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Remove bearing cartridge on a Formula RX-142 hub I am trying to replace the free hub side bearing cartridge on this Formula RX-142 rear hub. It came stock on my 2018 Fuji Jari 1.7 and was not available after market and I can’t get docs on it. Do I just push forcefully from the opposite side to force the cartridge out... | If you're lucky you can get in from the back of the bearing and simply punch it out with a hammer and punch, as bearings are simply a press fit.
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What features should I look for when buying bib tights? I want to buy a new set of bib tights for cold weather biking, but there are many choices and variations and huge variations in price. What qualities should I look for - e.g. fabric, padded insert, straps, back material, water resistance. Some have a section of ... | Wool is quite breathable and helps you stay warm when you inevitably get damp. You also want minimal friction between any skin in the crotch and genitals, and your legs, specifically the inner thigh. This is a somewhat subjective topic as everyone has their own personal preferences. Some tights have stirrups - strips t... |
Since hybrid bikes may be a compromise with no benefits, why are they still often preferred for commuting instead of drop bar bikes? Since hybrid bikes may be a compromise with no benefits, why are they still often preferred for commuting instead of drop bar bikes? According to at least one opinion, hybrids are a comp... | In general, a modern gravel or cyclocross bike is more efficient, more versatile, and just as or more comfortable as a hybrid (when fit properly). Most commuters won't have heard of the concept of having your bike fitted properly, and would rightly have no interest in it.
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What mistake might I have made while truing this wheel? I bought a spoke wrench and tried to true up a wheel (for a heavier rider 220+ lbs.) However, as soon as they got on, there was a chinking noise, and the brake rub I had just fixed resumed (albeit slightly.) I used the motion of the brake pad (I had one pad rubb... | I'm guessing you trued the wheel but the spoke tension had not been relieved - and when it did relax, the rim went a little more out of true.
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Is a tyre with sideways bulge going to cause damage to the rim or the hub or the axle? My Schwalbe Marathon plus tour 26'' x 2.0 has a sideways bulge (both rear and front). In between the 2 tyres and tube there is a anti puncture strip. The rim seems not to be the problem. I think the strip is the cause of the tyre'... | If your tubes are too long for the rim, then the excess material could fold and cause bulges and failure to seat the bead. So, if the uneveness is really due to the anti-puncture strip, you may want to try without it.
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What are the disadvantages of having an old, worn cogset? I'm always a little wary of people telling me I should replace things on my bicycle that aren't broken. Because of this, I'd like to know details and symptoms about what happens if I ride my bike with an older, worn cogset? Do I lose efficiency? How much? Is t... | If the cogs are extremely worn, you'll then get slippage as the chain slides forward over the cog (staying on the same cog, not shifting) when you put pressure on the pedals. Many people replace their cassette and chain at the same time once the chain length is 1% longer than when new. So in summary - wear is a gradual... |
Panniers and handlebar pack I am planning to tour and would prefer highly visible panniers and handlebar packs. Also waterproof. Do racks come with panniers? Suggested brands please? <Q> Racks generally do not come paired with panniers, although there are some exceptions. <S> There are some high-vis panniers out ther... | Waterproof panniers are widely available.
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How tight should I screw my thru-axles? I have a new road bike with thru axle and disc brakes (Ultegra). I noticed that depending on the how tight I screw the axle in the frame, the brake disc will be closer to either side of the brake pads. I didn't pay attention at first, so now the rear left pad is much more worn th... | One possible way to achieve that: Screw the wheel's axle to manufacturer's recommended torque.
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How do I know what brake rotors to get for my bike? In the next month or so I plan on getting the 2019 Trek Crockett 5 as a cyclocross/road bike. I will also be getting some nicer road wheels for the bike so I can swap out the wheels whenever needed. Of course I plan on getting the same cassette for the rear wheel, but... | There are two rotor interface types , you need to get something that matches hubs on the new wheelset. Either way you'll want 160mm rotors and to keep it easy, I'd stick with Tektro rotors for this system.
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What kind of tool will loosen this nut holding a chainwheel on a one piece crank? Can someone tell me how to remove this nut that is holding the chainwheel in place on this one piece crank? In the picture below, the red arrows are pointing to three slots in the nut that a tool would fit into to remove the nut. Is the... | Such a tool may be called hook spanner.
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Suspension seatpost for mountain biking? I've seen several seatposts on the market with suspension built into them such as the Thudbuster, Redshift, and Kinect and was wondering if anyone is using one for mountain biking? Is it worth the money and does it improve the ride quality? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks! <... | Suspension seatposts have always been a niche product, but in my view are now a niche that is redundant for mountain biking, and perhaps more suited to a gravel bike.
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Roadbike with aluminium wheels in mountains. Is it safe? I'm planning my upcoming trip to ride real mountains in Spain on my road bike. So far I used Mavic Ksyrium aluminum wheels but mostly on flat areas. I'm not confident with going downhill on this wheels because when I do downhill my wheels becomes hot from brakin... | When people talk about blowouts from braking heat, they're usually referring to latex tubes being used with rim-brake carbon clincher wheels. Ksyriums have been popular OEM equipment and mid range upgrades for at least 10 years and 1000's of people are riding them in the mountains every year with no issues. I'm not at ... |
What is the generic name for the gear shifter where you have one trigger for the up shift and another for down shift? I recently bought a bike with new advanced gear shifters where you can shift easily as the shifter has a trigger for the up shift and downshift? I would like to replace the twist shifter in my old bike ... | "Rapidfire" or "rapidfire-style," referencing Shimano's name for their shifters of the type, are sometimes used synonymously for trigger shifters along the same lines as V-brake versus linear pull, Frisbee versus flying disc, etc. The grip shift, or revoshift, or many other names.
