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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Changed the disc brake rotor, now wheel doesn't spin?
I have replaced the tire and the disc brake rotor on my rear wheel and since then for some reasons my rear wheel does not spin.
When I take off the disc brake rotor it freely spins:
https://vimeo.com/...
- 809
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Replacing slow to switch Presta/Schrader pump head with dual pump head on a floor pump. Can I go between brands?
I have a Giyo Air Supply floor pump which has one of those Presta/Schrader switchable heads where you have to unscrew the cap, wiggle out the head's innards for half an hour, turn them around then ...
- 665
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Recommended wall thickness on rims with caliper brakes
I have caliper brakes on my 700C road bike wheels. I notice that the surface of the rims, both front and back, where the brake pads make contact is starting to look a little worn (after eleven years).
...
- 4,431
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How to adjust rear axle width?
I fixed a puncture on this kid's bike (not mine) but when I went to put the wheel back in I noticed the axle is narrower than the dropouts & the dropout has been significantly bent in before to ...
- 124k
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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, ...
- 58.9k
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What is the proper way to cut brake cable housing?
Unlike this question, mine is about cutting the housing.
All I've used with random success has been a pair of pliers with a good sharp inner cutting tool. Is there a better way, or a proper tool for ...
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1999 Giant Lafree Electrik, Only the diagnostic red light comes on. What is the problem?
When I turn the bike on, the five lights that indicate charge status flash red and then go out with only the red diagnostic light remaining lit. I ran the diagnostic checks and all items in the check ...
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Creaking sound, stem extender/steerer tube assembly
In the last few weeks a creaking sound has developed somewhere in the stem/stem extender/ steerer tube assembly. I noticed it when going over bumps, but only when my hands are on the handlebar. ...
- 21
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How to bleed Campagnolo hydraulic disc brakes?
How to bleed Campagnolo hydraulic disc brakes, specifically the Ekar ones?
I'm going to self-answer for future reference.
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Chain wear due to standing while pedaling
Does standing up while pedaling increase chain wear (lengthen chain) faster than pedaling while seated?
CommunityBot
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Do Shimano RS100 wheels have two ratchets inside the freehub?
Can anybody confirm Shimano RS100 wheel rear hubs have two ratchets inside the freehubs? It looks like there are sockets for 3 ratchets but there are only 2 ratchets. Since we bought the bike second ...
- 85.1k
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How do I re-insert a chain pin that has been pushed completely out?
While breaking the chain, I pushed the pin too far and pushed it out completely. Now the chain is too short. How do I re-insert this pin, or should I look for other options.
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Shimano 7-speed chain - upgrading for more durability
I have a modest commuter bike with Shimano 3x7-speed Tourney gruppo on and I ride quite a few miles on it. Compared to my 105 11-speed road bike, I noticed that chains don't quite last as long ... on ...
- 4,431
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How do you connect and disconnect a quick release chain link?
I can't find any nice video or pictures tutorial that explains how to connect and disconnect a quick release chain link. Am I not finding anything because it has another more common name?
How do you ...
- 1,187
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Campagnolo Chorus 10-speed shifters - bad shifter feel
I run an early-2000s Campagnolo Chorus 10-speed groupset on one of my bikes. Shifting is generally OK and the rear mech works fine on the stand, but out on the road it is often hard to get good shifts ...
- 787
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Gates Carbon Drive vs single-speed chain, long term lifespan and maintenance
I'm looking to get a new bike which will require the smallest amount of maintenance.
The bike will have an internally-geared hub and I have the choice of single speed chain or belt drive.
I have ...
- 124k
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How to properly tighten "internal" nut on the rear axis?
This is basically a follow-up of my previous question.
I am talking about the nut between the frame and the cassette (see attached image). In other words not the "external nut" which fixes ...
- 124k
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How many balls to put in a bearing?
I'm cleaning out most of the bearings on my new (second hand) bike.
I'm replacing the grease inside the pedal bearings and I was wondering.
