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What to do with a bent but not broken aluminum seat stay unfortunately I got hit by a car. I was on the main road, in the cycle way and the car had a stop sign coming out of a school. He did see me but got distracted by the kids. Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me out determine is my bike is safe to ride or I...	The bicycle will not ride straight now, and some parts will likely not work right and die much faster (shifting might be off similar to bent hanger, disc brake may act up if it is misaligned). The driver's insurance will cover the damage done to the bike, or you can sue the driver in some sort of small-claims court.
Warranty on lock damaged during attempted theft Someone attempted to steal my girlfriend's bike tonight and they damaged the lock. Do you guys know if we can use the warranty to get it exchanged? The lock has a 2 year warranty and I'm planning to take it to Decathlon to check what they can do but in the meanwhile is ...	The bike was saved, your move now is to thank the manufacturer for a job well done and buy another lock. Warranties exist to protect you, the consumer, against defects in materials or workmanship, not against deliberate damage. Do an open inquiry and see if there's anything they can do.
Installing gear cable guide on 80s Holdsworth I have this Holdsworth frame that I got repainted and am rebuilding with mostly modern parts - I recently realised that I'm not quite sure how to run the derailleur cables past the bottom bracket. I have seen bikes from this era with brazed on above-BB cable guides, but th...	You can also get cable guides which have a little solid plastic nub which goes into the hole You could ask the painter if they remember taping it or not.
Why does a tire patch leak near the lip, and how to properly patch the flat? I had a flat in my back wheel because the tire was worn out. I removed it and patched it as in these directions , except for the abrasion with sandpaper, which I never do. I put the tire back in and mounted the wheel, but it deflated again ov...	I had used too little glue because the patch had the width of the tube and the glue on one side didn't entirely contain it.
Cage Length (Rear Derallieur) and Total Capacity My drivetrain required total capacity is 14. (folding bicycle Dahon Eco C6, 14-28 rear, 1x front) The rear derailleur (Shimano TZ50, which I purchased), has total capacity = 34 and a long cage. Are there are any disadvantages , in such overkill, when total capacity of...	Another disadvantage is that the longer cage is easier to damage.
Buy cheaper bike and upgrade Can I change group set of this bike from Tiagra to Ultegra 8XXX without changing wheel? If yes, does it depend on geometry of rear fork? I am asking because I would like to know whether it is cheaper to buy a new bike like this and occasionally change group elements (with used) Ultegra and...	However, as others have said, groupsets are much cheaper when they come on a bike than bought separately, so you will not be saving money by upgrading incrementally. In my opinion the rear derailleur/shifter are the most important/first parts to upgrade since you shift a lot more with the rear derailleur and adjustment...
Can a road bike BB work on track bike? I have Merida track 500. It comes with a 175mm FSA vero track crankset and JIS square taper cartridge. I want to change it with Miche Pistard Air track crankset, 165mm and for that I need to change bottom bracket also. I wanted to know whether I can use road BB into my track b...	The Miche crank and BB may use a different axle diameter and BB width.
How do sidewinds affect forward speed? If I'm riding at 20mph on the flat with no wind, and then a 10mph wind kicks up, if I'm heading directly into it I'll slow down by X mph, and if I'm heading directly with it (i.e. pure tailwind) I'll speed up by Y mph. (As an aside, are X and Y likely to be the same? From experien...	The sidewind exerts a force on the cyclist, so they have to steer into the direction of the wind to keep on their intended course.
What is typically the best bolt to hold Park BBT-22 on to square-taper spindle? If one is trying to remove a stuck square-taper bottom bracket, it is hard to both hold the tool onto the bottom bracket splines and turn it at the same time. Many tools, like the Park BBT-22, have a hole so you can bolt it down using the...	In a pinch, I recently used a bolt of the right diameter but wrong threading, which worked.
Carbon wheels set or new groupset? Currently, I'm running on Claris 3x8 speed drivetrain. I'm planning to either upgrade the groupset or a carbon wheelset. I dislike the groupset because of it's heavy and loud but usable but I want more gears in the rear. I'm leaning towards carbon wheelset because it could save maj...	A wider gear range (especially easier gears) can make you ride longer and more efficiently. If your bicycle is as old and heavy as the Claris groupset suggests then maybe you should consider a whole new (possibly used) bicycle.
Will 20 inch BMX wheels fit a folding bike (with 20 inch wheels)? I'm renovating a folding bike with 20 inch wheels and want to replace the wheels. Will BMX wheels fit ? EDIT 22-Feb-2020: 10mm BMX wheels dropped straight in with no mods. The BMX freewheel was threaded on, I just screwed it off and screwed on the...	The BMX axles might be over-length enough to fit if you put in a 10mm spacer each side.
Will tires with spikes on a loaded heavy touring bicycle puncture the tubes? I am thinking of buying Schwalbe "Marathon Winter Plus" or "Winter" tires with spikes. I intend to use them on a touring bike which when loaded will have: about 25kg (55 pounds) of luggage (2x5kg on the back rack and 2x5kg on the front, 3kg ...	The current generation of pre-manufactured winter tires you'd get from brands like Schwalbe do not use 'screw-in' style studs that have a point on the inside surface. Studs pushing through the tire carcass might occur, but Increased load on the bike will not increase the probability of it happening The pressure of the ...
Smaller chainring on the right side of a bigger one possible? I recently converted my bicycle from a derailleur setup to an internally geared hub. During the conversion, I also replaced the previous crankset (with three chainrings) by a crankset having a single chainring. I am very happy with the result because I mostl...	The bigger chainring has small pins that will make changing gears smoother but the other side doesn't, so you're basically slowly but surely shift gears and wearing the chain more.