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Technique for self-adhesive puncture repair patches Is there any special technique for using self-adhesive puncture repair patches? Today, I've had two different tubes fail within a minute of being inflated because the air pressure had split through the glue, effectively forming a little pipe from the puncture out to ... | The system of carrying a spare tube and a vulcanizing patch kit, using the patch kit only if you get multiple flats in the same ride (should be a very rare occurrence), and patching your punctured tube when you get home so it can become your spare is popular and time-honored because it works and is cheap. In practice I... |
Can I mix brands of chain and missing link If I stick to the same speed (e.g. do not mix say 9 speed and 10 speed), can I mix the brand of chain and missing link safely. For instance, can I use a Shimano missing link on a KMC chain, or should I only use KMC links on KMC chains and SRAM links on SRAM chains? <Q> Shiman... | Note that SRAM's 10 speed link is termed "power lock" and is suggested for use "one time only" because of the tighter tolerances present in ten speed systems. In my experience, there has not been any issue, including noise, using KMC's "missing link" or SRAM's "power link." Prices are similar between brands within same... |
Fix pushchair brake wire with balls at both ends - can my idea work? The problem is with a Jane Trider pushchair so it's not exactly a Bicycles question, I'd love suggestions for a better place to ask this. But all the parts are like on a bike, only they are attached to my daughter’s pram. A short summary is that a... | side cutters - take a cheap pair of wire cutters and remove the cutting edge. You can also use solder bath to affix the barrels at the end of the cables like in the next video: Repairing / Soldering a Motorized Bicycle Cable - Throttle Clutch or Brake You might consider silver-soldering the overlapped wires together. Y... |
Banged frame: Is it still safe to use? My girlfriend's bicycle was vandalized by a neighbour. It seems like they banged it with a hammer or something right in the middle of the frame. Is this still safe to use? <Q> There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face f... | Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
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Why does my chain slips when I put pressure on my pedals When I get on my bike and put pressure on my pedals or stand up and pedal, my chain slips. I want to know what the problem is so I can fix it myself as I don’t have a lot of money for a bike shop to fix it. Any help would be appreciated. My whole chain slips whe... | For #1 you need to evaluate the condition (wear) of the chain and cogs, and whether the rear derailer is putting sufficient tension on the chain.
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How do I make Shimano SPD cleat lock into pedal more securely? I bought Shimano SPD pedals and shoes for MTB. They’re great for uphill and straight gnarly sections. There is one problem - when I’m clipped in I have a ton of movement. I have tightened the spring but there is lots of movement so how do I get a tighter ... | If you have shims under the cleat, try removing them.
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What options do I have if my rear derailleur breaks when I'm out on a trail? I ran into an unfortunate situation earlier this week. I was out on a mountain bike trail, alone — just me and my hardtail. I'm pedaling, when I suddenly hear a CRUNCH and my bike stops. The hanger has broken, and the derailleur is totally ben... | Carry a chain tool and spare joining pin or quick link. So one solution is to scooter along with one foot on the opposite pedal, and your other foot pushing directly on the ground.
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Is the term "24 inch gear" universal (in the context of fixies)? Recently the group I ride with has included more fixie riders than I'm used to, and there's a phrase which was initially puzzling but makes perfect sense: the 24-inch gear. I've hidden the meaning under a spoiler so readers get the experience I did. 2... | 'Gear inches' is actually the diameter in inches of the drive wheel of a penny-farthing bicycle with equivalent gearing.
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Can I glue this crack as a temporary solution? I suddenly noticed a crack in my frame. Is it practical for me to use glue to seal it off as a temporary solution? Edit: Further information ...two incidents so far. Someone opened their driver side door on me and I slammed into it. That considerably weakened it. The... | As your picture indicates it's indoors, you need a new fork before riding it anywhere. The fact that it's such a wide crack means something is already deformed and weakened.
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New wheel. Does it need that little rubber lining between it and the tube? I recently replaced my rear wheel (hooray for figuring out how to remove the cassette). Now I am about to put the old tube in the new wheel. I noticed the new wheel doesn't have any rubber lining to protect the tube from the metal as my old, now... | Yes, you will need a rim tape to protect your inner tube from the spoke holes or the spokes in your rim.
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How can I dry a chain? I've started cleaning my mountain-bike chain more regularly, using this process: Wash off mud. Use chain-cleaner tool with de-greaser. Wash off de-greaser. Dry chain (see below). Re-lube with wet lube. Wipe off excess lube with rag/paper. The bit I'm having trouble with is #4 (dry chain... | A method I've used a lot is after the chain is thoroughly clean but still wet, use an old hair dryer rigged up to be pointed into a small bucket, in which the chain is sitting in a wire basket or similarly suspended.
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Mixed Tire Size and Speedometer Setting Which Circumference do you use on the speedometer (Cateye Strada Wireless) when running a larger rear tire versus a smaller front tire (25 verus 23)? Does the larger tire determine speed, distance, etc. over the smaller tire? Thanks,George <Q> The tire on the wheel you are mete... | So you need the circumference of the wheel you're using the device on.
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SPD vs. SPD-SL: Which unclips most easily? I got my first real road bike a few weeks ago, and am now hearing from my local bike club fellows that I should get some clipless pedals. A quick Internet search reveals that the main types are SPD and SPD-SL, and that shoes made for one type cannot be used with the other. Th... | Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibilit... |
Gates carbon drive on carbon frame It is hard to prove non-existence, but as far as my research goes, there is no carbon frame available for belt drive systems like Gates. My guess is that this is due to the requirement to be able to open and close the frame during belt installation. However, at the same time, carbon f... | There is no technical reason that a carbon frame couldn't be designed to accommodate a belt drive system, and indeed there are examples of both major design approaches in the carbon fiber frame market.