How many ball bearings should be inside? I thought there ...
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How to degrease a ratchet area that is next to (sealed) bearings?
I'd like to re-apply grease in the ratchet mechanism of a Mavic freehub (the design is similar to DT Swiss and possibly other brands).
The mechanism is very simple to unmount, most of the parts that ...
- 85.1k
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What are the directions for removing the bottom bracket bearing caps?
I am trying to re-purpose a Mongoose MTB frame I was given. The crank axle is "wobbly" within its housing. I want to get into the housing to replace the bearings, but can't for the life of me, ...
CommunityBot
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Replacing hydraulic brake lever
This is my first time dealing with hydraulic brakes.
The front brake on my bike is Shimano BL-M4100 lever with MT410 caliper. I stripped the lever's clamp thread and going to replace the lever with a ...
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At what point should you stop repairs and get a new bike instead?
My bike has passed its prime, one by one parts start to break, and replacing them keeps eating more and more money. Which made me wondering, is there any rule of thumb of when it is more economical to ...
- 15.5k
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How can I clean sand off my bike chain?
I recently went for a ride in the forest. Sections of sand were encountered during that ride and I can clearly see sand sticking to my bike chain now.
How can I clean the sand off effectively? There ...
- 6,142
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Do higher end road bike require less maintenance?
I bought a entry level road bike CAAD optimo for around $1000 and I've noticed that the bike required a fair bit of maintenance for example creaking noises, chain rubbing, chain skipping etc. I am ...
- 31.5k
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Is Mean Time To Retune FD and RD a major distinguishing factor between Sora and Ultegra?
Having gained experience riding both Sora and Ultegra, I'm puzzled that 2x9 already provides such narrow gaps that I'm entirely comfortable riding Sora (it helps that the cassette is 12-25), and that, ...
- 9,112
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Catastrophic hub failure, can the freewheel and rim be saved?
I am not experienced working on wheel hubs/cassettes or anything related to them. I am also not great at English, so please excuse any dumb questions I might ask.
The obvious problem is that my rear ...
- 10.2k
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Is it a problem to leave my bicycle unlubricated for a day after a hose-down?
I just cleaned my bike with low pressure water but I don't have any lubricant. I left it to dry in my basement with the window left open.
Is there any chance my bike will malfunction or rust before ...
- 1,187
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Bike keeps suddenly changes gears w/o me shifting
I've noticed that there are times that my bike suddenly changes gears, without me touching the shifters. It usually happens when I'm on a hard gear and I suddenly power out of a full stop, it pops ...
- 1,187
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Does a magic link or Powerlink require removal a regular chain link first?
Pulled a Shimano Ultegra chain off my bike for cleaning and noticed the mechanic had installed it with a pin and not a magic link. Because I have a magic link handy (and, if I'm honest, because I ...
- 124k
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Does this chainring need to be replaced?
Here is a closeup of my triple:
All three rings are Shimano Ultegra and have never been changed. They probably have at least 12000+ km on them. I've been pretty good about changing the chain ...
- 6,142
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Through axle came apart, can't put it back together
When pulling the axle out after disengaging the quick connect, the shaft won't push through and the other side all the little metal pieces fell out.
Tire won't come out and cannot put it back together....
- 124k
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How to disassemble rear wheel hub with no lock nut?
Please see pictures. My rear wheel has a Deda Elementi hub which has a Thru axle. I have removed my 11-speed cassette and disc rotor. There is no lock nut on the non-drive side. There only appears to ...
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Did this part come from my bicycle?
I was working on my bicycle, a 2021 Domane SL5, and laid it on the ground. When I picked it up, I saw a small metal ring on the ground underneath. I don’t know for certain if the metal piece came off ...
- 124k
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Shigura - Can i use a Shimano XT Lever on A Magura HS33 Hydraulic Rim Brakes
Good day to Everyone,
My Magura HS33 Lever on my ZHI Z3R trials bike broke, and i was wondering if i could replace it with a Shimano Deore XT BL-M775, as i have it stocked on my parts bin.
