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TRP quadiem brakes - lever not in place Today I got my new YT Tues bike and I've noticed that front brake lever came off the piston and I have no idea how to get it in place if it is even possible? Is it defective or can I fix it? Rear brake works just fine... <Q> You can see in the first picture that a snap ring is ou...	As it’s a new bike, take it straight back to where you purchased it and get it fixed or replaced under warranty. Maybe they can repair the lever after an inspection in person, or maybe they would need to swap the lever for a new one.
How to remove hex crank bolt I have been looking online for tutorials on replacing a chainring (or three) for my Scott mountain bike: https://www.thebikelist.co.uk/scott/aspect-40-2012 When trying to take off the chainset so that I can remove a chainring to replace it, the crank bolt holding the chainset on looks dif...	The bolt on the end of the spindle needs to be removed and the cranks pulled off with a special crank puller tool.
How can I offer a test ride while selling a bike? I am selling a bike to someone I don't know from Craigslist. I expect that the prospective purchaser will want to test ride the bike before making the purchase. How can I prevent them from riding away with my bike during a test ride? <Q> The simplest answers are ask f...	If you have another bike that you are not selling, you can ride next to the person test riding the bike to make sure they don't take off with it.
Replacing multiple spokes (9/36): more like replacing spokes or rebuilding a wheel? I've never built a wheel and while I'd like to learn one day I'm not going to learn on this one. On Saturday my rear wheel ate my derailleur (and bent the steel hanger in the process)*. No spokes broke at the time. After straightening...	If a wheel starts breaking spokes, the general advice is to have the wheel rebuilt with all new spokes, because all the spokes are likely weakened by fatigue and will keep breaking. A wheel rebuild should cost around $50 at a LBS.
How do I get a cleat that's stuck in a pedal, detached from the shoe, out? While out riding on my XC bike today, I encountered an issue with my cleat: The connector between the cleat and the shoe - the part that you screw into - died, and I lost a screw. So I had the shoe attached to the pedal, unable to unclip - becau...	Alternatively a medium sized screwdriver used as a lever at the rear 'nose' of the cleat will pop it out. Use water-pump-pliers or locking pliers (vise-grip).
Maximum weight of a pedal vehicle I can't seem to find a straight (approximate) answer to this question. What is the maximum weight of a pedal vehicle (cargo bike, rickshaw etc) an average person can drive at a decent speed, say 15-20 km/h? <Q> How quickly a person can move load of that weight will depend on his or he...	Aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance only depend in part on mass (heavier bike is bigger, bigger tires have more resistance). According to Bikes At Work : Our experience has been that most people can comfortably pull 300 lbs (137 kg) with a typical mountain bike and cargo trailer or cargo trike.
How to create a bicycle that rolls backwards when you pedal forward? This may seem like a crazy question, but I am currently trying to design a kinetic machine where pilots are facing away from the direction of motion, adding whimsy and curiosity. As someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with redesigning bicycle...	You could easily choose to go for fixed gears on a machine like this, in which case your figure of eight chain would work, but you'd want a chain tensioner with guides in the slack side, so the chain doesn't touch itself at the cross.
Help identifying make of steel elevated chain stay mountain bike frame Could anyone tell me what is the make or model of this bike there are no visible numbers or name except for this sticker of the maker of the seat tube. I appreciate all the help. you guys know your stuff. <Q> Roadmaster Techno Trac. <S> Sears never...	If for some reason you still really want to know the exact make and model, you can sift through pictures online of this style of bike (search something like "90s elevated chainstay mountain bikes") and compare the frame designs. It’s a road master techno trac Based on the frame material and design of your bike, it is c...
What can cause the front wheel to lock up when going over a small bump? I was going over a bump. When the front wheel hit the bump, it suddenly stopped moving, the rear wheel lifted off the ground, and I was thrown face-first onto the road. I sustained injuries to the face, hands, chest and knees, and had to go to emer...	Complete and unexpected failure of a bearing would jerk the bike suddenly. Some other rider shoved an obstruction into your wheel unnoticed, or a stick lodged into your wheel unnoticed. Suppose there was a small hard object in the road that you didn't notice, e.g. a dusty rock or piece of wood that could easily blend i...
Fixing leg position while turning I've recently landed on asphalt because I've met the ground with the left pedal when turning left... It was painful, but no visible damage to me or bike... The problem is, that my natural position when not pedaling is with left leg down, every other position (right leg down, or middle...	If a sports medicine specialist can't find any underlying condition that could be giving you trouble, you need to develop some new habits. And actually if you're cornering at modest speeds you can hold your pedals with the cranks horizontal and avoid the ground. Changing a long held habit is one of the most difficult t...
Is there a way to calculate the correct bicycle tire pressure? I have 57-559 (57 mm width, 559 mm diameter) / 26"x2.125" tires.I weigh about 95 kg / 210 lbs.The tire's sidewall shows a single pressure value of 300 kPa / 43 psi. However, this calculator shows that given a fixed tire size, different rider + bike weigh...	You can have an "optimum" tire pressure - unfortunately, when riding on road you want higher pressure, when riding on low grip surfaces you want lower pressure (more tire in contact with the ground), when riding on very uneven terrain you want again higher pressure to prevent flats, when jumping you want higher pressur...
Should I avoid hard-packed crusher dust trails with my hybrid? I ride a Trek FX 7.2 , with 35mm Bontrager hard-case lite hybrid tires . I'm still fairly new and inexperienced with cycling, and I've driven exclusively on roads so far. I'm looking to start increasing my distance and speed, with the goal being to be a...	You don't want to be riding gravel roads without puncture proof tires. From my experience with puncture proof 32mm tires: I can ride on pretty much any gravel road.