Switching the position of brake levers for a bike ordered from another country I purchased a bike from Germany and I noticed the front brake lever is on the left and the back brake level is on the right. I'm from the UK, and all the bikes I've ever ridden have had a setup that's opposite to this. It looks like the onl...	What to do Snip the ends off the existing cables and pull them out through the brake levers. You'd also need to rewrap the bar tape, at minimum.
Why are bicycle tires incapable of maintaining pressure over time, while car tyres seem to have less of a problem? A typical car might have 2.5 bar tyre pressure, and use the Schrader valve system. A typical mountain bike might also have approximately the same tyre pressure, perhaps a bit more, and also use the Schrad...	Assuming we are talking about tubeless vehicle tyres against bicycles using inner tubes then I would think the biggest difference is mostly that it's a thick tubeless tyre designed to hold air vs a thin layer of rubber.
Wheel tru, bearing & cones tight but still WOBBLES I have a 35 year old Trek Mountain bike that I have refurbished.- Rear wheel is true within +/-5 thousandth (it is true as mounted on the bike using a calipers clamped to the frame and perpendicular to the rim)- Bearings (9 x 1/4") have been replaced and cone is tight ...	I think the next thing to check is that the rim isn't cracked (the drive side spoke holes is the usual place) and after that check the actual frame isn't cracked. Unless the spoke tension is so low that spokes are actually going slack as you ride it won't make any difference.
I want to replace 52/36 chainrings with 50/34 chainrings on a Praxis Works I want to replace 52/36 chainrings with 50/34 chainrings on a Praxis Works. Is this possible without changing the crank? Also if possible would other modification be required such as the chain and possible the front derailleur <Q> Looking at t...	You might want to adjust your front derailleur so that it's a few mm more towards the bottom bracket
Keeping face warm in the winter I regularly use a hat under my helmet and a neck warmer. This keeps me relatively warm in the winter but leaves a bit to be desired. What are the best options to keep your face warm? Some people in NYC particularly those riding electric devices wear full face motor cycle style helmets...	A full face helmet will definitely also help in keeping you warm, but it's not the most practical solution.
Why is one screw in V-brake a lot tighter? I noticed that whenever tuning my V-brakes, I always have to tighten one of the screws a lot more than the one on the other side. I was wondering why this is the case. Of course this means the spring on one side is working a lot more than the other one. This difference seems t...	I suspect the brake arm with the tighter screw needs a good cleaning of its internals. Sometimes this is also caused by one screw missing the stub of spring entirely because of wear or imprecision in the spring carrier assembly, which usually results in that spring having no preload despite the screw being threaded in ...
Can this crack in the steel chain-side dropout be welded? I have a thru-crack on the driveside dropout near where it meets the chain stay.The bike is an early 1980's steel frame Trek mountain bike. See pics. Bike rides fine otherwise and I have invested a lot of love (and sweat) in cleaning it up... If it can be ...	As for the inspection of all other welds the use of die penatrant and developer is the easiest and fastest way to check for cracks. Replacing the whole dropout is quite tricky because you'd need to find one the same size and then try and unbraze the existing one without damaging the ends of the stays. If the welder sug...
My bike makes a constant squeak noise I have a Trek Ermonda AL 4 and whenever I pedal forward, I hear a loud and irritating squeaking noise from the middle center of the bike. If I pedal softly I don't hear the noise as much and if I pedal super hard I also dont hear the noise as much. Its just mainly whenever I'm ridi...	Bottom brackets tend to creak more when applying high torque through the pedals. If the latter try moving the cleat a bit towards the inside to offset your whole shoe a fraction towards the outside. My first guess is that your chain is not lubricated properly. Lube and torque rear derailleur hanger. The best way to han...
What are the round things near the main front cog? This bike in this picture has two rollers near the front sprockets. The chain goes through the lower one and not the top one. I've no idea on their purpose vs other bikes that don't have them and notice that they make a lot of noise. Questions What are they, what a...	As others have said these are chain keepers or tensioners designed to keep the chain on the front sprocket. If you remove teh whole plate, that will move the Drive side bearing cup inboard and possibly change the chainline. Most of the bikes that require them are bikes with long suspension travel or single speed bike t...
Should I buy this bike with a dent in the top tube? Is it safe? I'm considering buying this used steel-frame bike. But the top tube has a small dent (about one-third of the way from the saddle). Is this a problem? I plan to use it daily (~6-7mi) for commuting to work. Here's the link: https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycl...	In theory, the frame could be absolutely fine, but with use, there's a chance that the dent has exposed the frame to the elements and more likely to fail over time with corrosion etc.. There is simply no way to recommend to someone else to say it would be safe to ride a bike with obvious damage.
What is the purpose of an insert pin for Magura brake hoses? I just upgraded my broken Magura HS11 brake lever assembly to a HS33R . The new HS33R was packaged with a sleeve nut and an olive, which I used to connect the brake hose to the brake lever assembly. This all works as intended. If you look online for "Magura...	This part is called the 'insert' or 'connecting insert' and its purpose is to 'support' the (non rigid) brake hose in order to prevent it from crushing/reducing drastically in diameter when the sleeve nut is tightened causing the olive to be compressed onto the brake hose.
Touring with kids - tag along and kids trailer behind same bike I am wondering if anyone has experience of pulling tag-along and then kids trailer? Would that be possible to tag a kids trailer to a 20 inch tag along? <Q> Those of us who tow bike trailers have generally encountered a situation where some other road user...	If you are going to try this in a controlled fashion as Criggie suggests in his answer, Make sure your brakes are in good shape and properly adjusted first.
Reinforced Shimano pin snapped before connecting chain - how to resolve? My previous chain snapped weeks ago and only got a new one sorted. I've cut the chain to the right size, fed it through the derailleurs and onto the bike correctly. The last step was to use the reinforced Shimano pin to connect the new chain tog...	I would then drive out the connector pin with the chain tool (as if I were breaking the chain).
