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Questions about tubeless tires I keep getting a lot of pinch flats even though I've pumped my 26x2.00 wheels to 280Kpi (65psi) and I've been thinking about converting to tubeless. But I don't have both tubeless ready tires and rims. What if I buy just the tires but use my current rims, will it work? <Q> Without tubeles... | Rim tape helps keep the tube in position and if it is ripped, dirty, etc it might be causing the punctures.
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What road bike size to get? I am very new to road bikes and have decided to buy one. The problem is both shops I have gone to said I should get a 54cm frame, even though I'm only 5'5. This seems to go against a lot of online information and my friends advice. What should I do? <Q> 54cm does seem large for you. <S> I'm ... | often it’s good to buy a used bike when you shift to a new style of biking. Take a knowledgeable cycling friend with you when looking at bikes.
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OK to ride with a slightly bent mech hanger? My rear derailleur took a knock from a fall, and the entire shifting range moved inwards by about one sprocket width. I suspect, but am not sure, that the mech hanger got slightly bent (could be completely wrong, not really sure how to tell). I was able to counteract this b... | Things like a chain side plate coming loose and catching on the rear derailleur cage or the rear derailleur cage itself getting caught by a rear wheel spoke aren't going to end well even if nothing happens to the hanger at all.
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Pedal foot position - balls or arches I notice that when I pedal that I mostly seat the pedal in the arches of my foot naturally. I also notice that the cycling shoes tend to seat the cleats in the balls of the foot area, as do other cyclists. I was curious about the justification or pro/cons of either. When I try to p... | The lever effect of the foot means that: placing the pedal spindle closer to the toes results in high sprint power but lowered endurance placing the pedal spindle closer to the heel results in lower peak power but better endurance Please consider to ride as you like, without any attempts to train yourself to use a diff... |
Why do I lose so much power/speed in an aggressive position? I've heard many cyclist say they can go faster (and are more comfortable) with a large bar drop. If my bar is more than 5cm below the saddle (even by 5mm) -- or if I increase the reach -- my power drops at least 20% (3-4 MPH slower up a 10% grade). Is this ... | Long legs relative to torso create this problem, where a frame that has an appropriate top tube length has usually a seat tube that is short for you, so you need to have a higher than usual seatpost. If you are riding in hilly terrain and are concerned with making your max power, set up your bars in a less aggressive p... |
Lever pulsates while braking I installed a new front float rotor, the ones that you can get from AliExpress. I have Deore XT brakes. While using the front brake the lever moves back and forth while pulling it. I inspected whether the rotor was bent or the caliper was not properly aligned but everything is okay. I can... | Most likely explanation is that the rotors were machined improperly, so they're not the same thickness all the way around.
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Cycle touring. First chain failure. Thoughts on cause? Was pedalling up steep hill on gravel road. No gear change. Just seemed to go mid push. Was very steep and out of saddle....had to push the remainder of way! <Q> Well, only really one proximate cause for this: chain was weakened through wear and fatigue (it looks a... | Or the chain and/or sprocket may have simply been worn out -- a worn chain/sprocket combo causes "chain suck" which can break the chain. It is hard for me to imagine a failure mode other than a manufacturing defect (crack) in the plate.
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Is 25 km/h average speed good? What speed should I aim for? So, I recently got into road cycling and have been riding for a few weeks. My average speed for most of my rides is around 25 km/h for the first 40 km and drops to 15 or 20 km/h for the next 20 or 30 km. I want to know if the speed that I'm riding at is consid... | One of the best ways to improve is to ride with other people who are just a bit faster or who have more endurance than you. However, you may benefit from being able to compare your efforts to others and also track changes in your own results. If you have a speedo, aim to ride at 20 km/h for more than the 2 hours.
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Skipping on new chain, new cassette, new derailleur For a long time I have been having issues with chain skipping on my 1999 Trek 6500. I took a video to illustrate exactly what I mean by "skipping": Over the last few months, in the course of trying to fix it, LBS has persuaded me to replace the chain, rear wheel ... | A chain that is too long may cause skipping.
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How to prevent brake quick release from opening on rough roads? On rough roads or when there is a lot of vibration, the quick release on my front brake will sometimes pop open. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? If it helps, the bike is a 1995 Trek 370, which has Shimano 250EX brakes and Shimano Exage 300... | Probably the simplest solution is to use a bit of tape to hold the lever closed, but tape may come off. You should stop riding the bike until you replace the brake if your braking is compromised.
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Hire road bike for one day for race (never ridden one before)? So I am thinking of doing a triathlon in a couple of months. I've been training on a hybrid bike and have only ever ridden either hybrid or MTB. Your probably thinking, don't do it you're mad, totally different riding position, much narrower tires etc. So... | If you want to place as well as you can, you need to get a tri bike, practice on it a lot, know the most efficient positions for each part of the course, and shift gears smoothly and appropriately. It takes a while to get used to any new gear system. Rental agreements often include specific lines forbidding racing on t... |
Can a 21 speed Shimano Tourney groupset get converted into a 7-speed? I currently ride a 3x7 Tourney bike, which I’ve upgraded moderately and it is riding nice. I’d like to know if I can somehow replace my 3-crankset for a simple one, and also get rid off the front shifter and its cable. <Q> Yes - note that some bikes ... | Couple of options for single ring cranks: If your current cranks have removable chainrings you can take off the outer and inner rings. Yeah that's doable.
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The Effects of Widening Seat/Chainstays first time so bear with me please.I recently had to replace my rear wheel. Went to LBS and the only options available are 130mm spaced. I have a nice Specialized 1980s frame that measures 126mm. It's a steel frame so squeezing in the new wheel is no problem. However, I'm curious ... | No change in handling will result. Theoretically though, as you widen the spacing, the distance from the bottom bracket to the rear hub axle will decrease, if anything.