How to recognize a bad tire? The most expensive "consumable" while operating a bicycle would probably be tires. Enthusiasts endlessly debate the relative merits of different sizes, profiles, tread patterns,inflation pressures and just about anything else that might help define the best tire. I use my bike for prima...	You have to try a tire to gauge its quality. It might be possible to get better value from multiple less expensive tires than from one expensive one. Or check what other people say about the brand. Schwalbe = Rolling, Road Grip, Off-road grip, Protection, Durability Vredestein has: Rolling resistance, Comfort, Grip, Du...
New bike, tubeless tire will not inflate I got a new road bike with tubeless tires. I can't get the back tire to hold air. I got the front tire inflated but for some reason, as I am pumping the air all I hear is it coming out somewhere from the tire. I don't see a hole. It was shipped from another state and it came co...	If they are all met, then you have a hole in the tyre - not at all unheard of in tubeless ready tyres which are designed for use with sealant. Try cleaning the rim tape and inner rim walls.
Can this frame be used or is it done? I have a cheap mens Huffy mountain bike which I noticed has 2 holes in the frame. Would this be too unsafe to ride? <Q> It appears there is a crack connecting the two holes. <S> This would indicate there has been enough flex to cause the frame to crack. <A> I wouldn't chance it. <S...	If it were mine I wouldn't ride. If by chance the fork is straight, the two holes you see there are just a sign of what can happen to the other spots rusting here
Commuter bike for better performance: less weight, or internal gear-hub? Background I commute daily to work, the ride is about 10 km each way, across the city. The path is mostly streets with intersections, and a few long cycling lanes. Some hills here and there: Strava cycling app says 'Elevation Gain' is 80m. I'm c...	When you use your bike every day, reliability is as important as weight. With the Alfine 11, you may find that you skip pretty quickly past the first couple gears, but they'll help your acceleration and reduce the amount of torsion you place on your crank. You likely won't be able to compete with a road bike. I haven't...
Am I over weight for this bike I bought My weight is 240 pounds (109 kilograms). I bought a miele velo gr1 they said it will hold my weight but wheels only have 32 spokes. Are they right? <Q> The bike should be fine for your weight, assuming you use the bike for its intended purpose. <S> Which would be on-road ridi...	Even Trek's least expensive hybrid bike, the FX 1, is rated at 300 pounds. The Trek Verve 2 disk bike is in the same price range with an aluminum frame and 32 spoke alloy wheels.
The palms of my hands really hurt I understand that the pressure on my hands causes it.I also understand how the nerves run through my hand. What I don't understand is how to implement the advise of, "Take the weight off your hands" A fellow told me, "Put 90% of your weight on the pedals, 10% on the seat, and barely ...	Either way the hands need to be relaxed on the bars, holding on enough to guide the bike and keep the rider connected (both physically and mentally) to the bike. Swept bars can also help reduce the effective cockpit length. Stand with your feet planted.
Converting 3x7 to a 1x7. Is it possible with only existing parts? I own a 2000 model Specialized Ground Control full suspension. The front derailleur is rusty and temperamental so my solution is to remove it as well as 2 chain rings (they are removable on mine) and convert to a 1x7. This bike is not worth high spending...	You may not be able to get rid of the big chainring, or you may need to get shorter chainring bolts if you do, depending on how the big and middle rings are mounted.
Why doesn't my new SRAM XG-1295 cassette bolt turn freely? I am trying to install a brand new SRAM XG-1295 cassette. I watched many videos and it seems very straight forward. Place the cassette on the freehub, match the splines in back, tighten with a cassette tool. But for some reason, the bolt(?) on the cassette doe...	Compounding the problem is the fact that the splines on the lock tube have a very low profile, so when excessive torque is applied to try to turn a seized lock tube, the splines shear off. The tech told me if the tube spun freely by hand on a new cassette that would likely be a problem.
Old time bike. Can I put a rear derailleur? Hi guys,I am looking to build up an old timer bike and I have found this frame. Can I put a rear derailleur in that socket? <Q> Yes, that is a standard derailleur hanger. <S> Before attaching a derailleur, make sure that the hanger is aligned straight. <S> There are tools to ...	Just make sure that the chain, derailleur and freewheel/freehub match in respect to speeds! If the threads are damaged, you may be able to use a thread tap to clean them up, or in the worst case, insert a helicoil.
Removing powder paint from threads Bought a aluminum frame with rear suspension, got it sanded and powder paint. While they matched the color perfectly, it's smooth and evenly distributed BUT UNFORTUNATELY totally forgot to cover any threads. Managed to remove the paint from bottom bracket threads, seat post tube and ...	Taps are useful for cleaning threads, and much better than forcing a screw down the hole (though that can sometime be enough). They told me not to use acetone because acetone will make the powder-coat dull and will soften it.
Do I need a shock-proof watch for cycling? I've just started cycling longer distances as a hobby (I cycle for my commute daily). My watch isn't waterproof at all so I don't take it with me but on my last ride I found myself getting annoyed at regularly having to rummage in my bag for my phone to check what time it was...	A cheap watch from the supermarkt will do as well as a decent quality watch or a sports watch (besides sport-specific functions).
How do I know what gear combinations should work without chain rasp on front derailleur? I tried adjusting the front derailleur on a 3x10 trekking bike. After fiddling around a long time, I concluded that is probably not possible to make all cogs work with all chainrings. How do I know what gear combination should work...	Better mechanics can set up many derailleurs without chain rub in any gear combination. But still, depending on the position of the chain, rubbing against either FD-plates is possible, so you should avoid the use of the two extreme sprockets. While it is not unusual to get some chain rub on setups using 8 or more speed...
Rear derailleur got caught in the spokes, what could be a root cause I have several problems on this bike. Here are the elements that have failed and other pieces of information: the chain has derailed past the largest sprocket the rear derailleur has rotated 180 degrees, and is caught in a spoke (between the frame ...	This would move the chain off the top of the biggest cog and could force the derailleur into the spokes which, in turn, would bend it. Wheel - Inspect the wheel's cups too I'd remove the cassette and any plastic protector, clean down and look closely at the elbows.
