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.
7
votes
3answers
564 views
When is a good time to change tyres due to age?
When should I consider changing tyres due to age? The tyres in question are five/six years old Continentals.
21
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?
3
votes
2answers
582 views
The drivetrain on my bike needs replacement, given the cost, do I just get a new bike?
Probably best to not go through the specific components on my bike, however, the sprockets, chainset, jockey wheels and chain need replacing due to excessive wear. Coupled with that, the cables are in ...
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
133 views
What is a reasonable maintenance routine for a commuter bike? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How much maintenance?
I've purchased a nice hybrid (a Trek Fx) and plan on using it as my daily commuter, maybe averaging 50 miles per week on it.
What regular and ...
0
votes
2answers
147 views
Is it possible to loosen or crack the tire when I change a broken tube?
If I don't use the proper tools. Last time I used spoons to take out the tire.
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 ...
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
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
1answer
253 views
does my degreaser hang around and destroy my new chain lube?
I generally clip on the Park chain cleaner, fill it with a cheap department store degreaser (Rubbermaid), run it through for a few seconds, then fill the chain cleaner with water once or twice or more ...
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
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
How to avoid wearing out gears?
I have a Specialized Tricross which I bought new last year.
In that time (approximately 1K miles), I wore out my chain and gears. At least two of my gears are still slipping, even with a new chain.
...
7
votes
7answers
1k views
Where can I get some rags?
As I'm getting into the habit of cleaning and maintaining my bike more often, I am burning through my stockpile of rags. Up until now I have been using worn-out clothes as rags. I am going to run out ...
3
votes
2answers
744 views
Protecting steel bike from salty roads
There is still a lot of salt on the roads in Ottawa, Canada, but I am thinking about starting to use my road bike instead of my mountain bike because the snow is mostly gone. (At least temporarily). ...
10
votes
2answers
4k views
What are the benefits of external bottom brackets?
Pretty soon, I plan to replace the bottom bracket on my early 90's Sakae Litage road bike. It takes a standard, English-threaded bottom bracket. Right now I think it contains loose bearings--I was ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
-1
votes
1answer
125 views
Help! There is some question on SE physics about threads on pedals [closed]
Please, could somebody who knows about threads of pedals
look here:
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/6488/why-are-bicycle-pedal-threads-handedness-left-on-the-left-and-right-on-the-right
...
6
votes
1answer
6k views
When to change derailleur pulleys?
A friend said me that if you have one part in a very bad condition like a cassette and then you put a new stuff like a new chain it will destroy the new stuff very quickly. A LBS said that I should ...
6
votes
4answers
756 views
Friction in the free hub?
I have noticed there's some friction in my free hub on the TCR - when I pedal backwards slowly, I can get the rear wheel to roll backwards (while on the stand). This strikes me as a bad thing - means ...
2
votes
2answers
510 views
Which master links for 1/8 inch aka BMX chains?
It was very easy to find master links for 3/32inch (aka 9-speed chain) but I cannot find them for 1/8 inch (aka BMX chain). My chain is the Nexus CN-NX10. Cannot understand the odd observation that ...
2
votes
2answers
353 views
Where can I buy Framesaver in Canada?
My LBS has told me they're unable to order Framesaver due to difficulties shipping aerosol canisters across the border. Are there any reputable retailers (either online or in the Greater Toronto Area) ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
908 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
206 views
Cheap Online Shopping for Small Consumables?
I am looking for different types of lubricants, chains, small metal parts such as a Tubus rack-hinge and just small things that wear easily off -- so-called consumables. I am fed up to high prices ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
6answers
313 views
Are there brands that sell weather-resistant chains?
I have to bike in bad weather and especially at work i have no way to store my bike in a dry place, this means that my bike chain picks up rust like nothing else, forcing me to clean it a lot. Now i'm ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
1answer
426 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 ...
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?
1
vote
0answers
115 views
How do I clean my drive train? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What to use to clean your chain (and cogs)?
My mountain bike drive train has accumulated a dirt /oil layer from oiling the chain and then ridding in dirt and muck.
How ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
660 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
475 views
mountain biking - post ride tasks
After completing a long mountain biking trail (complete with lots mud and water etc) - what post ride checks / tasks should I be doing?
I ask this because I don't want to be taking my bike into a ...
8
votes
7answers
8k views
How to remove a crank arm with stripped threads?
A friend called me up yesterday after a mis-adventure during his attempt at a bottom bracket overhaul. He stripped out the threads on the (left) crank arm while using a Park crank puller. In a pinch, ...
14
votes
4answers
220 views
Pre ride checks
What checks should you perform before setting off to ensure that your bike is safe to ride?
I'm more interesting in mountain bikes rather ride road bikes but I guess that most checks are applicable ...
7
votes
1answer
356 views
Older Carbon Bike Safety
I have an older Trek 2100 that has carbon fiber tubes with aluminum stays (The frame is used early 90's 2100/2150/2200/2300 road bikes)
After a recent accident with a car (going down hill, guy pulls ...
11
votes
3answers
338 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 ...