How can I connect two pieces of square aluminum tubing together to make a bike trailer using n55 docs? Me and a friend are trying to build a trailer using principles found here ... http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/SPACEFRAMEVEHICLES/DIY.pdf They are using 25 mm aluminum square tubing with a 2mm thickness and 6.5mm holes. A...	You could join your corners using prefab corner plates; the bigger the plates and the more widely set the screw holes, the better they'll be at resisting racking. To avoid galvanic corrosion, I'd use plastic washers to isolate the aluminum from the steel.
Why does this hollowtech crankset have play? Background Shimano deore crankset (not XT) The crankset has done about 10000km (6200miles). It is from a touring bike. Most of those 10000km was done with thebicycle loaded (bags on both front and back racks). Problem The crankset in the picture has play in the dir...	Also make sure you are doing the crank pinch bolts up to the correct torque so the crank arm is not working loose on the axle. Note they can have issues with looseness that's not accompanied by poor bearing feel. If you remove the left crank arm and take away the preload you will feel a some play in the bearings.
Converting a KHS FLITE 223 into a freewheel fixie? I have this KHS Road bike that I got back in high school and was wondering if I'm able to convert it into a freewheel fixie (I think that's the right term) The bike does have vertical dropouts. Would it be cheaper to convert it or just buy a new bike altogether? Here i...	Also consider removing the two chainrings you are not using (you may need shorter chainring bolts as one set go through the middle and outer rings.)
What is this thing called that holds the gear shift cable (not the wire)? There is a small metal part that keeps the gear shift cable in place, so the inside cable can move without the cable hose moving as well. I think I damaged it slightly when making repairs so I need a new one, but I have no idea how that part is c...	On your bike, it is part of the hub assembly. On a shimano Alfine or Nexus IGH it is on the end of the Cassette Joint, part "CJ-S7000-8" which is part of the "Alfine Small Parts Set" part nmber "SM-7000-8" There are clamp-on cable stops that would fit to your chainstay and might work here, but I think the better soluti...
What are these rubber rings on my brake caliper bolts for? I have purchased a disc brake adapter which came with a set of mounting bolts for mouting the adapter and the caliper together. The bolts have a rubber ring on them, but I'm not sure what it's for. Should it be mounted together with the caliper and adapter, or ...	The rubber ring could theoretically serve the purpose of keeping water out of the threads, thus preventing rust/oxidation (which when screwing the bolt into an aluminum fork can cause them to become very stuck in some cases)(I
I am always having a broken spoke once in every 500Km I have a Giant Escape hybrid bike, which I bought as a secondhand bicycle. After I had bought it, once in every 500km, according to Strava records, I am always having a broken spoke in rear wheel. Yesterday, I got my sixth broken spoke and I have noticed the old spo...	the spokes break when trying to tighten them to a normal level the problem is most likely metal fatigue and you should either replace all spokes or replace the wheel it MAY be useful to increase tension in all spokes
What is a "gram" of drag? Bike components or upgrades are sometimes quoted as saving some number of "grams" of drag. How can a gram , a unit of mass , be used to quantify drag , which is a force ? And for extra credit, why is this a useful way to quantify drag? <Q> However, although there are small differences in...	As well as reducing drag , cyclists are also often concerned with reducing mass . You're exactly right, drag should be measured in units of force, like Newtons. It's a misnomer related to the Kilogram-force (kgf) and its submultiple unit the gram-force (gf) , 1 kgf being equal to 1000 gf. The only purpose is to be able...
What exactly do seats with a cut out in the middle achieve? I've read that seats with a cut out are a good way of relieving stress on your sensitive areas. So we have seats like this: My question is: from what I've read, the problem with cycling with bad seats is that it puts pressure on your perineum . This is the ...	There needs to be some support between the areas of the sit bone contact, or the saddle will simply flex (depending on material, etc) making the cut out or channel a pinch point. Saddle design varies and there is a lot more to a good saddle than just a cutout (or any other feature, really). The channel may also do the ...
Seeking a very deep/long reach dual pivot brake caliper. 90 mm drop required I can get a single pivot caliper deep enough, but the performance is inadequate. Does anyone know of a dual pivot caliper that's at least 90mm deep? Or another solution? It's for the front of a cargo bike where a disc brake or roller brake is ...	Cantilever brakes would be the more orthodox solution to this problem. I've found an Alhonga U brake sold as suitable for folding bikes, it is a self contained centre pull almost like a Delta brake, in alloy with 110 mm max drop.
Pedal doesn't rotate freely; occasionally comes with grinding / clicking Apologies if that has been asked before; the search function shows up related but ultimately different issues. Here's what's going on: As I pedal along, occasionally the left pedal will be reluctant to turn nicely so as to stay horizontal and nic...	If you have simple flat pedals the easiest option is to simple replace them as this type of pedal is inexpensive and easy to get hold of. Perhaps a broken ball in your ball bearing.
How can I prevent theft of mirrors? I want to know to permanently fix back view mirrors. Last night, somebody stole them.Please tell me any solution. <Q> Make your bike less accessible. <S> Don't park it near where people walk past. <S> Instead, park it down the row a little. <S> Avoid parking it anywhere that wi...	If you can live with a less-than-altruistic solution, park your bike beside someone with better mirrors that are easier to steal. To protect the bolt, you can use some weird security tool fitment that the thief won't be carrying on their person. Park your bike in a secure location if possible. You can retain it with ca...
Purpose of 'bore' on spoke nipples - why are spoke nipples not threaded through their entire length? I noticed that (most) spoke nipples have a thread which does not run through the entire length of the nipple. As can be seen in the image below some of the length of the nipple has no threads (and is called a "bore" app...	another reason for using longer spoke nipples (which providing they have approximately equal thread length, which appears to be quite common) is to allow for the tool interface of the nipple to reach far enough through the rim in order to be able to tighten the nipples. The longer the threaded piece, the harder to loos...