9/16 pedals wont go in crank - they're too big What about if you have two gears on the crank. I used a 5/8 open wrench to take out my original pedals on my Schwinn Sierra and the new 9/16 pedals won't go in - they're too big. What size would it need? I'd like to use an adapter. <Q> First verify that you are in fact try...	, my actual suggestion is what others have said above and replace the pedals for 1/2" pedals to fit your crank.
How to tighten v-brake pad without turning it out of position? I find it hard to tighten the hexagonal bolt of a v-brake pad without turning the whole pad out of position. I need to hold it in place somehow; I've tried with a big adjustable wrench, but it's still difficult (doesn't fit very well, and the pad is flexy)....	To tighten a rim-brake pad without it rotating, I've usually clamped down on hard on the brake lever with one hand to hold the pad against the rim, while tightening with the other hand.
Mech disc brakes creating too much slack I've got a 2nd hand bike to play with as I've never been into bikes. When I got it the brakes only stopped while I wasn't on it. I stripped the bike down for cleaning and I re-attached the brake cable but the right lever is creating too much slack. I've tried creating more tensi...	You may even need to move the lever arm slightly before tightening in order to get enough cable tension to brake properly. My suggestion is first find out if the brakes were replaced, and secondly if they were replaced which I suspect they're, you need to get the correct brakes installed for efficient and safe braking....
Knee Pain - Injury or Out of Shape? I have been mostly lethargic for the past decade, sitting at a desk 16 hours a day. My brothers got me into mountain biking and it has been helping get me in shape. We've been doing it for about 2 months now. Over the last month, I've noticed that after each ride, I get more and mor...	Muscle soreness is to be expected when you increase your exercise load, but exercise shouldn't cause joint pain.
WTB Horizon 47c - small crack in the middle of the tire I’m headed off on a 3 week bike trip and just now noticed a small hole in the middle of running tread of my front tire. I have a few more days before heading off into a more remote area and wanted to know if this is something I should take care of beforehand. The ...	One fix is to slap a tube patch on the inside of the tyre, to act as a boot and prevent the tube from herniating out through the hole. Spare tubes are a given, but it really depends how far from support you're going to go as to
What explains 9 speed cassettes price differences? I have a pretty heavy bike I use to travel long distances with a lot of luggage. It has a mix of XT, deore and other Shimano equipment. I bought it second hand so I don't really know the details. I have ridden 10,000km with it without replacing anything in the drive t...	You will get near top tier performance at a cost savings at the sacrifice of some extra weight. Most importantly: Absolutely replace your chainrings! XT will shift a bit better and be lighter, but probably won't last any longer. The difference between the Sora and Acera is probably down to largest cog size - on MTB set...
Why does Fox specify to fix the lever in an upright position, on a Rhythm 34 fork that uses a Through-Axle? I vaguely remember that "conventional wisdom" states that closed QR levers on MTB forks should point towards the back of the bike (see Which direction should QR lever point? or What is the proper position for ...	Some QR levers won't close all the way if they are impeded by the frame/fork. In consultations with the engineering and legal team they decided that in front of the fork leg was the safest position, or at least the position that a company lawyer could defend as the safest position in the case of a lawsuit.
Installing a chainguard on a bike with derauiller My pants always get caught in the chain (and wearing shorts is not an option). However, it seems that it's impossible to have both a derailleur and a chainguard so what is the solution? Can I just lock the front derailleur in place and slip the chainguard past it. (lo...	However, a modern combination of a so called narrow-wide single front chainring (seen on the first picture above) and a rear derailleur with a clutch device is enough to retain the chain on their own.
Why are road bikes (not time trial bikes) used in many triathlons? I've been watching triathlon videos lately and I couldn't help but notice that, with the exception of Ironman Competitions , only road bikes and not time trial bikes are being used. Is there any reason for that? <Q> The OP linked 4 videos, the fi...	So, if you're not so serious about triathlons that you're willing to spend several thousand dollars on a bike that will see relatively little use, you'll likely be content with your existing road bike whose handling and fit works well with your body and riding style. The bike is an expensive item, and so making use of ...
What tool to adjust brakes My brakes make a noise on a time interval, as the tire rotates around. I have Shimano BR-MT520 brakes. I hear you can loosen the two bolts and move it side to side to adjust. What is the name of the tool and what size do I need? <Q> Shimano BR-MT520 <S> brakes are hydraulic discs. <S> Th...	There are special tools for this but an adjustable wrench works reasonably well. If your pads are rubbing periodically as the wheel spins, your rotors are probably warped.
Tape or grips for bar ends? I've just added a pair of bar ends to my handlebar. I feels surprisingly good, except that they are too thin, compared to my grips. Are there any options to make them more comfortable? Maybe I can put a bar tape on them? If so, should I look for some specific type of this tape? This is a p...	You may have trouble getting thick tape into the end of the bar-end as they are of somewhat smaller diameter than drop bars. Heatshrink is also available in different colours, if you're feeling snazzy. I used grips designed for Twist Grip Shifters. As a second stage I used a length of 30~35mm black electrical heatshrin...
Help please - I am suspicious this bike might be stolen I recently got this Btwin Triban 3 bike from a person I definately trust. He said they have had it for a couple of years but don't use it anymore and originally got it from a family member a while ago. Also it needs work (flat tyres, rusty chain e.t.c so it's not ...	There is another site you can run the serial number from bottom bracket to check if it was reported stolen.... https://bikeindex.org/serials Morally you have done everything practical to ascertain its not a stolen bike, nothing more can be done.