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How much of a difference would shifting from a (24/34/44, 14x28) to a (28/38/48, 11x34) configuration make when going downhill? I currently have a Proton MTB with a 24/34/44 crankset and a 14-28 cassette. I have found the configuration to be lacking when going downhill: The front chain ring doesn't feel stiff enough on... | Gravity is your friend though going downhill, it’s not like the higher gearing of 48x11 will make you way faster downhill, but you would be able to sustain a comfortable cadence on longer, gentle descents before freewheeling Meanwhile, at the bottom end, you wouldn’t be sacrificing your lowest gear by much and if you’r... |
I replaced my rear hub, but I'm not sure about how to attach the derailleur I'm new to working on bikes and have been unable to find an answer via the internet, which, too be honest, is probably really simple. I got a bike just for riding around the city that had a cheap hub which went out recently. I replaced the hu... | You may be able to find an adapter that engages in the dropout slot that incorporates a derailleur hanger to use with a replacement hanger mounting derailleur.
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Strategies against getting blinded by oncoming cars When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on the left side of the road. Currently, I mitigate this by holding on... | I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. Use a different route, if one is available.
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Mounting Stiff Metal Fender with Strive Bolts I am trying to mount a metal fender on my bike that was formerly a cross bike. I explicitly moved to this one (used) because the "crossy", plastic ones tend to slip to one side or another, and are not long enough in either direction. The fender came with four screws that a... | Bikes from certain times and places have used large (compared to today) unthreaded holes and draw bolts for fender attachment.
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Why are recumbent bicycles and velomobiles illegal in UCI bicycle racing? As stated in the title. However, the "superman" position is also illegal, and the question applies to that as well. Motor racing will often lean on safety to explain why there are so many limitations to how a car can be built and configured. In ... | While a recumbent bicycle might be perfectly safe you ride by yourself or with other recumbent riders, it would be a disaster to mix them in with a peloton of riders on regular bikes. The weird factor is a major one. The rider cant see the front of their own front wheel, which makes it a lot harder to stay in a close f... |
What determines crank length? Without getting really technical what determines the length of the cranks that you would use on your bike? I was wondering if longer cranks without being ridiculous would act as a fulcrum and make climbing easier in a higher gear ratio. <Q> As an opener to your question.... <S> Femur le... | However, the optimum crank arm length is that which enables a rider to produce maximum power which does not necessarily correspond to maximum peak torque. A longer length will bring the upper leg at the top of the stroke closer to the abdominal cavity.
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How do I purchase a drop bar bike that will be converted to flat bar? I really like the Kona Sutra from both a price and specification point of view. As I have only ridden flat bar bicycles I am not sure if I can used to the drop bar. In case I cannot, I would like to convert the bicycle to Velo Orange's Crazy Bar .... | Swapping out the bars shifters and brake levers is expensive, time consuming, you have to work out the compatibility problems - It's a much better idea to test ride bikes that you think you might like, then when you purchase you know what you are getting.
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Budget brands for gears in India A total newbie here. I'm planning to upgrade a single speed to geared one road/tour bike. I haven't decided the gear system though. I guess I'll decide that upon availability of the parts. Well, I am looking for a budget but reliable alternative to Shimano brand gears. I live in... | Usually, the most economical and most effective way of making this kind of major change is to sell the bike you don't want and buy the bike you do want, possibly second-hand.
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Rust hole on tube between chain stays I've inherited a frame my father used to ride and was planning on getting it blasted and coated. Checking it over it all seems to be in fair condition (its decent 531 Reynold tube), some rust, but not deep. Except the tube behind the bottom bracket shell between the chain stays (... | Finally, the cross-brace was often used for fender mounting and was usually drilled, paint damage at this point is also common which could have further accelerated the rusting. Even if you do all this and the main frame seems reasonable intact, I would still be cautious in use as there is no way to determine with absol... |
Hybrid flat to drop conversion advice I have a Whyte Portabello hybrid, I wanted to swap to an adventure bike with drops. I thought as an alternative it might be easy to convert my existing bike instead, and save a bit of money. It has hydraulic disk brakes but most brakes on drop bars seem to be cable operated? The... | You'll need to replace a lot of components because the derailleurs and brakes used on flat-bar bikes aren't compatible with the levers typically used on drop-bar bikes. Simple advice: don't do it. Selling the bike and getting a new one is a better option.
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Loud cracking/creaking sound only when cycling uphill I've bought a new road bike with disk brakes from Canyon ( Endurace AL Disc 8.0 ) and have it now for a month. Since the beginning it makes a loud cracking/creaking noise. It sounds metallic, almost like the noise you get when placing a bike upside down, spinnin... | You could have a problem such as a cracked rim on the front wheel that only makes noise when a specific, not-usually-encountered force is applied, and that force is only applied when you're in a certain position. If the lockring is tight - then your freehub might be worn. If the creaking gets worse when the force on th... |
Fitting front derailleur to one-by hardtail Would a front double derailleur be possible on these hardcore hardtails? In grey: Kona Big Honzo (carbon) In black/yellow: Transition Throttle (carbon) In blue: Ragley Blue Pig (steel) I only ask the question regarding the frame architecture, not about the parts I will... | You can install an electrically activated derailleur (e.g. Di2 from Shimano, EPS from Campagnolo or eTap from SRAM) and simply attach the wires with tie-wraps or electrical tape. Adding new features to a bike is expensive and usually means that you end up with a bike that's less good than one that was designed to have ... |
Is it possible to convert a suspension fork to rigid by drilling it? I have been given a Falcon MTB. I've sorted out all its troubles but the front suspension fork is worn.When using the front brake the slack in the tubes make them judder. Is there anyway I can "solidify" the fork as I don't need suspension. Can I dril... | The best solution therefore may be to replace with an inexpensive rigid fork, as other answers have suggested. Most solutions to make the fork “rigid” (i.e., no compression or rebound movements) will not address this tolerance issue, so in all likelihood the judder would persist after making the fork “rigid”.