Bottom bracket length and chainline I'm considering to replace my bottom bracket. My current one is a cheap 68x115mm squared. As I'm obsessed by bike weight, there is a titanium product I'd really love to install. However, the closest available sizes are 113 and 119mm. My chainring is already close to the frame, and ...	Frame alignment and especially chainstay length are also factors.
148-to-141 conversion effect on spoke length? I'm building a set of wheels using: WTB KOM Light i40 rims - 27.5" Hope Pro 4 Hubs - 100mm front / 148mm rear However, I have converted the rear hub to a 141mm using Hope's QR conversion kit. Does this change have an effect on the spoke length calculation? I have ...	Only if the conversion kit significantly changed the dish of the wheel would you need to change any spoke lengths.
How much space do I need between my tire and brakes to change from 700x23 to 700x25 or 700x28 tires? My concern is that the actual one (700x23) is quite close to my brake (about 3 mm). It's safe for me to buy a 700x25 or 700x28? I would like to have a slightly wider tires. <Q> A 28mm looks like it <S> would probably ...	Relevant thoughts - wider tyres do make it harder to drop the wheel through the brake pads. WRT the photo - I'd be quite confident you can fit a 25mm in there without issue. Depending on your sensitivity it may not be worth changing. A 23mm tyre should be on a rim with a width of 13-17mm. A quick Google will tell you t...
Tire size conversion from 700 x 23c A tire with the size of 700 x 23c, when changed to inches, what is the diameter and what is the width? <Q> You're asking a question that cannot be answered. <S> Sorry - the plethora of tyre size measuring systems means there is no good answer. <S> Diameter could be 29 inches, it...	It is correct (as stated in the other answers, which I've voted up) that tyre sizing systems mean the actual stated sizes can't be converted, and in fact the width of a given tyre will vary depending on the rim width. To answer the question as written, 23 is the width of the tire in millimeters when mounted and inflate...
What's this "spacer" lever on the front brake lever for? I made this lamp for my son out of his old Miyata he used to ride all over on. It was too good a machine to just sit outside and ruin. We never noticed this "spacer" lever on the front brake lever. When swung out, it adds some slack to the brake adjustment. Wh...	This brake lever has a quick release button
How to keep Presta valve insert from detaching after inflation? I have Presta valves on my bike tires and for the rear tire, each time I inflate the valve, upon detachment, the insert screws off with the pump attachment and the tire deflates. I tried about 6 times, no luck. Here are pictures of the detached pump conn...	Part of my airing up process is giving the valve body a firm twist right to check tightness between removing the cap and opening the valve. Needle nose pliers work well in that tight area of the flat in lieu of a small enough wrench.
Do I need to refill sealant after puncture? I got my first set of brand new tubeless wheels (Mavic Aksium Elite UST) and next day I had a somewhat large (it looks more than 4 mm) puncture. The sealant did its job, but my teammates described it as a "beer flowing from my tire". Now I'm worried that I might need to add...	Some amount of sealant from a new installation goes to coating the tire and in many cases filling in the porosity of the casing. Pull the valve core and poke a 2mm Allen wrench down to test the fluid level with the valve at the 6 o'clock position with the tire off the ground.
Using two tires on one wheel to prevent punctures? I have 20 x 3.0"tires, which seem to be pretty hard to find--especially with nice puncture-resistance like Schwalbe's "Smart Guard," or something of that nature. Unfortunately, I'm definitely getting more flats. My mechanic told me that I could double up on the tires-...	A Slightly different approach,Get an old tube, cut it open, then wrap it around your existing tube.put the whole lot inside your tire and fit as usual. Another popular brand is Mr Tuffy, though I've never used them. I work in a shop and regularly see bikes where the tire is flat and the sealant is clearly years old and...
Ways to lock my feet to the pedals, OR, Cycling shoe options for (really) wide feet I have very wide feet, like ridiculously wide. I found some data for Australian male foot sizes and I'm at the 80th percentile for length but the 99.7th percentile for width. I'm currently wearing shoes a size too long in extra extra wi...	It may be possible to fit removable toe clips to compatible pedals with a spacer to shift them forwards and a longer screw; you may also need a longer strap for the width.
What is "height stroke" on a tire? I am reading a tire review at http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/schwalbe-lugano-2015 and it says the Lugano had a gigantic height stroke . Most tires have this, but the Lugano was awful, you will probably notice it on the bike. This is a sign of low-qualit...	It means specifically bicycle tire or rim that is out of round vertically.
Wheel Building - Should key spoke be inside or outside flange? I’m working on my first wheel build and reading a lot of articles about spoke patterns. Some articles say the key spoke (drive-side, to the right of the valve) should be on the outside of the flange, but others say inside of the flange. Is there a recomme...	With the pulling spokes running tangential on the outside of the hub the load on the knee is shifted to the line of contact of the spoke with the hub.
Is there any way to remove a rear cassette WITHOUT a cassette wrench? I've tried to and tried, but just can't do it. Can anyone help me with a way to remove my crappy old 7 speed cassette and install a brand new 11 speed without using a cassette wrench? I'm not rich enough to own one. <Q> Use the correct tool. <S> Th...	You will also need some way to hold the old cassette to undo the lockring. You really will struggle to complete this task without the proper tools, I can't actually imagine how you would do it successfully. There exist Bicycle Co-operatives who exist to help you with your bike. My answer is, if you can afford to upgrad...
Is this level of rusting removable by sandblasting? Is this rusted steel frame still salvageable? The local bicycle shop does sandblasting before they powdercoat a frame. Do you think the sandblasting alone would be enough to remove the rust? I'm aware that all traces of rust must be removed, or the corrosion will co...	The top tube walls may be too thin for the frame to have structural integrity. If there is significant rust inside the frame it can be treated with an oxalic acid or other type of acid bath. Some paint shops also do this service.