Are more expensive chains/casettes more quiet? If we ignore the lower end products and compare mid and high end products. Is there a noticeable difference between the sound produced while pedaling in the same gear (Not the shifting sound)? For example if we are talking about shimano, compare tiagra or 105 vs ultegra o...	A well adjusted drive chain will shift smoothly without noise, the clicking when it's not shifting well is generally from poorly adjusted drive train. Some indoor trainers make far more noise than the actual bicycle.
What features does a mountain bike need to be converted to an ebike? I'm looking convert a mountain bike and convert it to electric with a rear hub kit. I am wondering what features I should look out for to make this easier: Is there any way to keep the cassette that comes with the bike or does this have to be replac...	Get tires that are appropriate for the riding you will do. A new ebike would have the batteries placed inside the downtube, or aft of the seat tube. No one off the shelf MTB is going to fit the mold for whatever it is you want to do.
Adding gears to my grandson's 12" bike My grandson has the kind of bike you pedal backwards to brake, and he goes riding with me on my days off. Yesterday, he asked me if we can convert his bike because we have looked everywhere and no one seems to have a gear-shifting bike for someone who is 8. The Problem is that h...	Mounting rim brakes would be tough if the frame isn't already set up for it. This is possible to do at home with basic equipment, takes a few hours to learn but in my experience is quite easy and there are many tutorials online. If your grandson is that young, he's likely to have trouble keeping up with you no matter w...
On what surfaces can I safely use my hybrid bike? I will be doing a 50 mile ride in a few weeks' time, most of which is on tow paths and a disused railway line. The surface will therefore be somewhat rough and loose, but not muddy and no major obstacles. Obviously I would like to use the bike I have, which I use for c...	Note that on flat hard-pack fine gravel you can decrease your tire pressure for better grip and comfort, but on deeper coarse gravel higher pressures are needed to avoid pinch-flats. I would switch back the tires to your old 35mm.
3x9 speed to a 1x9 speed conversion I want to convert my 27 speed 3x9 to a 1x9. What do you recommend for chainring and cassette combinations? What are the cautions? <Q> With 1x conversions the usual question is how much high end you can accept losing to get the low end you need or want. <S> The cheap way is to figur...	As I understand from your situation, you need a cheap option just to try. Much better to use narrow-wide chainring in the front, to keep the chain on the chainring. One thing to keep in mind is that you can use 40t 10 speed cogs to extend a traditional 9spd cassette to an 11-40. To figure out what cassette and ring siz...
Can I use a Tubular tyre in a Clincher rim? Just tried it - my trekking clincher rim was too deep, so have to use 4 layers of tape to keep side out of rim, but then tubular started to travel forward even during slow acceleration. Would you try to use glue on all 4 layers + tubular, some special tape or change rim ? N...	Edit:in the interest of completeness, there is one tire, Tufo's tubeless clincher , that's a tubular tire with bead blocks that fit into clincher rims' channels. If you don't glue them securely, they can roll off, and you will crash.
UCI rules on allowed brakes? I'm considering buying a TriRig Omega X braking system front & rear for a bike I intend to use in UCI events. I can't find the right document on their respective website, so I'm asking here hoping someone could elucidate whether or not the TriRig brakes are legal? from https://www.triri...	All bicycles used in National Championships (for UCI recognized classes listed above) and NRC races must comply with the current UCI regulations. The addition of a cover to a braking system ... is authorised. So generally, it appears it has been ruled legal.
Minimum dimensions of bike storage shed I am interested in buying/building a storage shed that can hold three standard 19" mountain bikes. Ideally, the space would be as small as possible while still allowing one person to get the bike in and out. I am fine with having to take all the bikes out to get to the one I want...	Don't forget to include/add individual bike locks for each of your bikes; a door lock on the shed is not enough.
Should I bike or drive to work? (6.8 mi) I am moving next month and I need to figure out how to get to work. Option one is driving to work, which will take 15 to 20 minutes one-way. Option two is biking, which will take about 35 minutes according to Google Maps. The distance is 6.8 miles one-way, and the road is mo...	My advice to you is that if you really have a mostly flat commute and a bike for the type of road you will be travelling, ride that bike! With an e-bike is perfectly doable (and taking into account the battery life of about 2/300 charge cycles it is still cheaper than the car).
Why is my new front wheel not spinning? Today my front wheel got flat. I took it for repair and when I went back home cycling it was very hard. It felt so heavy and that was not normal for speed 4, when I changed down to speed 3, 2, 1 it was also spinning slowly and feeling so heavy. I stopped the bike and spun both w...	If the brakes are fine and nothing else is rubbing, pop the wheel off the bike and try spinning the axle; if it doesn't spin freely then that means there's too much pressure on the bearings. Tyre isn't touching any fender or part of the frame
Hard and noisy Shimano ST-EF29 front shifter with brake lever I bought brand new Shimano ST-EF29 (3x8 Speed) Shifter + Brake Lever (both left and right) for my MTB which I installed some 3 months ago. But it is very noisy (especially when shifting from 3rd to 2nd chainring on the left shifter). It changes super smoot...	A very small change in the way the cable is secured and therefore the line of force being applied to move the cage can mess up the shift.
50/34 compact with 11-32 10-speed Shimano 105 - will 11-34 make climbing easier or change chainring As mentioned above...I'm running a 50/34 10 speed with 11-32 cassette but would like to change to a configuration that would make climbing hill easier. I live in a hilly area so every time I cycle, I can't avoid hills...	The problem with 46/30 is that your front derailleur might have problems shifting a 46/30 if you have a frame mount derailleur. A sub-compact 48-32 or 46-30 crank will get you low ratios but you will of course lose your high ratios. I've been riding a 46/30 11-32 for a couple years now on my road bike and for me it's a...
