Bicycle frame construction, selection, maintenance, and repair.
1
vote
3answers
888 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
659 views
Is there a quality alternative to powder coating when it comes to repainting a steel frame?
I'm not a paint expert and want to make a choice that will last a few years. I know that powder coating will last a long time, but I'm restoring an older bike and don't want to spend too much. Maybe ...
1
vote
2answers
386 views
How to convert 17“ bike to 18” without changing frame
I bought Author Basic (2012) with 17" frame.
But I have some back aches after 2 or more hours of cycling (just cycling or with little jumpings) and sometimes I feel little unsure while riding ...
1
vote
3answers
240 views
Skid on small frame
I bought a new, cheap and maybe nasty fixed gear bike. They were only in sizes 54cm and 56cm, so I had to go for 56cm, even though my road bike is 61cm and I'm 186cm. My first few skidding attempts ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
What should a big guy look for when buying a road bike?
I'm 6ft 4" (1.8m) and 22st (139kg). I do a fair bit of cycling, mainly spinning and mountain biking.
I would like to get into road riding so I'm looking to buy a road bike. I want to spend between ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Rear wheel slipping out under load
My commuting/cyclocross bike (a Surly Crosscheck) has a problem.
If I tighten the quick release skewer to a normal level, sort of firm to close it, then if I step on the pedals hard at some point, ...
7
votes
3answers
527 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
547 views
Determining which derailleur hanger is compatible with a frame
When your derailleur hanger needs replacing, is there a good resource for matching frames to hangers?
Mine was recently bent, so I had to dig through some websites and compare pictures of the hangers ...
2
votes
3answers
831 views
Difference between “Track Frame set” and a “TimeTrial/Triathalon frame set”
I am going to make a custom fixie bike (possibly with a front brake) that I will use to race on tracks and even commute with.
I have been looking at a Planet X frame, and they seem to have very ...
0
votes
2answers
171 views
Can a tandem's front bottom bracket fail catastrophically?
Many tandems have a front bottom bracket that looks like this:
The front bottom bracket is mounted off-centre in an aluminum shell called "the eccentric." When the pinch bolts shown in the ...
1
vote
2answers
7k views
Building my own full suspension MTB: How to I select a frame?
I've recently gotten back into mountain biking. I took my 5 year old Iron Horse full suspension out to the mountain with some friends that had recently purchased new bikes. I haven't ridden for a ...
4
votes
1answer
764 views
What does a good weld look like
Reading various questions and answers around here, I've heard a lot of people say you can tell the quality of the bicycle by looking at the welds. How do I know what a good weld looks like as opposed ...
0
votes
1answer
232 views
Gap between fork and frame
I removed the fork from my old racer because I was hit by a car. When I'm trying to put the new fork on the frame, I get a gap where the top bearing is situated. What should I do? Could I just remove ...
0
votes
5answers
1k views
51cm top tube too small for someone who normally cycles frame with 55cm top tube?
I'm looking to buy a second bike and have found a really nice frame. The bike I cycle at the moment, which fits me perfectly (I am 5'11" (180cm)), has a 55cm top tube. The frame I'm looking at has a ...
14
votes
2answers
5k 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
282 views
Will a track wheel work with the dropouts on my frame?
I've got an old 7 speed steel frame. I've ordered a track wheel with a spacing of 120mm.
My frame has correct drop outs for it, but does it have the correct spacing? If not, what are my options?
...
3
votes
2answers
217 views
Can missing cage mount screws cause the frame to rust?
I have a Cube Analog Disc 2012 bike, and recently discovered that I have no screws inserted in the bottle cage mounts. Is it possible for rust to form in this area? Also, is it possible for the water ...
0
votes
1answer
955 views
Why is the swingarm design uncommon / rare on full suspension bicycles?
While watching a snow biking video, I saw that some of the bikes use a true swingarm design, which matches most motorcycles (as does much of bicycle technology). While this looks rather interesting, ...
1
vote
1answer
592 views
Is it possible to run standard mechanical shifting on a Scott Foil Premium frame?
The Scott Foil Premium is the highest end frame available from Scott Sports, and it is designed to run an electronic drive train, routed internally.
The original reports were that this frame would be ...
1
vote
5answers
521 views
What's a good second lock option for around the frame and wheel?
I've seen a few people, specially bike messengers that use a main lock to secure their bike to a post/fence/etc. but also have a second smaller one to lock the other wheel around the frame.
Which is ...
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.
2
votes
5answers
7k views
How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just has stress cracks
I am looking at a carbon framed road bikethat has me concerned.On the topside of the bottom bracket,drive side there is a very small hairline crack in the paint.The seller states that it has been ...
1
vote
4answers
288 views
Does the top tube typically open into the head tube?
This must be a very basic question, but as it often happens with very basic questions, it is often hard to find the answer by searching.
On a modern bike with metal (welded) frame, is the interior of ...
1
vote
2answers
568 views
Why does a bike frame have to be above 56 cm usually to fit 700c tires?
