings. If you are looking to do this conversion as cheaply as possible you probably don't want to get a new chainring.
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Why is Giant's older Roam 1 more expensive than the newer Roam 2 and 3? I'm pretty new to biking and I have been looking at Giant's Roam line of bicycles, and noticed that the Roam 1 is more expensive than the Roam 2 and the Roam 2 is more expensive than the Roam 3 . Even the 2016 version of the Roam 2 is more... | In this case, for example, the main differences between the same bike in 2 model years are a slight geometry change, a different brand of brakes and a slightly bigger tire. A used bike is a good starting point for people so they get to know what they actually want before dropping a large sum of money.
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Rear view ears at speed How can you hear cars approaching over wind noise? As I transition from a Sunday rider to a commuter I've gotten a good deal faster. This increases the wind noise in my ears, and it's gotten to the point were an unexpected car was surprisingly close as I glanced back prepping for a turn and I w... | When you're going reasonably fast you can hear fast cars, but of course you don't get much warning before they catch you up. So you can't rely completely on your ears. Basically the choice is look back a lot and get good at it or use a mirror.
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Bike seems less stable when using handlebar bag On a recent 3 week trip I used a handlebar bag (together with two back bags) to carry the stuff I needed.In the handlebar bag I carried a reflex camera, my phone, a power bank and some candy. While my bike normally feels really stable, the first few days with the handleb... | Don't use a handlebar bag if it affects your bike's handling that badly. The first several hours riding (if I haven't practiced with it) are the worst, but eventually your body adapts to the feeling. Rear panniers or a frame bag might work for you.
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Is there a way to remember pedal, crank position before taking sharp turns I had a nasty tumble yesterday when doing a sharp right turn into a side road. A car was giving way to me at the junction. I turned right and I was basically thrown of my bike. flipped onto my left side ending up on my back. It was so quick a ... | Even if you keep the pedals level there should be more than enough clearance for most turns. Use your arms to keep the bike upright.
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remove chainguard (?) lockring on fixed cup bracket I'm trying to remove the part of the frame that was holding the chainguard but there seems to be a kind lockring and I don't know which tool to use. Any ideas? EDIT: I am referring to the topmost six-edge nut, NOT the lockring (I do have a C spanner for that.) EDIT:... | If it's stuck, penetrating oil and pipe wrench or the pin spanner from other answer should help. The inner part is locked by the lock ring.
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Braking on a vintage road bike I recently bought a vintage Gitane road bike. I understand that in the 70s and 80s they sold a lot of these road bikes with drop handle bars. Sometimes they came with the extra lever for an easier grip from the top but mine doesn't. Most modern road bikes seem to have more of a grip from... | Hooded brake levers, which allow you to brake with your hands on top of the brake lever assemblies, near the handlebar's "ramps".
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Why are 36-spoke wheels a touring thing? I've been looking at tourers recently and they tend to have 36 spoke wheels (as does my hybrid on the back after I broke my original rim). What I don't understand is why high spoke counts aren't used on more bikes. Race-style road bikes with low spoke counts and smooth roads I ... | They don't realize that to make the rim equally durable, a low spoke count wheel needs a stiffer/heavier rim, something that adds more weight than the few eliminated spokes remove. If people buy the good stuff, the manufacturers are going to keep it in production. In CX most of the weight is above the suspension formed... |
Kickstands "designed for steel frame" While looking for a rear kickstand, I came across one which says "designed for steel frames". Besides carbon frame which I am pretty sure cannot be "squeezed", is there a real difference among steel frames and aluminium frames that can account for different stands, or is it more a... | It's easy to design a rear kickstand for a standard steel bicycle since all you need is a strong clamp on one of the chainstays.
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Are there big differences in maintenance/care between different types of clipless pedals? I was reading this article http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/best-road-bike-pedals-33045/ and it talks about maintenance/care with a couple of the pedal options, even mentioning that "Shimano" pedals can have mud and... | Shimano pedals are usually brought up as a good beginner pedal because they are readily available just about everywhere, have several low-cost options, have standards that much of the industry follow for cleats and cross compatibility, and require little maintenance. Despite the fact that many people use "mountain" to ... |
What are these cracks in the side of my bicycle tyre called? Does this mean that my tyre is gone? I found out cracks in my bicycle tyre. I am not sure if the tyre is damaged. Following is a picture for referenceI would like to know what can be the possible causes for these cracks and how to avoid them. <Q> It doesn't r... | A little dry rot usually isn't detrimental, a lot can split the sidewall of the tire causing a blowout. I'd say, it's time to replace the tire.
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What makes a great kids city bike? (and where can I find or how can I build one?) I have two children age 6 and 8. In good weather we often ride 10 or 20 miles in a day to school and misc activities. I'd like to get them city / commuter bikes but almost all of the kids bikes I can find are BMX, MTB, or beach cruiser. ... | Kids bikes tend to have the worst of the worst knobbly tyres, even when they're blatantly not meant for serious offroading. Also, pinkbike.com is a good source for used bikes and parts. I recommend something that will take a bit of abuse. A hard tail is a great choice because it is cheaper, lighter, and easier to maint... |
End of brake cable touches tire On my Trek Domane SLR the end of the front brake cable touches the tire. It makes an enerving sound and I am a afraid it destroys my tire. I thought about using some tape, but that is not possible because of the moving brake arm. Is there any possibility to push the cable to the side wit... | Bending the cable may work too -- you might not have enough length but a sharp bend away from the tyre might work.
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How to avoid the road bike physique Due to a house move I am soon to become a road bike commuter with approx. 18 miles to cover. I could do with loosing a few kgs but am worried about developing the emaciated physique so apparent in many of the road bikers I see. How can one avoid this? Is it simply a product of the hi... | Elite cyclists work very, very hard for that emaciated physique!