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Bent fork, is it replaceable? I got into an accident on my Raleigh Revenio 1.0 nearly 5 years ago. I've ridden it 400-500km since then with no problems. I don't see any damage to my top tube, down tube, or head tube. It turns out that I bent my fork, but I didn't know that until just last week. I've moved from the U... | First, there is some danger that the fork could fail catastrophically. There can also be problems with the headset bearings being damaged and the head tube being distorted, The head tube is not tapered so the fork very likely has a standard non-tapered 11⁄8" / 28.6mm steerer tube. The bike looks like a reasonably popu... |
How to tighten the Hollowtech II (on R2000 Claris) cranks? The owner's manual on my new bike (with the new Shimano Claris, not the old one with Octalink) asks me to do this: After the first 20 km tighten the crankset and also tighten the pedals in the crank arms. Check if crank bolts are properly tightened. Check w... | I think the implication is that anytime you install these types of cranks, when you’ve ridden for 20 km you are then expected to tighten up/torque check the two pinch bolts again.
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What pressure should a tire have? I am a new bike rider. Over three months, my wheels are a little bit flat. However I am not too sure as to what pressure I should pump them back up to. Currently they show 25 PSI (172 kPa). It is a hybrid bike I use to ride to work. Is there any way I can check what the pressure shou... | Beware that too low pressure can make the inner tube susceptible to punctures caused by hitting a bump hard (known as 'pinch flats').
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BB spindle length/chainline for re-used Shimano FC-M391 chainset I'm trying to rebuild an old Univega MTB. Primary goal is to build a good or decent bike from used parts. The crankset+bb that was on the bike when I got it was really worn out. I unscrewed it and cleaned the frame carefully. I asked around and found a f... | As noted in @nollak's answer, spindle length required is dependent on the frame and the offset of the chainrings on the crank.
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Is it worth to get a Bianchi Caurus 909 and rebuild some parts? I'm planning to get a Bianchi Caurus 909 2nd hand for city bike and some long rides (30 km average) whenever i want to visit another city for example. The thing is if it worths to get the bike and change the gears, maybe the brakes, handlebar plus the main... | If, however, money is not a deciding factor for starting a rebuild, then the answer depends on whether you like spending your time with bike tinkering, and have no other better/enjoyable things to do.
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Is it significant that my bike sometimes makes a "twang" sound when I hit a bump? I recently bought a 2016 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc road bike, which is working great -- however I notice that occasionally when my front wheel hits a bump (e.g. a small pothole or the lip of a driveway), the front fork (or something ... | Don’t forget cables, housings, spokes etc, You can try dropping the bike onto its wheels from six inches or so to see if you can replicate and locate the general area the noise is coming from. Simply check your spokes an tighten them if necessary.
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Is 7-speed for 10-speed cassette replacement possible? I have a city/touring bike with Shimano MF-TZ21 freewheel hub which is 340mm wide (I measured). I would like to change it to a 10-speed cassette 11-25 or 11-28 but I am not sure if it can fit between my chainstays (129mm). I know I would need to buy shorter hub als... | To get a 10 speed rear you need to upgrade to Tiagra or Deore, depending on if you have a road or mountain style bike. 7 speed is already pushing the limits of the design, and bent axles are common. If you were talking about a cassette/freehub system, you would be able to fit a 10 speed cassette on the existing hub bec... |
What are the causes of rear derailleur chain noise? My rear derailleur is making some noise and I'm having trouble diagnosing the cause. It seems like it's coming from the rear cogs and sounds similar to chain noise. I'm re-building my bike after an accident, so it's possible that something was bent though I don't see ... | The axle should fit the derailleur hanger thread.
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Shimano STEPS E8000 battery won't charge I have a STEPS E8000 bike and wanted to make some improvements, like possibility to charge from any kind of CC/CV charger (even using solar panels when grid is not available) and to charge it to 41v to improve cycle life but things went wrong after first brief charge. I charge... | The worst case scenario is that you bricked the controller on the pack and you can’t recover the controller.
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How to "fit in" a cycling bunch? This is a genuine request for ideas on how to be effective in not following the " Velominati " rules. How to keep cyclists of all persuasions together and be accepting of others, from leadership to newbies. The alternative: https://humancyclist.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/the-rules-rewri... | Assuming that you are not the only one hating the rules try not to get into the discussions .
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Can I fit a bigger cassette just by changing the hub and not getting a new wheel? I have an old 29er that came with a 7 speed shimano tourney groupset, can I replace that with a 9-10 speed new set, just by getting new hubs? or the wheel cant handle that setup? the frame needs to be "prepared" for that change too? <Q> I... | You may be able to get a 9 or 10 speed sprocket cassette on your wheel, if you have a freehub style hub rather than an older style freewheel . Yes, you can however oftentimes it is much easier, faster and financially more convenient to simply get a new car. You might be able to reuse the spokes, maybe you will have to ... |
Is it cheaper to mass produce a carbon frame than an aluminium frame? I've heard this comment but I have not found any information about it. Is it true? <Q> There are some videos on YouTube that show the basics of the process of making a CF frame. <S> There hundreds of individually cut sections sections of CF cloth tha... | Given that alloy framed bikes are generally cheaper than CF framed bikes, it's reasonable to conclude that an alloy frame is cheaper to produce than a CF one. The raw materials and tooling are more expensive, the process takes longer, and the work is generally regarded as more finicky and easier for things to go wrong ... |
What kind of crankset is this? Can someone help me identify this crankset type? And is it possible to replace only the cranks (and their axle) without replacing the chainwheel/front derailleur? <Q> This is a cottered crank . <S> There should be no need to replace the front derailleur. <S> There is a risk that the bo... | The chainrings are fixed to the crank and can not be moved to another, but you can replace the entire bottom bracket (combination of axle and bearings) and crankset. If you indeed want to fix it, first step is removing that bb. French are narrow and longer pins The bottom bracket, cups, bearings and races are most like... |
Options to move the school rucksack during the trip If to commute to school by bike, how is the school rucksack usually transported? I can see the following options: Keep it on the back. It is quite heavy, gravity center will be high and in case of falling over head it may add to the injury. Put into basket above th... | I had permanently attached to my rack a set of heavy-duty luggage straps, then I would attach my backpack to this. I can very much recommend Ortlieb bags
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Will my rear wheel with an internally-geared hub shift forward when pedalling steep uphill? (I'm not a bicycle mechanic. Please excuse the incorrect terminology.) I would like to have an internal hub gear (Shimano Alfine 11) installed on my bicycle. My bicycle has a horizontal rearward-facing track fork end. Situat... | I could re-tense the chain by loosing the lock nuts and shifting the wheel back to tense the chain.
