Bicycle components without which it's not a working bike: wheels, brakes, saddle/seat, bottom bracket, derailleur, stem, handlebars, bolts, etc. Also tag with specific part.
29
votes
4answers
856 views
Building from scratch VS buying new
What are the pros and cons about building a bike from scratch VS buying it new?
22
votes
7answers
1k views
What should I look for in clipless pedals and shoes?
I am just thinking about investing in some clip-in pedals (and presumably shoes). I want to use them mostly on my older road bike but in the future I might want to move them over onto my mountain ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
What bike+equipment for a long daily urban commute?
In the (distant) past I commuted 6 km (more than half an hour) each way, on a cheap bike with big knobbly tyres.
Soon I'll have a new commute: 18 km each way, daily. That's much further than I've ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
what makes a good entry level road bike?
I've been riding a mountain bike for years, but I prefer to go longer distances on paved ground, so I think a road bike would be better. When I ask what is a good bike, I don't need brands/models - ...
18
votes
7answers
2k views
Are Z-shaped cranks a good idea?
I've stumbled across this kickstarter project, which promotes an original shape for cranks:
They claim a wider arc of useful push during rotation. While their main point is rendered moot by ...
18
votes
1answer
297 views
Selecting the right crank length
What is the best way to determine the correct crank length for my height and more specifically my leg length?
15
votes
4answers
860 views
Equipping a commuter bike
My commute is a bit over 5 miles each way through the city. It's not that long a commute; in traffic, it takes about 35 minutes door to door, and I'm never far from public transit that I could use in ...
14
votes
4answers
4k views
Whatever happened to solid bike tubes?
As a child I had solid rubber inner tubes in my bike. They were a pain to get on but after I never had a flat again!
Now I've recently started biking again and have had two flats in two days, each ...
14
votes
7answers
5k views
What is the biggest component difference between a cheap road bike and an expensive road bike?
I am shopping around for road bikes now, and I wanted to know what components to look for. I am not talking about the frame, carbon or otherwise, I mean types of shifters, brakes, cranks, rims, etc.
13
votes
5answers
436 views
Does anyone still use the old Brooks-style saddles?
About 30+ years ago I bought my first road bike. It had an old (used) Brooks leather saddle on it, whose design probably dated back to 1900 AD. To anyone who hasn't seen these,
they look like a ...
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
How can I protect components from being stolen off my bike?
I had my bike locked up properly so that the frame and wheels were secure, but somebody stole the 8 speed and handlebars off of my bike. I don't understand how this can have more than a $10 resale ...
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).
11
votes
6answers
6k views
Why would one ever buy a 12-25 cassette when an 11-25 is available?
I was looking at purchasing some Sram Rival components. Looking at the available cassettes, there is a big variety of sizes available:
11-23: 11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23
11-25: ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Differences between Biopace and Rotor cranks
On mountain bikes of a certain age, "Biopace" chainrings are ubiquitous. These chainrings are (purposely) not circular. It seems that most people today agree that Biopace rings didn't live up to the ...
10
votes
5answers
384 views
Lock for extremely frequent use
Are there lock products out there specifically designed for easy handling when locked unlocked dozens of times a day?
I'm using a normal, chain-based lock at the moment and I'm annoyed because
I'm ...
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
502 views
How can I tell which road bike components/groupsets are better?
Shimano has new models of their groupsets every year but the lines generally keep the same names. This makes it difficult to figure out what year/version a particular bike has. Is there an easy way to ...
9
votes
8answers
3k views
How does a bike's weight affect the overall experience of owning it?
Naturally, carrying a light bike up the stairs is much more enjoyable compared to a heavier bike. Are there any other aspects of a bike which are affected by its weight?
For example, would the weight ...
9
votes
9answers
3k views
Why is a proper road bike pedal preferred for road bikes?
I've been riding road bikes for a couple of years, but with mountain bike pedals, I've been thinking about switching over to a road bike pedal, but what's the reason? Is the performance improved or is ...
9
votes
2answers
368 views
What is this rubber ring around the top tube for
I have seen these on a few bikes. What is the purpose :S
9
votes
1answer
880 views
How is stem length measured?
How is the length of a stem measured? Where does the measurement start and finish?
8
votes
5answers
8k views
What kind of bicycles do they ride in the Tour de France?
I've been looking at a lot of the coverage of the Tour de France. All of the attention is on the cyclists, and no attention whatsoever on the cycles. Even in photographs or videos, they are so far ...
8
votes
1answer
803 views
Do I need to change my cassette if I can't see any wear?
I bought a new road bike with Campag Athena 11 speed in March last year. To the end of Jan it had covered 9000km.
In all that time I hadn't changed the chain because I don't have the Campag tool, and ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it a good idea to get a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire on a road bike?
I am currently running Continental Grand Prix S 4000 in 23-622 / 700x23C front and rear. I am about to buy a new set of tires for my road bike and am fancying a smaller tire for the front and a wider ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Is there a downside to spoke protectors?
A few weeks ago, the derailer on my touring bike caught on the chain and ripped itself off the frame. (See the link below for more info on the incident.) The spoke protector was cracked in half by ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I choose a bicycle fork?