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How to attach graphics to frame For attaching graphics to a painted metal bike frame, is there a better option than Scotch tape or clear packing tape? I'm looking for something transparent and adhesive, but not so adhesive it can't be repositioned or removed later. The graphics I have in mind are home-printed "sticke... | Another option (possibly under the repair tape) is laser-printable self adhesive vinyl I'd be wary of paper stickers even under tape – water has a way of getting in. You can also buy sticker packs of random things off of Amazon or other online stores but the sticker quality is so-so and i would still clear coat them fo... |
Saddle position for a long steep climb Various sources indicate that when climbing to slide back on the saddle. In about a month I plan to attempt Whiteface Mountain with its 13 km at an 8% grade. If I manage this climb I will be at my limit. Should I move my saddle back for the climb? <Q> Most of the new schools of th... | I only recommend going out the saddle when you feel the current section you are on is too steep ( but you must feel this for your own ) or you feel you should change the tension on the muscles
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Finding the right size bicycle I am 4'10" and about 300lbs. I would love to start bicycling around the countryside for pleasure and low level exercise. But my tummy gets in the way and it hurts to bend my knees at the top of the pedal rotation. Is there a bicycle for me? <Q> A cruiser-style, semi-recumbent trike might... | As other people indicate, recumbent bikes are also a good option, but select a bike or trike that allows you to lean back, sitting upright on a 'bent bike still gives belly/legs conflicts. Fortunately there are vendors that make bikes to fit all sizes. You are on the low end of bike sizing for adults.
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Prevent trouser damage when biking? I am biking nearly every day to work and back (~ 3 km), but my trousers get damaged quite fast due to the created friction between my legs and the saddle. Which then means that I have to buy new ones rather frequently. Is there any way to prevent that? Saddle in question: <Q> Jeans ... | Wear something other than expensive work clothes when commuting Place heavy tape on your trousers where they normally get worn (don't forget to remove it when you get to work)
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Will driving through heavy rain with bike on my car damage the bike? I'll be driving for 4 hours with my bike on the rack through heavy rain. Will this damage the bike? <Q> The prevalent thought among many members of the Cycling Illuminati (trademark) is that the high vehicle speeds will drive rain into your bearings o... | Plus, don't forget that the front wheel usually rides inside the car and the rear hub is left on the bike, but will be running in disturbed air, which will further reduce the force of the rain water. When you arrive at your destination wipe off any standing water and relube if you feel you need to. You can get rack bik... |
Riding on a failing bottom bracket - what could possibly go wrong? My BB is showing the first signs of being on the way out (a click when I drive either foot down hard; if I remove the chain there's a barely perceptible clicky feeling at the same crank position as the click). It's not convenient to get it fixed in the... | Eventually your bearings will disintegrate and your BB will lose its ability to hold the spindle centred withing the BB shell, that will result in the crankset becoming wobbly, your chain will come off, your chainring might even go hit your chainstay and if you're lucky it will happen at low speed. This is what happene... |
Alternating brakes on descents: is it really useful? I heard from many sources (some of them on this site, e.g. on answers to this question here ) that you should be alternating the use of your front and rear brakes . Most people give as a reason that the brakes can cool better that way. I have been mostly doing the... | In practical terms you might want to think about the failure modes if both brakes are working equally hard: If you need to slow down more but both sets of pads/rims/discs/brake fluid are already hot you have less in reserve than if one is cooling while the other is heating -- that last bit of braking might be enough to... |
26 inch wheels and fork on a 27.5+ frame I have a 26 inch bike(Specialized Rockhopper 2007) with decent wheels and fork. I want a more slacker head tube and better geometry than what i have now. I might be interested in one of Ragley Marley, Ragley Piglet Ragley Bluepig frames. My fork is not tapered. I know there ar... | The new frame is likely a though axle, and may have a wider (Boost) spacing, meaning the rear hub will need adapters or replacing. Building a bike from a 27.5 frame with 26 components you may end up with a bike geometry that is 'out' and handles worse than you already have.
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Possible to fit 7 Bikes in a Van/SUV? I am going on a long 200 mile tour over 3 days with six other people. We are riding down to Washington DC and then renting a car to drive back. We thought we could rent a Van or SUV and have two people drive that and fit all the bikes in it if the seats fold down. Then Rent another... | You might also want to see if the van has a trailer hitch. I can get easily get 4 or five bikes in the back of my Savana and still have room for other stuff. 7 can be done but you will have to remove the pedals, it is the only way. Also, alternate the directions the bikes face.
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Why does this bike have bosses on the bottom of the down tube? What can the bosses on the down tube, next to the front wheel, be used for? The only thing I can think of is a mountain bike style mudguard, but I've only seen ones that clip on. Evans' Cycles website . Click to zoom in: <Q> I would have to assume those ... | That's where I put my pump, so maybe they're for a pump.
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We offer our riders shared helmets. What sanitizing spray or barrier product can we provide alongside the helmets? We are lucky enough to have four shared bikes at work, which are available for any employee to ride. Due to New Zealand's compulsory helmet laws, we must provide some shared helmets. Some people don't lik... | Some ideas: Just having plenty of helmets so they've got time to dry out thoroughly should help. (I have tried laundry bleach for destinking but find a good soak in homebrew sterilser most effective). Regular users of these bikes (perhaps cyclists who for whatever reason don't bring their own bike to work) may be encou... |
How to prevent chain looking dirty one ride after cleaning it! I try and clean my chain regularly and particularly when it's wet or dirty. Despite my chain looking pristine clean once I have finished it often looks black and oily again after just one commute of 18 miles (on dry tarmac). When cleaning my chain I use ... | Set length of your dirty chain over a plastic tub, and rinse it with some petrol or brake cleaner fluid or thinners some sort of hydrocarbon. In terms or real world use I measured a 30% reduction in chain life if you strip the factory lube out early.