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Why ride knobbies on a commuter? For me, riding a bike is often practical, good for my health, the environment, etc., but I ultimately ride bikes because I enjoy it. I'm curious to learn about others' decisions for riding knobby tires on their commuters, aside from practical reasons, which don't interest me. I tried ... | Nobblies are 'tougher' - hit a pot hole or mistime a kerb jump, and you are far more likely to get away with it. I speculate that it is because many riders choose mountain bikes or near MTB-hybrids because of their practicality and comfortable riding positions, and never swap out the tires.
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How to compare an IGH (Shimano Alfine 11) with a 10 speed cassette and 3x chainwheel? I'm try to compare the gear ratio of a IGH (Shimano Alfine 11) with a 10 speed cassette + 3 chainring setup. I read Sheldon Brown's gain ratio definition . I went to Sheldon Brown's gear calculator I entered all the numbers fr... | You’ll need to pick your own chainring and sprocket values for the Alfine, point being you can customise these to get the gearing you want. At the low end, small changes in gain ratio make for significant perceived differences, i.e. when you're running out of gears fast for that climb!
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Bottom bracket maintenance - is it a thing? Previously when I've had annoying noises from my bottom bracket I've simply discarded it and bought a (cheap) new one. But the last time I replaced it I got a great offer and splashed out a little bit on a Hope Road Ceramic Bottom Bracket . A couple of years on (but only 2... | On sealed bearing BB, depending on how the unit is constructed you may get away by swapping bearings. In general, all cartridge bearings with rubber seals can have the seals carefully removed, which is something of a skill in and of itself, be cleaned with solvent, rinse, blown dry with air, and re-lubricated. Toleranc... |
Replacing an FSA chainring I would like to replace my chainring for a bigger one. I looked up my bike specs and it comes with a FSA CK-316BT, KSS, 42T chainring. I couldn't find any information about this, so I don't know how to buy a bigger chainring. Here is a picture of what I am trying to replace, I am trying to ... | So the first thing is google your bike frame and see what maximum size chainring its rated for.
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Do I need a new tire pump or can I fix my old one? My old bike pump psi gage shows a different pressure than my newer hand held tire gauge. Is there a way to fix the pump or do I need a new one? <Q> You're not going to be able to fix something like a pump: you won't be able to buy spare parts for it and, even if you co... | Maybe your trusty old pump is actually right and your new gauge is inaccurate. If you want to decide which one is wrong (and it might even be both!), you'll need to use multiple devices.
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Adjusting derailleur with bike upside down, is it ok? I need to adjust the derailleur on my bike, I don't have a bike stand. I have three options for pedaling while adjusting the the derailleur. Turn the bike upside down, balancing on the handlebars and seat. Tip it up on the kick stand Lay it completely on its... | I pretty routinely will invert my bike when working on it, as I also don't have a workstand, and it's never caused problems before. Adjusting the cable tension at center of the cassette and limit screws at both ends should be all that is needed, and that can be done by visually aligning the derailleur pulleys and casse... |
Should tire pressure be equalized or slightly offset? I am wondering wether I should match the recommended PSI of both my tires (equalized) or if I should have the front tire slightly more deflated than the back or vice versa (offset). Are there occasions where front and back tire pressure is slightly and preferably mo... | Unfortunately there is no way to definitely determine what you tire optimum tire pressure should be, but you can experiment with different pressures.
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Finding the correct bike for short tours and daily commutes I am looking for a new bike after my current one has started to fall apart mostly. As a disclaimer upfront: I have very little knowledge on bikes. For my current bike I did very minor repairs myself (fasten lose screws, etc.), for everything beyond that I mos... | Repairing your current bicycle also makes sense if you plan to leave it at the train station since an old bicycle (with a good lock) is probably much less likely to get stolen than a brand new one (even if it’s cheap). Get an entry level hybrid bike from a bike shop if possible.
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Remove old non-indexed levers for gear changing to make "fixed" speed bike? I recently got an old bicycle for the sole purpose of using it on a trainer. It has old non-indexed levers for gear changing and they don't seem to work OK. The front one slips into lower after a while, and the rear one is now "locked" since it... | The other tweak for the rear derailleur is to remove the inner cable and insert it directly into the derailleur and tighten it off in the gear you want.
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Rear wheel not straight because of worn out dropout? I noticed that my rear wheel wasn't straight and even after realignment it wouldn't stay straight. After some investigation I noticed that my rear dropout appears to be worn out: Is this the problem? What is the cause? Is this normal for a bike that is a little les... | There's a certain bike model I've been dealing with where the skewers just go in the trash, because the resting spot of the cam produces so little clamping force that using the front brake at any speed readily shifts the axle around.
