The big round things your bike rolls on. Rims, spokes, hubs, etc. If it's all about the rubber part, "tire" tag is better.
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 ...
23
votes
4answers
930 views
Why are tubeless tyres popular in mountain biking?
I've noticed that a lot of people use or promote tubeless tyres for mountain biking. Why is this?
It seems a lot of hassle to get a special rim conversion kit and goop to put in the tyre. As far as I ...
17
votes
5answers
429 views
Spokes keep breaking - bad hub or bad build?
Background information
A bit of background information (I'll try keep it brief): Last year I bought an old but unused bike, 5 speeds with internal gearing.
Apparently the shop bought a lot of bikes ...
13
votes
7answers
4k views
In which orientation should a front wheel be installed?
A front wheel with a quick release mechanism can be installed in two orientations: the lever on the left, or the lever on the right. Does it matter in which orientation it's installed? If so, would ...
13
votes
4answers
385 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?
13
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it really OK to hang a bicycle by the rear wheel from a hook?
Does it not distort the wheel to have the weight of the bike hanging from just that one spot? Is it OK for any kind of wheel? I have nicer race-type wheels on mine.
12
votes
5answers
18k views
How do I separate brake pads after accidentally pulling the front brake while the wheel is off?
The title says it all really. I've taken the front wheel off my mountain bike to get it in my car. When I get it out and try and put the front wheel back on the space between the brake pads isn't wide ...
12
votes
5answers
1k views
What is a good rear wheel for a heavy load?
I'm a heavy man, and I find I'm breaking spokes on my rear wheel fairly often. Is there a particular wheel I can buy or anything I can do to prevent this?
Edit: I was having the problem with a ...
12
votes
5answers
1k views
What should I look for in choosing wheels for a road bike?
I have a commuting/touring bike and my riding is a good bit of commuting mixed with weekend rides of up to 50 miles.
In my lame knowledge, I'll assume that lighter wheels can be had when you spend ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Rear wheel slipping out under load
My commuting/cyclocross bike (a Surly Crosscheck) has a problem.
If I tighten the quick release skewer to a normal level, sort of firm to close it, then if I step on the pedals hard at some point, ...
11
votes
10answers
7k views
Protecting quick-release seats and wheels from theft
I have to say I am not a fan of quick-release, especially for seats. I do not need to raise and lower my seat nearly enough (almost never) to justify the annoyance of having to take my seat with me or ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Why would one put tennis balls in the spokes?
I see this once in a great while around the city: two or more tennis balls stuck inside the spokes, right up against the hub. It usually seems to be on older-looking mountain bike commuter/beater ...
10
votes
5answers
3k views
What are the risks of untrued wheels?
I understand that wheels should be trued for efficiency. Are there any safety risks (or risk of damaging the bike) in using untrued wheels?
Are the risks different between wheels untrued left-right ...
10
votes
3answers
471 views
Truing stands, go big or stay home?
I'm looking to buy a truing stand. Is the Park TS-8 Home good enough? Or should I pay double the price and get the Park TS-2.2 Pro. I have some experience truing wheels, but never on a nice stand. I ...
10
votes
3answers
4k views
700 wheels on bike made for 27" wheels
I just bought an older road bike with 27" wheels. I am curious if I can mount 700 wheels (typical road size) on it. Has anyone ever done this?
The main reason I am interested in doing this is so ...
10
votes
3answers
491 views
What are the advantages of flat spoked wheels?
Following on from my earlier question about truing them, I was wondering if anybody could point out the advantages (and perhaps disadvantages) of flat spoked wheels?
9
votes
4answers
5k views
What are the differences between “clincher” and “tubular” tires?
What are the differences between "clincher" and "tubular" tires? I'm just a casual road cyclist at this point and don't put any more than 200 miles in over the course of the week. I'm looking to ...
9
votes
4answers
7k views
Can I just change straightforward wheel axles to QR skewers?
I've just bought a second hand road bike which doesn't have Quick Release Skewers.
Can I just buy a set of QR Skewers and fit them?
Are they a standard size?
Are there any gotchas waiting to bite ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I calculate spoke length?
I have lots of bikes and lots of interesting wheel sizes, I would like to know how to calculate the right spoke lengths for a wheel.
I appreciate that there are probably rather a lot of variables but ...
9
votes
2answers
256 views
Will a bike stand that holds one wheel damage my bike?
I have a similar bike stand to this at home:
I'm happy putting my wife's and my commuter in it but worried that it will damage the wheels of my XC bike if left in there for long periods. Can wheels ...
8
votes
4answers
5k views
29" wheels - what advantage do they provide over smaller wheels?
I was wondering what advantages 29" wheels give. From what I understand they are well suited to mountain biking. Are they any use on road bikes perhaps?
8
votes
6answers
240 views
My front wheel steers right. How do I solve it?
Some time ago I had a little accident with my bike. With the accident the front wheel got unaligned from the handlebar.
I simply put it in the right position holding the wheel with my legs and ...
8
votes
3answers
249 views
What is the purpose of the rubber stripe between the wheel and the air chamber?
I had a flat tire and replaced the air chamber. While doing that the rubber stripe that stands between the wheel and the air chamber ripped and it's no longer a ring. It´s hard to put it correctly and ...
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?
8
votes
3answers
234 views
What happened? tube blew the rim?
Had a puncture today, removed the tube, patched it and made it home.
Obviously since I only have a mini-pump I could not inflate it to my 8 bar usual pressure.
When home, I took the wheel upstairs to ...
8
votes
5answers
907 views
Weight of disc brakes
People say (for example here) that disc brakes are relatively heavy, giving this as a reason for not using them.