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How to release brakes to install front tire So, 21 yo mountain bike w/o quick release brake system. Reinstalling a front tire that was repaired but confused on easiest/simpliest way to release brakes so the fat 'ol tire can be seated. I do realize I can deflate the tire but wanted to learn another method. I don't wa... | Hopefully the straddle cable end fitting has a wedge-shaped bit sticking out of the back of the calliper, as visible on the far left here: .Squeeze the two brake arms together, and pull on this wedge, and lift the metal cylindrical part out of the slot.
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Comfort Bike for commuting? I currently have a Trek 3500 Mountain bike which I use for commuting 34km total each day. I did put on thinner tires. My average speed is about 20 - 22 km/hrI'm tired of the leaning forward all the time and was considering getting a "comfort bike" where the handlebars are higher than the sea... | Perhaps you could try to have a good bike fit on your hybrid to improve your comfort when cycling. Take a look at any manufacturer's website and see the various hybrid models they offer and see the difference in components like tires, gear ratios, component materials, and frame geometry.
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What happened to riding with no hands? I remember, as a kid in the seventies we were able to ride blocks without ever touching the handlebars.Today, I only see road-bikers riding without hands - and this is rarely. I almost never see hybrid or mtb bikers go without hands. What happened? Is it because I got older that... | Bikes built for adults usually aren't as stable, because stability and maneuverability are at odds with each other, and the adult riders want the maneuverability. It's just your observational bias coupled with different demographics preferring different bike capabilities. Now, road racers click their feet into their pe... |
Maillard sprocket: is really this rare? Due to (understandably) large wear after 16 years of usage, I wanted to replace sprocket, chainwheel and chain on my byke. With my surprise the workshop where I took my byke was not able to find a spare for the sprocket, a 6 speed Maillard, and told that in the Netherlands they ... | You can usually find replacement freewheels and lockrings for those on ebay.
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Bicycle clicking awfully, with video I'm getting tired of debugging this noise, which seems to come from the back. I have sent it to the bike shop, for the second time, and they couldn't fix it. This sound came around 2 weeks after I bought it.It's not just sound; you can feel it in with every pedals revolution. They ... | It sounds like bearings slipping around but a lot of rattles and clicks sound similar on a bike. Check for play down at the bottom bracket. Take the crank shaft out and check the bearings yourself. It turned out to be fixable with a wipe down and some carbon paste in the end. My Mavic SLS wheel had this trouble.
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Cracked chainstay weld -- now what? Yesterday while riding my Surly Ogre around town I noticed that it was making a weird metallic popping noise on the left downstroke. When I got home to take a look I was rather surprised to find that the right chainstay had broken completely free of the dropout at the weld (see pic a... | Just getting it welded by a non-framebuilder could have a couple caveats: I think most framebuilders would approach this in a way where they get full access to the broken face of the dropout, so they could work it down smooth, and then replace either all or part of the chainstay, the goal being to re-do the miter betwe... |
Distance discrepancies between Strava and bike computer I have an established 16 mile mountain bike loop I've been riding for a long time. I recently purchased a Magellan Cyclo 315 bike computer which I load files to Strava Premium from. Everything works great except the distance data. The distance value on the compute... | Strava prefers wheel sensors over GPS because of GPS update frequency issues that the other answer notes has its own proprietary way of calculating distance The GPS trail you have has a certain degree of uncertainty (+- 1 to 10m depending on signal quality).
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Noisy chain when under tension I've recently purchased a second hand Orbea with a 105 groupset, and I've noticed the chain makes a rubbing-like noise when in the big front ring. It's not rubbing anywhere though - the gears are perfectly indexed, both at the front and rear, and the limits are set correctly on both. G... | Another suggestion that comes to my mind is that the derailleur arm could possibly give under tension and bend to the right or to the left, causing the shifting to be imprecise and rubbing the sprockets.
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What considerations are there around replacement of cable-actuated disc brakes with hydraulic-actuated calipers? I have a Dawes Discovery 401 hybrid bike that was fitted with QuadQMD-6 mechanical disc brakes. I like the bike but the brakes are beginning to show signs of wear and direct replacements are not available. ... | The old brakes were not expensive, so the rotor won't be the best quality, new rotor would keep everything matching. And you can't generally disconnect the hydraulic line to feed through the braze-on anyway.
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If I change my cassette to a different range do I need to change my chain? I have a Shimano 8 speed 11-34 cassette (one of those "mega range" ones). If I change my cassette to a different one, say an 11-32, will I need to change or otherwise modify my chain? I just got the chain replaced and now it's slipping on the ... | how many miles/hours you put on the new chain, if you put a new cassette on your rig and leave the "new" chain, it could be fine.
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Recommended transmission for a commuting bike I want to get a new transmission group for my bike and I'm quite confused, so I'd really apreciate some help from the community. Here's some context: I own, since last October, a Giant Escape 2 ( https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-2-2016 ) which I use for my daily 22... | If you have money burning in your pockets or think that a gear upgrade would be nice, 1x11 saves some weight and looks new and shiny for some time. Even though the smallest cog in the front is mostly useless, switching to a double doesn't benefit you much.
