Tools, parts, techniques, and procedures to keep your bike in working order. MAINTENANCE is not the same as REPAIR, a separate tag. Maintenance is what one does on a regular basis. Repair is what one does only when something is broken.
13
votes
8answers
2k views
How much maintenance?
How much maintenance does a bike need?
Specifically, in this question (with this answer) I asked about a commuter bike, which is to be ridden 40 km every weekday, in the city. And apparently for this ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
How to know when to change a chain?
A bike shop employee used a tool he said would check the wear on the chain, and said that it should be changed.
He said it took a measurement that meant the chain had expanded, but it is still hard ...
6
votes
2answers
557 views
How to maintain chains during touring?
I think requirements are reusable, simple, small-size and things-to-easily-to-carry. There are exotic answers with chain clearers and other things that do not qualify to me simple. Perhaps, the ...
29
votes
3answers
1k views
Periodic Maintenance Task for Bike Commuters
What are the periodic maintenance tasks (weekly, monthly, annual, every X miles) that anyone who relies on a bike for transportation (typically in urban/semi-urban environments) should be performing? ...
16
votes
8answers
598 views
Where to find good bicycle maintenance info?
If there is a good book what would it be? I'm pretty sure I can find stuff on YouTube (any particular user?). Any blogs out there?
12
votes
4answers
985 views
What kinds of brake designs exist, and what are their general pros and cons?
Here are the ones I'm aware of:
Center Pull Cantilever
Slightly better braking than side pull brakes.
No recentering problem.
Relatively rare
V-Brakes
Cheap to produce.
Similar in braking power ...
14
votes
2answers
757 views
How do I lubricate my chain?
I know I should lubricate my chain regularly. I got some lube at my LBS; how should I apply it? Do I just drip some on one spot, and turn the pedals around a few times to spread it out? Drip it all ...
13
votes
3answers
479 views
Winter maintenance before putting bike in winter storage?
What kind of maintenance should I do before putting my bike into storage for the winter? Are there any special considerations for storing it? Does temperature matter? If it's hanging on the wall ...
9
votes
2answers
326 views
How should I clean salt out during Winters?
Pretty simple question but I think some recommendations would make my chains a bit long-lasting. So when should you do something to your salted chains? When the chains already look rusty, can you use ...
18
votes
2answers
437 views
How to wash a bike properly?
I use my bicycle in a typical urban commute setting. No extreme MTB, but it still accumulates some dust and grime.
How should I wash my bicycle?
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I oil my seat post?
In a previous question I asked how to remove rust from my seat tube/post. In the comments of one answer somebody said I should be oiling my seat post to prevent it from rusting into my seat tube, but ...
20
votes
4answers
461 views
Basic toolkit for bicycle maintenance
What should be in the basic toolkit for someone that wants to maintain their own bicycle?
I'm looking for something for your average day to day maintenance and tools that I will get the most use out ...
17
votes
2answers
907 views
Practical cleaning routine for a commuter bike
I regularly (almost daily) ride my bike, often in bad weather. I mostly ride on roads, but sometimes through parks, forest etc. on unpaved surfaces. My bike is usually rather dirty, at least the lower ...
12
votes
4answers
457 views
Optimal Maintenance Schedule
It is forecast to rain this weekend so I was thinking I would drop a tarp down over my living room floor and give my bikes a bit of a tune up.
Question
What maintenance needs to be done on your ...
8
votes
2answers
4k 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Fixing noisy V brakes
My V brakes make a lot of noise when I brake!! I am annoyed by such noise not to mention the pedestrians. My Mechanic said that it will not make those noise after using for couple of days, but it is ...
20
votes
7answers
2k views
How long should a road tyre hold its pressure?
How long should a road tyre be able to maintain a pressure of around 100psi, and what factors are likely to reduce this time?
Background:
My tyre pressures are consistently dropping to around 60psi ...
11
votes
5answers
3k views
What should I look for when buying a used bicycle?
I'm moving to a city where I can ride a bicycle to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I want to purchase a decent used bicycle. I'm leaning towards a bike that's in between a "10-speed" or road-bike ...
11
votes
6answers
6k views
Does this chainring need to be replaced?
Here is a closeup of my triple:
All three rings are Shimano Ultegra and have never been changed. They probably have at least 12000+ km on them. I've been pretty good about changing the chain ...
8
votes
1answer
413 views
How do I wrap a road bike handlebar?
What is the best way to wrap a handlebar?
Specifically:
Should I start near the stem or at the bar ends?
wrap clockwise or counter-clockwise?
How to wrap (e.g. how many times) around where the ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Problem with chain `skipping` (but not trying to shift)
I have two bicycles that suffer this problem, both pretty heavy frames (one a ladies, Hollander bike, and the other a man's commuter) - both have correctly adjusted Derailleurs which don't produce any ...
1
vote
5answers
1k views
Can a worn drive-train be upgraded incrementally or should it be all at once?
It seems like I have a worn drive-train (sad trombone previous question) and should think about improving it.
I'm a little leery about throwing good money after bad into a used bike. Must I buy a new ...
12
votes
5answers
4k views
Real measurable benefit to ceramic bearings?
Is there a real difference between riding on ceramic bearings and riding on stainless steel?
How would you measure it? Does it require it to be every bearing in the drive train, or will each set of ...
10
votes
3answers
460 views
Truing stands, go big or stay home?
I'm looking to buy a truing stand. Is the Park TS-8 Home good enough? Or should I pay double the price and get the Park TS-2.2 Pro. I have some experience truing wheels, but never on a nice stand. I ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I remove rust from my seat tube?
