Questions tagged [maintenance]

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.

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24 votes
5 answers
35k views

Should or can I (car) wax my frame?

Having spent the whole summer taking a bike apart, painting it and now in the process of building it again, I was thinking about waxing it. I want the finish to last as long as possible, after all, I'...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Could I have damaged the bearings/cone when replacing a tire? Front wheel wobbles side to side

Last evening I installed new tires on my bicycle. The front wheel now wobbles side to side. I notice a small movement about 1-2 mm near the hub/axle cone. I checked to see if the skewer is all the ...
4 votes
2 answers
457 views

How should I wash my MTB knee pads?

I have a pair of 7iDP Transition knee pads that are starting to smell and are in need of a wash. However, I am not totally sure the best course of action for cleaning the pads. Please let me know your ...
98 votes
11 answers
307k 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?
-1 votes
1 answer
165 views

Disc Rotor Alignment Mavic Crosstrail

I have a disc rotor alignment question you maybe can help me with. I have a Canyon Nerve AL+ 8.0 that's been working nice until the front wheel got stuck on the brake. First I thought it was a brake ...
26 votes
9 answers
4k views

What is the most ecologically sustainable way to handle rags covered in chain grease?

I have a handful of cloths that I've used to clean and grease my bike chain over the years. Each is covered in chain grease and other gunk that was once on my chain. I'm starting to wonder what I ...
9 votes
5 answers
1k views

How can I clean gunked up sprockets?

Over the past months my rear sprockets have accumulated a fair amount of gunk == chain oil + dirt + sand + hair + grass + wood chips. They look bad, and furthermore I fear the chain might be picking ...
35 votes
7 answers
29k 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 ...
3 votes
1 answer
110 views

Cracks on tyres

Have cracks of tyres on two bicycles. See attached photos. Bicycle 1 (top), 2 (bottom). It isn't dry rot ( What are these cracks in the side of my bicycle tyre called? Does this mean that my tyre is ...
2 votes
1 answer
353 views

would a sturmey archer trigger shifter work on an shimano 333 3 speed hub?

Hi everyone i have an NOS shimano 333 3 speed hub set which was given down to me by my friend,all seems to be intact but the only thing missing is the shifter,but i do happen to have a few SA trigger ...
10 votes
10 answers
2k views

How to fix/prevent blocked cleat bolts

I've had my SPD touring shoes for about seven years. The cleats are the originals and are now quite worn and I noticed recently that one of them (not pictured) is at a rather wacky angle that can't be ...
8 votes
3 answers
3k views

Should I be worried about small cuts on a tubeless tire/tyre?

My tubeless tires/tyres have a few cuts around the tread pattern. They are each around 3–4mm in length. I've been proactive with topping up sealant and have not had any flats since riding with these ...
1 vote
1 answer
238 views

Brake caliper not springing back all the way

I've got got some road caliper rim brakes which don't spring back all the way after pressing them. They go back 95% of the way but there is a tiny bit of left after that they can travel. (without the ...
2 votes
2 answers
320 views

How To Maintain a Electric Bicycle?

I had purchase an electric bicycle - Meraki from Ninety one cycles. It's very convenient and easy to use, but I still don't know how to do maintenance of my electric bicycle at home.
5 votes
1 answer
383 views

What is this black residue remaining on damper body of rear shock after rides?

About a month ago, I bought a used 2009 Stumpjumper FSR similar to this. It was not used heavily and remains in great condition. Recently however, after medium to long rides, a black residue is left ...
1 vote
1 answer
4k views

Stuck nut on bike axle?

I've got a bike. There is a stuck nut on the axle, and when I try twisting it.. well.. the axle turns too (obviously.). I'm trying to get it off, but it won't come off. My grandfather has a vast ...
7 votes
4 answers
12k views

Where can I find replacement screws?

I have a handful of rusty screws on my bike; where can I find such small parts?
11 votes
6 answers
7k views

How can I remove the stripped plastic cups of a bottom bracket?

I have a 2 frames with FAG bottom brackets (can't tell the exact model from the outside, but something like this): (datasheet here) in various states of destruction Bike 1 I didn't have the tool so ...
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

Seat post keeps sliding down after cleaning and lubricating folding bike

The last time I used my folding bike I gave it a thorough clean, and used WD-40 on the moving parts and then lubricated them again with a silicone-based lubricant spray. This is an eleven-year old ...
2 votes
3 answers
284 views

I'm looking for a freewheel wrench to repair a Schwinn Le Tour

I recently bought the bike and it seems that the grease has dried up in all the bearings. Even the front fork doesn't want to turn unless some pressure is applied to the handlebars. Since it is an ...
8 votes
1 answer
822 views

When to change quick release springs

The wife and I are newer to longer distance riding and have been learning along the way. While this might mean different things to different people, we are training for an Ironman and will do a half ...
2 votes
1 answer
385 views

What bottom bracket tool is needed to install a miche evo max bb?

https://www.miche.it/en/products/strada/movimenti-centrali/evo-max.html It is 16 notch. I can't find information on this anywhere and instructions didn't come with the BB. I have tried the hollowtech ...
2 votes
1 answer
296 views

Why does crank arm need both a bolt and teeth to be fitted to the spindle?