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Are my gears setup backwards? I have a trike with Shimano shifters. There are 3 gears in the front and 8 gears in the back. Gears are changed by rotating wheels found on each handlebar. The gear shifters have a window telling me which gear it is set to. When the chain is on the largest-sized gear in the front, the sif... | When you change to a larger-sized cog at the front, the chain moves farther for each turn of the pedals, so the rear wheel turns more times. The gear ratio is front teeth / rear teeth 1 , which gets bigger with More front teeth, or Fewer rear teeth
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Is 17 miles (27km) each way a lot for a newbie cyclist? I go to the gym on a regular basis and do a fair bit of running. I feel like I'm fit enough to do this. It would be a one-off ride from Wembley to Slough and back so it would be a fair bit of road which could be a problem. <Q> Your fitness from running and the gym... | Riding in traffic can be mentally tiring when you're not used to it so definitely consider a route using quieter roads and cycle paths, even if that adds a few miles. If you keep a normal relaxed pace you should be able to do the entire distance 2x27 in about three to four hours As a one-off, that should be completely ... |
Helmet strap loosens as I ride then the day after becomes too tight Well, the title sums it up. It's a cheap (~50 EUR) KTM helmet. This is reproducible, is happens on every ride: if I adjust it to fit well at the beginning of the ride, it's loose after a while. If I tighten it during the ride then it is way too tight a... | Different helmets have different strap arrangements even if the material is the same, so you may find you're just unlucky with yours. The straps are getting wet with sweat and loosening, then constricting again when they dry.
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Riding my bike on empty pavement when the road is busy UK I often find myself in the situation that I'm riding my bike on the road, holding up several cars whom I can tell are getting impatient (there are oncoming cars so its hard to overtake safely). A lot of the time the pavement is completely empty. Would I be wrong... | Aside from it being illegal, when the roads are busy is the last time you want to be going up and down badly dropped curbs and crossing side roads (not always where you would like to from the point of view of visibility). It is covered by 1835 Highways Act and Highway Code Rule 64: "You MUST not cycle on a pavement". I... |
Front fender rubbing on tire On a 16" folding bike, the front fender slider tends to release over time and increase the distance between the tire and the fender. This is a problem because, as the fender angle changes, the end of the fender (which terminates before the brake) rubs against the tire. I could get new sli... | The problem is that the metal fender (or fender bracket) has some spring in it and wants to spring back placing constant tension on the plastic retaining bits that hold the slider. Another option is that guard extension looks like rigid plastic - Some bikes have a 100-150mm (4-6 inch) piece of leather as a mudflap righ... |
Could a road bike be used for cyclocross? So i have a cyclocross bike, but most of my friends have road bikes. I am interested if people think that a road bike could be used to race cyclocross. I'm thinking that with a pair of nobbly tires it might work. EDIT: This is a just thought experiment. I have a CX bike whic... | The geometry on cyclocross bikes is also a tad bit different than that of a road bike, but would likely not be a game changer for basic use. Tire clearance, your current frame may not have enough clearance between the rear stays to allow a larger tire with knobbies.
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Can I use a bike for commuting 10km everyday at Jönköping (Sweden)? I'm a French student going to Sweden for one year and I would like to know if I could use a bike to go to school even in winter for less than 150€ (or 1500 SEK). Is it possible without having a bad time when riding and or will I fall every five seco... | Studded tires aren't strictly necessary for winter riding, but they do provide peace of mind on days with a freeze-thaw cycle. Your bike is so cheap ($150) that it doesn't matter what it's made of.
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Bike fitting for sore hands, Peugeot ~85 used as commuter I'm having problems with my Peugeot from ~85. I get sore hands quite fast when I ride it and it really feels like the pressure on my hands are too much (compared to when I ride other bikes with flat bars). This is my first bike with dropped bars (but I have be... | But you get the idea: if you can support your weight with your core/back muscles, then you wont get such sore hands. Check that your saddle is level I have now tried flared drop bars and it seems to work much better for my wrists.
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Is this a real vintage Bianchi Strada? I'm contemplating whether or not to buy a Bianchi vintage mixte bike. I was told that it's a 1986 Bianch Strada but I have never seen a serial number like this: 51027563 (all numbers no letters). Photos are attached below. If someone knowledgeable about Bianchi bikes could answer ... | I got confirmation from some Bianchi enthusiasts at BikeForums.net that this is indeed a genuine 1986 Bianchi Strada Mixte with pretty much all original parts. Lugs and frame design/welds looks somewhat odd for Bianchi, in fact without the decals I would have guessed Nishiki.
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Can I use an RC motor to make my bike electric? I would like to make my ebike to have the minimal look, so adding big hubs or mid drive motors isn't really an option since it also costs more. I found this Keda brushless outrunner 2000w 190KV motor on hobbyking and wondered if it can move my bicycle? It's 2000w so it sh... | You could use one but to avoid damaging the motor you would be better off using a one way bearing on the shaft so if there's any sudden stopping there wouldn't be any load on the shaft and motor Another issue you'll have with such a motor is that it's not waterproof so first water encounter and the thing is fried. As f... |
What are the best ways to start gravel biking for a complete novice (in the Bay Area)? I recently got a Cannondale Slate and because I’m a complete novice, I’m a little hesitant in starting to ride on trails alone. I’m mostly wondering if I’d have to perform many jumps (which I don’t know how to perform) on the trail. ... | If you research trails online they often have maps you can print, or print from Google Maps with the bicycling option turned on. Make sure your tires are inflated to an appropriate pressure for the surface you are riding on (higher for paved, lower for gravel or loose). The best way to learn is to just ride!
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Shimano ultegra 11-28 to 12-32 options? I have a Shimano Ultegra RD-6700 rear derailleur with a 10 speed Shimano 105 5700 11-28 cassette and Shimano R565, 50/34 (compact) up front. I would really like a larger gear for climbing. Can I go to a cassette with a larger than 28t that would not require a new derailleur? I... | Also note that you can use a mountain bike cassette if you want big sprockets (and the derailleur can handle it). In the table in the table in the centre it says that that largest sprocket for the RD-6700-GS is 28 tooth - so I don't think the RD-6700-GS will help you.