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Is it practical to switch from tubeless to tubes every few weeks? Part of the allure of a gravel/cyclocross bike has been the possibly of having a "do it all" setup. I recently purchased a gravel bike with 38c tubeless tires on it, and I also have a set of 30c tubed/clinchers. I don't have any experience with tubeles... | You could run the wider tubeless tires with tubes in them to make the swap easier.
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6-bolt vs centre-lock: pros and cons? I am having a new set of wheels built, and am trying to decide on whether to go with 6-bolt or centre-lock rotor interface. What are the pros and cons of the two systems? <Q> Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or... | This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice.
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Securing bikes while on a car hitch mount I've recently come into ownership of two very nice bikes. I live in an okay area, so I haven't had to worry about bike security very often. We do, however, often take our bikes to less than savory areas - we have a Thule T2 Pro and often stop for lunch ~wherever~. What is the... | I also will incorporate a separate cable lock to secure my wheels (I just use a loop style and thread it through the ulock as well). I also have a cover over mine. Another approach may be to use some sort of bike alarm.
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What is the maximum weight could 26 1 3/8 tire and tube could withstand? I bought my first bike few months ago, and it is old Raleigh 26" 1 -3/8 size. Every time I go with this bike through some bumps the rear tire and inner tube get punctured with large hole. It is written in the tire that the maximum weight is 70Kg... | One important cause of flats is under-inflation, which can happen with any kind of tire or tube. Rubber parts perish with age, meaning they loose strength.
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Chain loosening over time (Fixie) I've ridden a fixed gear bike for years now, but I've only just questioned if I have been doing something wrong when adjusting the chain.You see, I have to tension the chain (pulling the rear wheel back) every now and then, roughly once a month because the chain becomes very loose with... | Given that the circularity of the chainring, bearings and rear sprocket are never ideal, there will be a position through a full crank's rotation when the chain is the most tight, and a position where it is the most loose.
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My next bike: a tri bike or a road bike I currently have a mountain bike with thin road tires on it (because I ride only pavement). I’ve been starting to train for triathlons, here lies the problem. Should my next bike be a triathlon bike, or a road bike that I just put aero bars on? If I go with the tri bike I still ... | A road bike is more versatile.
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Replacing a normal hub with a dynamo hub I'm the owner of a Kona Sutra 2017. I'm pretty happy with this bike, but I'm looking to get a dynamo hub for it, with some lights and maybe a charger for my phone. So far I managed to figure out that the front hub is a Deore HB-M525A. This would require me to find something th... | If it's just for a light (not the USB charger), Reelight can be an alternative for a hub dynamo
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Can rusting of chain be slowed? I have been using a silicone spray on my chain, but it isn't long before it rusts. Anything better? What about about Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube ? Thanks. <Q> We don’t give specific product recommendations but the following general advice should help reduce rusty chains: <S... | A bit of superficial rust won’t harm a chain but insufficient amounts of lube will significantly increase friction and wear. Ask the staff at your local bike shop what they recommend for your local climate and terrain if all fails, try a chain that has corrosion resistance as a feature. There are four ways to reduce ru... |
Why do so many people put the inside pedal down when cornering? When learning to ride, my dad taught me to always have the inside pedal up when cornering. He reinforced the lesson by telling me about a race he'd been in where someone clipped a pedal when cornering and took down 20-30 people in the pack behind him as he... | Also, most people don't cycle fast and aren't on road bikes, so they're not leaning the bike much and they have reasonably high bottom brackets.
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How can I prevent my next bike from being stolen? I park my bike in my building's bicycle room, in the parking garage in the basement. The garage door can only be opened with a remote fob, and the bicycle room is locked as well. In the garage, I secure my bike using a U-lock, and a chain lock. This morning, I came t... | If thieves are willing to break into a locked garage, break into a locked and fully enclosed mesh bike parking area then cut two bike locks using power tools: Just store your bike in your apartment if you can. Also, it's likely that someone let them into the garage - i.e. one of your neighbors. Be sure to have access t... |
Crack on underside of handlebar I found a crack underneath the handlebar. Is it okay to keep using it? I can't really afford a new one. I'm riding with the cracked bar right now and there's no weird sound and movement on the handlebar. To make things easier to explain, here is the crack Not sure what happened. I can... | If you are sure (or have strong suspicions) it’s a crack and not just a scratch, stop riding it. End of the bar hit the ground, bar broke. BTW, it doesn't matter that you can't afford to replace broken components because your brother owes you and should pay for the damage.
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Safety guidelines when using MTB clipless pedals on a road bike Yesterday, I went for a ride and my legs felt really great (hadn't been cycling for about 2 weeks) so when I was climbing on a hill, I decided to go on a full blown sprint and unfortunately... somehow my leg got released from the pedal and on the push down... | I don't see why MTB style pedals would present a greater risk of the cleat coming out of the pedal under high power than a road style pedal would. A new set of cleats and adjusting the depth of the cleat in the shoe sole will probably help.
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Are there reasons not to use always the max level of assistance? I'm using an electric bicycle to go to work. My goals are: Not to arrive late Not to sweat (too much) My bike, like most e-bikes I guess, let me choose the level of electric assistance that I wish. I understand that the range is longer with a lower l... | This puts extra strain on the parts of the bike, causing them to wear out prematurely. From a maintenance and longevity point of view it's probably not the best idea. The manufacturer provided the max assist setting, so they intend for it to be used. Do not let the stupid engine with no eyes to decide which velocity is... |
Looking for ideas on how to track bike wheel rotations or distance traveled I want to build a hack where when my stationary bike hits 0.1 miles, it sends an information to a webserver which would trigger a web API call. I understand how the webserver and API call would work. I wanted some ideas on how the said hardwar... | Two main technologies picking bicycle speed are magnetic sensors and pickups counting wheel revolutions and ANT+/Bluetooth sensors with accelerometers counting wheel revolutions. Cheap bike computers tend to use reed switches; more expensive ones may use Hall sensors that would take more interfacing.