I'm putting together a bicycle on a budget from a frame I was given and various parts from a bike with a broken frame. The only part of any expense that I really need is the fork, and I want to get ...
7
votes
1answer
813 views
How does Lockable Suspension work?
I recently asked a question about how to make a lockable suspension last longer. There zenbike told me about the “blow off” feature. Now, I am curious about how the whole system works.
So, can ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Is it possible/sensible to add a suspension fork to an old mountain bike?
I have a ~1993 Giant mountain bike. It's not great, but I am a very new and casual rider.
The bike has a solid fork and it makes for the predictable rough trail ride. The trails are generally ...
7
votes
1answer
325 views
Chart for bicycle component quality?
I'm not very familiar with all the different component groups available and wondered if there's a chart that ranks their quality (or price).
So I'd know that Shimano 105 is the same level as SRAM ...
6
votes
12answers
372 views
Bike touring/camping tip(s)
I have a tentative first-time bike touring/camping trip in the planning stages and working out my set-up. I have a good idea of the essentials. My question is especially directed to those who have ...
6
votes
2answers
196 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
4answers
274 views
Are there any drivetrain components designed and sold to last longer?
If a chain is only supposed to last 2000 miles, a rear cassette 5000 miles and a chainset only 10000 miles, then, at a modest 100 miles a week you are going to go through 2.5 chains a year, a new ...
6
votes
2answers
83 views
What factors affect the price of a chain?
Just like most bicycle parts, chains have a pretty wide price range. What are the factors weighting in on the price of a chain ? (Other than width/bike-compatibility characteristics)
6
votes
2answers
124 views
How much of the saddle rail is suiteable to use
Is it possible to safely set the seat to the max to get the saddle as far forward as it will go. Or should it only be clamped within the marked range 0 to 3.5? I have marked the points in red. The ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
Tapered Head Tube
I am wanting to understand how a tapered head tube works. Does it require a tapered steerer, or is it the case that the steerer is a consistent diameter top and bottom and just the bearings differ in ...
5
votes
2answers
245 views
What is the name of the part, often seen on BMX bicycles, that allows an additional rider on the back the bike?
What is the name of the part, often seen on BMX bicycles, that allows an additional rider on the back the bike? It appears to be a set of relatively short but thick poles that go on either side of the ...
5
votes
4answers
800 views
Would hydraulic disc brakes be easier on my hands than mechanical disc brakes?
I ride MTB in a coastal town where all roads are dirt roads with lots of uphill/downhill. Nothing extreme, I just ride to relax and enjoy the landscape. I have mechanical disc brakes and after a 2-4 ...
5
votes
4answers
928 views
New, cheap mountain bike: What's most likely to break?
I have a very cheap (less than USD $100), new mountain bike I'm about to break in on a 2-4 hour ride on a mountain trail. I'd like to be prepared for equipment failures or problems - can anyone ...
5
votes
3answers
113 views
Good Quality Road Platform Pedals?
I am trying to find good quality but not exorbitantly expensive platform pedals for a road bike. I tried Shimano SPD, but ended up concluding that for me it was more of a deathtrap. I did end up ...
5
votes
3answers
335 views
Where can I buy a wide range of used bike parts online?
Does anyone know of a reputable website that sells a wide range of used and second hand bike parts and components?
I'm helping a friend rebuild an older commuter bike and we are having trouble ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How to make a lockable front suspension last longer?
Lockable suspension is very handy on every ride. But I have witnessed a few cases where they break way too soon, in comparison with other types of suspension. The locks fail to be effective, or the ...
5
votes
2answers
819 views
What is the purpose of the 'tire guide' screws on shimano brakes
On Shimano Ultegra and Dura-ace brake calipers there are round-head slot screws in the lower section of the brake pad holder. In the BR-6600 spare parts catalogues they are labeled as 'tire guide' ...
5
votes
1answer
247 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
490 views
Suggestions for progressive upgradation of bike
I have one bike, which is pretty cheap. It's a Mid-Level Mountain Bike of Motache (I tried to find a picture but, no luck). But, now I want to upgrade this bike progressively and change it into High ...
4
votes
2answers
239 views
Bargain-basement component brand lines?
So it now seems obvious to me that brand name alone is not a good quality heuristic; my Shimano Revo shifter just went south and was replaced after two years, which seems far too soon. (LBS put a SRAM ...
4
votes
3answers
662 views
Dia Compe Brakes for 1991 Bridgestone RB-T
I have a 1991 Bridgestone RB-T. This bike has passed through many hands so much of the stock parts are gone. The original Dia Compe XCE brake arms have been replaced by Dimension canti arms.
My ...
4
votes
2answers
586 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
306 views
Upgrade my Globe Vienna for commuting and distance riding, or look for a new bike?
I've been cycling for about six months now, and am looking to get into some distance cycling and want to get my speed up on my commute.
I currently ride a Globe Vienna ...
4
votes
1answer
163 views
Understanding MTB Pedals
This question is bugging me for a very long time. Look at the picture below.
notice the area i have denoted with red circles. What is that? Does it represent something ? May be something like ...
