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.
2
votes
1answer
52 views
What tool is needed to adjust this headset on a children's bike?
My daughter's bike has a threaded headset, and I don't know what tool I need to adjust it. As you can see from the picture, there are the following parts in the stack:
a knurled ring, which ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
How do I know if it's worth restoring my bike?
I found myself in need of a bike, but buying a new one is out of the question. So two possibilities remain:
buy a used one for a low price;
fix one of my old bikes.
But here comes another problem ...
-1
votes
1answer
96 views
I'm worried about my derailleur snapping. The chain isn't running around the bottom pulley, it's running next to it
I'm worried about my derailleur snapping. The chain isn't running around the bottom pulley, it's running next to it, scraping against the bottom pulley and the frame. When I change gears it makes a ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
How to fix a stripped pedal crank
The threads on my bike's pedal crank just became fully stripped and the pedal fell off, though the pedal itself is fine. Is there any way I can fix this without fully replacing the pedal crank?
3
votes
1answer
77 views
How to replace a tube with only one quick stick?
So what is the correct number of quick sticks to swiftly change the tube? I had always thought that the answer is of course 2, but :
I can do it twice as fast with one Quik Stick as you can with a
...
8
votes
7answers
3k views
When should you replace tires after getting a flat?
A nail punctured my rear wheel tire today while riding.
My question is, how do you know if you need to replace a tire or simply repair it with a tube repair kit?
The hole looks pretty nasty. The cap ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Rim cement as a replacement for rubber cement
Can I use aluminium rim cement for patching flat tire instead of using rubber cement?
4
votes
3answers
282 views
Cost of maintenance of a roadbike
I am going to buy a bike and ride upto 1000 km or more in a month. Adding them, I think it will come to 12 k to 15 k per year on an average.
I will be riding on highways, so there won't be any ...
13
votes
7answers
677 views
What tools on a multi-tool do I actually need?
I feel like there are almost as many bike multi-tools out there as there are bikers. In a single trip to REI, I found nine different bike tools each ranging from only four to over thirty individual ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Is there any replacement for the chainrings of a Shimano STX crankset?
I have a Shimano STX Crankset (probably FC-MC series or similar, around 2001) with worn out chainrings (5 Arms). Is there any contemporary replacement opportunity for either the chainrings or the ...
2
votes
3answers
603 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
84 views
Rear derailleur and front shifter are not indexing “together”?
So my rear derailleur and front shifter have stopped working together, my shift can shift once up and then nothing. My bike has essentially turned itself into a 2 speed.
The shifter is a 2300 shifter ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
FC-M330 replacement
I have a Trek 4500 with a Shimano FC-M330 crankset. I need to replace the crankset and was hoping that someone could tell me the current replacement. I believe that I have narrowed it down to the ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Is it ok to use a 9spd link on a 10spd chain?
I accidentally broke the master link (a.k.a reusable missing link) on my 10psd KNC x-10 chain.
Since I only had a SRAM 9spd replacement link, i used that to connect the chain.
I rode 30 Km without any ...
3
votes
0answers
83 views
Size of Pedal Threading on old German Glockenlager?
I removed the pedals of a Göricke bike from 1934 or 1935 (according to the bike number). It has a Glockenlager (What is that in English? Bell shaped bottom bracket?) as seen in the picture. The crank ...
4
votes
2answers
166 views
What is the largest hole a tire can bear before replacement?
Saw this question today. The tire in question has a 2cm long hole on the inside, from a knife.
I sometimes get puncture flats from e.g. glass. Never as big as 2cm. Usually if they're less than ...
3
votes
3answers
84 views
How to repair shifter housing
I have shifter with damaged housing. It shifts well, but I guess if housing is not repaied, rain and elements will quickly put an end to it. Which material would be suitable to fix this hole? Epoxy ...
1
vote
1answer
134 views
Can I replace a 1/2 inch bolt with a 14mm one to secure my axle?
My front wheel is secured with 14mm bolts, while my rear wheel uses 1/2 inch bolts. Turns out my multitool has only a 14mm wrench, so I can't change the rear tire with it.
Rather than carrying ...
2
votes
3answers
225 views
Failing to unscrew BB - what now?
I have an external bearing BB, that I need replaced (It is quite badly rusted). I opt to do the repair myself. The bike is a Specialized Hardrock, the crank arms are SR Suntour.
Having removed the ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Rear internal hub won't shift gears
I have a 1963 Sears cruiser, three speed, which I bought very recently. On my third ride, the middle speed stopped working, and went loose; there wasn't any "traction" when I pedaled. It happened as I ...
2
votes
2answers
191 views
Fixing Carbon Fiber
I have a Cervélo S2 and absolutely love my bike. It has been rock solid. Unfortunately, I had a bad case of chain suck when my chain fell off my chain ring right when I was grinding up a hill. The ...
12
votes
16answers
3k views
What is a simple mnemonic for remembering the thread direction when removing pedals?