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Wider tires offering faster speeds and safer ride? I'm looking at riding again. I took a two year break after I crashed going down a hill when a tree branch was down and I went over my handlebars. I've always assumed that thinner tires were better for riding but I was watching this video from Global Cyclist Network.... | The idea is that because wider tires don't necessarily have more drag you can run wider tires and get better grip and comfort without a penalty.
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Is it ok for a kid's bike to only have a front brake? My wife picked a bike (with trainer wheels) for my 3yo son. It only has a front brake. Having gone over the handlebars once when I was just using the front brake, I'm a bit worried about this. Should I be? (Now that the bike has arrived, it has a rear coaster brake... | Anyway, while your state may allow you to use a coaster-brake-only bike, the safety issue remains: Chains can and do jump off the sprocket, or even break. I get my kids to ride around on grass secure in the knowledge they will crash or fall and learn an important lesson before they're old and big enough to hit the road... |
New high quality tire doesn't sit evenly on the rim It's my first tire change experience and I got so far using youtube videos but now I'm stuck.Got these Schwalbe 365 tires yesterday for my folding bike.It is an all season model which feels a bit harder than the tire that was on the bike from the factory but both are ... | Looking closer at the wheel after taking the tyre off I wondered if the fabric rim tape that was used could have been my problem. A pump with a pressure gauge is really useful for stubborn tyres, I run mainly Schwalbe, and some of theirs can be tricky, though I've had worse.
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Ride a bike only using the pedals Is it possible to ride a bike standing? I mean properly standing, not sitting up straight. Your feet are on the pedals but you do not touch any other part of the bike. If not, is it possible to roll/steer while standing? For maximal clarity I added this handcraftet picture. You may on... | This is because the pedals are offset somewhat from the center of the bike, so you will not be able to use them without falling over if those are the only points you are in contact with. It's possible, for those who can do the seemingly impossible, at least if you allow the rider to do a wheelie at the smae time.
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Chain shortening only one link? Is it possible to shorten or extend a chain only one link as shown in the photo (in red square). Or do I have to shorten at least two links in order for the other end to match? The reason I'm asking is that with my current setup ( front 52/36, rear 32/11 ) if I remove one link the chain... | There are couple of solutions to handle/overcome this issue if your dropouts don't allow it, such as: you can acquire a complete "half-link" chain (they are popular among BMX riders) and be able to break the chain at any length
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Can I run a red light at a T junction? I was wondering if I was on a bike could I run a red light if it is impossible for me to get hit by a car? (Unless the car drives into the bike lane). I made a quick picture on paint to try and show what I mean. EDIT: I live in Washington and here is a picture from google maps, ... | However, if bicycles are not required to stop, you shouldn't ignore the light. Since the laws can vary from city to city we have no way of determining if it legal where you are.
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Rear bicycle rack for car with mini-spoiler I have an Audi A1, which has a small spoiler on the back; it's built into the car, not something I have put on. I have been looking for a bike mount/rack that I can place on the rear of the car. A member of Halfords (popular every-day automobile and bike store in the UK) st... | I reckon my old Halfords high mount rear rack would actually fit if adjusted carefully, but they no longer make it. Many rack systems will offer the opportunity to install a roof-top box in addition to the bike racks for more storage capacity (or a place to put stinky riding clothes on the way home).
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Why do rear pannier racks have a raised "nose"? I am tempted to saw off the raised "nose" on my unbranded 2nd hand pannier rack because it's forcing me to lift the child seat substantially, which obviously has implications on stability. But I feel there must be a reason so many racks have this raised nose thing. I had ... | It also provides a wider part into which the rack can push the item firmly. Also, if you're a bungee user then it provides a higher point with corners to hook onto, so the hooks are less likely to slide.
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Is it possible to convert a single speed rear wheel into a multi-speed rear wheel? If I buy a wheelset that was meant for a single speed bicycle, how could I convert that wheelset to a multi-speed bicycle? Note that I am not asking about converting a fixie ride into a multi speed one, I only care about the wheels. Tuto... | Aerospoke also is/was switchable, and were pretty common in their heyday, so probably represent the most popular singlespeed wheelset you can buy and then convert later to derailer use.
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44 622 / 700x45c what tyres to buy? The marking on the existing tyre to replace is 44 622 /700x45c On sites like https://www.schwalbe.com/en/groessenbezeichnung.html 44 622 corresponds to 700x42c and 47 622 corresponds to 700x45c , I am confused which number to trust and 44 622 also looks like rare tyre size as I can... | the final tire diameter depends on the combination of tire and rim widths (i.e., the same tire can have different final widths depending on the rim width it is mounted to). What really matters is that all of these must be fitted to a wheel with a bead seat diameter of 622 mm, which is the diameter used on your bike.
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Just curious what DIY setups have worked for removing crown race from a steerer tube? I have a great solution for installing a crown race with just plain PVC pipe, but am really flummoxed as to how to remove a crown race from carbon forks without purchasing a specialized tool or driving 30 miles to my closest bike shop... | There is a relatively cheap kind of crown-race removal tool that acts as a set of wedges that clamp down on opposite sides of the race to drive it away from the crown.