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Changing wheel size on Jamis Aurora Elite to 26"? Jamis Aurora Elite comes with disk brakes on 700c wheels. I am wondering is it possible to put 26 inch wheels on? Since it has disk brakes, I can't see any issues with fitting the brakes. Only problem might be the ground clearance to the pedals. The 26 inch wheels ar... | You are correct that smaller wheels can be fitted on a disc brake equipped bike, however, bikes are designed for a particular wheel size and changing that size can cause lots of problems.
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Looking for solutions to shorten warm up time I'm a relatively fit 30 years old road cyclist and I've noticed that I need a lot of time to warm up. When I ride with some club mates, I am typically much slower than most of the other riders in the first 20 miles. However, if I start slowly after about 20-30 miles my legs... | If you can't ride to the start, a few miles and some stretching when you get there might be the solution. Eat a quick muesli+hot coffee breakfast and then get on bike, drop temporary warm jersey and ride As you've noted this is a very personal variable so you'll need to experiment.
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Rear Tyre torn at rim - what was the cause? I had a blowout the other day. On investigation, it was a C-shaped cut in the tube. It patched okay and on reinstalling I found this culprit : The tyre is not new but its not old either - plenty of tread left. I've seen very old / weathered tyres where the rubber has de... | If you ride a tire with a pressure so low that it (almost) bottoms out during normal riding, this will damage your tire.
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Labour cost in building a wheel What is the labour cost or time involved in building a wheel. I want to use a different hub with an existing wheel <Q> It depends. <S> If an inexperienced person such as your regular consumer does it, it could take a few hours especially if you don't have the proper tools or preparation.... | Depending on the quality of your wheel you may find it's cheaper and easier to replace the entire thing. So I would say in terms of shop labor time, on the short side it'd be 0.5 hours of labor for a hub and rim that they're familiar with and have premeasured spokes for; to 2.0 hours for a hub and rim they've never see... |
Attacking during a race when your competitor has a mechanical failure? This question was spurred by the incident that happened during the 9th stage of the 2017 TdF when Fabio Aru attacked Chris Froome right as he experienced a mechanical problem with his bike. The breakaway group lead by Aru was eventually halted by ... | Basically if you're cruising along in the peloton it would be extremely bad form to suddenly attack out of nowhere when you hear that the leader has had a mechanical, been caught up in a crash, etc. It is not technically illegal to attack in this situation.
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Loud cracking noise after installing new chain I did some work on my Rohloff bike today, installing a new chain & chainring and reversing the sprocket. When trying out the bike afterwards, something in the drive train was making a loud cracking noise under load. First I thought it was the hub, but after a while, I tr... | The problem does not happen if you replace the sprocket and perhaps the cog when you replace the chain. After extended use, the sprocket and cog will wear down from use and the "U" shaped hold will look like more of a "V" over time.
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When to shift gears on a hybrid bike? I know what gears do what (what makes pedaling easier or harder), but my sister and I are having a debate on when exactly to shift. I think I read somewhere that it is better to shift when coasting or lightly pedaling and before the obstacle you are shifting to do better on. Sadly,... | Internal gear hubs can shift while standing still but suffer when shifting under load - ease off on the pedals to shift.
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Are modern frame locks "safe"? In the older days I remember that frame locks were soldered onto the frame, but today they seem to be just screwed onto it (example film of installation can be found here ). Doesn't this open for the possibility that someone just unmounts the lock and removes the wheel? (And then takes... | They're not very secure though: a drill from the other end of the screw would make short work of it, among other ways to defeat the lock with tools.
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Why are puncture-resistant tires not used in professional races? Having used with great satisfaction puncture-resistant tires for more than 8 years, and having seen how it can happen than in professional races tires can be punctured, I wonder why are puncture-resistant tires not used from team racing in Giro d'Italia o... | They also have sloppier handling/less control/higher rolling resistance, and are typically harder to change (though professional racers will usually wheel swap). The only time an anti-puncture tyre would come into its own is if all the other riders suffer punctures.
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Which is safer: country road vs highway? Asking the park ranger about my planned itinerary, her answer was to take, instead, a 4-lane divided highway with wide shoulder, the argument being that it would be safer than using 2-lane/little-or-no-shoulder country roads. Adding that "people drive like crazy" on country road... | For your own safety, a wide paved shoulder is the best.
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Charging mobile phone using the battery of a rechargeable bike light? Most rechargeable bike light are charged via USB port. I wonder if is it possible to use them as a power bank for your mobile phone as well? Or only a subset of them can be use as a mobile phone charger? <Q> Answer <S> No, you need an item designed... | There are other products which combine a USB battery with a light, but the batteries inside these are much larger than a plain light. You'd need a little electronics skill to do this - I won't go into detail here.
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Is there an inherent problem with expanding chainring drives such as Veridrive and WaveTrans? The Veridrive is just the latest iteration of the idea of using an expanding or contracting chainring rather than a derailleur for shifting: There also WaveTrans: We've seen this design tried before (Linley & Biggs' Pr... | You still need a chain tensioner on the drivetrain too with these systems so there really isn't any benefit apart from novelty. Not only do the mechanisms have to be complex, as you can see in the videos, but they have to be very strong , too.
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How to install a chain that has a pre-fitted pin? My new chain (Shimano 5800 HG600 105) comes with a pin inserted in the outer plate as seen in the picture below. The Shimano dealer's manual makes no mention of this scenario. How to install such a chain? <Q> Shimano 11 speed (5800) should be assembled with a Shiman... | You use a chain tool to push the pin into place after making sure the chain is the right length by shortening it (by removing links on the other side of the chain as the master pin).
