Repairs, maintenance, mechanical issues, or drivetrain parts.
1
vote
2answers
115 views
How to replace a Sturmey Archer's cable?
I would like to replace the cable of a Sturmey Archer hub, but can't find a way to disassemble the old cable without destroying it, and it puzzles me how to insert the new cable.
To better explain, I ...
1
vote
2answers
53 views
What torque for caliper brakes onto carbon-alloy forks?
I've recently got a new bike with a Kinesis DC07 carbon/alloy fork. This comes with deep-drop calliper brakes (Shimano R451 Dual Pivot). The first time out I bumped one of the brakes and it twisted ...
3
votes
7answers
425 views
Is there such thing as a freewheel that doesn't click?
The clicking sound of the freewheel on my singlespeed when it's coasting is annoying for me, so I flipped over my back wheel and rode fixed for a few months in blissful silence. But having to pedal ...
18
votes
12answers
25k views
Creaking from cranks/spindle. How to fix?
Recently the cranks on my bike started to creak.
I checked with my usual "bike-bible" Park Tool. They recommended dis-assemble, lubricate, re-assemble.
So I did that.
Remove cranks.
Remove spindle.
...
1
vote
5answers
123 views
greasing closed bearings on the outside
Assume I have a couple of closed bearings on some pivots on my bicycle.
These bearings:
are fitted on a housing
have an axle going through them
are tightened by bolts which also have cups to ...
2
votes
0answers
89 views
Overhauled hubs: still some noise
I've just, for the first time, finished servicing the hubs on my bicycle. They are of the cup & cone type (Shimano). The cones of the front hub where pitted so I got them replaced, along with the ...
7
votes
4answers
454 views
Why do current, entry-level shimano rear derailers have large-diameter pulleys?
I have seen (and recently bought) entry-level rear derailers from Shimano (Tourney for MTB, 2300 for road bike), and I keep wondering why they are making these parts with such large pulleys.
I don't ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Why does my rear derailleur keep breaking?
I upgraded my rear-mech with a new cassette, chain and new cables a few weeks ago since then i've mangled two rear mechs!
Both times I've just been riding along; not in a big gear; not at the ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Lubricating screw/braze-on threads: Bike lube or polylube?
Years ago, I made the newbie mistake of forcing a rack screw into a steel braze-on. I had to replace that fork. And I've heard this advice many times: When putting a screw into a braze-on, put a ...
5
votes
2answers
208 views
Approximately where is the center of mass of a mountain bike?
Take a "standard" multipurpose bike like this one: http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn29.html (Weighing 12.2kg)
I'm conducting a physics investigation, and for this I need to know the ...
11
votes
4answers
41k views
How can I tell which size chain my bike uses?
After learning how to break a chain and reattach it, and also how to add and remove a master link, I find that I can now do much more in the way of maintenance at home. I'll no longer need to bring my ...
5
votes
1answer
249 views
How feasible is it to transfer modern (2010) components to a 90s frame (road bike)
My 2010 aluminum frame may be toast (stripped bottom bracket) and I was considering getting an older chro-mo frame and transferring the components to it. It's a racing/sport style with drop bars and ...
5
votes
3answers
567 views
Unscrewing a rounded allen bolt
I need to take out my rear shock but one of the 2 allen bolts that is holding it (the upper one) has been rounded.
I've been told about various ways that such a bolt can be taken out including:
...
0
votes
1answer
123 views
Right campagolo gears slipping
I have a set of Campagolo Athena 11 levels and the right one is slipping when changing down. What is the problem and which part do I need to replace, please
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Brake response is spongey post-brake lever upgrade
I have just performed an upgrade of brake levers on my Plug Racer, from the original cross-style levers (top mounted, possibly Promax 239A models) to Cane Creek 200TT bar end levers, connecting them ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How to fix front gear taking 2 shifts just to move onto next cog
I was out on a ride yesterday and several times when I was changing up and down between big chain ring and little chain ring (I only have the 2 rings up front) it required 2 gear changes. The gears ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Rear wheel slipping out under load
My commuting/cyclocross bike (a Surly Crosscheck) has a problem.