Can frequent light bicycle commuting severely damage pants? I bought a nice pair of pants to wear to work, and I am reasonably certain they were of good quality (although maybe I was mistaken) and I found that the seat of the pants was worn down to holes in less than a year of near-daily commuting. I commute by bike to...	In my experience biking can destroy many kinds of "normal" pants quite quickly, whatever the saddle. In addition to the other issues, if you perspire at all while wearing shorts or trousers, be sure to wash them before wearing them again.
Two handlebars on bicycle I have butterfly shaped handlebars on my hybrid bicycle. These were an aftermarket addition. These allow for different positions but I would like to add another set of handlebars with a wider position above the butterfly handlebars. There is a component that allows this attachment of additi...	A solution similar to the Sheldon Brown bike would be to use a steerer extension which you would use to mount a second stem & bars.
Fit a chainguard when there is a front derailleur My bicycle has a front derailleur. It's a hybrid. I use it to commute and would like to fit a chainguard. Is there any chainguard that can be fitted when there is a front derailleur? <Q> There are a few plastic chainguards for front derailleurs. <S> I never found a f...	These chainwheels with chainguards are available on low to medium-end models, but I believe the touring version of an XT crankset (FC-T780 or T7000) has an optional chainguard. Changing the bike to a 1x setup will give more options as this makes for a simpler setup.
Changing SRAM Rival brifters to flat bar - which hydraulic brake levers? I've got a gravel bike, the Planet X London Road, with SRAM Rival 1x11 groupset. I'm thinking of converting it to a flat bar.From what I have read, any SRAM 11 speed shifter should work, as the cable pull is the same, but I don't know how best to...	The hose diameters (inner and outer diameter) differ between different brands of hydraulic brakes. As Argenti mentioned, SRAM has the S700 series of trigger shifters that work with the road derailleurs.
Retaining M5 bolts for bottle cages I have a Ti frame. Alloy M5 bolts (they were greased) not working too well for me for holding the bottle cages - one seized / broke off, and I lost the boss/insert (?) when a mechanic drilled out the sheared-off bolt. I understand that a light or medium loctite usually performs bet...	Copper anti-seize grease seems to be the go-to product for the titaniums protection and prevents reactions between differing metals.
Does anyone know what make and model this bike is? Production year? I found this bike while cleaning up a foreclosed home. I liked it and saved it from others taking it to the recycling center. Does anyone know what make, model and possibly year that it is? <Q> Pictures can also be found here Just for image reference ...	Those dropout shapes are very typical of bikes sold under the Murray and Sears names. Without too much digging around I came across a 1950s Schwinn Corvette, although I don't think its a 100% identical bike it is i'm fairly sure a variant of the OPs.
Why are my new rim brakes worn so much? Got these on 17 days ago and probably done no more than 60 miles. The main commute is 6 miles. 4 of that is a steep downhill. <Q> Reviews seem to be mixed, with reports of the pad wearing quickly, but other reports of the pad lasting forever and wearing the rims out quickly. <S...	Looking at the design of the brake pads, this appears to be a cheap generic pad that is then re-branded (in different colours) by various manufacturers. Pads can wear out more quickly when they don't make even contact with the braking surface.
How to remove the broken ball end of a small hex key that is now stuck inside the socket While trying to replace the yoke of my derailleur I made the mistake of using a multi-tool hex key that was not able to handle the torque necessary for the task and snapped while the head stayed inside.I tried using gravity, a magn...	Similar to the method of removing broken bolts (where the head has broken off and the thread are still in the part you want to save for example an engine block) where a slot is cut into the remaining part of the bolt (that is stuck) and this part is removed using a flathead screwdriver..
How can I DIY a smaller Anything Cage/Versacage, or a mini bottle cage In my perpetual quest to carry ever more stuff without panniers, I'd like to fit a second bottle cage under the downtube, for small bottles (e.g. 200 ml of stove fuel). There's space for something small, as my tourer is massive with relaxed geometr...	:Even though it might not be the prettiest solution you could try the following:Take a 'normal' aluminum bottle cage (similar or equal to the ones you have mounted on your down tube currently) and by pushing down on the part furthest away from the frame bent the bottle cage such that it will clamp down on bottles with ...
How to maintain the bicycle after a commute, when not home? When I commute, which is a 20 minutes bicycle trip, I'm able to park the bicycle indoors at a facility, where I can rinse water off of it. See my other question regarding whether or not this is a good idea: Should you hose down your bicycle after having used ...	If you're going to oil at all, do it sparingly, only when necessary (squeaky chain) and be sure to wipe it all off after. I do not wash the rest of my bike because there is no point. Keep the chain lubed and enjoy the ride. It does take some work to prep a chain for waxing the first time, and it's a little more work to...
Using 16 hole front rim to build a rear wheel I have the opportunity to buy 2 front Shimano Dura Ace C40 latest generation wheels at a very cheap price. The hole count for the wheelset is 16/21. Could I build / have built a rear wheel from one of the front rims, for example using a 32 hole rear hub or is 16 hole too fr...	The asymmetric design is intended to be used as a rear wheel to correct the offset caused by the right hub flange being closer to the center than the left. In this case, being a Dura-Ace product, it's reasonable to assume that the everything has already been pushed to around the limit in the design. Just winging it and...
Are there any downsides to cheaper biodegradable degreasers? I’m after a cheaper (than the bike-specific brands) biodegradable degreaser for cleaning my bike chain. I have found a few which are apparently biodegradable, however, I’m wondering if there is anything about non-bike-specific degreasers that could cause an...	Apparently if you leave a part in Simple Green (the degreaser he specifically discussed) for a very long time, the metal can deteriorate.