I think the title is self explanatory: why wouldn't either one or the other be enough? After removing the bolt, you still need a specific tool to pull off the crank arm from the spindle, because the ...
21 votes
7 answers
36k 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 ...
13 votes
7 answers
3k views

How can I take part in downhill mountain biking on a budget

I have had an old specialized stumpjumper, and every 3-4 bike rides I go on something breaks or goes loose. In the past year and a half I have gone through: 2 rear derailleurs (the current one is on ...
7 votes
2 answers
12k 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 ...
0 votes
0 answers
126 views

What are some pointers for newcomers?

Tldr: I'd like to know if there's any way for me to solve all of my problems on my own. Good day there, I'm new to this community, and I'm very excited to join! I'd like to learn at least the ...
12 votes
4 answers
10k views

After I lubricate my chain, I hear a gritty, sandy crunching sound coming from the chain and chainring. What am I doing wrong?

I tend to lubricate my chain about every 150-200 miles based on the conventional wisdom and general guidance I've read and heard. I have been using Rock N Roll Gold lube for some time, as it's been ...
5 votes
4 answers
864 views

Occassionally Dropping Chain On Downshifts

Very occasionally my chain will come of the small chainwheel on a downshift. It is not at all predictable, except that it always happens when the I'm doing an unloaded shift in preparation for a climb....
14 votes
3 answers
71k 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 ...
6 votes
2 answers
697 views

Seatpost/saddle moving down when riding

I noticed that that my saddle started moving down when riding (maybe 1cm/hour). When cleaning the inside of the seattube I noticed that the part at the height of the clamp became smooth, compared to ...
2 votes
3 answers
882 views

How to make the grip stick in its place on the handlebar?

I have this unbelievably frustrating situation: Basically, on the right side of the steering handle on my bicycle, the "soft" (not really) rubber thing that you grip with your hand keeps ...
20 votes
10 answers
4k views

What would happen if I don’t replace worn drivetrain components?

What would happen if I took a entirely new drivetrain and just never replaced anything? Of course, I’d keep it clean and lubricated. With 11 and 12 speed chains being as expensive as they are, the old ...
23 votes
13 answers
112k 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 ...
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Use non bike specific degreaser, is it safe?

I was using Park Tool degreaser but I ran out of it. Is it safe to use a non-bike-specific degreaser? The one I am using is the Screwfix No nonsense Heavy Duty Degreaser 5lt. I will probably switch to ...
4 votes
1 answer
253 views

Pedal arm clunking & falling off, how to fix? [duplicate]

The pedal arm on the opposite side from the cogs is making a 'thunk' sound once per cycle when near the top. It has come off twice, with no apparent thread or bolt damage. Both times the arm has come ...
12 votes
4 answers
16k views

Metal vs. plastic tire levers

What are the advantages of buying plastic over metal tire levers? (or vice versa). Which ones are easier to use?
4 votes
3 answers
561 views

How hard is it to get hydraulic disc brakes “tuned” well?

A few days ago my rear (disc, hydraulic) brake started feeling a bit funny, then “went” completely. I took it to the shop where it’d just been serviced a week earlier and they said I must’ve got a ...
6 votes
4 answers
20k views

Bottom bracket maintenance - is it a thing?

Previously when I've had annoying noises from my bottom bracket I've simply discarded it and bought a (cheap) new one. But the last time I replaced it I got a great offer and splashed out a little ...
25 votes
3 answers
30k 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 tube....
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Are aluminum anti-seize and silver anti-seize different?

I asked someone to pick up some silver anti-seize (which I'd seen recommended) and they came back with aluminum anti-seize. Is there a difference? I could imagine that, when used between aluminum ...
3 votes
2 answers
297 views

Speedplay pedal grease problem

I’m trying to grease my Speedplay pedals, but the little end screw on one of the pedals just spins. It will not unscrew, thereby denying me access to the grease port. Any thoughts?
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Shifting from Shimano 2300 to Tiagra

I have a road bike that I use mostly for touring (2-3 day trips) and my daily commute (~25km). It's loaded with the Shimano 2300 (2013) 3 X 10 groupset. I know it's not the most efficient or ...
4 votes
2 answers
410 views

What is cheaper, to walk or to cycle?

I recently started cycling to work, after having been walking the same distance for a couple of years. I used to have to replace my shoes about every six months, because they were too worn. This ...
12 votes
9 answers
27k views

Misplaced tyre lever - alternatives?

I misplaced my tire lever and it's very hard to change the tube of my mountain bike without a tire lever. I'm looking for alternatives if a tire lever is not available. What I've found so far are: ...
1 vote
1 answer
146 views

Can the topbar(crossbar) be lowered?

Can the topbar(crossbar)on my fat bike be lowered? I will ask a bicycle mechanic to do this job.
2 votes
1 answer
67 views

Pitting/spalling on a new cup in a hub

It has been said that cones usually are the first to show signs of pitting, but in this case there is a single 0.1-0.3 mm wide dent on a new cup only after 80 miles of use. Therere was no play when ...
13 votes
9 answers
13k views

What can I use for a DIY cable end?

I am in a pinch and need something to crimp onto the end of my brake cable to stop it fraying. There aren't any hardware shop's nearby and its a long way to the nearest bike shop. Any household ...
4 votes
1 answer
911 views

What is this nut, and can I remove it and put it back without damaging it?

I am working on my bike and starting with derusting. The nut in the picture below has got some rust on it and since I am going for a proper looking-after I want to make sure everything is taken care ...
1 vote
2 answers
616 views

PROMAX DECIPHER hydraulic brake hose replacement

I have a set of PROMAX Decipher hydraulic brakes and need to replace the hose cable (basically adapt these brakes to another bike and the cables length is longer). I would like to know how to split ...

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