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Downgearing with a road triple My mother is trying to get back on her bike after years of knee problems + surgery, which so far has gone ok, but she has had some trouble with climbing hills. She's thinking that she should try to get some lower gearing on her bicycle. She currently has a "road triple" with a long cage d... | That being said, you may also want to switch to smaller chainrings depending on the size of your chainrings. So long as the derailleur has enough capacity(which is determined by the size of the chainrings and cogs in the back; this is basically controlling how much chain length derailleur can keep tensioned) and larges... |
Are there real use of the lowest bicycle speeds? I'm confused about the speeds amount in my bicycle. There are totally more than 20 different speed configuration on my bicycle, but are there any practical use of such speeds as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1. What are that crazy places to use these speeds in real world? Imagine, ... | Changing gears will also help spread your overall wear, and lets you get moving quicker from a stop at the red light. You're right - there's an awful lot of overlap between the gear ratios offered. Personally I live in the big ring all the time, until it gets steep. It really depends on your usage scenario.
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Lock jammed on bike My cable lock is jammed. The key fits in but won't turn. What can I do? My bike is locked up outside on the street so I guess the first thing would be to put a second lock on it in case the first randomly comes unlocked. <Q> This depends on where you are to some extent. <S> I would start by asking... | That said, most cable locks are pretty worthless and if you're not worried about getting stopped, some quality cable cutters or small bolt cutters would do the trick.
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Stripped threading on upper rear rack bracket One of the rear rack holes on my aluminum frame have become stripped after a year of taking the rear rack off at least once a week. I've been using this bike for commuting and weekend riding, so I like to remove the rack when I'm not carrying panniers. I've asked a few bik... | The simple, non-shop fix is use a longer bolt plus a nut. If you want to keep taking it off regularly, the Helicoil is a little better option in terms of preventing similar issues in the future, since now you'll be doing it with steel threads.
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Entry level bike for 140kg rider - what features to look for and what to avoid? I am a fairly large person (140kg). 7 years ago I used to bike quite a lot (I would go everywhere every day on the bike). Back then I weighed much less (I also was much younger, now I am 20 years old). I am looking to buy an entry level bik... | If you find your seat post slips due to your high weight, buy a big honking seat post clamp: I would suggest a quality older Chrome-moly steel framed rigid fork mountain bike. You don't need suspension on the road, and not even on many off-road trails. There is absolutely no reason to choose 32 spokes unless you really... |
Bike ride not smooth I've a full suspension mountain bike with a 26 inch knobby on the front wheel, this knobby has got these rectangular knobs poking out. My problem is that I find my bike's ride "not so smooth". I currently inflatate my front tire to 32 PSI and the rear one, with a better tread and sleeker dimension,... | Just replace the tires to smoother ones. You can try wearing your knobs off by riding, but this will leave you with relatively thin carcass and more vulnerable to punctures. Some solutions: Reduce the pressure, but this will increase rolling resistance, thus reducing efficiency.
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How to disassemble this v brake arm? I have managed to repair 10yr old diamondback hybrid as different parts fail. I even disassembled the rear wheel to replace few spokes. But I cannot figure out how to disassemble the rear v-brake arm. (I already replaced the front.) In the second image you can see the regular bike... | Even though it should not come out easily, occasionally the brake boss will work its way loose. If you stick a 5mm allen key/hex tool in that bolt, and mount the allen key in a vise would be a start.
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What is the maximum tire pressure? I have a Trek FX3 with Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite, 700x32c and I would like to know what the maximum tire pressure is? The reason I ask is when riding at higher speeds and turning it feels like the back tire is going to come off. I found this article on bontrager tire pressures ... | The maximum tire pressure should be written on the sidewalls.
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What makes a durable and dependable commuter bicycle? I ride between 150 - 180 Km per week (depending on route) and all of it is on bike path or road. I have been riding a Norco Alloy Threshold Sora. It has not been a fun experience, because within a year I have had both wheels replaced (lost too many spokes), oh my ri... | With any bike the amount of regular maintenance is far more important to longevity than any other aspect. There are enough potholes that I can't always go round them in traffic, but unweighting the saddle helps a lot with reducing the load on the bike. Low spec will wear out too quickly. Buying something like a Surly w... |
Clicking noise coming from rear When I first set out on my bike for the first 10 minutes there is a very audible clicking sound coming from the bike. After 10 minutes have passed the sound disappears. It's coming from either the Bottom Bracket area or Rear Wheel area but I have looked at it and cannot figure out what... | Another cause of tension-loss with lighter butted spokes is wind-up, whereby as the tension is increased during the build, friction between the spoke threads and nipple threads can prevent the nipple from screwing further onto the spoke, causing the body of the spoke to twist instead.
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4 punctures in one week, even after replacing tube and tire, what's happening? I've just had my 4th puncture in 8 days on the bike I use to commute to work. Same back wheel each time. I haven't had a puncture before in the 2 years I've had this bike. After the first puncture I replaced the tube.After the second punctu... | The answer to my question -- why did my bike puncture four times, even after replacing the tube and tire -- turned out to be: bad luck . Some brand/model tires (for example, some cheaper Continental tires - the ones Conti outsourced to Russia) deteriorate over time just by being exposed to air/oxygen.
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There don't seem to be many (or any?) carbon wheels for 9 speed bikes I have a 9 speed Shimano Sora road bike and I would like to get some nicer wheels without upgrading the bike or anything else at the same time. Carbon wheels seem to mostly (or entirely) 10/11sp? Can any carbon wheel be made to fit a 9 speed bike... | Any Shimano compatible 10-speed wheel, other than a very few with special deep-splined aluminum freehubs such as WH-7800, can take any 9 speed Shimano cassette without additional spacers.