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Is this a touring bike? I’m thinking to buy this bike. I usually ride mountain bikes and this is my first time looking for a touring bike. I only need something for ride on the roads to go school. Could someone recommend me something?? Info: 10 Speed CCM Ladies Bicycle 25" Rims diameter 21" or 53cm Frame Size ... | A touring bike would have more places to mount racks, mudguards fitted, and sometimes multi-position handlebars for rest and variety. You say that you need a bike to cycle to school, so focus on finding a bike that will be suitable for that. You could absolutely ride it anywhere you like, but it probably has 27" wheels... |
Going from 7 Speed Cassette to 8 Speed Cassette here is the situation – I have a quasi-vintage 7-speed bike that still has the original front and rear derailleur (Deore DX) in very good condition. I have recently took a wheel building class which, naturally, resulted in a nice new set of wheels that I would like to us... | Yes, 7 and 8 speed chains are the same but you'll want a new chain to run on the new cassette.
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Can I pump my MTB tire to max (55 psi / 380 kPa) without the tube inside bursting? I have a e-mountain bike and I use to commute to uni every day. I have heard that higher tire pressures give you a bit more speed. My tires say I can pump to 55 psi (380 kPa) but I don't know if my tube can handle the same pressure. Don'... | There are two competing factors: a soft tyre is constantly losing energy due to being squashed flat against the road, but a hard tyre loses energy because any bumps you go over have to lift the whole bike, instead of just deforming the tyre.
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Changing 23mm tyre to 25mm - considerations? I got a L size Opus Allegro 4.0 (2014) which came with Vittoria Zaffiro tyres 23-622 (700*23c) on an Alloy Shimano Asoo WH-R501 wheelset 622x15c. I'd like to fit a wider tyre to improve my experience and feel when I am on bumpy roads. I'd like to know what parameters I sho... | The two things to consider when increasing tire size are compatibility with the rim width and frame/fork clearance. I'd be very surprised if the frame does not have clearance for 25mm tires. However, current smallest tubes from both Conti and Schwalbe are 18-25 compatible, so you should probably be fine.
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Can I patch a tire (not a tube) that has a hole? I've got a relatively new bike tire (hard case Bontrager) that got punctured by a nail. So now the tube bulges out of the tire and is of great risk of bursting (though I biked several miles before realizing this). I'm wondering if it is possible to patch the tire? If s... | If the hole is not on the sidewall but on the tread, you might possibly solve it with an auto tire patch (the kind used for holes in the tread).
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Independent drivetrains on tandem bicycle On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this? I'm aware of the half-recumbent tandem that has independent drivetrains, but I'm specifica... | Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).
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Shifting from a Tiagra BB to an Ultegra or Dura Ace BB? So after about 10,000 miles with my bike I bought in 2015 the bottom brackets have had enough. I need to switch them out, and considering they're quite cheap in retail and also does a lot of the heavy lifting I thought I could upgrade to a better series. And here... | However, I don't think that at your level of cycling that it would make much of a difference to simply upgrade the bottom bracket itself. All Shimano Hollow-Tech II road bottom bracket cups are interchangeable, that is they all have the same bottom bracket shell threads, fit in same shell width, have the same axle diam... |
New brakes for 90s road bike I am riding 90s road bike with Shimano 105 dual-pivot brakes and brake levers, and 2x7 downtube shifters. Since braking becomes less and less reliable I want to replace both brakes and levers with something new. There's a plenty of good opinions on 105 br-r7000 but I am having hard time to... | So if your OLD is 130mm you could throw money at the problem and replace Brake levers with STI Brifters New inner/outer cables Remove downtube shifters and fit two barrel bosses New rear 11 speed derailleur
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Could the E-bike drivetrain wear down till needing replacement after 400 km? The drivetrain (chain? gears?) of my E-bike started to make loud clicking sounds, with the impression that the chain is skipping over teeth. The gear switching itself still works well. I have tried to regulate the rear gear mechanism by adjus... | The symptoms that do mean they need adjustment is that either the chain is falling off the top or bottom of the cassette (derailleur able to move too far) or that gear changing is just fine, except that you can't change into the smallest or biggest cog (derailleur not able to move far enough).