Methods for selling used bike I have a used bike I would like to sell. It's relatively high end (retail price was about $3.5k). I put the bike for sale on Craigslist at what seemed to be a good price, especially relative to others on the site that I've seen, but haven't gotten any responses at this time. What other m...	A solution for a specialist item like a high-end bike is to check with the original supplier and see what they offer in terms of trade-in. If you are in North America local Facebook marketplaces oriented to bikes or bike gear can be good. If you're in an area with a small bike community you're likely going to get littl...
Recurring flats on new bike I have had four flat tyres in less than two months. Some more information: I've only experienced repeated flats since I started using racing bikes (two months ago). I'm 194cm tall and weigh 74kg. I have cycled several 80-140km rides in the past two months. I only cycle on-road. I avoi...	Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and ride through garbage but often you can reduce your chances of getting a flat by selecting the clearest path and riding there. check your tire for pieces of metal/glass/other objects embedded in/under the surface (by rotating the tire whilst removed from the wheel and pinchi...
Brake line is unwound can I cut part off? Putting together new bike and then brake line got frayed (just one piece) going pretty far back and cannot thread it now. Can I cut the one frayed piece or does that ruin the brake line functionality? Thank you <Q> If it's only one strand then you can safely cut it off. <S> ...	If the strand is really messed up and just won't lay flat, it is possible to undo one single strand and cut off, but the cut end never lies flat so it will snag any outer cable. Personally, buy a new brake inner cable for a few dollars and do over. It's not worth the risk to try to save it.
Is there a benefit of lacing trailer wheel spokes radially instead of crossed? Reading a review of a bike trailer one of the commentators noted that the wheels were laced radially: It is a 16" wheel. Does this configuration have some advantage making it a good choice? I always had the impression that wheel spokes w...	Crossed spoke lacing is primarily necessary to transmit torque from the hub to the rim, rather than for increased strength, although I suspect hub flanges have more strength when loaded by a crossed spoke. Given a trailer wheel will carry a lower load than a bicycle wheel this does not matter.
Should I upgrade the hub, cassette or wheel so my bike will make a sound when I don't pedal? I have a Hardtail 29' M Niner 2016, Shimano XT 10 speed, everything is perfect but I always wanted to have that sound from the hub when I go for a ride, so I want to know what I need to upgrade to have that sound? <Q> It's the ...	Instead of rebuilding a new hub to your rim, it will probably be most cost effective to get a new rear wheel with one of the louder freehubs or you could even go for a complete set of wheels so the front & rear wheels have the same spokes & rims.
Can I charge an ebike from another ebike battery? I have a fiido d2s, and I love it. I'm not sure if I could upgrade to a bigger bike, because it fits so well in the back of my car and public transport. Anyway, it doesn't have a detachable/replaceable battery. I've used this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TG...	If you're adamant that you will run a secondary battery, you may find it beneficial to find the primary input on the controller, attach the second battery in parallel, et voilà, more range. Or rebuild your current pack so it’s larger but scale the BMS accordingly.
How to enlarge dropout slots? I have a Raleigh Grand Prix and was trying to put a modern wheelset on it, but the front dropout slots are too narrow to fit the axle. Is it safe or possible to enlarge the slots? The fork is chrome plated which I hear is very hard to grind. In response to some comments, I'm moving from ...	If you wanted to go nuts you could try to maintain the exact original alignment by using a caliper as you go on each slot to make sure you're taking an equal amount off both surfaces. You have to be very careful about this.
My front dérailleur doesn't shift into the big ring neither in the small one. If I pull the shifter nothing happens I have a Shimano Sora groupset and my bike is 1 year old. I already tried everything with the limit screws and the cable tension but now nothing moves when I pull the shifter. I'm not sure how to identif...	If you cannot move the derailleur when the cable is disconnected, the problem is there.
Which measurements are most important to consider for tall men? I am 6'8" and 255lbs so my figure is a bit between Kevin Durant (not as skinny) and Lebron (in shape but not as muscly). For smaller bikes such as what you would find in Wal-mart, I frequently see bike weight limits of 200lbs or so despite me still being a...	Most high quality bikes from bike shops have weight limits around 300 pounds for mountain bikes and hybrids. Larger riders are probably at higher risk of breaking a frame, but a frame breaking is rare. Size and weight limit are both important. Wheel size in and of itself is immaterial to fit.
Replacing rear solid axle with skewer Hoping someone can advise. I recently ordered a Saris Fluid2 trainer, which requires me to use a special quick release skewer on the rear wheel. However, my regular road bike is an old Acapulco Giant and the rear wheel is not on quick release hardware at all (photos below). I am...	It would be easier to buy a wheel and a freewheel and swap the tire. Possibly your best option is to return the trainer and purchase one that specifically works with nutted axles. Quick release hubs have an axle that does not protrude past the frame dropouts and has a concentric hole through which the quick release ske...
Best E-reader for a touring bike? OK, folks, since today is April 1st and April 1st is pretty much the start of the cycling season here in Tropical Southern Minnesota, I figure it's the ideal day to ask this question: What is the best E-reader to use on a touring bike? What will mount well on a drop bar, withstand th...	A small MP3 player with a build-in speaker that lives inside my helmet buff. Something like Google Glass
Alternative cranksets for a cross-country mountain bike larger than 48t I have to replace my chain and gears on my 28'' cross-country mountain bike and I like to use the opportunity to make some modifications. I've tried to read up on this and I already learned a lot from previous questions here, but nothing fits quite...	If your front derailleur works with 48 tooth ring, it is very probable that it works also with 50 teeth. On a triple chainring drivetrain the rear derailleur will not have enough capacity (difference between sprocket teeth + difference between chainring teeth) to accomodate more difference between the chainring sizes. ...