Can a Mamachari be fitted with an 11 speed 52-36T crankset and FD? I would like to upgrade this bike with a better and faster crankset, 52-36T, but I'm confused if my planned setup will be compatible with the bike I have. I have consulted in our local bike shop and they said that a Dura-Ace crank would fit but the FD w...	If you want to fit a modern crank you'll need to be able to fit a compatible bottom bracket. As for the FD, if I can't fit it because of the top tube, I will just weld an adapter to it for a braze-on option.
Is this crack on my seat stay mechanically safe? Recently picked up a steel frame and realised there was a crack on one side of the rear triangle, right by the seatpost. Crack seem to be contained towards the outer part of the tube so does not seem to affect wielded joint. Since it's a steel frame, I feel like it's goo...	If you are an experienced rider you might be able to take such a situation under control quickly if not crash might be inevitable.
Creaking on hard pedaling I'm trying to locate a creak when I pedal uphill. Tightened chainring bolts and rear derailer hanger. I don't see much to do with the bottom bracket (sram xx1). Pedals are tight. Chain, cassette, and rear hub are new. It sounds like it's coming from the bottom bracket but everything sounds ...	It turns out, with the large amount of dust and occasional mud the bike had been subjected to and with no opportunity to give it a good thorough clean, some dirt had accumulated between the rear axle quick release clamp and the frame. I am leaning to the bottom bracket.
Improve survivability of bicycle container The "white container box" lasted about 2 months until it cracked in multiple places. It was a cheap box(Dollar General variety). New container is made by Sterilite and much sturdier. I believe the old container cracked because of vibration and bumps transmitted from the gro...	If I need something to be waterproof, I just put it in a plastic bag. The first container looks to be really thin and cheap, no wonder why it did not last.
Got rust on chain and cassette I have a pretty new bike (5 years) and just recently got all the transmission very rusty ( https://imgur.com/a/AlCts9b ). Several things happened: · Degreased it thoroughly (probably too much) · Lubricated the chain and cassette with wax lube (brand: squirt). I've read that regular lube...	Dry lube is great, in dry conditions and OK in damp conditions but you need to reapply it regularly and use the right amount (which is heaps, drown the chain then wipe dry). Cleaning rust off is definitely easier with the chain off the bike.
Air transport of a MTB with hydraulic brakes I would like to transport my MTB on an airliner's cargo hold.What are the requirements concerning hydraulic brakes, do they need to be flushed? <Q> Tires on planes are a problem because they are pressurized above sea level atmospheric pressure. <S> The pressure on a commerci...	Hydraulic brake fluid is not pressurized above sea level atmospheric pressure and the brake system is designed to withstand high internal pressure when the levers are squeezed anyway.
My road bike seems slightly too big for me After riding for about 300km, I'm looking at adjusting some parts to fit me. First adjustment:Because I feel that I'm stretching a little too forward, causing my back to ache, I've decided I would decrease my stem from 110 to 90. Second adjustment:Because I feel that the sad...	Reducing the reach with a shorter stem is reasonable if you think you are leant too far forward.
Suspension compromise for urban use I ride an eBike in New York City. About 80% of the roads I ride are relatively smooth and 20% pretty bumpy. On my non suspension bike the 80% is great but the 20% is a bit painful. I understand the cons of suspension (expensive, brittle, slows you down, heavy) but having some way...	Apart from going the high-tech route of a front suspension with lock-out, you can also try to get wider tires.
Project idea: Upgrade old MTB to road groupset for commuter? I'm thinking of building up a fat-tire commuter bike. I need fenders, racks and wide tires since I live in the northwest (potholes, rain, more rain, hills). I also need it to be fast since I want to be fast on my commute. I was thinking about buying an old ...	Drop bars and road components aren't going to make you that much faster. If you have a frame with 130mm rear spacing and a 68 or 73mm BB shell, you can fit a external BB, road crank and rim brake hub.
Bicycle trailer that can secure cargo? How do you secure your prior purchases in your trailer when you go into another store to make more purchases? <Q> Unlike in a comment above, I'm not going to assume that you can carry the rest of your shopping when you go in the second shop. <S> But hopefully you can carry any val...	Or get some plastic storage tubs that have a pass-through for a padlock and bolt those down in your storage unit. My bike trailer was a child carrier, and the boom can retract underneath.
Tire blowout on long descent I was using mild braking on a very hot day, a couple miles down the hill the back tire blew out the sidewall on a Continental Ultra Sport 700x23C inflated to around 100psi. The rim was quite hot to the touch from braking. The tire is a few years old, but didn't show other obvious signs of...	It does look like the tire casing failed near the middle of the tire next to the center tread. May I also suggest moving up to a 25mm tire (or even a 28mm if your frame and brakes allow) which may allow you to run slightly lower pressures, and offer benefits such as; fewer pinch flats, increased comfort, and lower roll...
What's the lightest complete road bicycle that meets UCI requirements (except possibly being too light)? I've seen various claims over the years, but which manufacturer holds the record, today? Also, what size bike and which components go with the claim? Happy to hear about "custom" / "one-off" vs. (mass) production,...	The Canyon Ultimate CF Evo Disc 10.0 LTD was recently announced as the lightest disc brake road bike, weighing 5.99KG. Tires can be very, very light, if you don't mind very narrow width, ridiculously low mileage and zero puncture protection.
Use Brompton BWR 3-speed hub to create a full 700c wheel? I have been looking at getting an internal gear hub wheel for my commuter. I currently ride a fixie and I find myself wanting a lower gear at stop lights and a higher gear in straight aways. Basically I want two speeds: fast and something comfortable from a stan...	While you'd be hard-pressed to find a different 3-speed hub with such range, I'd recommend Sturmey-Archer. Also, the wheel will be a little weaker to side impacts due to lower dish - not a problem for tiny Brompton wheels, but a 700C might suffer. If you just squeeze the dropouts in 4.5mm on each side, the frame might ...
Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps? I've recently returned to cycling after a couple of decades, and I'm trying to get familiar with the current gear and components. I still use toe clips and straps on the pedals on my 1990 Trek road bike. But clips and straps are so far...	The simple answer is that 'clipless' pedals and shoes just function better than toe straps.
Mounting a 12v motorcycle light on bike seat rails? So now that I built a 12 volt (more like 11v) battery for my bike I would like to accessorize it with some 12v lights to get a unique look. I'm looking at motorcycle tail lights, but they all have two parallel bolts coming out the back 82mm apart. The rails on a bike ...	I've had a plastic part with the right holes that would be easy to modify, but it came with a topeak rack.
Bikes and wiring trouble Do bicycles have ground wires and if so where are they I am trying to put a horn on mines and it’s kinda hard....it’s a bicycle any help would be very appreciated thanks. <Q> Just run two wires, a positive and a negative lead. <S> Both leads in the same casing will make for a more robust wire...	You can also crimp a small ring or fork connector onto the end of your wire, and then trap it under a convenient bolt like a carrier/mudguard stay, or under the light or horn fitting itself. Don't try to use your bike's frame as ground. Don't use electrical tape, it turns into a sticky disaster.
New bike is slipping gears Got a bike 3 weeks ago. It now slips gears WITHOUT shifting. only slipping when I pedal hard or uphill.. It shifts good. I weigh 250lbs. edit: with a new derailleur <Q> Even if a derailleur appears to shift well, it could be out of adjustment. <S> My shifter cable recently snapped and I repl...	I'm guessing that this is a used bike as you specifically point out it has a new derailleur. The most likely cause is worn chain and sprockets.
Liability Insurance - What if you break the law? Are there any insurance policies out there that cover you if you have an accident while say, jumping a red light or cycling the wrong way on a one-way road? <Q> Note that 'liability insurance' is for damage you do to others, and 'personal insurance' is for damage you sus...	As a rule home contents insurance has cover for public liability, so this cover would be available if you had an accident while riding your bike. So if you accidentally jump a red light then you would be covered, but if it's deliberate then probably you wouldn't be.
Identification of non-standard frame feature and suitability of frame for mid-drive e-bike conversion My question comes in two related parts: firstly, what is the piece of folded, drilled metal projecting rearwards from the lower bracket in the photo above? Secondly, does this piece of metal have any significant impl...	The only type of rack you could mount on this bike would be a seat post mounted rack, which would not be sufficient. A full photo of your bike might help confirm that, but as it stands that bike is probably really saggy in the middle, with a low BB and inclined to pedal scrape on the ground/road. On your frame, the bol...
Is my Trek FX2 really toast? I have a 2016 or 2017 Trek FX2 (if critical I'll look up exact year). Ride it daily for shopping, going to the gym and such. Store it outside, unprotected from rain. Took it to the store I bought it at to have new pedals and break pads installed. Guy at the shop noticed that the headset wa...	It may be the bike now fits into the "Not worth fixing, but not worth not fixing" - i.e. as is, its unride-able so practically worthless, fix it and you have a ride-able bike, but fixing it will cost as much as it will be worth. If the pedals and brake pads need replacing, there is a good chance the chain and cassette ...
Build endurance on small hills I've got a bunch of small hills on the paved roads that follow along rivers by where I ride. They might be a few hundred meters (more or less), so it takes some effort to keep the same pace (or close). If I'm trying to build endurance, should I try to shift more or try to stay in the same...	Long and (relatively) easy rides to build endurance and hard but short interval training to improve VO₂Max and muscle strength.
If I change my cassette, should I also change the chain? If I change my cassette to a new one, should I also change the chain? I measured the chain with a wear gauge and it's ok. Just to emphasize the obvious: I'm changing the cassette to one of exactly the same type. <Q> Depends on how worn the chain is. <S> If it's...	The consensus seems to be that a worn chain will accelerate cassette and chainring wear. If it's at or approaching 0.5% stretch, just get a new one.
Relationship between speed and cadence? I am having a disagreement with a friend. It stems around the scenario of 2 identical bikes on the same gear ratio side by side. If the rate of pedaling is same for both do both bikes travel at the same speed? Or does the rider's weight play a factor? <Q> Speed is determined o...	If the weight difference is significant and the mountain bike tyres are inflated to low pressure, yes the ligther biker can be slightly faster than the heavier one. The cadence (same) is directly bound via gear ratio (same) to the wheel's angular speed (rad per second).
Is mountain bike good for long distances? I am currently living in a plane area. I use an MTB (mountain bike). My work place is 10 to 15 km away from my home. Temperature is around 36 degree in celsius in my region. Question : Is mountain bicycle good for this purpose? Edit: See the image of mtb below. One more thin...	Obviously an MTB will not be as efficient to ride as a bike designed for road use (such as a flat-bar commuter, road oriented hybrid or drop bar road bike). Increase the tire pressure, for less rolling resistance. Make sure you stay hydrated and cool if you decide to give it a go.
Finding my physiologically relevant maximum heart rate I've always believed my maximum heart rate was 198 based on my performance. I'm 24 years old, so 220-24 = 196, but I routinely hit 197/198 during hard efforts in many rides, and never exceeded 198. When I hit 198 I can barely sustain my level of exertion and have t...	Presuming your HR monitor is accurate, your maximum is clearly at least 202. Your heart rate is guaranteed to sky rocket, and whatever you reach should be considered your maximum heart rate in cycling.
