All Questions
7
votes
8answers
2k views
Brooks B-17 isn't breaking in, how to accelerate the process?
I have two bikes with Brooks B-17 saddles on them:
My full-frame touring bike: The saddle has a nice patina of age, having been used for several tours and some commuting.
My Bike Friday Tikit ...
6
votes
5answers
359 views
Headlight recommendation
What is a good headlight for my bike?
Requirements:
Swappable between bikes
Good for bumpy roads/situations such as gravel or dirt
Long lasting battery
Far reaching range of light
LED of course! ...
5
votes
5answers
712 views
How can you recognize a department store bike?
You can obviously avoid department store bikes by buying from reputable local bike shops, but how can you tell whether a used bike is a department store bike? Are there any telltale signs? I have a ...
5
votes
7answers
1k views
I keep getting flats
I have been getting flats every 20-30 miles for the last 2 months. This has caused serious inconvenience to me, as bicycle is my preferred mode of transport to work and class. Details of the ...
5
votes
3answers
575 views
Should I use a narrower saddle on a road bike than I would on my hybrid commuter?
I ride a hybrid (Trek Fx 7.3) as a daily commuter and have found a 143mm saddle to be the right width for me. However I am looking into getting a road bike for long rides and am finding 130mm ...
4
votes
6answers
447 views
How do I estimate how long it will take me to ride my commute?
How can a cyclist, new to commuting by bike and not all that experienced in riding, estimate how long a commute will take?
I have been riding for 4 days to and from work. 156km over over 4 days. I'd ...
3
votes
1answer
394 views
Dictionary of regional vocabulary differences (US vs UK)
Given that we appear to be about evenly divided between UK and US folks (and given that "Britain and the United States are two countries divided by a common language"), there should be a dictionary of ...
2
votes
1answer
879 views
Shimano 105 early- to mid-1990s SLR groupset on eBay worth it for 70s SuperCycle rebuild?
Is the below groupset a good value for this frame?
I picked up a vintage SuperCycle Medalist frame (I'm guessing 1970s) and am looking to make a comfortable but capable bike for commuting and ...
2
votes
4answers
811 views
How to make a cargo trailer?
This page is for a general answer and it consists of at least two main parts: personal experience and technical part. The technical parts are perhaps the two hardest parts.
Has anyone attempted to ...
1
vote
2answers
133 views
Bike fitting in the UK
As an keen but casual touring cyclist I'm interested in getting a little more competitive and also keeping myself comfortable over longer distances. So I'm considering getting professionally fitted, ...
1
vote
5answers
1k views
Can a worn drive-train be upgraded incrementally or should it be all at once?
It seems like I have a worn drive-train (sad trombone previous question) and should think about improving it.
I'm a little leery about throwing good money after bad into a used bike. Must I buy a new ...
1
vote
2answers
7k views
how to reassemble mountain bike rear wheel hub and bearings
So I thought I would sort out my wheel bearings (after asking a few questions here first). Did the front without much of a problem, (reused the existing bearings at the moment, had not got round to ...
0
votes
4answers
425 views
What does self-support mean during touring?
Please, justify each item/action you take/do to qualify to be self-supportive during touring. My problem is independent touring around the world. The term self-support per se means no extra luggage, ...
31
votes
8answers
2k views
Why don't cyclists wear all-encompassing motorcycle-style helmets?
It is possible to get a helmet that covers your entire head and face, and in theory would protect you against more kinds of falls. In particular, Why don't bicyclists wear them, and why do ...
25
votes
7answers
2k views
Why should I wear bicycle clothes made of spandex?
What's the reason for wearing biking clothes made of Spandex (Lycra)? They sure look pretty strange.
20
votes
12answers
5k views
When should I not use my front brake?
I have only been riding for a short time and I remember when I was a child there was a belief that if you used your front brakes going downhill that you would fly over your handlebars.
However, my ...
20
votes
5answers
5k views
How often should I lube my chain?
I ride less than 200 miles a week, and I'm at about the 200 mile mark on my new road bike. Most of my riding is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of odd, unnatural debris. My LBS ...
18
votes
7answers
3k views
Why are both Schrader and Presta valves still used on tubes?
It is standard for road bikes to adopt Presta, whereas nearly all else use Schrader.
I personally think Schrader are better:
I've had less Schrader valves break on me than Presta
No problems if ...
15
votes
4answers
4k views
How do I make sure my bike's the proper size?
I recently received a used road bike. I took it to a bike shop where they told me the seat and handlebars had to be raised for my height, so I had them make the adjustments. I now have trouble getting ...
14
votes
2answers
322 views
What to look for in a Beginner Unicycle
Motivation: I'm a casual cyclist (I ride around 4 miles per day, to school and work and back) but I wanted to get into unicycling to casually cycle through parks and the like; nothing too extreme, but ...
14
votes
7answers
883 views
Is a leather saddle appropriate for all-weather riding?
In our climate, it rains pretty steadily for 3 seasons. Would a leather saddle (like a Brooks) be appropriate for my bike, or should I look for a different material?
13
votes
2answers
199 views
Unicycle recommendation
I know that this is a 'bi'cycle forum, but I'm going to chance it and ask for unicycle buying advice.
What should I look for when buying a unicycle? I probably will do some leisure riding with it, ...
12
votes
12answers
26k views
Converting a MTB to a Road Bike
I just bought a new MTB and am planning to change my previous MTB into a Road Bike.
How do I do it? What kind of parts do I need to change or add or remove?
I am not looking to for a full ...