Usefulness of high-pressure/high-volume switch on a track pump Among the track pumps (floor pumps) on the market, I see one advertised with the following feature: foot-activated high-pressure/high-volume switch I'm interpreting this to mean that the pump has two modes: High pressure and low volume, suitable for p...	But it could be useful for tubeless on a big floor pump, if it pumped more air than normally possible, to have a higher chance to seat the tyre.
Does the front derailleur limit chain ring size? Does the front derailleur have limits to which size chain rings can be used? I have a groovy old 1988 Schwinn Prelude and for the most part it does just what I need. However there are some steep sections of excellent paths nearby that are a bit to much. Fitness is deci...	The bigger issue is the 'bolt circle diameter' on the chainrings and crank. It is likely your old schwinn has a square taper bottom bracket, any scrappy cheap MTB could offer up a suitable crankset.
Stiff but short daily commute leading to "heavy" legs I'm a long time bike commuter (over 10 years), I was living some 4.5 kms from my workplace, a mostly flat commute (well, maybe 40 m up-and-down). After two years of that commute, it had made my significantly healthier and fast. A year ago, I moved to a place a bit ...	In my experience, whenever I had started pushing hard on the pedals without proper warm up I have always ended up with stiff legs, and I have been lucky, since I could have risked also more serious injuries. Depending on exactly what you're using for a bike getting a gear that low may be something you already have or a...
How tight should cycling shoes be? Ski boots are notoriously difficult to fit. The fitters will advise to go one and often two sizes down from what would at first seem like a comfortable fit. Do you find any performance advantages from wearing tighter clipless cycling shoes? The sizes on Shimano shoes seem to be one...	Your feet will subtly swell during exercise, making a good fit into a tight fit.
I think I chose the wrong road bike size I went to a local bike shop a couple days ago and picked up a road bike. I think I chose the wrong size. I bought a medium size instead of a small. I’m 5’7 and I feel comfortable during the first two hours of riding and then the back of my neck starts hurting. The salesman told ...	A professional bike fit would help, but it is not cheap and is better done before buying a bike. So your sore neck is probably just from doing something for two hours that you're not used to.
Loose bolt on stem, replace? My stem is secured to the steerer with two bolts. One bolt is strong. The other is loose. Replacing the bolt wont fix it, because the material around the bolt is not that strong anymore (small pieces coming out). Pls see attached screenshot. How can I fix that? Is it secure? <Q> Having jus...	In the bike hacker fix category: You might be able to use your existing stem by drilling out the hole with the stripped threads (leaving the good bolt alone) Using a longer bolt with a nut on the outside - it may take a little filing to get a flat spot for the nut to sit on. The main good option would be to replace the...
Right Shimano SPD pedal clicks on down stroke I recently bought Shimano SPD pedals for indoor cycling on Zwift. I have not had them very long at all maybe a month. Every downstroke I hear a loud click on my right pedal. I thought it may have been the cleat in the shoe because the position looked different than the lef...	After playing around, it looks like my right pedal was not screwed in all the way.
How to get a decent workout on a mid sized, flat parking lot? I'm looking for a way to have a bicycle based workout in the middle of the COVID-19 quarantine. I do not own a roller trainer of any type, nor materials good enough to make one myself. In my country there is a full(ish) lockdown and I cannot go out for trai...	I don't know of any details of your local rules at the present time, or if you live somewhere near (even if not in) a less populated area, but in my location while there are "stay at home" orders people are not actively discouraged from getting out and getting exercise as long as they maintain a safe distance from othe...
Is my bike chain skipping? I’m new to cycling. I bought Giant Contend AR 1 road. It seemed to be normal the first time I rode it but the second time the chain felt like it was loose. Excuse my ignorance on bike stuff. I really don’t know what the problem is. Or is there a problem at all? Is this normal? On the video I ...	If it’s way too short, you can also get this by trying to force a gear that the derailleur can’t fit, so the chain downshifts or slips off the pulley. Viewing the video, I can't detect it from distance, but it should be a low-level issue - The most likely candidate for a new bike is the cables, new ones can bed-in over...
Shimano 105 freehub FH-5800 - pawls not engaging, repair or replace? After a thorough clean and (over) oiling with WD40, my Shimano 105 FH-5800 freehub stopped engaging. Sounds like a common fail: I had previously thought that more oil = better. Live and learn! Bike is just over 10 years old but in good condition othe...	Ideally you will clean out the contaminated grease and lubricate it with new appropriate grease. You could always investigate inside the freehub body first and see if it just needs degunking.
Should I buy a mountain bike, what size should it be? My bike is becoming old and I'm upgrading. Where I live half the roads are offroad/gravel, half of them are really old asphalt that has pot-holes in it. I'm thinking of buying a mountain bike, because they look really cool (that's not the main reason ofc), and as ...	We can't really say what kind of bike you should buy, you should buy the bike you will ride, that is the most important thing. No-one can make that decision for you. I’d recommend getting a used bike without suspension. But a frame upgrade that's lighter and absorbs more vibration, or a groupset upgrade that changes ge...
Squeaky noise coming from rear derailleur or jockey wheels I have this horrible squeaky noise coming from my rear deraileur area. It only happens when I pedal. Watch below for the video. <Q> Sounds like jockey wheel squeak to me. <S> As part of your regular maintenance tasks you should be periodically replacing the ...	If/when you do take the jockey wheels out, keep track of which is the top and bottom wheel and which way around they go. Although keeping your bike clean is generally a good thing, it does have some negative side effects like washing away grease and lubrication on your moving parts.
Swapping parts from old bike to new frameset I have a Piave (around 2009-ish year) road bike with a frame that has become to small for me. It has pretty good components i.e Shimano Ultegra and threadless stem etc. There is a 2014 S-Works Venge frameset being sold and I was wondering, could I swap all my components (bar...	You may need new handlebars and stem if these are not included with the Venge frameset, depending on the compatibility of your current set, or if you want a more integrated, aero style set to compliment the Venge frame.
