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.
5
votes
8answers
247 views
What are good ways to dry shoes?
I ride through the winter in the Pacific North West and get soaked about every other ride.
What are the best way you've found to dry your shoes?
I've found that stuffing them with wadded up ...
5
votes
3answers
247 views
If you keep a bike inside for months in a row, do you have to check it?
For example, if you keep it in a garage or in basement, I am thinking the tires might lose air and then the wheel will pressure down the tire. So do you need to check the bike once in awhile and ...
5
votes
2answers
896 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
823 views
What tools do I need to disassemble and re-assemble an 80's road bicycle
I would like to do maintenance on my 1982 miyata 310 road bike myself. What tools are necessary to take the entire bicycle apart, lube, and put it back together?
Here is what I have come up so ...
5
votes
3answers
352 views
When to change winter tires for bicycles
At work, we discussed when to change to winter tires for bicycles (and cars). We assumed that temperature was the key factor and I used a program (Mathematica) to check the mean temperature in ...
5
votes
2answers
400 views
Do you need to lubricate gears after cleaning gears and chain?
I just cleaned my gears and chain with a biodegradable degreaser. I'm going to lubricate my chain. Do I also need to lubricate the gears or do I just pedal and make sure that I hit all gears? Will the ...
5
votes
4answers
278 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
6answers
5k views
Homemade bicycle degreaser liquids
Does anyone have a recipe for a homemade bicycle degreaser solution? I'd like to make my own degreaser solution instead of buying one. I have read about using lemon juice and various types of alcohols ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Does my bottom bracket need replacing?
About two months ago I bought a Boardman HT Comp. Today I took it into my local bike shop for a service. While I was in the shop one of the technicians had a quick look at it and told me that my ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
How much should I inflate my tires?
I just purchased a new bicycle pump with a pressure gauge and after checking my tyres, inflated them to the top end of interval printed on the tyres (4.5-6.5 bar).
I'm wondering when the tyres ...
5
votes
1answer
612 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?
5
votes
2answers
434 views
Cleaning Cable Housing?
I commute about 3600 miles a year and I am able to keep my gears adjusted pretty well. I do find that I get a lot of grime from rainy, muddy conditions, and I think I might be replacing my shift ...
5
votes
2answers
748 views
Brake callipers not long enough to allow adjustment of pads
I upgraded the standard Tektro brakes on my SE Lager to Shimano 105s. The braking performance is vastly improved. I also have Charge Plug wheels, rather than the stock wheels.
However I've noticed ...
5
votes
4answers
691 views
How long should spokes last?
Trek Fx 7.3, 1 year old, 1900 miles
3 days short of my 1 year bike purchase anniversary I discovered some broken spokes on the rear wheel. The bike shop gave me a new wheel they had in the shop, an ...
5
votes
2answers
200 views
Why does not the derailleur adjustment work the same way while riding?
I suppose most of the people have noticed it. While adjusting both front and rear derailleurs, it will shift accordingly, when you have adjusted or are adjusting it, but when you test it by riding, ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
235 views
Maintaining an old bike properly
I have a 6 years old bike, I got it when I was 9. It's a great bike, however I've always had the problem of maintaining it properly. I have a few questions which I hope to get answered here. Before ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Trouble getting the right cup and cone hub adjustment
I have a pair of Shimano XT wheels and recently had issues with the hub on the rear wheel requiring new cones and bearings. These were fitted carefully but I've had issues getting the right adjustment ...
5
votes
4answers
738 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
318 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 ...
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votes
5answers
5k views
What should I use to lubricate a freehub?
I've noticed my freehub has gotten quite a bit louder over the last few months. Several people have recommended that I lubricate the freewheel by tipping the bike on its side and dripping lubricant ...
4
votes
4answers
606 views
How long is the life cycle of a bicycle?
This may not be a particularly practical question, but I wonder how often do you find yourself looking for a new (or another) bike? There are, of course, two main aspects of it:
Mechanical decay. If ...
4
votes
2answers
193 views
Why are some leather saddles laced at the bottom and should I do this to mine?
Some Leather saddles, such at the brooks b17 imperial have holes at the bottom for lacing.
What does lacing a leather saddle do and should I (or when should I) do this to my own leather saddle? ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
4
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2answers
559 views
Where can I get a basic toolkit for bicycle - Walmart etc?
I want some basic things in toolkit (like oiling of chain, tightening of brakes etc). Where can I find them and how much does it usually cost? I want to buy one, so can you name the basic tools with ...