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How to commute by (electric) bike in excessive heat I am from India and this is beginning of summer. I rented an electric bicycle for daily commute during winter but now it is difficult to do during summer screeching heat. What should I do to continue my cycling activity in summer while being eco friendly? Updated: My... | Drink very cold water before starting to bring your core temperature down and bring a cold bottle of water to drink while riding too. I would still advise you to follow your instincts and slow down or stop if you are feel exhausted. I plan my rides to avoid the hotter parts of the day. Also watch your cadence, choose a... |
Which tube will fit a -(700 x 25c) wheel? BF got a fancy new bike, and promptly punctured the inner tube, I’ve been looking in shops for the right size and getting in a right faff trying to find the right size. His wheel says on it -(700 x 25c) I know it’s a Presta Valve, and has to be 700, but I’m confused on the 25... | These numbers refer to millimetres, the width of the tyre, and tubes can be stretched within reason to suit a few different sizes of tyre. A 700 19-25c tube will fit, as will a 700 25-28c. Bicycle tire and tube sizing is a bit of a crapshoot - one manufacturer's "25" can be a a mm or two larger or smaller than another ... |
Any MTB trigger shifters that work with Shimano RD-4600? Are there any MTB style flatbar trigger shifters that are compatible with Shimano 4600 road components? <Q> SL-R780 and SL-R460 shifters are also listed by Shimano as compatible, so you have a couple more options than I first thought. <S> IIRC mountain bike <S... | The Shimano SL-4600 are flat bar shifters for the 4600 road components. To figure out what is compatible with what, you can look at Shimano's compatibility charts . As 4600 uses standard ratio, this rules out 10-speed MTB (different ratio), and obviously 9-speed. SL-R460 (2x10)
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Sealant in inner tubes: what's the difference? I was thinking of converting my wheels to tubeless but my rims and tyres are not tubeless ready. I just recently learned that I can add tyre sealants into inner tubes. Can it prevent pinch flats like the normal tubeless setup? <Q> Putting sealant in your tube does nothing... | I suppose it's possible that putting sealant in your inner tubes would prevent some mild pinch punctures.
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how do i put my bottom bracket back together I was bloody relived I could get the bb apart that I just rushed ahead and fogot to take note of how it came apart.DOH!! I now have the following dilemas 1)What size bearings were they again(dont ask where those bearings went) 2)which side does the longer side of the axle... | The two cups presumably have opposite threading, one "right-handed" (normal) and one "left-handed" (backwards). Quick summary - Long side of the spindle goes to the crank side, right - Fixed cup goes on the crank side, right - Bearings - see chart at link (after re-reading the chart I don't think it applies.
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Road bike handle bar adjustment to one weaker and shorter arm I have Erbs Palsy causing my left arm to be shorter and weaker than my right arm. Can the handle bars of a road bike be adjusted to accommodate this or is there another resolution I can consider? <Q> This of course compromises the position of your right arm ... | If the difference is small, you could adjust the handlebars to be correct for your left arm by bringing them higher and further rearward by fitting a shorter stem with greater rise. A solution will very much depend on exactly how much shorter and weaker you right arm is.
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Is it ok to trim down a tube patch? I got a 700x18-23 inner tube that just got punctured. The small round patch on my patch kit is a bit wider than the inner tube itself. Is it ok to cut around the patch so it fits? An added question: when buying an inner tube, should i buy the smaller 700 x 18-25c, or the 700 x 25-... | The typical kit contains several long patches which never get used in full: if you have a cut that big, it's better to replace the tube. The patch is thinner at the edges and cutting leaves a thick sharp edge where it can tear.
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Change Derailleur on CX Bike I have a Giant 2013 TCX Advanced . It has a Rotor 3DF, 36/46 Crankset and a SRAM XG1190 11x28 cassette. I'd like to swap the cassette for an 11-40 or 11-42. The guys at Wolftooth said: "..derailleur does NOT have enough capacity to handle an 11-40 cassette and a double chainring. You will... | So officially a 44/33 (or 44/34) chainring combination and 11–32 cassette is the closest you can get to 1:1 ratio. As far as I’m aware a 1:1 ratio with your SRAM components is not officially possible.
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Should I cover my bicycle overnight while bikepacking? I'm wondering if all the moisture from being out overnight will damage my bicycle. I'm thinking 30+ days of being in use, with maybe a couple of those days being light rain.If the water will damage my bicycle, are there lightweight and compact covers that could be ... | If you are in wet conditions for extended periods (i.e., weeks to months), then some surface rust can be expected (depending on quality and materials used on your bike). As Daniel indicates - overnight moisture on a well maintained bike isn't a concern.
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Stopping power of mountain vs road bike I have recently been restoring a Btwin Triban-500 road bike, given to me from a friend who had let it sit around for a few years. I've rebuilt the bike sparing no expense, new inner tubes, cables, levers, chain, cassette and everything else has been thoroughly cleaned (with dish ... | Exchanging the brake pads is worth a try; if that does not work mount better brakes.
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Is it possible to rebuild a a steel bike frame (to make it lighter) by welding aluminum tubes I have an old (80's I guess) road bike, it is heavy, I'd like to make lighter. is it posible to cut and replace the tubes on the frame by welding aluminum ones? <Q> I would not. <S> Instead I'd strongly recommend you look at... | If the only reason you are doing this is to save weight, there are a lot of better options, including selling and buying a used aluminum bike. Getting a bond between aluminum and steel will likely be your hardest task.
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Why is an old chain unsafe? I recently took my bike in for a service and the mechanic urged me to replace my chain, potentially at great cost (might need a new wheel). He said it might jam or pop off. He couldn't explain to me why my safety might be threatened but repeatedly asserted that it would be threatened. So,... | Well, if chain is worn, it might snap when you push pedal strong, which will cause your leg that was pushing to drop down very fast, and as consequence you could loose balance and fall. There's no reason you need a new wheel, unless there are other problems of course.
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Why is doping illegal in Tour de France? It seems like a self-evident truth, but I've never heard the rationale behind it. Why is doping illegal in Tour de France? I assume it is related to the safety of the riders? Then why don't they simply limit the doping to forms of doping and medical treatments that have been pe... | If we are looking for the fastest, within moral boundaries, then banning doping is required to protect athletes from themselves.