9 to 11 speed partial groupset upgrade? Is it possible? I have a Shimano Sora 3500 full groupset (FD 50-34, Crankset 170mm length with BB RS500 (BC1.37 x 24), Sprocket 12-28) on my road bike. I want to make a partial upgrade to 105 set due to my budget limit, by: changing both shifters to 105 R7000; changing the r...	Even if you changed just the rear and kept your cranks, the shifting with the 11 speed chain would be bad. In general one has to upgrade everything and that commonly means buying a new bike where all other parts may be better too.
Crankset and arm fitting issue I have 2008 Specialized Rockhopper Comp. I bent my crank arm but can't find the same model online which is a Shimano FC-442/443 crank arm. If I wanted to replace my crankset what could fit onto my bike? I know there is Octalink and square taper but how do I know the difference and what is...	If you go with a three-piece crank (older style, cranks are separate from the axle which comes in the bottom bracket cartridge), it's typical to have to replace the BB with the crank, because different cranks require a different axle length to get the correct chainline.
How to define if brake pads suitble for carbon clinchers I have Carbon Tubeless wheels ZIPP 404 Weaponary 10 speed, which I have bought on my used Pinarello Ultegra rim brakes.Now I hear that Carbon wheels should / must have special brakes. Question is: How do I determine if I have right brake pads? and Is it MUST t...	Normal brake pads are harder, and can wear away the carbon rim surface.
How did these pimple/bubble/bump shapes form on my tube? I've been riding on the same rear inner-tube for several months without issue. I topped up the rear tube last week, went on ~10mi ride (including a rest in the middle), and had no problems. I was about to ride again today, but when I looked at my rear wheel I no...	My theory is that the slightest imperfection or concavity in the rim, even with seemingly good rim tape, can have the effect of "sharpness" on the tube under enough pressure.
What width between dropouts is suitable for a hub of Xmm? For a hub of 120mm, what would the dropout spacing be on a typical frame? Or for 130mm, or other sizes - in each case, how close to the hub width should one expect the frame spacing to be? <Q> You can find the whole gamut of tolerances, especially if you inclu...	Low-end and historic bikes are way more all over the place with dropout spacing fidelity. some hubs can be modified to be wider or narrower. I also suspect its is easier to manufacture carbon to exact specs because it isn't welded which causes warping in steel and aluminum.
Recovery from a cycling mishap I took my bike for the first ride of the season yesterday and unfortunately it was pretty short. As I was cycling through the rear gears I hear a plinking sound and then a large clunk. I stopped immediately and went to inspect the back wheel where I saw the following carnage: The plasti...	You also need to check the derailleur hanger isn't bent, if you fix the bike. Instead of pouring good money after bad, its time to look for a replacement bike. You will need the correct spokes and a spoke key that fits your nipples.
How to measure and treat BSA bottom bracket housing misalignment? I own an old Raleigh steel frame ('89) and wanted to install a cartridge bottom bracket (Shimano UN55). I noticed it was difficult to fit it in the housing. When installed, the square taper shaft showed considerably more friction when turned. Also, whe...	You can also install the lockring and see if its flange lines up with the edge of the shell (this is not a great indicator of thread misalignment , because the edge of the shell may not be true).
Scratch or damage on carbon frame I found this 'scratch' on my carbon frame on top of the front derailleur. Not quite sure when or how it appeared. Could this be more than a scratch? <Q> That's just a light scratch. <S> No issues. <S> if you are worried that the carbon-fiber composite has been damaged by an impact or...	Its a scratch you shouldn't be worried about it
Could a slightly bent rear mech cable be the cause of poor shifting? I have trouble indexing my SRAM Apex 1x drivetrain. If I get it to shift correctly at one end of the cassette, it doesn't shift so well at the other end.Sometimes I have to click multiple times at the DoubleTap shifter to make the rear mech move enoug...	The bends in the cable you can see shouldn't cause problems, but seeing them on a Doubletap bike makes me instantly suspicious of kinks inside the housings, which will wreck the shifting. If that does not improve your indexing, the next thing to look at is the derailleur hanger alignment. But then I checked the chain l...
Help in converting Trek Domane 2.0 road bike to be more comfortable and commute-friendly I have pudendal neuralgia issues which require that I use a noseless saddle (not shown in pic) which works great for relieving pelvic floor pain. The result, though, is that much weight then is placed on the arms and so I'm battli...	You can extend the handlebars higher and try to install wider tires, but you will still have handlebars way too forward, steering geometry that feels unstable and narrower tires than you need. And, you're right to look in the direction of other bar types, because it's unlikely you're going to be able to make much use o...
Options for adding lower gearing for bike with Shimano 105 drivetrain I have a 2015 Salsa Vaya 2 with a Shimano 105 drivetrain. It has a Shimano 105 Triple front derailleur with a 30/42/52t crankset. In the back it has an 11-30T 10-speed cassette (installed for me by the LBS instead of the stock 11-28T one). I was to...	Buy a Wolftooth roadlink, this will allow your current rear mech to shift an 11-34 try lessening the grade by taking uphill corners relatively wide. There are several options for lower gears. Unless you want to replace most of your drivetrain you should stick with 9 speed components. You will need some kind of chain ca...
How should I route the front derailleur cable on a bike without lugs or guides? I have just realised that the old touring frameset I bought has doesn't have routing lugs for the front derailleur cable. The downtube and the top of the right-hand chainstay have lugs for the rear derailleur cable. For the other one, noth...	: If you're going with a very recent FD, like all the Shimano toggle ones and many mountain FDs in general, a lot of them have integrated stops also, so you could do the same sort of routing. It might have had a guide that clamped to the downtube, just above the bottom bracket like this , although if the chainstay cabl...

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