How much heavier than rim brakes are disc brakes? Is the extra heaviness in the ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Difference between 650c and 700c wheels?
I've seen triathalon setups with either 650c or 700c wheels. What are the pros and cons behind both wheel sizes?
8
votes
2answers
3k views
Spokes loose on a new wheel, is this expected or a bad build?
So a couple of months ago, I bought a new front wheel from the local bike shop. It's a 28 spoke wheel, rims are the DT Swiss RR465 and the hub is a 240s.
I put 500-600 km on it and noticed a rattle ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Does a 700c wheel help you go faster?
Someone suggested going with a 700c wheel to go faster, and after thinking about it I am wondering if a larger wheel actually does go faster. I understand that your gears will cause a wheel to rotate ...
7
votes
4answers
4k views
How do I know which size and type of rim strip to buy?
I have a Gary Fisher mountain bike. I was changing the tube in my rear tire. The rim strip (rubber lining around the wheel to protect the tube from the spokes) had moved a bit so I went to adjust it ...
7
votes
1answer
461 views
Touching the front wheel with my foot when turning
My girlfriend got a new city bike today and she touches the front wheel every time she has to make a hard turn.
Is there anyway to avoid this besides replacing the whole bike?
LATER EDIT:
I think I ...
7
votes
1answer
541 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
525 views
Wheel rigidity, is it noticeable and should I care about it?
I have a friend who shopped for Aero wheels recently and I heard a lot of talk about how this wheel was more rigid than that wheel and so on.
While I understand that a more rigid wheel should have ...
7
votes
2answers
416 views
Are 26" racing wheels still being produced?
It seems like all new road and triathlon bicycles are being made with 28" wheels and I've found it almost impossible to get 26" wheels for and older tri bike. Are they still being manufactured?
7
votes
2answers
576 views
Larger wheels - easier to turn?
I've seen it mentioned that larger wheels are easier to turn - is that actually the case? How would that work?
The way I see it, larger wheels will have more angular momentum, meaning they'll take ...
6
votes
5answers
6k views
What is the maximum weight that “normal” racing wheels can withstand?
I was recently in a bike-shop where the proprietor told me that the "normal" racing wheels of the more advanced bikes are normally only rated to carry 85kg. For example, he mentioned the Bianchi ...
6
votes
7answers
904 views
What's the benefit of a titanium skewer?
What's the benefit of using titanium skewer beside the fact that it's light?
Is it strong enough to hold my weight?
6
votes
3answers
2k views
When should a wheel be replaced?
I an not talking about upgrading. How do you know when to buy new wheels because the other ones have worn out? How do you tell a wheel is worn out? I can always true a wheel back to true. And nothing ...
6
votes
4answers
603 views
How effective is checking spoke tension by ear?
Sheldon Brown's Wheelbuilding page links to the article: Check Spoke Tension by Ear. Obviously a tensiometer would be ideal, but Sheldon suggests that checking spoke tension by ear is a reasonable ...
6
votes
4answers
318 views
Comparing gear ratios on different bike types
How can I compare gear ratios on different wheel sizes? How can I compare gear ratios on MTB with tracking bikes with bigger wheels? How can I compare gear ratios with gear hubs?
6
votes
1answer
629 views
When to replace wheel bearings
I just ripped apart my mom's mountain bike's rear hub. One of the bearings was incredibly rough, so I replaced it, and the other one was smooth, but didn't turn very easily. Since I didn't have a ...
6
votes
3answers
387 views
Did any manufacturer ever try using more, but lighter spokes to minimize weight?
Wheels generally used to have more spokes.
As technology improved and markets changed, manufacturers have taken to making wheels with fewer (and often heavier spokes). I've been told this comes at ...
6
votes
1answer
433 views
Quick release wheels on kids bikes?
Currently trying to find larger bikes for our kids aged 5 & 7. Oldest's next bike is going to be a struggle to fit in the back of the car (for various reasons they cycle to school in the morning ...
5
votes
5answers
250 views
Can fresh hot asphalt damage slicks?
Today I was riding with my road bike when I suddenly hit a patch of hot asphalt. The day before the one side of the road was already filled with a hard first load, so I didn't think much of riding ...
5
votes
2answers
282 views
Where can I find out more about this bike with a spoke-less back wheel?
I saw this really cool, very unusual type of bike which does not use spokes for the back tire.
Can you please tell me if you are experienced and interested in such bikes how can I find one of those ...
5
votes
4answers
358 views
Is 650b a better platform than 26“ or 29”?
I have seen more and more reference to the 650b (27.5") mtb wheel size. Whilst I don't see any need for a new standard, does anyone know of any benefit to have a 27.5" wheel over a 26" or 29"?
While ...
5
votes
3answers
323 views
Are aerodynamic rims worth additional weight?
I was under the impression that reducing the weight of your wheels is important. However, I'm noticing that many of the extremely high-end aerodynamic rims are actually heavier than cheaper rims by ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Two wheel sets, one bike - best approach?
I've got a mountain bike that I occasionally ride on the road, when I do I like to put on slick road tyres but it's a pain changing the tires each time.
If I buy a second set of wheels what is the ...
5
votes
3answers
791 views
Convert fixed gear to coaster bike
I want to convert my fixed gear 700c bike (raleigh rush hour) to coaster break bike. Can anyone recomend the best way to do this. Can anyone recomend a good coaster rear hub or coaster rear wheel?
5
votes
2answers
397 views
Can I run rim brakes on a disc rim?
I'm trying to buy a front wheel which will work with both disc and rim brakes so that I can use it on my cross bike (with rim brakes) and my mountain bike (with disc brakes) with a dynamo hub to power ...