And if i ...
- 124k
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How do I cut hydraulic brake hose without expensive tools?
I've seen some expensive hydraulic hose cutting tools for over $100, e.g., the "SRAM PitStop Hydraulic Hose Cutter Tool".
I just want to cut the two new brake hoses I have now, so I don't ...
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When to change disk brake pads?
I was wondering how to tell when your disk brake pads need replacing. My front brake seems to be not stopping as quickly as it used to, or as quickly as I would like. I know this could be due to road ...
- 6,142
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Bike tires need air every ride...is this normal?
I ride my bike maybe once a week at most. I need to add air to the tires every time to bring it up to the right pressure. (I ride a mountain bike and I put about 45 - 50 PSI's into the tires.) Is ...
- 6,142
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Cannondale Lefty DLR Ti Fork Rebuild/Maintenance
I have a mountain bike with a 2003 Cannondale Lefty DLR Ti fork. As I've been riding the bike this season, I've noticed that the fork is behaving strangely. It doesn't seem to lockout fully and it is ...
- 6,142
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Bike chain jumping at lowest and highest gear, fine in the middle
I changed out the shifter housing/cable because I felt some friction, and ever since it seems like I can't get the indexing right. If I set it to work well in the high gears, it doesn't work properly ...
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How does paraffin chain wax perform in winter conditions (snow, road salt, -20° C)?
I’m interested I switching to paraffin chain wax or a wax product like Molten Speed Wax. But I’ve got concerns about how it might perform in winter where I live in Calgary, Alberta.
It’s supposed to ...
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How to remove the lock lever on a 2020 Suntour NEX suspension fork?
The locking on that fork is no longer working in that in locked position, the fork is as unstiff as when not.
On other models, I've been able to remove that blue lever and tighten things underneath ...
- 1
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Drivetrain lubrication for indoor training
Indoor training seasons starts and I'm again about to set up my direct-drive trainer this weekend. Before doing so and after experimenting with different methods of lubrication over the years, I'm ...
- 31.5k
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How to lubricate my double kickstand? (ursus jumbo)
It used to move real smooth but not anymore. There's this plastic cover that says 'remove to lubricate', but underneath it I don't find access to the hinge mechanism. I'm thinking of just putting some ...
- 22k
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My bike won’t change out of first gear
NoI’ve tried changing the looseness of the H and L screws but my great problem remains the same. It won’t change out of first gear even when I manually put it into another gear. The back derailer is ...
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Is it possible to replace/regear the front cog? My easiest gear is too easy and I want to try for a higher resistance
I have a big-box-bicycle that I ride around the neighborhood regularly. After trying to master the highest gear setting I now find it easy on days where there isn't a breeze, and still manageable on ...
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Replacement for VP-BC73E Bottom Bracket
I cannot find my bottom bracket online anywhere. It's called "VP-BC73E ". However, I can find loads of "VP-BC73" (E is missing). Would it still fit/work?
I found this information ...
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Extractors for Centerlock rotors and Shimano HG cassette
I need to buy some basic tools to do some maintenance on my wheels, but I'm confused about what I need.
I want to perform the following operations:
change the cassette
I have a 11-34 10-speed ...
- 16.3k
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Tightening drive side bolt for Mavic Cosmic Elite rear wheel
I have a question about this Mavic Cosmic rear wheel. I wanted to remove some play from it, so I took the rear wheel apart for that purpose. Now, when I'm putting it back together, I notice that I'm ...
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Hybrid bike. ride with front suspension always locked: effects on fork durability
I am considering acquiring a hybrid bike with a front suspension, since it is the closest to what I want that I can find. But I do not want a front suspension, so I would always ride with it locked ...
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Periodic Maintenance Task for Bike Commuters
What are the periodic maintenance tasks (weekly, monthly, annual, every X miles) that anyone who relies on a bike for transportation (typically in urban/semi-urban environments) should be performing? ...
