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 ...
2
votes
5answers
1k views
Best bang for the buck to improve a cheap fixie?
What are things to improve on a cheap bicycle that make a real difference? I'm looking at the bang for buck tradeoff.
The bike is a Challenge Fixie Track Bike.
11 kg steel frame
Flat bar
Front ...
3
votes
3answers
677 views
Is it harmful to shift RD while climbing standing?
I'm just learning to climb standing, and I find I'm often guessing wrong about which gear to use; plus there are times where I'm accelerating up the hill and just need to shift up. Upshifts under ...
7
votes
3answers
739 views
Flat tire. Do I need to replace the tube?
My back tire got flat. If I pump it up now, it can hold the air for about 30 minutes to an hour before it's totally flat.
I took out the inner-tube yesterday, pump in a bit air and put it into water, ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What maintenance to do after buying a brand new road bike?
I've just bought a new GMC Denali road bike. I've put it together, but riding it has revealed that there are a few things that need to be fixed, such as the front-side brakes being too loose.
Is ...
5
votes
1answer
614 views
Do narrow tires puncture more frequently?
Does a narrow bicycle tire puncture more often, or does it requires more attention regarding its maintenance and servicing?
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.
...
0
votes
2answers
4k views
I need help replacing my bike's tube
I recently popped the tube in my front tire and need help replacing it. I don't really know very much about bikes or the assortment of numbers on tubes, tires, and wheels. Here is what I do know:
The ...
5
votes
2answers
901 views
How long should I expect handlebar tape to last?
I assume that if handlebar tape is grimy, torn, or peeling, it should be replaced. How long should I expect handlebar tape to last before it needs to be replaced? How often do most cyclists replace ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
Is there any reason to keep original drive-train components together until they can all be replaced?
I broke the master link in my chain a while ago and my LSB told me it was because I wasn't cleaning/lubricating my chain often enough. The chain had experienced more wear than it should have as a ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Post Rain Ride Wipedown
I've tried avoiding riding during the rain for years because I didn't want to hurt my bike. But, tomorrow I really want to ride, rain (most likely) or shine. What should I do after the ride to ...
2
votes
1answer
433 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Will using dry lube and wet lube together give you better protection/performance than from using just one of them?
I think the only way to use them together is to put on dry lube first and then wet lube.
Will the wet lube hold? Will applying both give you the best that each has to offer?
Update
Just found this ...
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 ...
0
votes
3answers
2k views
quick release chain link tutorial
Besides from this (for which I don't want to pay), I can't find any nice video or pictures tutorial that explains how to connect and disconnect a quick release chain link.
Any suggestion?
Am I not ...
1
vote
1answer
388 views
Boardman road bike bottom bracket
I recently purchased a boardman road bike and after 5 weeks as soon as you put effort into peddaling I am getting a squeaking noise from the bottom bracket, I took it back to halfords and they said it ...
2
votes
2answers
207 views
Stop my front brake lever screws from vibrating out?
One of the most common maintenance tasks on my Mongoose Tyax Super is to tighten a small screw in my front brake level. It shakes loose both due to use, and from a habit I picked up riding in ...
1
vote
1answer
533 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
1answer
293 views
Biopace chain rings and front deraileur rub
Turns out my front chain rings are biopace, after I thought they had disappeared!
I've got a problem with the chain rubbing the front deraileur at a certain point every rotation. I only get this in ...
4
votes
2answers
258 views
What should I look for in a torque wrench?
It has come to the point where I need a torque wrench for installing things on my bicycle. What should I look for when purchasing one?
0
votes
0answers
55 views
What regular maintenance should be done to keep the bike in good condition? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How much maintenance?
Everytime I get my biked serviced, it ends up costing me over one hundred pounds (including parts), which is not much less than what I originally ...
1
vote
3answers
300 views
Exact dimensions for Wheelsmith Rim Rods?
Does anyone have access to the Wheelsmith Rim Rod ERD measurement tool?
I need to reproduce this no longer manufactured tool.
Specifically, I need the length of the yellow portion of each rod, the ...
2
votes
1answer
767 views
How do I clean the inside of a freehub?
I didn't know any better and I let degreaser drip into the freewheel body of my Shimano FH-RM65. Now it makes a terrible retching noise when it rotates.
How do I clean the inside of this thing?
...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
When should a wheel be replaced?
I an not talking about upgrading. How do you know when to buy new wheels because the other ones have worn out? How do you tell a wheel is worn out? I can always true a wheel back to true. And nothing ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
193 views
How to Get Starter Pins
I'm not sure if 'starter pin' is the correct terminology. When you buy a new chain, that doesn't have a master link, you get a longer pin that allows you to put the chain together. Then you simply ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Which lubricant/grease to use for ball bearings?