Given that pedal threads are different on the left and right pedals: the right side pedal has a right-hand thread (removes counterclockwise, installs clockwise); the left side pedal has a left-hand ...
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 ...
0
votes
5answers
228 views
How can I repair a swollen tire allowing visibility on the inner tube (picture provided)?
I have a new problem on my bike which occured after patching my inner tube. Since I put the patch on, my tire is pushed out away from the rim near the intake valve (not near the patch). In the picture ...
5
votes
4answers
629 views
Sources of vibration at high speed in and around rear wheel
I’m experiencing vibration somewhere in the rear half of the bicycle when descending at high speed (say more than 30 mph), and I haven’t been able to pinpoint the cause. Everything looks fine, ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
What to do about a stuck chain link on 10 speed chain
I put a new chain on my bike and after 3 rides or so, I developed a stiff link. I'm not sure what caused the issue, but now it barely bends at the pin at all, unless forced. It causes skipping ...
0
votes
2answers
211 views
Are aluminum or steel chainrings more resistant to bending?
I mash a lot and wind up killing chainrings. I later find that my chainring warps at the midpoint between two chainring bolts. Usually my first sign that something is wrong is my chain pops off or ...
4
votes
3answers
225 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
325 views
Can I use a shock pump to inflate a tube?
I know that shock pumps are meant for high pressure applications so that they can withstand high pressures needed by suspension shocks.
However, can I use a shock pump to inflate my tire in a pinch ...
7
votes
3answers
238 views
How can I properly replace the hose on this older Schwinn pump?
I have the following Schwinn bike pump. It’s pretty old, perhaps 30 years or more. I like it a lot.
Some years ago, I changed to Presta valves; for this I needed a new head. I got a Topeak ...
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
121 views
Refitting Cable to Rear Derailleur
Whilst riding recently the cable slipped from the clamp on the rear derailleur.
I'm attempting to affect repairs by re-clamping the cable. However by pulling the cable tight I have lost the bottom 2 ...
3
votes
2answers
366 views
Shimano Hollowtech left crank arm getting loose
After 2 years of good use, left crank arm on my FC M542 crank set has started to get loose quite often (cca 500 km). It is usually indicated first by few now an then clik-clanks somewhere in the ...
3
votes
2answers
390 views
How to reassemble spring assembly on Shimano M520 SPD pedals
I have a pair of shimano m520 pedals which were damaged in an accident. The springs rotated past the tension bolt and now the back section, usually under tension, now hangs free. How can I ...
4
votes
1answer
146 views
Should cassette “wiggle”
Recently My freehub broke and so I removed the cassette to replace the freehub and noticed, whilst off the bike, 4 of the remaining bolted together 8 sprockets wiggled (4 wiggled together but ...
4
votes
3answers
384 views
how to repair large holes in inner tubes
I find that any hole, cut or tear larger than a pinprick is impossible to repair with normal patches because they are too soft. Even a 2-3mm slit will cause the repair patch to balloon out and burst ...
8
votes
5answers
602 views
How can I tell if a rim is bent or if the wheel is just out of true?
How can I tell if a rim is bent or if the wheel is just out of true?
10
votes
4answers
686 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?
7
votes
3answers
973 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 ...
33
votes
6answers
8k 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
171 views
How do I re-attach a crank that has fallen off?
I have already read My crank fell off, how do I re-attach it?, but it did not answer my question.
I was biking up a hill in first gear, and I felt my left crank was a bit loose. Never having had ...
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
158 views
Do I need to get a replacement bike for this broken chainring?
I wanted a cheap commuter bike, and just received this bike from Amazon. I have little knowledge about bikes, but looks like the middle chain-ring is broken to me.
Is this indeed broken, or is it ...
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 ...
2
votes
5answers
271 views
Six speed chain on an eight speed bike
So in the shop they asked me "what chain do you need" and I said 7. They said "you could try this 6-speed, it is half the price of a 7, and we put it on 7-speeds all the time". I said "ok", only to ...
4
votes
2answers
528 views
how do you make a chain longer with a simple chain breaker?
I was replacing a chain and managed to cut the chain too short. Is it possible to make the chain longer using a simple chain breaker? If so, how?
1
vote
1answer
751 views
How to determine size of freewheel?
My previous question was: How to take apart this rear BMX hub?
How do I determine the size of my freewheel to replace it?
I have seen on bicycle sites that a freewheel comes in sizes like 14t, 16t, ...
3
votes
3answers
479 views
Front derailleur sticking, not shifting. Will soaking in solvent damage parts?
I've got an older deore lx front derailleur for a mountain triple crankset. It wasn't shifting properly, and it seems that it's sticking and not returning back to a neutral position when I shift it. ...
5
votes
1answer
179 views
There is a lip on my brake pad from bad positioning. Can I remove the lip?
One of my bikes had the brake pads positioned poorly and they developed a pretty pronounced lip where the pad hung off machined braking surface on one side. The bike is using cantilever brakes.
These ...