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What to expect from an e-bike service? My e-bike manufacturer recommends a service every 1000km. Tomorrow I'll bring my bike to the shop where I bought it for the first service. I already had a mini-service for free at around 300 km in which I don't know what they did exactly, probably some fine screw tuning. My bike ... | Perform gear tune up Perform brake inspection If you know how to do some maintenance yourself like cleaning and lubing the chain as well as replacing it when it gets worn you shouldn't need to take it in for a service every 1000km. Most bike shops offer different maintenance services and list what each service entails.... |
Fitting question for first trekking bike - differences in stack and reach I understand this might be a pointless/dumb question, but as an bike freshman, I am confused: Trying to select an entry level first bike (cross/hybrid) and so far I'm between two of them (local EU brands)I'm 176cm, inseam 74cm. For the first one... | Unless you know for a fact that one of the bikes is the exact fit you want (and you can't know that until you've actually ridden the bike a good bit...), you're probably going to have to adjust the fit in the future anyway. Since you don't want to get low, it doesn't really matter for you.
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What are the benefits of purchasing a complete bike from a respectable brand? (Road cycling) I've been into cycling (almost) my whole life. I've been riding BMX for over 20 years and since 5-6 years I've been doing a lot of road cycling. I ride contests, crits, TT's,... I've been looking to get a new road bike for so... | New bike frames may have anything from one year to lifetime warranty, but often have a rider about "must be assembled by an authorised and qualified bike shop" Integration - all the parts will physically fit into the frame quite well. A build has an unknown end cost because you may not find the parts you need at a fair... |
Anything wrong with using MTB saddle on hybrid bike I'm been having problems with fit on my hybrid. When I spend around 1hr on the saddle I start to get pain in the left prostate. I can no longer ignore the problem because I plan to do C2C. Right now I need to do some training because I'm not that much better than a c... | Usually there is a relationship between saddle style and riding position: the lower the handlebars, the narrower and flatter saddle. There's very little that is discipline specific in bicycle saddles, so there is no reason to not use MTB saddle on a hybrid if it works for you.
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What does 'tubeless ready' wheelset actually mean I know this may sound daft or simple, but can someone tell me what is meant by 'The wheelset is tubeless ready' on an bike advert. I have asked in a shop and had 2 answers ranging from 40 pounds to 300 pounds to change the tyres to tubeless. Surely if the advert say's t... | In the context of a new bike spec list or marketing copy, it's most commonly understood to mean a wheelset and tires that are both tubeless-compatible, plus the rims already have tubeless tape.
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Why aren't road bicycle wheels tiny? My understanding is that air resistance is where most of the pedal power goes to at high speeds, and that this is a concern not least for the wheels: What you pay for in a road bike wheel is aerodynamic and/or light wheels, not so much to other losses like rolling resistance and bea... | Smaller wheels have higher rolling resistance, at some point that become significant compared to aero drag. For bluff bodies, and a bicycle (and a rider) is a bluff body, the decisive part of the drag is the form drag , not the skin friction.
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Can I grease a crank spindle/bracket without disassembling the crank set? A bit of history: the grooves on the spindle are partially destroyed/skewed by cycling with a loose crank, so I applied a lot of force to a hexdriver to get the crank arm on. Now, it would be quite hard, if possible, to disassemble it. I got the ... | Its confirmed that the spindle is damaged and likely that the crank arm is now damaged as a result. Do the "leaving the bike lying on a side" thing and use motor oil. i spray garage door lube thru the small drain hole at the bottom of the crank with the bike upside down, works fine
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Map of water taps to fill bottles Are there any maps of taps where I can fill my water bottles (bidons) on long rides. I live in Scotland, but would be glad to learn of the existence of such resources worldwide. <Q> Openstreetmap with the cycle layer certainly shows some. <S> Here's one <S> I was very grateful for ... | In the USA free tap water is virtually universal, and I was able to fill up my water bottles at any fast food restaurant and convenience store I stopped at, all over the country.
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How to cut derailleur cable housing This is a job I will do very rarely, so I would prefer to avoid buying a specialty tool, if possible. Unfortunately I don't own a dremel. Side cutters just mashed everything and did not cut at all. Are there any other methods you can recommend? EDIT: I think this is different from ... | I usually just fix the housing in a vise (very, very little pressure!) and use a saw very carefully (only pushing so that the teeth of the saw cannot really bite into the housing material).
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Trainer for recumbent bikes I've been thinking about getting a trainer for my M5 CHR. Wahoo Kickr seemms nice, but they do not recommend it for use with recumbent bikes.Is it just because they lack the experience or would it be bad for any particular reason? Anyone got good experience with other trainers for their rec... | The stresses on the rear hub of a recumbent are not so different that a recumbent will be able to fit on the trainer, but should not be used simply because it's a recumbent. I like the fluid trainers because they've got a nice power curve that just requires upshifting and going faster to increase resistance, and they'r... |
Can I ride a big bike? I am a MTB beginner and I just bought a used Giant stance 2. I knew from the beginning the bike is bigger than I should have, but it was a good deal. The bike frame is XL and I am 6’. Based on Giant size tables I should be 6’3”. I feel slightly stretched, but I don't feel bad on the bike, but I a... | Riding a bike bigger than your typical size is good if you want a tame, planted, stable bike. If the seat won't go low enough, trimming the seat post will help.
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Why do freehub and cassette have only one position that matches? When I'm installing cassette on my freehub, I need to make sure that the spaces align correctly. That is, there are 10 splines on the freehub and 10 corresponding splines on the cassette. My first attempt was just to put it in any of 10 positions but then... | If the cogs in our cassettes were all riveted/welded together at the factory into one solid non-disassemblable "supercasette", then we would not need these differently shaped splines on the freehub. But by nature, in order for it to work, the cogs have to be in an as-designed position relative to one another.
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Unidentified items in bicycle tube repair kit What are these items in my bicycle tube repair kit for? I found them in several repair kits but I do not know what to use them for? <Q> They are tube patches. <S> Here’s the contents of one of my kits: <S> From top to bottom, we have, plastic container tyre levers to ... | These are patches for inner tubes found inside the tires.
