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.
10
votes
13answers
1k views
What are the most important things to bring on a ride?
On one of my recent ride, my bike broke down. My rear derailleur got pushed into the rims and broke. Since I have never gotten stuck like that before, I've never bothered to take anything with me ...
10
votes
4answers
655 views
Are bicycle helmets repairable or disposable?
Suppose I wear a bicycle helmet, and I fall hard and my helmet cracks. Do I buy a new helmet or can I try repair the old one with some glue?
2
votes
3answers
5k views
How to fix a detached brake cable?
My rear brake cable detached yesterday while riding. When I pull the level all the way back (which I can now do with no tension), I think I can see the end of the brake cable inside the brake hood, ...
2
votes
5answers
6k views
How to straighten a bent derailleur hanger?
I've bent (again) my derailleur hanger. It's a replaceable hanger but for this summer I can't get an original one and I know that the non-original one I can get is made in a harder material and could ...
0
votes
1answer
161 views
Tank tape for tire patching - Enough friction?
This topic has been cursorily covered by How can I repair a tyre with a deep cut? before, but less with empirical evidence. Tire patches as mentioned there are not available in my local bike shops ...
2
votes
1answer
957 views
Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub stuck in second gear?
The situation My Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub is stuck in second gear (it's a 3-gear hub). When I take the external cable housing apart, I can move the pin that goes inside to change gears, ...
1
vote
1answer
770 views
Truvativ Firex chainset replacement middle 32 tooth chainring & bolts
I have a Truvativ FireX chainset from 2008ish, I'm looking for a replacement middle chainring however, no shops seem to stock replacements for Truvativ chainsets.
Just wondering if anyone has any ...
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. ...
7
votes
3answers
960 views
Restoring an old xUSSR bicycle for commuting… Feasible? Silly?
I've got a very old bicycle from the xUSSR days in my garage (outside UK atm). I'm not sure what year / model it is, to be honest...
I've been commuting to work (8.5 miles each way) almost every day ...
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
507 views
If the chain/cog no longer drives the wheel, can this be fixed?
Suddenly (without anything sounding like it was broken) the chain no longer turns the back wheel. The cogged part of the wheel is turned by the chain but this doesn't turn the wheel.
Is this ...
8
votes
2answers
354 views
What should I do to get an older bike into good condition
I recently bought a hybrid human/electric bicycle at a garage sale, and I've been working on getting it into usable shape again. It is about 10 years old, and needs some work. The battery was quite ...
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 ...
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, ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
Repairing a bent bike frame, is it worth it?
I have a bike with an incredibly bent frame. The bike itself I have tried to replace with other inexpensive bixes, but this one just had a certain geometry that I keep wanting to resurrect it. It is ...
7
votes
5answers
224 views
Patching waterproof panniers
I've managed to tear a couple holes in my panniers. Nothing enormous; they can still hold their contents, but they definitely need patching.
What would be a good way to patch them, keeping them ...
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Sequence for a complete road bike overhaul
I have a road bike that I plan to completely overhaul soon. Over the years, and with several bikes, I have overhauled most every component, but have never managed to do this for an entire bike, start ...
33
votes
6answers
7k views
Can I ride home with a broken spoke?
I noticed a wobble in my back wheel while commuting in this morning. Broken spoke. Is this a problem that I should take care of before my 7 mile commute home, or can I pick up a spoke and repair it at ...
14
votes
13answers
404 views
What tips do you have for making temporary “get me home” repairs?
I do some mountain biking in remote parts of wales. I usually carry a minimal tool kit: pump, spare inner tube, and multi tool.
I'm wondering if you have any temporary 'get me home' repair tips I ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I get rid of this clicking sound in the back wheel?
Difficult to diagnose, I know.
Basically, I bought a single speed Schwinn a few months ago, and after riding it for a couple of weeks it started clicking in the back wheel somewhere.
I've taken it ...
12
votes
3answers
377 views
What is the maximum number of pucture repairs an inner tube can take?
Any thoughts - my spare tube that I carry in my bag currently has a dozen or so patches on it, but still works fine. I'm tempted to keep going to see how many I can get on there until it get ...
6
votes
2answers
439 views
removing broken mudguard/fender bolt from eyelet
A couple of years ago I tightened the bolt attaching my rear mudguard/fender to the eyelet at the hub and it snapped, leaving a 5mm long section of bolt stuck in the thread. Since then I've tried ...
19
votes
11answers
2k views
Do glueless tube patches work as well as glue ones?
Quite a few years ago I tried some glueless patches for repairing my punctured tubes while out on the road, and found that they rarely stayed on for very long. I know that technology has advanced a ...
20
votes
8answers
1k views
Alternatives to buying a repair stand?
I'd like to buy a repair stand, but I can never seem to convince myself to drop the $100 minimum it seems I'd need to spend. Has anybody had any success building a stand themselves, or is it worth it ...
11
votes
7answers
250 views
Riding Repair Kit
As most of my riding is limited to intra-city commuting (on bus routes) or on bike paths, I have not really faced a dire need for a repair kit while riding. I am looking into pulling off a three hour ...
13
votes
4answers
382 views
How do I align a wheel?
I broke a couple of spokes on my wheel, now it's all bent, how can I align it back again? What kind of tools do I need to do a good job?
