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.
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1answer
9 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 ...
9
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6answers
196 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 ...
2
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3answers
572 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 ...
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0answers
44 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 ...
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1answer
38 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 ...
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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 ...
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1answer
77 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
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0answers
74 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 ...
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2answers
157 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 ...
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3answers
80 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 ...
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1answer
94 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 ...
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3answers
211 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
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1answer
65 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
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2answers
186 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
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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
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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 ...
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5answers
197 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 ...
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4answers
594 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, ...
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1answer
116 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 ...
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2answers
190 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
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 ...
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2answers
243 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 ...
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3answers
186 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 ...
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3answers
114 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
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2answers
305 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 ...
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2answers
347 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
135 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
337 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 ...
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5answers
388 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
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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?
7
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3answers
961 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
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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 ...
2
votes
1answer
143 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
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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
157 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
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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
256 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
441 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?
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1answer
671 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
444 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
176 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 ...
11
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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 ...
8
votes
2answers
686 views
Is it possible to repair a dent on an aluminium frame?
I have Centurion Cyclo Cross 4000 bike. Recently I got into an accident with a car door. As a result I have a significant dent on my frame(see the photos below).
I have two questions:
Is it ...
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 ...
11
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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 ...
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2answers
2k views
How do I determine the model of my Shimano Rear Derailleur?
I recently damaged my rear derailleur and am trying to find the replacement online. It is a Shimano Tourney SIS Index. I have found several models in the Shimano website that are pretty close ...
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2answers
209 views
the derailer is touching chain and it won't let me go past 14 speed supposed to go 21 speeds
The derailer on my 21-speed bike looks like it's bent. It won't let the chain go onto the 3rd ring of the front derailer so, no I can't shift past the 14th speed. If I try it makes a loud sound, like ...
2
votes
3answers
416 views
How exactly are pedals attached to crank arms?
Recently I tried to unscrew the left pedal of a bicycle by turning it counter-clockwise with a spanner lengthened with a piece of pipe. The net result is the spanner broke apart and the pedal is still ...
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 ...