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Marin Fairfax Alp 2011 - Can I fit a 11-32t Cassette I currently have a Shimano LG50 12-25t 8 speed cassette and am finding it a real struggle on steep hills - I am around 13 stone (82kg). This is the first time I have looked at changing the original gear ratios on any bike I have owned. I want to change to the 11-32t... | If you has a narrower range of chainrings I'd say you could get away with the larger cassette sprocket, but the required total capacity really rules it out. The things you need to take into account are the rear derailleur's Max sprocket size Min sprocket size
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Will yellow glasses stop me being blinded? Will yellow glasses stop me being blinded ? In the winter I commute along a canal path, the lights from the other cyclists are blinding at times. Will yellow glasses stop this, it's too dark for normal sunglasses? <Q> No. <S> What blinds you is the relative brightness of the... | The nice thing is that your own headlight's reflections would be less blinding so that you can see unlit areas better. The yellow lenses are designed to increase contrast in daylight. I've been trying some yellow clip-ons which mount to the front of my glasses.
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New bike for commuting and touring I went downstairs earlier to get ready for an afternoon ride on the cheap bike I picked up a few months ago as I wasn't certain if I would keep the cycling up and found to my dismay that, once again, the rear wheel had come loose on the bearing and was wobbling back and forth. I'v... | A ‘gravel’ bike with 40mm plus tire will be better but will be compromised on paved road surfaces. You can buy individual components and build a bike yourself
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What can I get for panniers to commute with my 17" laptop? I have looked for a pannier that can hold my 17" laptop for a couple of years. No such thing exists. I tried contacting a couple of places to make one, but they never replied. So, now I'm trying to make or combine things to get myself a rain-safe pannier for my... | I did a little poking around and found a well-known hard-shell case brand that does have briefcases for 17" laptops.
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I'm looking for a part that connects the saddle to the body frame of the bicycle I recently removed the saddle because it was squeaking a lot, then I cleaned the inside and put oil back in, however I couldn't re-attach the bar under the seat to the body frame, then I used this clamp probably in the wrong place and then... | Most likely the suspension seat post needs to be reassembled. My first attempt would be to try to knock it off with a hammer and screw driver by tapping gently around the circumference and 'walking' it up the seat tube.
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Modification for cycling with one functioning hand My dad loves cycling, however he has dystonia which reduces control of the muscles in his hands. He can still cycle, however this becomes very painful after a moderate period of time due to gripping the handlebars, and also reduces his control of the bikes movement. ... | Center steering recumbents with no handlebars (or handlebars not used for steering but only to mount brake handles) don't need any arms at all (well, if you mount coaster brakes), but more control of the rest of the body and are probably harder to ride.
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What is best for your brakes when stopping at the bottom of the hill? You are at the top of a hill and want to stop at the bottom. What is best for your brakes so you don't wear them down: brake continuously; or brake when you reach the bottom? <Q> In terms of wearing out the brakes, they will wear less when you br... | It is faster and more energy-efficient to brake as hard as you can as late as possible than to control your speed early.
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How to be certain a Boardman ADV 8.8 would fit without prior road bike experience? I'm looking to buy my first road bike - an adventure/gravel road bike. Question: How can I be certain it's okay or not? And should I be looking for a bike that's closer to my estimated frame requirements, and with ideal clearance/reach... | As you found out, a huge part of cycling mechanics is the saddle height, and once you have got that right, you will find that there is plenty of alternative stem heights available to get your back at the angle you feel comfortable at. You have to rely to a large extent on bicycle shop staff advising you, taking to acco... |
Windproof jacket for winter riding where I live winters usually are -15°C to 5°C. For MTB I wear sports base layer and fleece jacket, but problem is wind goes right through making stomach and chest area very red and painful. I have a cheap windproof jacket, but it's unbreathing and sweat condensates on the inside, so s... | When you add a wind-proof layer to your fleece you are probably over-insulated and get sweaty when riding, then cold when stopped. Specific product recommendations are off topic on this site as they tend to become obsolete quickly. There are plenty of breathable windproof, cycling specific jackets available and reviews... |
Cons of using an infrequent use long range e-bike battery trailer using SLAs So I've recently purchased an ebike and started thinking about how I could go long distances without charging. It occurred to me that whilst sealed lead acid batteries can't go through many cycles, for the odd long distance (~100 miles) some ... | The SLA batteries on the back will have to have a strong but thick power cable to get to the battery fitment. You will need to monitor the voltage of your Li-ion and SLAs to prevent it from dropping too low, especially the Li-ion. You'd have to figure out what the mass of batteries you would need, and see if it would e... |
Clicking sound on each rotation of the pedals only when riding Let me prefix this by saying that I don't know much about bikes. Especially from the terminology perspective. When riding, I can hear a relatively quiet click when I push down on the pedals. It happens when either of the pedals are in the upwards position,... | Final possibility is that a part is worn or damaged but needs to be under load for it to make a noise (pedal bearings/bottom bracket bearings/crank arms). Unless it's a clipless or expensive pedal, just buy another pair. If it is something that has gone loose, it's going to keep getting looser and looser until it falls... |
Can a Shimano XT (mountain) hydraulic disc brake caliper be used with an Ultegra STI road brake lever? Specifically, is the XT BR-M8020 mountain caliper compatible with an Ultegra hydraulic road brifter like like the ST-R8020 or ST-R8070? I have confirmed that they both use BH90 brake hose ("high power" rigidity). If ... | As far as I know, all Shimano calipers/levers have
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Go tubeless with used tires I have some tubeless ready wheels and tires, but they were delivered mounted with tubes the old fashion way. I’ve been riding like that for more than 800km, and I wonder if there is a problem removing the tube and add some sealant after so long. Especially since I had a puncture from a small... | If the hole is large enough that the sealant cannot seal it initially (or can't seal it at all), you may have trouble getting the tire inflated to the required pressure to properly seat the bead. Jan Heine (Compass tyres) recommends not to use tubeless tyres above 414 kPa (60 psi, 4 bar) at all (cf Heine's blog ).
