Bicycle frame construction, selection, maintenance, and repair.
1
vote
3answers
843 views
Can a (relative) beginner adjust spacing on a 501 cromo road frame?
Have acquired a cheap old Peugeot road bike from ebay; nice cromo frame, but it needs a new rear wheel and unfortunately I didn't check the dropout size before buying.
It has an OLD of ~120mm, but I ...
14
votes
2answers
4k views
Explaining the effects of frame geometries
I asked about buying a bike here, and someone asked on my behalf about test-riding a bike before buying.
My question is, what should I know, or should have known, about the sizing or 'geometry' of a ...
8
votes
1answer
310 views
Bamboo Bike Frames
I've seen some bamboo bike frames out there in the world. I am curious as to how they ride? Is it similar to a steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber frame?
Do you think it's worth the effort to build one ...
11
votes
8answers
2k views
Removing Seat Post rusted into downtube
I have an old steel frame (Columbus Number 2 I think) that has the seat post (Suntour Superbe Pro - see, I said it was old!) rusted in. I have tried lots of WD-40 but it will not budge.
Any tips on ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Metal seat post with carbon fiber frame?
Is using a metal seat post on a carbon fiber frame advisable or not? I want to use a seat post mounted rack on my road bike (no regular rack mount points are on this bike), but I have been told that ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Dealing with rust on a steel frame
I have a small spot of rust on the bottom side of my steel frame's top tube (Columbus Niobium tubing). It's from abrasion during transport that I didn't notice until it was too late. The spot is ...
9
votes
3answers
11k views
DIY Painting a Bike Frame: Is it possible?
I have painted a couple bike frames (think really cheap garage-find rebuilds) with varying degrees of failure. Can you help me correct/fill in the missing pieces of my frame painting process?
...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
I keep breaking my road frames - why?
I've gone through four frames in the last decade or so, all from different manufacturers, all steel but both lugged and welded. Every one of them has eventually developed a crack, been repaired and ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I measure the size of my bicycle frame?
From what point to where do I start measuring? I suspect the bike I'm trying to measure is a 56cm because I usually ride a 54 and this is slightly too big, but I want to be sure.
10
votes
2answers
577 views
How to prepare a frame for a new paintjob
I want to have my bike frame repainted.
What should I do before I give it to the paint shop? How would they like to have it prepared?
8
votes
1answer
367 views
What's the definition of a Mixte?
What makes a mixte frame? Further, what's the etymology of 'mixte'?
7
votes
3answers
497 views
Is there any difference between professionally painting a car and a bike frame?
I'm getting ready to purchase a new bike which I love but I hate the color scheme.
I can't find any custom bike paint shops in the area. Can I simply take it to a car paint shop and get a ...
5
votes
1answer
244 views
How feasible is it to transfer modern (2010) components to a 90s frame (road bike)
My 2010 aluminum frame may be toast (stripped bottom bracket) and I was considering getting an older chro-mo frame and transferring the components to it. It's a racing/sport style with drop bars and ...
4
votes
2answers
23k views
Frame sizing: “medium” vs. inches vs. centimeters
How in the world does 17-18 inches match up to 53-54 cm??
I was looking up bicycle sizing charts and found the ones on the Evans website interesting, if somewhat confusing. For example, see the ...
4
votes
3answers
8k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of riding a smaller Mountain Bike frame?
I am 182cm (5' 11'') tall and am looking into buying a new frame for my mountain bike.
Right now i have a 19'' frame and i found a good deal on a 17'' frame.
The guy from the shop told me that it ...
2
votes
2answers
652 views
Why don't frame manufacturers ream/face their frames?
Before building up a new frame, it's crucially important to ream/face the headtube and crown race seat (and the bottom bracket, if using press-fit cups). You should also ideally chase the threads of ...
2
votes
3answers
553 views
Vibrations in frame when pedaling
Recently, when I pedal sufficiently hard, I begin to feel vibrations through the whole frame of the bike. They are not so strong as to make the bike un-ridable, but neither are they road chatter. I ...
1
vote
2answers
440 views
Maintenance on an Aluminium frame
I have an aluminium frame.
The top tube has become slightly scratched or pitted (by something hard, presumably, I don't know what; maybe while it was parked).
Does it need maintenance (e.g. does the ...
0
votes
2answers
526 views
FEM: How to Design weight-distribution in bike prototypes?
Inferio! No-one can understand this bloated question here, now more focussed.
Suppose you are doing a new bike. How can you be certain that some critical point won't get too much force and the right ...