4
votes
1answer
114 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
4k views
Why does my gear slip when going uphill / standing?
I have a road bike that I use to commute ~6 miles to work every day. Some of the portions of the ride are at a steep incline, and I've noticed that when I get up to stand on some of these hills, my ...
4
votes
1answer
179 views
Can I flip my worn chain to extend it's life?
Assuming my chain is showing that it's worn and getting close to needing replacement due to chain 'stretch'. I know you can flip single speed chainrings to extend their life when they become worn. Can ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Bent Chainring causing chain to attempt changing gears
I was riding my road bike last night when something strange happened. I stopped at a stop sign. (I didn't have time to slow down so I was in my highest (fastest) gear. When I started I had to press ...
4
votes
2answers
7k views
How do I adjust my rear derailleur (Shimano SIS) when it is only slightly out?
It has been a while since I had my bike serviced and the gears are sometimes slightly out of perfect alignment. This results in the occasional mis-shift. I also think the change in seasons have ...
4
votes
5answers
4k views
7-speed MTB cassette on 8/9-speed wheel hub, where does spacer go?
Sheldon Brown says "Add a 4.5 mm spacer before installing a 7-speed cassette on an 8-, 9-, or 10-speed hub", but doesn't seem to show spacer placement in any picture. My direct experience is that the ...
4
votes
2answers
184 views
Swapping cranks, but the new crank is wider, how do I compensate for this?
I was swapping the cranks and bottom bracket on my karate monkey from a Truvative stylo crankset (Mountain Double, GXP bottom bracket) to a Race Face Evolution DH (Mountain Triple, Race Face bottom ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Chain drop under load
I have a problem. Today I was riding (flat-out) up hill, and went to shift up a gear on the rear, which caused the chain to drop off the front chain-ring (was in the big-ring, so dropped to the ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
Should cassette “wiggle”
Recently My freehub broke and so I removed the cassette to replace the freehub and noticed, whilst off the bike, 4 of the remaining bolted together 8 sprockets wiggled (4 wiggled together but ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What are common causes of premature chainring wear?
My bike mechanic told me today that my front chainrings are starting to wear out and I should consider replacing it soon (with my next chain replacement). The cassette is still in good condition and ...
4
votes
2answers
9k views
How do I measure a bottom bracket?
I need to replace the bottom bracket bearing on my fixie. I plan to get a Shimano UN26, but I note that there are a number of different sizes. The sizes seem to be expressed as 68-110, where 68 is the ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
584 views
Is torque relevant for steel/aluminium? Where do I find torque specs?
When you are not dealing with carbon, is torque relevant?
I've never seen it mentioned on the hundreds of answers here, or the hundreds of how-tos I've read elsewhere.
Should I just tighten ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
172 views
There is a lip on my brake pad from bad positioning. Can I remove the lip?
One of my bikes had the brake pads positioned poorly and they developed a pretty pronounced lip where the pad hung off machined braking surface on one side. The bike is using cantilever brakes.
These ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
How do I stop my brake from sticking?
The rear brake (calliper) on my road bike sticks. When I pull the brake it pulls down but only half springs back and there's then slack in the leavers. This is causing rubbing on the rim.
It's a ...
4
votes
2answers
71 views
Seatpost maintenance : removing rust
I have an aluminum seat post in a steel frame. The post was really hard to extract and I don't want this thing corroding on me.
You've discussed how to take care of the rust on a steel frame and on ...
4
votes
2answers
285 views
Rotate or replace tires
I ride a cross bike mostly on the road right now and my rear tire is wearing much faster than my front, which is to be expected. I found the following thread which I think is a similar question but ...
4
votes
4answers
840 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 ...
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?
4
votes
1answer
631 views
How do I disassemble my headset? How do I know if I need to replace it
I just bought a cheap frame off craigslist because I want to build myself a fixed gear bike. When I turn the fork, it feels like there is sand in the bearings. How do I go about taking the headset ...
4
votes
3answers
574 views
Carbon Seatpost / Frame in Repair Stand
I've got a Park PCS-10 repair stand, and just acquired my first carbon bike. Is there anything I should know about clamping either the frame or seatpost in the stand?
Being a few years old, the frame ...
3
votes
3answers
799 views
Badly rusted suspension fork
I have a $300 MTB used for commuting. It has been three years now, and the rain and snow have said their word. Two weeks ago I disassembled the fork and spent a good one hour with the sandpaper, ...
