Repairing your bike when something is broken. REPAIR is not the same as MAINTENANCE, a separate tag. Repair is what one does only when something is broken. Maintenance is what one does on a regular basis.
5
votes
1answer
110 views
Unused puncture repair patch - what's its useful shelf life?
Sometimes I fish around in my shed for a repair kit and pull out a pair of patches which have been sat around for a while (a year?) I find the patches are stiff (even though they're still in their ...
0
votes
0answers
38 views
What sort of bike chain do I need for my bike? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I tell which size chain my bike uses?
I have a vintage Ross road bike, and the chain recently snapped during one of my rides.
The bike has 2 gears in the front ...
1
vote
1answer
245 views
Clicking gears on new Electra Townie 8i
I asked a similar question related to slipping gears here:
Slipping gears on new Electra Townie 8i
but now I no longer get slipping, but clicking noise when the pedals are rotated either forward ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Chain slipping off derailleur jockey (need suggestions ASAP)
Last week, I had to abandon a training ride due to my chain slipping off my rear derailleur jockey. This would only happen when shifting, and most often when either shifting chainrings or shifting ...
4
votes
4answers
850 views
LBS said creaking under torque is normal?
on my last question i asked about a creaking/tick i was getting when i was stand pedalling on a climb. I took it to my LBS today and they said they had stripped all the crank and bb and re greased it ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
Strange noise coming from bottom bracket/crank? any ideas?
ive just bought a trek 6300 and im getting a strange creaking coming from the crank/bottom bracket when im stand pedalling. it only happens when im stand pedalling, and only what appears to be on my ...
2
votes
2answers
487 views
Maintenance/Upgrades for Gary Fisher Joshua MTB
Let me start from the beginning:
About three years ago, I broke my leg after buying a Gary Fisher Joshua MTB, when I was just getting into road and cross-country riding. I've only started riding ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
Why does the glue in a puncture repair kit dry up so quickly?
With puncture repair kits, generally you get like 6-8 patches and a tube of glue.
The only problem is I can really only use the glue for the first patch because once it opens, it just ends up drying ...
9
votes
4answers
5k views
Removing a stuck pedal
I'm sure this question must have already been answered somewhere here, but it doesn't show up in any search results I make...
I'm changing the pedals on a 40 year old bike. Pretty sure the pedals are ...
2
votes
2answers
322 views
Townie gearing suddenly too easy
So the rear wheel (26x2) on my Electra Townie 7d broke its axle, and I ended up replacing it with a new 26x1.5 wheel, that being what the LBS had in stock. The bike seems a bit faster, which is nice, ...
4
votes
3answers
301 views
Broken pedal on an old french bike
I broke the pedal of an old french bike (Peugeut Mixte 70's). The threading doesn't fit the one in modern pedals.
Now I am wondering if I should insist in finding an old french pedal or if I should ...
3
votes
1answer
269 views
Phil Wood Hubs: Anyone had a Pawl go?
I got front & rear Phil Wood hubs for a touring setup back in Oct of 2011. I'd been using them for commuting to work -- averaging 20 KM a day. Except I'd been off the bike for the month of ...
1
vote
1answer
495 views
Shimano dual lever Ultegra ST-6600
The shifter cable broke on the way home from work. The break was inside of the dual lever assembly. I was able to fish out the cable end. But, with a new cable, I am not able to get the shifter to ...
2
votes
2answers
762 views
Does a hybrid truely have a wider tire or does a mountain have a wider tire?
I'm looking around my local bike shop and saw that the hybrids have a slim tire while a mountain has a more fatter tire. And when i researched it says the opposite. Please help me.
4
votes
1answer
423 views
Bottom bracket repair stand experience
Does anyone have direct experience with the ParkTool Team Race Stand or other brands/models of bottom bracket repair stands? If so, do you like it and why? A good answer for me will include the ...
1
vote
2answers
263 views
Small amount of wobble in wheel
If I grab my [suspension] forks tightly and push against the wheel sideways, there is a slight amount (few millimeters on 26" wheel) of play/wobble from the axle/hub. The QR is done up tightly. Is ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Adivce on what to do next with crunching / slipping gears
About two weeks ago I took my bike to the local bike shop to get serviced. It was previously slipping gears under load and at the end I couldn't use the lowest gear going up hill it would just slip ...
6
votes
6answers
5k views
brake lever will not return
My friend has a mountain bike that survived last years Queensland's floods (Australia, that is), but is all battered and bruised after not being ridden for a year. With my beginner's repair skills, I ...
2
votes
2answers
479 views
Repair superficial damage to a carbon frame
I have a carbon frame with an integrated seatpost. The saddle sits on a clamp that is meant to secure the saddle on the seatpost and NOT hold the weight of the rider too. I went on a ride and my knees ...
4
votes
3answers
220 views
How to remove broken bolt in Chain Tug?
It is now stuck very hard because I used apparently too much force to tighten it, how would you take that out? The bolt is in soft aluminium frame so it can be quite tricky thing to do. Some bolt ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Is my local bike shop asking to much money to change a rear cog?
I normally have much love for my LBS, but I've moved recently and am a little unsure about this new one due to the fees he is asking.
I have a flip flop hub with a fixed gear (18 tooth) cog on one ...
3
votes
2answers
319 views
Possible to repair a pushed in braze-on?
I have a Trek 7200 (Alpha aluminum frame) and it has two water bottle holder mountings, the top braze-on on the seat tube seems to have broken from over-tightening and has sunk into the frame. These ...
1
vote
3answers
200 views
Where is the proper location to measure the tube size?
I need to replace a tube in my bike. I know there are many tire sizes. I bought 26', assuming that my bike was that size, and realized when I got home that I didn't even know where to measure from. ...