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Big dent on frame: How did this damage happen? I just bought this second hand Ridgeback Impulse folding bike for my partner. I'm a wheelchair user and it was dark and rainy when I collected the bike. So... I didn't check it (facepalm) I just got the seller to put it in the boot for me. It's been in the boot for 3... | It seems that this dent belongs in the bike. If it is damage then no one here can say for sure how it happened.
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How different it is to ride with same gear ratio with 26" and 28" Do you know how much of a difference it is to ride with specific gear ratio (example 48/16) with 28" wheels and 26" wheels? <Q> Yes. <S> You can do the math on this: (chainring ÷ sprocket) <S> × wheel size. <S> With a wheel that has an outer diameter at ... | So, a gear that's optimal for riding 26 km/h on a 26" wheel will be optimal for 28 km/h on a 28" wheel. Also, you can directly calculate the difference in effective gearing by simply dividing one wheel diameter by another.
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Is there any reason for the rear frame and bottom bracket to be asymmetric? I just received a new non-brand carbon frame and immediately noticed that the bottom bracket looks to stick out significantly more to one side than the other, and the rear bottom forks also seem to be have slightly different dimensions - both s... | Some bikes have a drive-side chainstay with a downward kink to minimize chain slap. The crankset, chain, and gearing are all on one side, making just about every standard bicycle asymmetric. The bottom bracket shell does not really stick out more on the drive side, it's symmetrical around the center line of the frame.
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How to recognize a tubeless tire? I suspect that the used bike I want to buy might have a tubeless tires, but one is flat. Is there any external feature to look at that would allow easily to tell this for sure? I have no experience with tubeless tires and would not know how to replace it. <Q> While your question of id... | if wiggling the tire moves the valve stem you have a tube if you feel the tube stretching against the valve stem, you have a tube, otherwise either you have a tubeless setup or a burst tube.
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How much cycling distance is needed to travel every day for good muscular exercise? As a bicycler I used to travel on cycle daily for about half an hour to maintain fitness of my legs and body.But I want to know how much time and distance is needed for a good exercise. <Q> As individual speeds vary depending on fitness... | How many km and at what level of effort you can ride depends on your current level of fitness. Depends on what your goal is. I have no hard data to answer this, just my experience: I commute every day, 13 km one way, practically flat, and I do my best to do the route in 30-35 minutes with a city bike.
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Can a bike have both Schrader and Presta tires? I have Kona Dew 2018 and the front tire has a Presta valve while the back tire has a Schrader valve. Is it common to see bikes have different valves for each tire? <Q> Short answer, it's not common at all and probably wasn't like that when the bike was new. <S> The val... | Check the rim of your presta wheel: it might just be that somebody put a presta tube in a Schrader rim.
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Pump head suitable for for small tires What is the best pump for small bike tires with narrow spokes? The pump head we have is large and is hard to place over the valve on our 20 inch tire. I've tried pump extenders but they are screw on and I always let out as much air as I put in when I unscrew them. I'm happy ... | A pump with a hose that screws onto the valve sounds like it would do the trick.
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How can I cycle in winter while not being able to change work clothes? I started recently to bike to work, where we have a shower and I can change clothes. However recently I also started attending an evening course, where there is no place to change. So when I commute to work, it's easy. At home I wear my warm cyclin... | You might carry an extra pair of lightweight footwear to replace whatever is keeping your feet warm while riding. I've had success wearing legwarmers under trousers during winter. In that case, you can probably wear non-padded shorts "as underwear" and suitable layers, and you won't need anywhere private to change. I c... |
Are carbon road bikes robust enough to use off-road? Regardless of the tire clearance, could I use my carbon road bike off road too? Can it handle the stress and load? Wont it break ? Does a road bike needs to be more robust to handle the offroad, gravel load? Thankfully Rob <Q> There are many CFC gravel, cyclocross ... | Speaking of handling, your road bike is likely to have narrower handlebars than an equivalent cyclocross or gravel bike, which will affect how well you can manoeuvre your bike on very rough terrain. The strength of a carbon fiber composite frame is not the problem.
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Putting a DH fork on an enduro bike: consequences? I am into downhill (DH) but I don't live 1) in a country with a lot of DH parks with lifting services etc 2) near such parks. Still I like riding rough stuff (in forests or in town) so that I would finally opt for an enduro bike. Concretely: I initially planned to buy... | Downhill riding assumes harsher loads; you would not want your handlebar to snap. You can get a Rockshox Boxxer 29" DH fork in 180 mm length, that would do the trick.
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What should be my first upgrade? I've been planning to upgrade my Foxter Evans 3.0 (Low budget Bike) tolessen it's weight. What should I replace to lessen it? Also I'm a 5'11 personand my frame is a medium. Should I consider replacing the frame due to incompatibility of my height? I only have $400 budget. Below are t... | Either save for a whole new bike, or perhaps look at clothing and accessories that will make your riding more enjoyable and easier. You could upgrade to a higher front sprocket and new rear derailleur or you could increase your VO2.