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Higher saddle height and pressure on palm It is recommended to adjust saddle height using a formula . I made calculation and adjusted the saddle position to a higher point than my usual riding position. But now pressure on my palm increased significantly in spite of comfort in riding. Should I use some hand gloves or ... | You can also try to adjust the handlebar height or using gloves. It can also be that your back muscles need to get used to the new position and therefore you are temporarily overloading your hands.
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Help identify this Raleigh bike New to Bikes so hoping this question is OK. My partner was recently given an old Raleigh bike for free and has since taken it to get the cables and tyres replaced, but as it's quite small (for teens?) she plans to trade / swap / sell it for something more her size. I know nothing abou... | You have the bicycle equivalent of a 1970s manually-tuned push-button TV. It didn’t have the light on the front, or the rear carry frame when it was new, they must have been extras.
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I'm a novice not sure where to get a bike education? Like most kids I road everywhere through high school than my biking waned to the neighborhood rides with my kids when they came along. Currently I have a Schwinn Single Speed Cruiser that my dad special ordered for my mom from a Schwinn shop in the late 80's/early 9... | Many local bike shops also organize group rides that cater to casual riders.
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Hydraulic disc brakes not sticking after replacing pads and bedding in So i first bleed my brakes and really botched it, getting brake oil everywhere. I cleaned up, got new pads and wiped the rotors down. I got new brake pads which i the proceeded to bed in. Eventually they stuck well and I declared them ready to go an... | Per the comments above, the old rotors you wiped down may be contaminating the new pads or vice versa.
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Is a name sticker with my name enough to prove a bike is mine if it gets stolen? Apart from the fact that stickers can be removed (as thats not the point of my question) would if my bike got stolen and i found it, would a sticker with my name on the frame be enough to prove that the bike is mine? Thanks. <Q> It may be... | But to actually prove the bike was yours, you'd need more evidence such as purchase receipts or information about the bike that you'd provided to your insurer. Police departments used to do it, but there are fewer that do, and registration doesn't really prove ownership unless you are required to provide proof of owner... |
How to find key values of a chain? My chain says "Z KMC 3C-2 RB" which I suppose refers to as 'Z8 RB 1/2" x 3/32"'? The bike shop where I have bought from until now doesn't have this exact model. So what are the key properties of the chain, so I ca buy another brand? I want to get the best possible quality if possibl... | All chains for derailleur gear equipped bicycles measure 3⁄32 inch between the inner plates.
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Croozer hitch -- axle quick release lever on the left? The croozer manual states that to mount the axle hitch [with the hitch on the left/non-drive side and the quick release axle skewer oriented such that the quick release is on the right/drive side]: The quick-release lever must be positioned on the right side of t... | By putting the quick release to the right, there is no danger of the hitch (and the strap) interacting with the quick release lever.
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Is it safe to wear a helmet without a plastic covering? A friend of mine gave me a foam bike helmet had the plastic covering removed from it. Besides for the plastic being removed, the helmet is in excellent condition. Is there any issues with using this helmet for riding locally as far as safety is concerned? I think ... | The plastic covering is there to protect the foam from dents and gouges.
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Fitting a vibration-proof bell for drop bars I have a bike with drop bars which I need for commuting, but I live in a city which is not only full of idiots † both on foot and on bikes themselves (thus meaning going bellless is idiotic), but also full of broken paths and cobblestones. I've now lost two bells due to th... | The simple cheap design of bell that makes a single ping when the lever is flicked against its spring should be more robust.
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Charging eBike Battery with Solar I need some advice / info on solar charging an eBike battery. We have two RadRovers from Rad Power Bikes. They are powered with a Panasonic Dolphin 48V, 11.6Ah Lithium-Ion battery https://www.radpowerbikes.com/collections/replacement-parts/products/radrover-battery-pack . We are plan... | I also wouldn't advise charging the battery while it's in use. So you can only charge the spare pack and you'll have to figure out how to convert the solar panel to the right D.C. voltage and amperage for your charger.
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How do I best clean the cog wheels? Would it be best to take it off first then soak it in soap, or should I use petrol to get the grease off first? <Q> You don't need to take the cassette (cogs) off to clean it. <S> Use a citrus degreaser fluid. <S> Clean the chain and chainrings at the same time. <S> You can use a r... | If you've got the tools (chain whip, lockring tool, wrench), it is easier and more thorough to remove the cassette and soak it in a degreaser than it is to clean it in situ. It is also possible to clean in situ with a wipe, a rag or some kind of floss.
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Is it safe to cut off from the inside of my helmet? Having a rather "pointy" head (think of something like Patrick Stewart's head ), all bicycle helmets I've every tried on tend to have contact with only one point at the top of my head. Now my idea was to cut a little bit away from that rigid foam at that location.... | The thinned part is more flexible, which could affect the whole helmet's behaviour under the load of your head hitting the deck. You don't know what effects removing your tiny fraction of material will have. It might take having to go to different stores and trying different brands and types (or even to a store in a di... |
What are the benefits of cycling gloves? So cycling gloves? I don't see how this can change my experience of riding bicycles. Someone please explain what benefits I get from them. Maybe I would buy some if the benefits are good enough. <Q> All sorts of reasons: <S> Less damage to your hands when you fall off. <S... | Warmth - Even on a summer's day some light gloves help keep your fingers limber.