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How to improve/restore vintage Peugeot bike, or is it even worth it? I've got an old Peugeot bike I've been riding, and I like it but I'd like to make it better for long rides. I'd like to replace some parts, the steel rims aren't good for braking and I'd like handlebars / brakes that are more comfortable. I can try g... | If you just want a reliable, more comfortable, more efficient and safer bike - just buy a new one. You might choose to remain with white to match the brake levers, or a more dirt-hiding black to match the saddle, or some other colour that appeals.
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Rear tire dragging on rim brake arm Just bought a used bike- it's great, but needed new brake pads. Got new brake pads and now the tire is rubbing on the brake arm. I do not understand! The front brake is with new brake pads is the same make/model and is amazing in every way. Is there a solution to thin? Is there somet... | It looks like your new brake pads have pushed the right brake arm out moving the top of the arm down, touching the tire.
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Is disk brake effectiveness mitigated by tyres losing traction under strong braking? So I understand that disk brakes are superior to rim brakes and this leads to faster stopping particularly in wet weather. I have wondered though, in wet conditions when you wish to stop as fast as possible doesn't the superior stoppi... | That said, brake pads associated with rim brakes tend to wear proportionately faster due the rim braking surface being closer to the road causing it to get dirtier quicker than a disc brake rotor which is close to the wheel hub.
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How to verify bicycle by frame serial number I have a problem to verify the model of the bicycle. I have frame number - A4D58277 but can't check anywhere in Google, by which company was made. <Q> Basically, the answer to the title question is "You can't. <S> " There's no global database and each manufacturer just uses... | Googling CCR is hampered by a model of Fuji bikes with that name, the band Creedence Clearwater Revival and a model of Koenigsegg which all seem to be more famous.
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Rusty chain and back cassette – Replace or repair? Reference of the chain: KMC Z51 Reference back freewheel: Shimano TZ21 14-28 Teeth 7 Speed Reference of the bike: BTWIN Rockrider 340 I recently acquired a second-hand bike and decided to repair it:The chain and the freewheel cogs are in very poor condition and r... | Without clunk's, slipping or sticking at any point there should be no need to replace any of it. You could always try a wire brush to remove surface rust without having to disassemble any parts and also just for reference if you do decide to change your "cassette" be advised that is a freewheel and not a cassette
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Need help replacing old cassette and chain I have an old bike with a cassette and chain that needs replacement. The problem is that I can't identify what kind of cassette it is or how to remove it. There are 14 teeth on the smallest cog and 28 teeth on the largest cog on the cassette. How do I remove it? There are... | The interface between hub and freewheel is standardized so any 5 speed freewheel with the appropriate sprocket sizes will work. Chains wear into the geartrain, so if you change the cogs then you should change the chain too. If this is an old bike, I would not be at all surprised if the wheels were steel, or at best som... |
Could I use a front rim to build a rear wheel? Could I build a rear wheel using a front rim? Edit: Follow-on question Spokes stick out of nipples when rebuilding wheel reusing spokes. <Q> In the days before factory built wheelset, rims where produced without being specifically for front or rear wheels. <S> On most... | But if you use one of the many 'standard' rims that are still in production, you may build a rear or front wheel with any rim.
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Can I do brevets (long distance rides) on my hybrid bike? If yes, how to start? I have a hybrid bike with 27" large frame, 700c wheels and 35mm tires. Can I do brevets (long distance ride) on this bike? If yes, what are the points I should start working on to achieve this? Currently I am a beginner and riding around 4... | The short answer is that you can do long distance rides on basically any bicycle as long as it’s comfortable for you. Training for long distance rides basically boils down to riding a lot. In practice, most people find hybrids rather uncomfortable for long rides. Make sure your seating position is good. Get clipless pe... |
How well are new helmets packaged? I am considering buying a new helmet online, which means it'll be delivered to my door by courier. In my experience, couriers can be careless with parcels. Should I be concerned about this, or are helmets packaged so that they're safe even if knocked about a bit? In case it matters... | Helmets are typically packaged pretty well with soft foam inserts inside the box to cushion the helmet during shipping. Choose a retailer you know to use package padding, or make a special request.
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How can I stop someone borrowing my bike anymore? There's this kid I've been riding with for quite some time that keeps borrowing my bike non-stop leaving me riding his broken bike. Not that I dislike him riding my bike or anything, is just that Everytime I lend him my bike he will be crunching gears uphill, skiddding ... | He may not really understand like you do that things need to be taken care of to work well, which is perhaps a reason why he's unduly rough on your bike. Really though, you need to work on being willing to say "no" in situations where saying "yes" has uncomfortable consequences.
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Frame adjustment for engine I want to turn my bike into a motorized one, but i can't get engine clearance because the 2 tubes in the picture are so wide on my bike. I was wondering if I cut those tubes and replace them with thinner tubes will the bike still be safe to ride? <Q> No. <S> Those tubes are what stop you h... | Regardless of whether a modified frame would be structurally safe, modifying the frame wold almost certainly more expensive than just buying a different frame more suited to your purpose. Also, any engine that won't fit in your bike will likely be too big to be legal on the road of first-world countries.
