Tagged Questions

3
votes
5answers
302 views

Are single-speed bikes better equipped to handle cog/chain wear?

I need to decide between a single-speed and multiple-speed bike. I usually ride multiple-speed mountain/city bikes in the highest gear anyway (around town). They're not intended for that, and doing ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views

What to do about a stuck chain link on 10 speed chain

I put a new chain on my bike and after 3 rides or so, I developed a stiff link. I'm not sure what caused the issue, but now it barely bends at the pin at all, unless forced. It causes skipping ...
5
votes
4answers
321 views

How to care for a steel frame?

I'm considering getting a steel frame to upgrade from my aluminum xc bike. As it will be my first steel frame I'd like to understand if there is more after ride care required than my current bike. ...
3
votes
1answer
208 views

Why is my front Derailleur not shifting as smooth as it used to?

I have a Specialized Hard Tail 10' Model. When I ride and am shifting to the bigger gear on my front derailleur it isn't as smooth as it used to be or sometimes doesn't shift to the gear I'm going ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views

Bottom bracket is ticking

Recently my 2008 Devinci mountain bike sounds like it's ticking when I push down on my left pedal on a usual rotation. When I turn the bike over and go through rotations, I can't get it to tick. ...
2
votes
1answer
468 views

How do I fold a bicycle tire?

I have Race King (continental) 2.2 MTB 28" tires that I need to store until it's winter and snows again. They are foldable, and I planned to store them in their original boxes, but how do I properly ...
2
votes
2answers
335 views

Puncture resistant tires

The the default tires from my scott aspect 30 (Schwalbe Black Jack, 26 x 2.1, 50TPI) are peaty worn by know and i need to buy new ones. My main complain is the punctures made by vegetation every day ...
0
votes
1answer
334 views

How could I have fixed a flat tire?

My tire was flat and I could not fix it, so I had to carry the bike all the way. How could I have fixed it?
1
vote
1answer
293 views

Santa Cruz Blur linkage maintence

How much maintenance and what is it specifically that needs attention on 2006 - 2010 Santa Cruz Bur VPP rear linkage mountain bikes? Im looking to buy a used Blur XC, but I hear they need a lot of ...
7
votes
2answers
10k views

What is the “preload” setting on the front fork suspension?

I've made a photo of the actual "thing" as I find it very difficult to explain otherwise: I'm wondering what this "thing" sets and how it actually works. So, what is "preload" and what happens when ...
3
votes
2answers
675 views

Tightening rear quick release stops rear wheel

I have a medium sized Trek Mountain Track/Antelope with a seven speed freewheel. When I tighten the rear quick release, I have to carefully back off on the tightness so that the wheel will actually ...
3
votes
1answer
662 views

Tips for radial wheel truing

Several drive side spokes on a mountain bike rear were damaged the rear mech being pushed into the wheel by a rock, with one snapping completely. I've replaced the affected spokes and have managed to ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views

Can my bike be recovered from the rust monster?

First question here, and please note that I am a total bike virgin, other than the fact I can (just about) ride one. Last year I bought a Felt Q520 (I think) the 2009 model, secondhand that had been ...
6
votes
3answers
486 views

mountain biking - post ride tasks

After completing a long mountain biking trail (complete with lots mud and water etc) - what post ride checks / tasks should I be doing? I ask this because I don't want to be taking my bike into a ...
14
votes
4answers
221 views

Pre ride checks

What checks should you perform before setting off to ensure that your bike is safe to ride? I'm more interesting in mountain bikes rather ride road bikes but I guess that most checks are applicable ...
5
votes
2answers
326 views

Can anyone recommend a good maintenance-free rear shock?

The old shock just gave up its life in my old single-pivot all-mountain frame. I'd like to replace it with something tough and maintenance-free, so that I don't have to worry about air pressure, oil ...
5
votes
1answer
6k views

How do I bleed Avid Elixir brakes

My bike has a set of Avid Elixir R hydraulic brakes. The front brake barely goes on when I pull the lever and the back brake feels pretty soft. I think I need to bleed them. How do I go about doing ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views

Cannondale Lefty DLR Ti Fork Rebuild/Maintenance

I have a mountain bike with a 2003 Cannondale Lefty DLR Ti fork. As I've been riding the bike this season, I've noticed that the fork is behaving strangely. It doesn't seem to lockout fully and it is ...
11
votes
3answers
599 views

Bike tires need air every ride…is this normal?

I ride my bike maybe once a week at most. I need to add air to the tires every time to bring it up to the right pressure. (I ride a mountain bike and I put about 45 - 50 PSI's into the tires.) Is ...
8
votes
2answers
5k views

Hydraulic Disc Brakes Maintenance

I have Hayes Nine hydraulic disc brakes on my mountain bike. I have recently replaced the brake pads and after that it seems that the pads are almost touching the rotor. How can I adjust it? I have ...