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Replacing bolt and nut I want to change my bolt because it is rusty. I am concerned that something bad will happen if I remove the bolt completely. Can someone please tell me if it is okay to remove this bolt completely? There are three bolts in the picture and all are rusty. Your quick answer would be helpful to m... | The bolt can be removed, cleaned or replaced and reinstalled with no problems.
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Why do e-bikes need dedicated tires? While shopping for new tires on my bike, I saw that some dealers had a specific section for e-bike tires, where the various brands production for e-bikes was present. Why do e-bikes need dedicated tires? <Q> They don't need them <S> but they are good to have. <S> I have an e-bike... | So an ebike tyre will be a marketing term for higher puncture resistance and lower rolling resistance, and probably in the wider sizes to cope with the extra weight.
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Can a road bike stand constant 40km/h for long distances? I am planning on converting my road bike into an electrical one and I can see that I can get average speeds of 35-40kmh. So I am planning on biking long distances at this average speed. Is it safe to do it? What can fail at such high speeds in long run, conside... | Also make sure your conversion has a brake sensor cutoff, you wouldn't want your braking distance increasing because the motor is pushing while you're frantically trying to stop. The wheels are going to take more punishment as they roll over bumps at higher speeds.
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Training wheels for adults I'm new and just found this site and look forward to being able to contribute where appropriate. I am a stroke survivor and trying to do my best to stay in shape despite my limitations. I want to return to cycling, but only have the use of one hand, so a conventional bike is not an option. ... | If you're going fast enough to balance without the training wheels, you're going fast enough that you need to turn by leaning. One other thing to consider would be a recumbent trike or a tadpole trike which is just a recumbent with 3 wheels rather than two. One final note on a recumbent with stabilisers; If you buy a b... |
How can I extend my rear rack backwards? My pannier rack/carrier is not long enough and consequently, if I want to pedal with the tip of my feet, my heel touches my bike bags. I have seen that Basil sells a "carrier extender" (see there ), which is primarily aimed at using bags with children seats. I'm afraid that th... | Depending on your bags, rack, and the severity of the problem, you may be able to solve the problem by repositioning the mounting hooks on your panniers, without modifying your rack or getting new equipment.
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Can anyone help me identify this touring bike? I found this LL Bean Touring Bike on Facebook marketplace, the price looks pretty good and the owner said it was around 15 years old. I know that at some point, but not very recently, LL Bean Bikes were made by canondale. Can anyone give me any information on this bike? ... | I have a bike just like this one, same color - if you look on the back sprocket protector, (the black plastic piece), it will have Cannondale in raised letters.
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Why are emergency inflation cartridges filled with CO2? Why aren't they filled with ambient air using air compressors? Isn't compressing ambient air cheaper than generating CO2? If it is, then those cartridges would have two benefits: Cheaper to manufacture CO2 filled tires deflate on their own far quicker than ambi... | Powerlet cartridges are filled with CO2 presumably because it's the most suitable gas.
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I just bought a Giant TCX SLR 2, but I still have money to spend. Which parts should I upgrade? I am new to bicycling. I bought this bike because it had good reviews and ratings and it fits the area where I am living. I am not intending to use this in a cyclocross race, but maybe in the future. I still have money to sp... | But first of all, get accustomed to the bike and find out what you like to use it for, as this changes everything.
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Tubeless with liquid or inner tubes with liquid? I am about to replace the worn tires of my Cube Acid 29". My question is what to choose among: tubeless tires with sealant liquid, or normal tires, with inner tubes with sealant liquid? My most important factors are: puncture proof, and total kilometers and time ... | The tube is much harder to plug with sealant, and if not perfectly sealed, air can also potentially escape from around the valve stem (or other whole in the rim if no rim tape is used). In your case I would go with tubeless. You need to think about how and where you ride, and pick the one with the advantages that match... |
I keep getting flats right at the valve! I changed 3 inner-tubes, they keep getting cut right at the bottom of the valve. I sanded down the hole where the valve goes, it had a sharp edge! Flats still happening... <Q> As Paparazzi said: make sure the valve goes straight through the valve hole, i.e. perpendicular to the ... | If this keeps happening, it is possible the tubes are too small for the tires, so that the tubes slide around inside the tires and the stem goes askew.
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Commuting 36 kms, 5 days a week My workplace is 18 kms ( 11 miles ) away from home. I am planning to commute to and from every workday, 5 days a week. My stats - 6'1" (185 cms )82 kgs (180 lb ) I generally average around 22 km/h while going and coming (13 mi/hr). The commute takes about 50 mins, I am in the zone fo... | I personally do not believe that just biking is good for your health, so it is important to do other exercises, and especially do stretches at the beginning. Optimize your route in terms of safety and shortcuts I take a shower at work, where we have a bike-to-work club with lockers and showers, and then I hit the gym d... |
Bottle on frame alternative I've been riding with a bottle filled with isotonic drink + hydration backpack with plain water for quite awhile. Recently my bottle stated to fall off on descents (not the best frame design + increase in speed). I'm looking for alternatives to frame mounted bottle cage that will suit aggres... | There are solutions to mount your bottle on the frame, all of them lame in a different way: Velcro mounted bottle cage (less lame), on the bars (very lame), on the saddle (also very lame). As to current state (fall 2017) there is no ultimate solution that has a mount for both sweetened drink bottle and regular water bl... |
Will Deore M6000 SGS derailleur work with 42t cassette in 1x10 configuration? I'm building a 26er 1x10 commuter. I have a 40t chainring and 11-42 cassette. Will an out-of-the-box (no goat link or extra-long B screw) 2017 Deore M6000 SGS Rear Derailleur work with this? Will the YBN SLA 101-TiB chain have enough links ... | The bottom line is the medium cage m6000 derailleur is the only 10 speed derailleur designed to work with the 11-42t cassette out of the box.
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