A little mishap happened today during cleaning my bicycle. I tried to take off the sprocket wheel for easier access, but instead I opened the lock nut of the hub (cassette type) and the balls came ...
3
votes
1answer
353 views
Bike Assembly - What all needs lubrication?
I'm in the middle of a frame swap for my road bike. As I'm putting the bike back together, I've been wondering what all needs lubrication? Is there a comprehensive list somewhere that explains what ...
4
votes
4answers
845 views
LBS said creaking under torque is normal?
on my last question i asked about a creaking/tick i was getting when i was stand pedalling on a climb. I took it to my LBS today and they said they had stripped all the crank and bb and re greased it ...
2
votes
1answer
299 views
Joe Blow Pump Maintenance
My Top Peak Joe Blow floor pump has been getting harder and harder to pump. I bought the high end model so that my 94 lb wife could pump up her own tires, but it has gotten to the point where I can ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
Strange noise coming from bottom bracket/crank? any ideas?
ive just bought a trek 6300 and im getting a strange creaking coming from the crank/bottom bracket when im stand pedalling. it only happens when im stand pedalling, and only what appears to be on my ...
1
vote
3answers
230 views
Bike Balancing, How is it done?
When riding hands free, I am noticing my bike is more oriented towards a particular direction (In my case: left). I tried to check of what my problems might be:
I check the handles, if they were of ...
2
votes
2answers
634 views
Alternative Chain/DriveTrain DeGreasers
My question is whether there is anything "special" about the Bicycle-Specific Branded Chain degreasers or whether the much cheaper alternatives are just as good. I've used the ParkTool CB-2 ...
2
votes
2answers
482 views
Maintenance/Upgrades for Gary Fisher Joshua MTB
Let me start from the beginning:
About three years ago, I broke my leg after buying a Gary Fisher Joshua MTB, when I was just getting into road and cross-country riding. I've only started riding ...
2
votes
4answers
225 views
Where can I find containers to dispense bulk chain lube
So, I'm looking for drip style containers to keep in my messenger bag and my home shop to dispense bike chain lube. I want to just buy a 32oz container of lube for cheap on amazon and fill my own ...
2
votes
2answers
329 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 ...
15
votes
3answers
6k views
How do self-adjusting hydraulic disc brakes work?
I have Avid Elixir brakes on my mountain bike. They are the only part of the bike that's a total black box to me. I understand the principle behind disc brakes, and I understand the principle behind ...
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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
584 views
Better 7-speed chain for Trek Allant?
Bought a Trek Allant for cycling to work (ca 10 miles). Now, after exact 512 miles the chain is worn out and starts damaging the cassette and chainset. Cheap crap material!
Is there anything out there ...
1
vote
2answers
471 views
The quick release on my shimano sora brakes pops open during braking
Occasionally, when using my bike with shimano sora brakes on the front and rear, the quick release will pop open during braking, reducing my braking power. Is there some way to prevent this? Is it ...
8
votes
5answers
3k views
How to measure the correct belt drive tension?
I own a 2010 Trek District with a belt drive. I'm fairly happy with the setup, since after months of standing outside I just picked up the bike again and started riding without the usual chain ...
1
vote
2answers
243 views
how to replace a bearing on BB7800?
Friends,
Do anyone of you know on how to replace a bearing on BB7800 ?
Do I need a special tool ? or a screw driver, and hammer would be enough to push it out ?
Thanks
1
vote
4answers
1k views
Alternative Chain Grease/Lube
Can I use this general-purpose lithium grease on my chain until I can get some Finish Line lube? Thanks in advance.
1
vote
2answers
689 views
Ultegra 9-speed brifter upshift problem - beyond WD-40?
I have a 2000 Ultegra 9-speed right/rear brifter that does not "release" the cable properly.
My initial search on this problem suggested that this could often be cured by flushing with WD-40. So ...
6
votes
3answers
386 views
What's the point of removing the excess oil after lubing the chain?
There is a very strong point in bike-mechanics culture, which I've seen in very competent answers here, too, to apply one drop of lube in every single roller of a clean chain, and then (!very ...
2
votes
3answers
3k views
What tool is needed to remove a Shimano HG-50 freewheel?
What tool is needed to remove a Shimano HG-50 freewheel from the wheel hub? It looks like a 12mm or 13mm Allen key. Will this do it or is there some detail I have missed?
1
vote
2answers
904 views
Will a hollowtech shimano BB fit a bike which currently has an octalink bracket?
I have a mongoose otero elite 2008 and the crankset is broke (wobbling) It's also bent, so time for a new one. I currently have a nice shimano deore crankset from an old bike, but it uses a different ...
