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.
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
465 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
706 views
Disc Brakes: Resurface your Pads?
Is resurfacing the brake pads in disc brakes (hydraulic or mechanical) necessary? If so, what would you use to do this - medium sandpaper?
I spoke to one mechanic while shopping for a bike, who ...
2
votes
4answers
492 views
Maintenance lube for Aluminum Electra Townie
My wife just bought me a used Electra Townie with aluminum frame and wheels. The previous owner claimed it had been serviced in the past year. Checking the bearings, I can tell it was a poor job of ...
10
votes
3answers
468 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 ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Is there such a thing as frame failure?
Several general questions have been asked regarding how long a bike or bike frame will "last", and the gist of answers seems to be that a bike can last quite a while of the replaceable components are ...
11
votes
3answers
357 views
Finding a rattle in my bike
I recently installed a rear luggage rack and washed my bike, and now I get a buzzing rattle when I ride over bumps in the road, independent of whether I happen to be pedaling at the time. It sounds ...
1
vote
2answers
677 views
Is there a sign that a fork needs hydraulic/lubricating oil changed?
What are the signs that a fork needs an oil change?
I'm asking this because lately my RS Revelation (1yo) seems stiff. I checked the sag and found I should increase it... so I did, but it's still ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Attaching a stem to a carbon steerer: how much torque?
So I decided to travel with my bike this week and to my surprise discovered that the steerer is carbon fiber. I had removed the stem from the steerer for packing but naively assumed it was aluminum ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
My brake lever is coming loose from my handle bars; how can I tighten it?
I have a road bike with drop bars, and the left brake lever is slightly loose - it can rotate a few degrees around the handle bar from side to side. How can I tighten it? Is it possible to do so ...
12
votes
5answers
463 views
What are good sites/places to buy/sell bike parts for older bikes?
I've been wondering is there a marketplace to buy/sell/get original parts for bikes no longer made? I have a Bridgestone X0-1 Hybrid (the weird looking one with mustache handlebars) and I want to ...
13
votes
3answers
484 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 ...
22
votes
2answers
2k views
What's stopping you from pedalling backwards?
On the BMX bike I have, pedalling backwards moves the chain but doesn't drive the wheels of the bike backwards like you would expect it to. Why is this?
6
votes
1answer
224 views
Beyond the chain, what other parts of the bike do I need to lubricate, and how?
Beyond the chain, what other parts of the bike do I need to lubricate, and how? Can anyone provide some guidance of how to get to the hubs, derailleurs, brake parts etc, that need occasionally ...
3
votes
2answers
226 views
What kind of master link is most convenient for IGH / fixie / ss setups?
Here's a question related to this and this -- I've got a IGH bike and want to keep the drivetrain clean. I prefer to remove the chain for regular maintenance, but don't want to have to remove the ...
6
votes
2answers
204 views
Tightening a nut too much
Often guidance will be given to tighten a nut to "20 lbs of pressure" or something along those lines.
What's the best way to ensure you tighten things up, but not to over-tighten?
Is there any way ...
6
votes
3answers
697 views
Will a bicycle trailer damage my (steel) bicycle?
I have a rhode gear trailer with a 100 lb capacity, similar to the burley and other brands, that attaches to the left chainstay (see image of hitch below). I currently have it attached to my ...
2
votes
2answers
931 views
Removing SRAM Red Chainrings
This is almost certainly very simply, but how do you undo the chainring bolts on the SRAM red chainset? I can fit a 5mm (or 8mm can't recall now) hex head into the black screws, but they just spin on ...
4
votes
4answers
646 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I stop my EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket) from creaking?
I have a '09 Felt Niner 29" SS with an EBB. After a thorough clean and reassembly of the BB the creaking will subside for a ride or so and then come back. Any suggestions?
EDIT: the problem appears ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
4k views
Shimano Chainring Compatability
In my previous question we determined that I probably need new chainrings. I was/am planning on replacing the chainrings, and leaving the original crank.
Now this bike is running Shimano 105 FC-5600 ...
2
votes
3answers
231 views
What should I use to lubricate my kickstand?
The kickstand that came with my bike is rusty and is difficult to adjust. What should I use for lubrication?
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
295 views
ideal dérailleur height for a Deore on a Biopace?
Reading on every site about front dérailleur adjustment, the distance from the bottom of the outer dérailleur plate to the bigger crank cog should be "one penny".
Mine is around 1cm! it does shift ...
21
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Why is my drivetrain so noisy after replacing the chain?
I ride an SE Lager fixed. On the 30th of May this year I did a bit of an overhaul, replacing the rear cog, chain, wheels, tyres and brake pads.
I measured the chain last weekend and discovered that ...
2
votes
2answers
372 views
Squeaking sounds after lubricating the cogset and chain
My bicycle didn't produce any squeaks until the last weekend, when I decided to make a little maintenance. First, I used "Easy Clean" spray from the White Lightning brand to clean the cogset and the ...
5
votes
4answers
726 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
4k 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 ...
2
votes
6answers
3k views
Adjusting rear derailleur - shifts to lower gear, but not to higher
Well, it will shift to a higher gear, but it takes two clicks of the shifter and it skips over a gear when it does shift. With one click the chain hangs on the current gear by the slimmest if threads. ...
2
votes
2answers
283 views
how much can i raise my stem?
I've got one of these stems:
It's currently fully inserted into the bike, and it's too low for me.
Can I simply loosen it, raise it 5cm and tighten it again?
What's the minimum length that ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
162 views
Manage and Track Maintenance Schedules
I'm wondering how people manage the required (and completed) maintenance for their bikes, especially when you have a couple each with completely different component sets (i.e. a road bike, a XC, a ...
6
votes
3answers
395 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
611 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
455 views
What's the loss of effective output, with a worn chain?
I was just bought a new fine ultegra chain for 10 speed road race bike. This is actually the first new chain for this not so old bike. I am a fan of statistics, measuring power with a power unit on my ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Bottom bracket making noise, should it be fixed now or can I wait until regular maintenance?
My bike has been ridden 4 months / 2000 miles and is no longer completely quiet.
About a month ago I noticed a whispering noise like a wire brush sliding across a cymbal. It happens on the ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What kind of maintenance does a shimano dynamo hub need?
I have a shimano dynamo hub on the front of my bike.
Does it need any special maintenance, or maybe it needs just a little synthetic grease once a year, like a normal front hub?
5
votes
2answers
206 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, ...
3
votes
2answers
159 views
When should the metal clips be replaced on a brompton folder?
I have a brompton which is about 7 years old. Do I need to think about replacing the aluminium clips that lock the frame in place when unfolded?
3
votes
3answers
3k views
How many ball bearings to put in an axis?
I'm cleaning out most of the axes on my new (second hand) bike.
I'm replacing the grease inside the pedal axes and I was wondering.
How many ball bearings should be inside? I thought there had to be ...
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?
3
votes
1answer
765 views
Are Shimano Hollowtech II bottom bracket spacers unique?
I'm moving my Shimano Hollowtech II XT crankset and bottom bracket over from a bike with 73mm bottom bracket to a 68mm bike. The only problem is that I only have 1 spacer and now I need 3 bottom ...
1
vote
1answer
276 views
Cable adjuster recommendations
My cable adjusters always seem incredibly hard to turn, sometimes requiring the extra leverage of a wrench. I'm looking to replace them when I overhaul my bike and replace my current groupset. Does ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Why would I need a torque wrench for a bicycle?
I was rather surprised to find a question about choosing a torque wrench on this site. I haven't cycled for years, but many years ago when I actually cycled I would do with a set of ordinary wrenches ...
1
vote
1answer
249 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 ...