I first came across this when I was looking at the Surly LHT, but I started to see it everywhere. It seems to me they can just put on a longer fork or something, or is it more for the back wheel?
3
votes
2answers
790 views
Tight Seatpost Installation
I'm having a bit of a problem installing my seatpost.
I have a 31.6mm carbon-wrapped aluminum seatpost which fit perfectly fine in my previous aluminum frame. Unfortunately, that frame cracked, ...
2
votes
3answers
643 views
How important is it to face the head tube?
I have a frame that I've built up and I'm having trouble getting the tension perfect on the headset, which is not usually something I have trouble with. A friend of mine who is much more knowledgeable ...
7
votes
2answers
531 views
How to match a paint color?
Do you know how to match a color on the frame ?
I want to buy a paint from a tool shop but I'm not sure if it's match with the frame color.
I'm going to use the paint for a touch up.
Thanks for the ...
2
votes
1answer
328 views
How to grease a hub?
I have a question about hub,
When should I grease my hub ? every 20000 km ?
How do I know it needs new grease ?
Because I can not see if the grease is dry or not...?
Thanks
2
votes
2answers
707 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
316 views
Is a tri frame suitable for track racing?
I'm considering getting a fairly cheap bike built up for track racing at my local club, reusing my old carbon tubular road wheels.
However, most track frames have a narrower hub spacing (120mm) ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
What's the different between ceramic and steel bearing [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Real measurable benefit to ceramic bearings?
What's the different between ceramic and steel bearing ?
On the bottom bracket, what do you feel when you change into ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
714 views
Can I use normal grease for a car on the surface of carbon bike?
Helo Guys,
I want to know your experience about carbon material and grease
Can I use normal grease with carbon ?
I want to put grease onto fork and stem....
Or WD-40 or silicone penetrant would be ...
2
votes
1answer
637 views
How to pull a carbon seatpost out of a carbon frame?
How do I pull out a carbon seatpost on a carbon frame?
It seems so hard for me...
Do I need a special tool, or just ask help from a local bike shop?
done with the seatpost.
I made the frame and ...
4
votes
3answers
9k 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
256 views
Carbon seatpost dip in?
Can I insert a carbon seatpost up to 20cm deep into seat tube? The seattube is carbon as well. Total length of the seatpost is 35cm. The shape of the seatpost is aero seatpost (tear drop shape). It's ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Clear lacquer on steel frame
I'm currently working on a steel frame that I got off ebay. I'm removing the existing paint using wire brush adapters for a drill (didn't want to get involved in nasty chemical baths). One result of ...
0
votes
2answers
545 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
326 views
Possible to repair a pushed in braze-on?
I have a Trek 7200 (Alpha aluminum frame) and it has two water bottle holder mountings, the top braze-on on the seat tube seems to have broken from over-tightening and has sunk into the frame. These ...
2
votes
1answer
295 views
Do kickstands damage the frame by being used?
I was told once that kickstands warp the frame when used, especially when the bike is laden down, and that some materials are more susceptible to this than others. Is there any truth to it?
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Why would a bike feature a “carbon wrapped aluminum frame”?
I saw a link to what appeared to be a Carbon bike on amazon. The price was extremely lower than any carbon bike I had ever seen. After reading a bit, it seems that the bike frame is really made of ...
12
votes
2answers
861 views
Bamboo bikes - the verdict?
I'm curiously interested in buying a bamboo bike for use as a Sunday road bike, and I'm just wondering whether they're suitable:
Strength at high speed? I live near Parbold, which has nice hill ...
8
votes
1answer
314 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What are some other places to buy MTB frames online?
I am looking for sites that sell bike frames online. i find many sites list all things (forks) but stop short with frames.
The best places I have found are:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
and
...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Should I Get the Paint Job Touched Up
My wife's bike recently got scraped up and the paint got scratched down to the frame. It's an alloy frame. Should she be concerned about rust or any kind of damage? If so, do we need to get it ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Is there such a thing as frame failure?
Several general questions have been asked regarding how long a bike or bike frame will "last", and the gist of answers seems to be that a bike can last quite a while of the replaceable components are ...
8
votes
3answers
944 views
What are the advantages of investment casting?
I'm starting to see more and more frames using investment casting for head tubes, drop outs, seat tubes, etc. Such as the new WTP c.r.e.a.m. frame . It looks nice, but I'm suspect on how much more ...
4
votes
2answers
26k 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
338 views
How do I know if the tandem bicycle I've inherited is worth repairing? It has a serial # 459310 on it, no other identifiers
I've inherited a vintage tandem. It looks as if it has been spray painted, and has no identifiers, etc remaining on the frame. The serial # on the bottom reads -459310. Any ideas on a make or model, ...
12
votes
5answers
795 views
Why is it common for cheap bikes to have the frame sawn in half below the saddle?
These days cheap bikes often seem to come with the frame sawn in half below the saddle.
What does the manufacturer gain from this design, and why is it associated mostly with cheap, low quality ...