I just pulled my seat out as the first step of breaking my bike down for winter storage, and found that rust has formed between my seat tube and my seat post. The rust starts maybe 3" down the tube ...
5
votes
4answers
285 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. ...
5
votes
4answers
740 views
How to objectively evaluate torque wrenches?
My local bicycle group bought very nice but very expensive torque wrenches (if I can remember right they cost about €300–500). My local discount store markets them for about €50. My local auction site ...
4
votes
2answers
270 views
Wiping extra Lube really important with all types of Lubes?
This question about chain maintenance during touring raised this quetion.
This tip sounds very unintuitive, of course, I know that the extra lube will attract dust (not good to chain) but I have paid ...
2
votes
2answers
366 views
How to clean consumable metallic parts cheaply while touring?
By the term consumable metallic parts I mean things such as derailleur pulleys, chains and cassettes. I have met tourers that suggested me cooking oil for cleaning the metallic parts, more here. The ...
1
vote
1answer
248 views
Dismounting wheel in a fixie
I have a fixed gear bike, Rocky Mountain Boroughs Fixie (see picture).
The chain is very tight compared to any free wheel bike. So anytime the tire gets punctured (unfortunately very often) and I want ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
How do I bring an old bike up to speed?
I'm an adult that is new to biking due to a triple whammy of a childhood aversion to effort, my family moving to a town on the side of a mountain with steep roads, and my bike getting run over by a ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
How long should a well maintained chain last and what can I do to prolong its life?
I commute on a fixie. I'm using KMC Z410 chains.
Every evening if it's wet I wipe and re-lube my chain, using ProLink lube. Every weekend I remove the chain, soak it in kero, brush it with a citrus ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
How do I know when to replace my bottom bracket?
With out completely removing the cranks and bottom bracket, how can I tell when it's time to replace my bottom bracket?
The current symptom is a slightly 'rough' feeling when I pedal. It's not ...
9
votes
4answers
899 views
How many miles and/or commuting seasons will a modern internal geared hub last?
I've been considering drive trains on a utility / commuter bike. What are expected or actual lifetime / maintenance needs of modern internal hubs?
The Shimano Alfine internal 8-speed hub is on ...
10
votes
1answer
880 views
Preventing frozen brake cables
This response to another question provides a wealth of info on winter riding preparation, but doesn't mention any techniques for preventing cables, especially brake cables, from freezing.
Is there a ...
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
2answers
1k views
How do I maintain a Brooks leather saddle?
I've got a Brooks leather saddle and i like it a lot, but i am entirely clueless on how to care for it. I know i am supposed to rub some sort of fat on it, but i have no idea what kind of fat, or how ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
What makes grease appropriate for bikes?
I'd like to grease my seatpost, and in front of me I've got a tube of "CMD Extreme Pressure Lube #3" that claims to be good for "ball bearings, roller bearings, deep drawing, rivet spinning" and a ...
29
votes
3answers
831 views
Can I use WD-40 on my bike?
Is WD-40 really bad to apply on bikes? I was told so but still see people doing that.
Also I saw WD-40 launching their new products of bike lubricant and degreaser. Did anybody try those?
14
votes
4answers
4k views
Should I grease a carbon fiber seat post?
I was reading a recent question when I saw this answer:
You should absolutely grease your
seatpost (unless it is carbon fiber).
Why should I NOT grease a carbon fiber seat post?
14
votes
3answers
2k views
What's the rubber tube in my puncture repair kit for?
I've got an old school puncture repair kit, the type with glue and patches.
As well as the sandpaper, patches, 'vulcanizing fluid' and instructions, there is a 2.5cm long, 3mm wide, beige rubber ...
12
votes
2answers
212 views
How to prevent my hub body from freezing?
In the winter, as soon as its gets a little bit below 0°C, after 10-15 minutes the body of my rear hub gets frozen. This means the pedals/chain do not have any grip anymore on the rear wheel, the ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Sequence for a complete road bike overhaul
I have a road bike that I plan to completely overhaul soon. Over the years, and with several bikes, I have overhauled most every component, but have never managed to do this for an entire bike, start ...
8
votes
1answer
726 views
How often should I strip my bike down?
How often should I give my bike a full service? Strip the bottom bracket, clean and grease it. Strip the groupset and freewheel.
And what products (or type of) should be used for each process?
It's ...
8
votes
1answer
425 views
Setting chain length
My chain broke and in a moment of silliness (I was cold wet and slightly annoyed) I threw the broken one away before thinking about measuring the new one.
Is there a guide to getting the chain ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How often should I clean my bike?
How often should I clean my bike?
I've used it several times over the summer, but only once in muddy conditions, should I clean it after every ride or once per quarter?
7
votes
3answers
2k views
What parts of a bike could potentially be harmed by degreaser?
I'v been using citrus degreaser to clean my bikes for years. I usually get a gallon jug of it from the auto parts store, and it lasts a long time. I use it for cleaning the drivtrain, either using a ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
How to prevent my chain from breaking?
After my chain has broken what should I know about buying and maintaining a new chain (apart from lubing it and replacing when it 'stretches')? Do you keep a spare chain, or a spare link?
I have a ...
6
votes
3answers
385 views
Should a chain be replaced even if it's not stretched?
This question suggests using a tool or ruler to assess chain stretch to determine when to replace a chain. I have one such tool (Park Tool CC-3), and it tells me that my chain is not stretched even to ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How to make a lockable front suspension last longer?
Lockable suspension is very handy on every ride. But I have witnessed a few cases where they break way too soon, in comparison with other types of suspension. The locks fail to be effective, or the ...