How to stabilise the bicycle seatpost and saddle when it is all the way up? It is a standard column bicycle seat and I realised maybe I should have it raised to top (I can still stand the bicycle up using my toes) but the saddle rocks as there is no column to stop it moving and it doesn't have any other supports. I do...	I cannot recommend using longer seatpost either, because longer post means higher bending momentum. Seat posts are usually marked with a line indicating a minimum insertion point. I would strongly recommend giving the bike to someone smaller tha
How capable is my bike? I have recently purchased a new 'MTB' a few weeks ago, and have been enjoying riding ~12 miles daily on it on tarmac. I now wish to taste some off-roading on it. I wanted to know how much can my bike take given its specs, and what kind of terrain I should throw it on to the best from it. Here ...	Start small for several weeks - easy off road riding at low to moderate speeds - and learn about how to choose your path and handle various terrain. It will fail quickly if subjected to log hopping or drops of more than a few inches. It is suitable for bumpy gravel roads at most. I would not do a lot of (or any) techni...
2x front derailleur shifting adjustment for BB92 shell I have a bike with a BB92 Bottom Bracket and would like some input on adjusting the front derailleur to consistently move the chain between the small and big chain rings. Front derailleur is a top-pull, high mount, SRAM X9 for 2x10 speed that is cabled to SRAM XX ...	Also, if the limit screws are all the all the way out, you might have to pre-load the derailleur travel a bit before tightening down the cable clamp.
Type of permitted folding bikes on London trains & Tube? I have found quite a bit of information about taking folding bikes on trains and the Tube in London. Specifically it says you can take a folding bike pretty much anywhere. However, having examined the small print of various train companies in the UK there is usu...	Summary: Rules say you're allowed a folding bike, then you're allowed any wheel-size on a folding bike. You should absolutely consider a cover or water cape for the bike, to keep its dampness or oils from upsetting anyone.
Road bike tyre impossible to get off I have a road bike tyre that is proving impossible to get off its a 700x25 on a set of tubeless ready rims (i know these can be more difficult to deal with). It was very tight to get on in the first place. I have tried a number things. I cannot free the bead to get a tyre lever u...	That said, most tubeless compatible rims will also have a deep center channel, which is intended to be used when mounting the tire and when removing the tire.
What type of lubricant/grease is most suitable for brake and shift cables? I bought this lube some time back when I cleaned the bearings in my rear wheel: Now I am replacing all the cables on my bike and the instructions say to use white lithium grease. While I was at the bike shop yesterday, I asked the guy if the a...	Lubricants can trap dirt and grit, meaning a greased cable would work better than a dry cable initially, but soon become contaminated such that the greased cable is worse.
Alternatives to shorter cranks for knee pain I've recently developed pain at the front of my knees when cycling. I suspect this is caused by, or at least made worse by, my bike having cranks that are too long for my leg length (172.5mm cranks for 77cm inseam). Assuming crank length is a factor, a long term solution wo...	Upsides, you can shrink your pedal circle, and you can also lower your pedalling circle if that's what you need. Keeping your cadence high helps your knee health a lot. If you do go to 165mm cranks it's important to make sure you have appropriate gearing.
How dangerous is a very out-of-true disc brake wheel? While walking to work this morning my eye was caught by an odd movement on a bike passing me several metres away. The front wheel was far from true laterally, though it didn't look out of round. It was on a basic hardtail/hybrid with front suspension with disc bra...	For an untrue wheel, for example braking will not be as effective and predictable because you essentially have periodically pulsing reaction force (both in direction and absolute value), and the friction force will pulse as well.
How dangerous are my worn rims? I took my bike for a service recently and was told it needed so many repairs that it was more cost effective for me to replace it. One of the repair jobs was to replace the wheels due to worn rims. The shop told me they were so dangerous that they refused to replace the brake blocks - w...	New brake blocks will cause less wear as they will be free of hard particles of grit and metal that get embedded in the relatively soft rubber over time. My local shop will recommend things be replaced in front of your significant other if you want an upgrade.
What should I upgrade first? I just got a new basic hardtail bike. I want to get better, and it’s not the best bike, so I want to upgrade it. I was thinking about changing the gear set up to 1 and 11 speed rather than 3 and 8 speed. I go out about mountain biking twice a week, and I really like it. My budget is £250. A...	You'd probably be better off saving up for a new bike--bike manufacturers are able to get parts at much lower cost, so when you buy a complete bike, you're getting the parts more cheaply than you could get them as an individual. The best upgrade you can do to a mountain bike is tubeless ready wheels and high quality tu...
What can be done to seat post too long/saddle too high? Recently a mountain bike --someone's hand-me-down--, came in my way. Size wise it might be slightly big for my ideal but within the range of manageable, I accessed. After trying a few times, however, it became clear that its seat post becoming too long and saddle ...	You need a seat post to connect the saddle and frame. If the post cannot be slid all the way into the frame due to an obstruction it can be cut down to shorten it.
Which tool for fixing wobbly crank? Any idea what kind of tool should I but to fix the loose left crank on my bike? I found this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Park-Tool-CCW-5-Crank-Wrench/dp/B0012Q5XAS but not sure if it's gonna suit. Or is it enough to buy only nut driver? <Q> The Park tool will work. <S> A 14mm socket a...	I would attempt to tighten the bolt then see if the arm still wiggles on the crank axle.
Ultimate way to communicate while riding, an offline walkie talkie app? I find it super strange that there is no popular offline walkie talkie app for mobile devices. It could be really handy when you are biking with someone for a long distance! You could talk with your friends all the way without any problem. And the ...	If there are more than two of you, just talk to the person who happens to be at your side at the moment: even if you were just walking down the street as a group of, say, five people, you probably wouldn't be talking to the whole group, most of the time.
My bike's adjustable stem keeps falling down My bike's adjustable stem keeps falling down. I tighten the nut as much as can but it seems no impact at all. Is it the wrong nut to tighten? <Q> What you have is an adjustable stem . <S> The headset is the pair of bearings in the head tube that the fork steerer tube runs ...	Analyse your riding style and see if you're riding with too much weight on the handlebars too, and if you replace this stem with another adjustable one, stay on top of the adjustment and keep the adjuster bolt tight; when it's loose it will cause a slipping which will wear out the teeth that stop it from rotating - in ...