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How durable are road or hybrid tyre tubes compared to mountain bike tyre tubes? The context here is that I'm using a mountain bike to commute and I'm considering buying a hybrid bicycle or road bicycle. I'm experiencing various issues that require repairs and maintenance. Perhaps the most time consuming being puncture... | If you are getting frequent holes and tears in your tubes but not your tires, and you are not getting pinch flats, inspect the inside surfaces of your tires carefully for debris or small sharp objects that may be buried in the tire surface. Also, speed is only one consideration, you may be more comfortable and happier ... |
What is the torque needed for chainring bolts? I have a bike that is no longer in production, but it has a standard drivetrain (FSA). I had some shifting issues the past couple days, and to my surprise when I did a clean/inspect, three of the 5 chainring bolts had dropped out and the other two were finger loose. I sal... | On my race BMX's I put cable ties through the chain ring bolts once they are correctly tightened as this prevents them falling out if they come loose.
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Can I use WD40 and generic bicycle oil to maintain my MTB drivetrain? For years I've been using WD40, a brass brush, a rag, and some generic bicycle chain oil. My chain has no visible damage, and I have no problems with it. This is for a somewhat cheap MTB that sees everyday use for commuting. What oil? I don't even k... | You're basically using WD40 as degreaser (it's a very thin oil that will dissolve away thicker oily gunk) and then using chain lube as chain lube. You keep your chain relatively clean and lightly lubed, and there's not much more that needs to be done.
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Is there such a thing as 'eBike specific' freewheel? I've recently had the LBS replace the freewheel on my eBike after 500 ish miles of riding. The sprockets were not worn out, instead the freewheel bearing (not the hub bearing) had become loose. It looked like this was due to the bearing cup loosening on it's thre... | Rear hub motors for eBikes typically seem to have slightly larger diameter axles. I've handled a number of such ebike motors/hubs with screw on freewheel(s) and can confirm that every single one was a standard screw on freewheel.
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What are the dangers of the tyre/inner tube bursting? Is there a danger if the tyre or the inner tube suddenly burst? <Q> The main danger can be an immediate loss of control. <S> Depending on when/where is happen, that loss of control can be minimal if going at slow speed to kill you if it happens going downhill at h... | Losing grip on the front while cornering is quite likely to result in a crash, less so on the back, but if it's because the tyre is suddenly flat you may not be able to recover.
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How much can we change our bike wheel diameters before needing another bike fit? How much can we change our bike wheel diameters before needing another bike fit? If we change the size of our bike tires, it raises or lowers the front or rear of the bike. That means it can affect the reach, handlebar height, setback, sa... | Say you go from 35mm tyres to 25mm on the same rim (a 10mm difference in nominal radius, which is what actually matters) on a bike with an unusually short 1m wheelbase. More typical changes on more typical bikes would work out closer to 0.2%.
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Issue shifting from largest cog to second largest Got a Canyon Spectral 3 weeks ago, have done around 2 hours riding on it and have noticed an issue with shifting from the largest cog to second largest. The drivetrain is SRAM NX 1x12. There are two different scenarios: When the bike is upside down The chain will st... | I had the issue that I had to tug a little bit on my shift cable to get the derailer out of the biggest cog to the second one. I tried new cables, I shortened the cable housings as much as possible but it didn't help. While not the main issue that you're having, shifting while not pedalling will always make it worse.
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Why did my chain start coming off on the right side of the chainring sometimes when I am pedaling in high gear? I have a 7 speed bike with one chain ring. Recently the chain has started coming off the right side of the chainring occasionally when I am pedaling. My bike has about 2000 miles on it and is about 7 years ol... | Look for a bent tooth on the chain ring, this can throw a chain, especially when the chain is at an angle.
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Chainring and cassette configuration How does the 52/36 chainring coupled with a 11/30 cassette match up.Will it be good for a 70 year old recreational rider? Or what combo would you suggest? <Q> Highly unlikely this is the gearing for you. <S> 52/36 would be considered a higher gearing choice these days. <S> You ma... | It’s likely you will need a lower gearing, especially if you live in a hilly area, so consider a 48/32 ‘sub compact’ on a road bike. Well, use a gear calculator to compare the different combinations and find one that fits your needs, with the things I mentioned in mind. Standard chainrings on most drop bar road bikes a... |
Should I multiply maximum tyre load by number of wheels to get maximum bike load? I bought a cheapo adult tricycle and looking closely at each tire there is stamped on it a maximum weight capacity of 175lbs. Do I multiply 175lbs x 3 for the max load it can carry or does this mean only a person weighing less than 175 lb... | As to what creates such a limit, the strength of the wheel (in particular the spokes and hub) is part of it, but also consider the deformation of the tire. As such, the bike manufacturers specifications should be the final word on overall maximum loading.
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How do I get a new chainring when my bike is so old, the manufacturer doesn't have the chainring (or crank) I need I need a new chainring but when I called the manufacturer they said my model is so old they don't have the part any more. I've attached an image of the crank from the manual and a photo from my bike. Can ... | You can absolutely find replacements for these cranks and chainring.
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Are there valve caps that show the tire pressure? I saw these valve caps for cars, set at 2.4 bar: Is there something similar for bicyles? it would help less careful riders when it's time to pump more air in them. <Q> These types of valve cap gauges aren’t recommended - either for cars or bikes. <S> They work by bypa... | For completeness sake, I point to the fact that the only "bike-specific" tire pressure monitors on the market appear to be high-end wireless digital versions that send data continuous monitoring data to a smartphone. I think the easier option will be to pump your tires up to your desired pressure, give a thumb press to... |
No space inside the house, where do you store / secure bike? I live in the UK. At my house, I don't have much space, I have a drive-way but no gate surrounding it. Here's an image: What are my cheap storage options for a mountain bike (voodoo bizango). Thanks <Q> You can get wooden storage sheds for bicycles for aro... | You might still want to consider finding a place to store an expensive bike inside, like renting a storage room or an underground parking spot somewhere nearby. Finally, as @Daniel Hicks notes, it's also possible to buy and mount a pulley system that will let you lift the bike to the ceiling, either horizontally or ver... |
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