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Do you need to remove the disc rotor to replace a drive side spoke? Today I had a spoke break in the middle of a ride. I did notice it had a wobble but I don't have the experience to tell what's passable. Even new bikes can have a slight wobble. so I dismissed it. I was quoted £30 to replace the spoke and true it - t... | Yes, usually you have to remove both to get the spokes through, although not every time depending on the specific hub and rotor. Replacing spokes is low to moderate difficulty, depending on how messed up the wheel is once you're getting it true, but does have a lot of steps, so shop rates for it unfortunately tend to b... |
Does it matter what way the tires go if no directional arrow? As the title suggests, I have just put on two new tires but now I'm not sure if I put them on in the right direction. No directional arrows so I presume anyway is fine, however me being me it made sense to have the tread pattern going in the forward direct... | If there is no direction arrow, and the tire is either slick or has a symmetric tread (doesn't "point" forward or backward), I would say mount it either way.
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Differences between starting a road bike vs a mountain bike? I'm having problems getting rolling on my road bike. For some reason I have hard time hopping back into the road bike saddle. It's the pedals spinning causing my feed to lose grip, or the bike tilting on my way up. That's what I've struggled with, and I can... | You should be able to start sat in the saddle, one foot on the ground and the other on a pedal. One suggestion is to observe other people riding, and try and spot the differences between your method and what others are doing.
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Keeping a 2006 Giant SCR 3 on the road - 9 speed to 11 speed? I have a Giant SCR 3 which was a freebie from a mate, who had it new. It's approx a 2006 I think, and I've had it about 5 years. I've spend a relatively small amount along the way at the LBS, keeping it going. Due the serious mileage it's seen between the... | Used wheelset makes sense if you can inspect first.
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Buying a bike that has been idle in a garage for years? A close friend who can no longer ride (illness) asked me if I wanted to buy his 2009 Trek Fuel EX 9. This bike has been hanging in his garage for 9 years and was only ridden for a couple of hours after it was purchased. What are the potential problems in buying a ... | Having gone through this situation, I usually check the tires for cracking problems, and pump up the tires to see if the tube is still good. It may just be dust and good clean will fix it, but in a garage that dust may contain oils. If you don't want to go that far, a basic service is highly recommended. However many p... |
Bottle holder for mountain bike I want to get a bottle holder for my bike. It has no pre-drilled holes for the holder. I found some that clamp on but not sure if they would work with the wide tube that I would need to mount it to. <Q> Get a clamp-on solution like the SKS Anywhere, Topeak VersaMount or Elite VIP. <... | There are also bottle cage mounts which clamp to the saddle’s rails, Use a hydration pack in a framebag
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Locknut on threaded headset doesn't tighten It's a second hand bicycle that I've owned for a short time, but the problems seem to have started after a crash. The headset started to rattle, and I didn't have a tool to tighten it, so I would just do it with my fingers every 30 minutes of riding. Now that I have a tool, w... | Well if both nut and the lock nut are skipping then chances are that thread on fork is stripped. When you take the setup apart you may find that it's obvious that a particular part is damaged (like it was in my case a few years ago - picture below) but bear in mind that there may be some less visible damage to other pa... |
How to patch glass cuts in a bicycle tire? How do you deal with the small cuts in a bicycle tires main tread? Do folks fill these small cuts? I have continental gatorskins which I periodically check and pull out the street glass shards. thanks! <Q> I periodically check and pull out the street glass shards <S> I ... | There are also tire plugs which are designed to plug holes in tubeless tires that are so big the sealant does not work. Your other option is to work on your technique, and try to stop riding through broken glass so much.
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Replacement stem cap and bolt Our oldest son has been alternating between mine and my wife’s bike (Carreras from Halfords) whenever he has to go anywhere, but over the last week or so we noticed he had stopped using my bike, saying the other one was more comfortable. I was moving the bikes into the shed last night and... | The cap and bolt is only needed to set the preload on the bearings when installing the stem. The cap and bolts are readily available, if you want no need to stick to a boring round black thing - they come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes, colours and functions.
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Is it possible to fit full coverage fenders on a road bicycle with V-brakes? I would like to get a used road bike on a budget. However, I need to ideally fit full coverage fenders due to frequent rain. Do I simply need to save up for a bicycle with disc brakes, or should I look for a particular type of fork, frame, ga... | Most mudguard/fenders expect to mount to the brake bridge too, so your bike should have a through hole in the crown of the front fork, and through the brake bridge over the rear wheel even if its got V brakes.
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Can I install a back bike rack without attachment to the rear part of the frame? Can I install a back bike rack without attachment to the rear part of the frame? Also, if someone can clarify, whenever I google bike rack I get hits on racks designed to carry bikes on a car and such. I am referring to the racks on... | Yes, you can do this by attaching it to your seat post. This should only be done with a metal frame not a carbon one.
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How do I remove this style of bottom bracket? I am attempting to remove and replace the bottom bracket from a cheapish 1970s American department store road bike. I've gotten the lockring off, and now the non-drive side looks like this: [Whoops, I definitely took photos of the drive side by mistake. You can look at the... | Using a mallet and a hammer to remove bottom brackets could potentially damage the threads. To remove non-drive side, drive it counter clockwise.
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How long is chamois cream meant to be effective? In the context of long rides*, how often is chamois cream meant to stay useful (whether measured in hours,km or whatever)? I typically don't carry it on the road, but wonder if a top-up might make the end of a ride more comfortable. *To give a example of what I mean b... | As others have mentioned, chamois cream has a service duration depending on many things including perspiration and the degree to which you are depending on it.
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How to deal with fog, condensing on the outside of glasses? I had a particularly foggy commute both ways today. I was having to wipe the glasses lenses every 10-20 seconds as traffic permitted to maintain some semblance of visibility. I already wear a cap with a brim/peak/visor under my helmet, but the fog is light e... | I have used mild dishwashing liquid with some success. In the conditions described in the question I don't think there is anything you can do to keep your lenses perfectly clear. Can also use clear fitover safety glasses from a hardware store.
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