4
votes
3answers
275 views
Shaky Freewheel
I posted a question some time ago about vibrations in the frame of my road bike (a 1973 Sekine). Recently, I determined that the rear wheel is sliding back and forth across the axle, with about 0.5cm ...
6
votes
3answers
390 views
What am I supposed to do when my chain falls off?
It happened when I "stepped on it" (on an empty residential street). It left the chain on the road.
What tool(s) and parts should I have had with me, to fix it?
It was replaced (new) two months ago, ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
My crank fell off, how do I re-attach it?
I was out riding on my mountain bike when my crank unexpectedly fell off (video).
How do I reattach the crank? There's a torque range specified (25-30 Ft-Lbs):
how critical is this? I don't own a ...
2
votes
3answers
573 views
Vibrations in frame when pedaling
Recently, when I pedal sufficiently hard, I begin to feel vibrations through the whole frame of the bike. They are not so strong as to make the bike un-ridable, but neither are they road chatter. I ...
7
votes
5answers
385 views
Is a tire patch kit really necessary for urban commute?
I'm cycling for urban commute, on well-maintained roads and bike paths, Vittoria Randonneur "puncture resistant" tires, and at no point on my ride am I more than 1/2 mile (usually within 1/4, I bet) ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
For a slightly warped wheel, is it worth getting it repaired?
My son has a relatively cheap kids mountain bike, no suspension or anything flash, and after a minor crash into a friend the back wheel is slightly out of true. It only causes issues under braking ...
0
votes
3answers
3k views
Where Can I Find an Inexpensive Bike Stand Clamp
Are there any recommendations for where I can buy an inexpensive bike stand clamp? I do not know what they are exactly called but the actual part that the bicycle is held onto in a work stand.
1
vote
4answers
304 views
Do Master Link pliers help with SS / fixie chain assembly?
A followup to my own question, seeking specific help. I'd like to know if anyone is using a set of "master link pliers" (something like Park's MLP-1) to help them with derailer-free chain work?
I ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Slipping gears on new Electra Townie 8i
I just got an Electra Townie 8i bike and the gears are acting weird. I hear clicking noises when pedaling and sometimes it slips down to a lower gear. This is especially true for 4th gear.
Is this ...
2
votes
2answers
328 views
How do I know if the tandem bicycle I've inherited is worth repairing? It has a serial # 459310 on it, no other identifiers
I've inherited a vintage tandem. It looks as if it has been spray painted, and has no identifiers, etc remaining on the frame. The serial # on the bottom reads -459310. Any ideas on a make or model, ...
3
votes
2answers
526 views
Electra Shifter (Revoshift) is hard to turn
My wife has a hard time turning the Revoshift grip on her Electra Townie 7D due to arthritis issues in her hands. Is there a way to help with this issue?
2
votes
2answers
360 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
4k views
Shimano Revo Shift Gives No Clicks
I have a problem with my shifter. My bike is using Shimano Revo Shift(gripshift) RS-35 (see my picture). The one shifting the front derailer (the left shifter) does not click when I turn it but it ...
5
votes
4answers
699 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
2answers
590 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
2k views
When do bearings need to be replaced?
How do I know when bearings need to be replaced?
Should I go by time? Or is there a symptom to guide me?
0
votes
3answers
786 views
How long does it take to replace bottom bracket bearings?
How long does it take to replace bottom bracket bearings? Is there anything that can make the procedure take more or less time? How does the type of mechanism affect repair time?
4
votes
3answers
520 views
Does my tire need to be replaced?
I noticed some strange damage on my rear tire, where there appear to be diagonally cuts going around the entire wheel. I have no idea what might have caused this damage. I first saw it a few months ...
1
vote
3answers
6k views
How to fix problem with mountain bike chain falling off gears?
The chain on my girlfriend's bike came off the front gear today, it looks like the back gear changing mechanism isn't handling back-pedaling properly, whenever she pedals backwards the chain slacks ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I tell a bike is safe after a crash?
I was recently in an accident where a car pulled out on me. I hit the car around the front wheel and me and the bike went over the bonnet and landed on the road, the other side of the car. I was ...
1
vote
2answers
313 views
Repairing a twisted front rim in emergency?
The front rim got somewhat twisted. I do not have here the rimmer or the small tools to adjust the pins. According to my friend's version, the outer tire and the inner tire are in fine condition. The ...
9
votes
8answers
13k views
How to get a very tight tire back on the rim?
I needed to change the tube as a consequence of a flat tire and I am in the situation that it's just impossible to put the tire back on the rim.
In almost ten years of experience with road bikes and ...
11
votes
9answers
4k views
Patch or replace tube?
Is it worth patching a tube on a mountain bike, or just replace it with a new one?
There are a lot of 1/2" - 3/4" thorns here in Texas, and I use 26 x 1.95 tubes.
Any particular patch type/brand ...
3
votes
3answers
675 views
Fixing off-center Caliper brakes
The brakes pads of my front brake are off center, so far that when the brake is disengaged the right pad rubs slightly against the wheel even though there is plenty of clearance between the wheel and ...
7
votes
2answers
159 views
Buying a CO2 tyre inflater
I am thinking about buying a CO2 tyre inflater. I have never used one before and have 3 questions:
Do they have enough pressure to get a road tyre up to full pressure (~100psi)
When you use a ...
1
vote
1answer
482 views
Is my Fox RP23 Rear Shock blown?
I let all the air out of a used Fox RP23 shock (which I haven't ridden yet) to remove it from a frame, and a small amount of oil sprayed out along with the air. Is this normal or is my shock in need ...
1
vote
2answers
5k views
Shimano Revoshift repair
My bike has a grip shift (Shimano revoshift) which isn't shifting through all 8 gears. Even with the gear cable removed (it recently broke) it will only shift through half of the gear numbers and ...