If I tighten the quick release skewer to a normal level, sort of firm to close it, then if I step on the pedals hard at some point, ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a practical gain from elliptical/oval chainrings?
I have seen competitive (amateur) cyclists with oval chainrings (front). What is the deal? Are they just for showing off, or is there a practical gain from it (different force transfer).
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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How to fix new chain that switches gears when pedaling backwards
I just recently replaced a chain that got incredibly beat up in the winter (it was rusted, and practically stiff when I removed it.)
I removed links from the new chain to match the length of the ...
2
votes
1answer
363 views
Good 9-speed cog configuration for touring and which low-cost quality cassettes?
Alert: this cassette conf cannot be used in all touring locations because of poor support. I use it only in 1st world countries.
The largest cog at the back is about 12-14cm. The length from ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Fork lube. Should I use it? If so how often?
I ride a mountain bike with front suspension. I've recently seen fork lube for sale on an online retailer. This got me thinking. Do I need to be using fork lube? How does it help? If I bought some how ...
2
votes
3answers
7k views
Unable to shift to lower gears; Shimano 6 speed SIS rear deraillers
Presently I'm able to ride my bike only in 5th and 6th gears. I cannot turn the shifter (it's too tight) to move the chain to lower gears. The low stop-screw is all right and it was working till ...
6
votes
1answer
610 views
When to replace wheel bearings
I just ripped apart my mom's mountain bike's rear hub. One of the bearings was incredibly rough, so I replaced it, and the other one was smooth, but didn't turn very easily. Since I didn't have a ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
530 views
One stripped post mount on suspension fork
I have a suspension fork, which has a stripped lower post mount, i.e. the bolt used to attach the brake caliper doesn't grip the post. Before anyone asks - yes, it is the correct size bolt, as the ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I tell if a chain has a master link?
I need to remove the chain on my internal-hub cruiser to clean it (i.e., no rear or front deraileur), and I'd rather not remove my back wheel if I can avoid that. What do I look for to find the master ...
6
votes
4answers
905 views
Bent front sprocket
My chain just started to slip off my front gears and it happens within a minute of riding. I discovered that the middle sprocket is bent. This leads me to my questions:
How much should a LBS charge ...
4
votes
1answer
340 views
Swapping STIs for barends — what issues are likely to arise?
I'm planning to swap shifters and brake levers from one bike to another. One bike is a randonee with STI brifters, and the other is a Surly Long Haul Trucker with barends and separate brake levers. ...
10
votes
4answers
8k views
How do I prevent the rear derailleur from slipping gears?
What's the best way to tune the rear derailleur of my bike to stop slipping gears? It seems that every time I re-adjust it, the middle/upper gears are perfectly aligned, but the lower gears never ...
4
votes
3answers
665 views
How to clean out the inside threads of a braze-on?
I'm installing a basket on my cruiser, and getting some of the allen screws into the fork braze-ons is rough going. It feels like there's dirt or grease inside the threads of the braze-ons. Forcing ...
4
votes
1answer
241 views
Busted Dept store Mongoose Shifter - Scrap or Fix
My wife convinced me that we should buy bikes (2x$100.00) @ a dept store. I found a Mongoose (which I can remember used to be decent) and within 6mos I broke the bracket that holds the shifter in ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
How to tighten a brake?
This is probably a really basic question but I'm confused by the whole brake mechanism so...
My left (front wheel) brake has to be pulled in really far before it actually starts to brake (I guess ...
10
votes
7answers
856 views
How do I fix a puncture?
I got a flat/puncture on my bike tube, how can I fix it myself without going to the nearest bike shop? What kind of equipment would I need?
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it possible to replace bearings in Shimano XT bottom bracket cups?
Curious if I can just replace the bearings in my existing cups or if I would need to buy new cups?
If possible to replace them then what are possible high quality replacement bearings?
4
votes
2answers
439 views
Wald basket legs too short for cruiser — how can I install the basket?
I recently purchased a large handlebar basket, a Wald 139-WW for my cruiser, a Trek Pure. I'm having trouble installing the basket.
Context: The basket attaches using hooks on the basket to the ...