12
votes
5answers
4k views
Real measurable benefit to ceramic bearings?
Is there a real difference between riding on ceramic bearings and riding on stainless steel?
How would you measure it? Does it require it to be every bearing in the drive train, or will each set of ...
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a practical gain from elliptical/oval chainrings?
I have seen competitive (amateur) cyclists with oval chainrings (front). What is the deal? Are they just for showing off, or is there a practical gain from it (different force transfer).
11
votes
4answers
911 views
Evidence on “Uglify Your Bike: Effective Theft Deterrent?”
Does anyone have any evidence that uglyfying does or does not work as a theft deterrent? It doesn't have to be scientific: even anecdotal evidence helps (and maybe well-founded opinions)?
This ...
11
votes
7answers
562 views
Why should I use a mirror?
In a comment to an answer about helmet replacement mention was made of a mirror and perhaps suggesting that a helmet was merely a good place to mount a mirror. I, hopefully humorously, suggested that ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Differences between Biopace and Rotor cranks
On mountain bikes of a certain age, "Biopace" chainrings are ubiquitous. These chainrings are (purposely) not circular. It seems that most people today agree that Biopace rings didn't live up to the ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Touring load weight distribution
What's the best way to load a touring bike, to increase stability and balance? Assuming a standard two-rack-and-panniers setup, where should I put most of my weight? I have a camping load, about 50 ...
10
votes
4answers
832 views
What hand signals work best for cyclists in the US?
I am looking for some guidance on what hand signals and strategies to keep me alive on the roads.
10
votes
8answers
653 views
When should cyclists use pedestrian facilities?
I generally try to ride in traffic as a vehicle, following the rules of the road, stopping at red lights, taking the lane, etc. In many urban areas, you are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk ...
10
votes
7answers
1k views
What is a reasonable speed for long distances on a bike?
I am curious what a reasonable speed to travel on a bike is. Speed will obviously vary based on the conditions in which you are riding. I am planning on taking the GPS out with me this weekend to ...
10
votes
3answers
460 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 ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
I'm going to take my bike with me on a plane. Do I really need a special bike travel bag to have it transported safely?
I have a road bike that I want to bring with me to the place I will be flying to.
I know that there are bags that are designed especially for this kind of situation: the bike travel bags such as the ...
9
votes
3answers
9k views
Upgrading straight handlebars to drop handlebars
I have a two-and-a-half year old Giant FCR 3 (with a road-bike-like frame and thin tires; it's somewhere in the loosely-defined "hybrid" range) that I use to commute to work, twenty-five miles ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Clipless Pedals - Float
In
this question
I asked about clipless pedals. The term float came up. I think that float refers to how far you need to turn your shoe in order to release it from the pedal. Q1: Is this ...
9
votes
4answers
362 views
How to store a bicycle for an extended period of time?
What's the best way to store a bicycle for an extended period of time, say 2 months?
8
votes
2answers
776 views
Are public bicycle rack providers liable if your bicycle is stolen from their rack?
My bicycle was insured and locked to a leisure centre provided bicycle rack while I was in the leisure centre and was stolen by the time I came out. I was later informed that someone else had their ...
7
votes
1answer
178 views
What are my options for cycling mirrors?
What options are available in terms of types of cycling mirrors? Where all can I mount them and what are the advantages and disadvantages to each?
7
votes
5answers
1k views
How to avoid knee pain when cycling
I've noticed some knee pain arising recently from cycling. a throbbing around and below the kneecap, while I sit at my desk during work. To try and counteract this I've been increasing the height of ...
7
votes
3answers
275 views
Are bicycle registration websites any use for recovering stolen bikes?
Ther are quite a few bicycle registration websites aimed to help you recover your bike if it is stolen, such as Bike Shepherd, Bike Register and MyBikeNumber. I'm curious if these sites are of any ...
7
votes
7answers
1k views
What should one eat while cycling?
What should a bicyclist make sure to eat before and after riding a bike?
7
votes
8answers
6k views
What do you do to cure road rash more quickly after a crash?
Crashes are an inevitability in cycling. This weekend, I hit a 4" stick on my bike. It flipped over, stuck in the spokes of my front wheel and did this to it:
It stopped my bike really quickly and ...
7
votes
3answers
110 views
How to Prevent Cramping
When I increase my riding routine I end up getting bad cramps in both my calves and also my thighs and hamstrings. Does anyone have any tips to reduce cramps when your riding gets more serious.
7
votes
5answers
720 views
Slow leak on front cruiser tire
I ride my cruiser to the supermarket and back, using either a trailer or a basket over the front wheel for carrying groceries. The bike has developed a persistent slow leak on the front wheel, and ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the positions on drop bars called?
I've heard the different places to put your hands on drop bars given different names, like "hoods" which I think is the flat part on top or maybe the brake levers, or "drops", referring to the lowest ...
6
votes
5answers
3k views
Fixie Rear Wheel Slippage Problem
I have a fixie and I'm finding the rear wheel slips forward when riding (horizontal dropouts), causing the chain to loosen and thus a sub-optimal riding experience. It's not enough to be critical, ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I remove rust from my seat tube?
I just pulled my seat out as the first step of breaking my bike down for winter storage, and found that rust has formed between my seat tube and my seat post. The rust starts maybe 3" down the tube ...
6
votes
4answers
9k views
My key jammed in my U-lock. How can I unlock/break it?
I've been biking for 2 months now with my U-lock still on my bike, it sort of gets in the way of pedaling sometimes and I'm kinda tired of it.
Does anyone know of any ways to get the remnants of the ...