Combining Deore XT 9-speed shifters with Deore XT BR-M8000 (I-Spec-II) I wanted to convert my trekking bike to a mountain bike, and replace the Deore XT V-Brakes with disc brakes. However, the bike still has a perfectly functional Deore XT groupset (9-speed; unsure about the type). Googling the BR-M8000 set, I noticed...	Finally you can mate the incompatible i-spec B shifter to an i-spec II brake lever if you'd like to purchase problem solvers' integration piece . If you have a 9 speed XT drivetrain, your dealing with model numbers of shifters, derailleur's m750, m760 or some m770's, when they went to 10 speed with model m773 and above...
Prescription glasses getting dusty and greasy I cycle to work each day, about 2.5 miles in each direction through a moderate sized town on paved roads (I don't use any dusty trails or go offroad etc). The climate is somewhat dry and arid with temperatures varying between 30c and -15c (I wear a scarf covering my nose w...	As you ride the air hits your glasses and gets them messy. Like the face shield you might be able to get away with only cleaning at home. Here are some options: - A helmet with a face shield.
Is it safe to run disc brakes up front on a mountain bike that lacks a disc caliper mounting point in the rear? Upon sharing my thoughts in an answer to a Bicycle Stack Exchange question , I wondered about my suggestion to use a disc brake up front on a frame that, lacking a disc brake caliper mounting point at the re...	Disk brakes, especially hydraulic, require significantly less force on the lever compared to rim brakes
Why is a derailleur guard present only on more affordable bicycles? Looking at http://decathlon.co.uk , I see a derailleur guard only on more affordable bicycles, e.g. this one . This one does not have it, and there seems to be no obvious way to install one. Are derailleur guards important? Why does the more exp...	Also, more expensive bikes usually have exchangeable derailleur hangers that are supposed to be the first thing damaged in a crash (and, thus, prevent the more expensive derailleur from more damage).
Is it possible to upgrade a rear derailleur with an other model, same company Shimano and the same speed I'm planning to upgrade my MBT bike for a real one, well entry-level. Talon 3 2019, which comes with these specs for shifters and derailleurs Shifters: Shimano Altus, 3x8 Front Derailleur: Shimano Altus Rear Der...	Replacing the Acera rear derailleur with the RD-M591 is possible. Conventional wisdom states that upgrading components on a new bike (& even more so, on a used bike) is more expensive than paying a little more for a bike that comes equipped with a higher class of components already.
Bike spare parts in South America I'll soon start a rather long trip from Ushuaia in southern Argentina to Alaska in the north of North America. As I'm from Europe (France), I don't really know what to expect about spare parts for my bike in South America. I'll ride a Kona Rove ST, a gravel bike with 650b wheels and 4...	I would carry plenty of extra brake pads, they are light and depending on your brake model could be difficult to find. Tyres for 27.5" and 29er were the most common, and generally easy to find in cities or larger towns. SRAM parts can be much trickier to find than Shimano.
Can my headtube take a tapered fork? I'm trying to replace a Suntour XCT fork on a '14 Cannondale Trail 4. I think it's a got a 1 1/8" straight headtube looking at the specs here: https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Cannondale/Trail-29-4,13741 On Ebay all the forks seems to be tapered. I.e Rockshox Reba...	These headtubes are 1.5" and are open to the variety of steerer tube diameters mentioned above when the appropriate headset is used. Also - pressing headset requires a dedicated press - unless you know what you are doing, it is a better idea to let bike shop do this.
Busted my bike hub & derailleur (I think) - how bad is it? I screwed up :( Background leading to my foolishness: I've been straining my bike quite a bit with hills and inclimate weather, and I haven't been able to find my maintenance kit since I've moved, so in my busyness I've let myself push around on a squeaky rusti...	It really does appear that you may only need to replace your derailleur (and chain). so in short I see no frame damage.. (If some of the spokes are deeply scored you may want to replace them anyway.)
Should I adjust rear derailleur as my chain seems too close to each other I am learning to replace chain and freewheel (So far so good). After I put new freewheel and new chain on, the chain are too close to each other at the back now (as you can see in the photo). I think I need to adjust rear derailleur, is it righ...	Wrap the chain around the big chainring and the biggest rear cog, and through the derailleur correctly. Presumably you did not cut it down to size it when you installed it.
Front disc brake wobbling / grinding on pads after full braking and minor plunge The front disc brake grinds after a light accident with full braking and plunge. To give an idea of the forces involved: The bike fell to the left, mostly cushioned by me. The bike had no more linearmomentum. The brake lever and handleba...	The emergency braking resulted in enough force to momentarily defeat gravity and begin a loaded rotation around the hub/rotor area, but carbon composite forks are designed (significantly, by direction of weave and thickness of laminate at fore and aft edges) to withstand far greater force than this. The brake was tight...
Can I use any screw for my derailleur limiters? I need new limit screws for my rear and front derailleur. Bike shop wants to charge $5 for them when they probably cost $0.05 each. Can I just get my own screws from the hardware store or do derailleurs require specific screws? If the former, what measurements/etc should ...	As noted in some comments, blue or purple (loctite 222) thread locker will help prevent the limit screws from moving on their own but still allows for adjustment of the screws with a hand tool. Obviously you can remove the current screws to determine the necessary length, and the type of head is personal preference.
Putting smaller wheels on a larger frame I have a bmx bike that support 24 inch wheels, is their anyway I can move down to 20 inch? <Q> Putting small wheels on a bike designed for larger wheels will provide you with an array of design opportunities. <S> Here's a rough illustration of the objective <S> Let's go t...	To effectively put smaller wheels on an existing bike frame, you'll have to make alterations to the frame to achieve these same results. - Rig disk brake mounts on the frame and build disk brake 20 inch wheels. If you cut the frame so that you can move the bottom bracket higher and then wield it all back together you c...

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