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 ...
14
votes
4answers
4k views
Whatever happened to solid bike tubes?
As a child I had solid rubber inner tubes in my bike. They were a pain to get on but after I never had a flat again!
Now I've recently started biking again and have had two flats in two days, each ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
What benefits does a tapered head tube afford?
I've just read a review of Tom Zirbel's Jamis Xenith SL on Bike Radar and flicking through the pictures there is one of the head tube with the following caption:
Tom Zirbel's (Jamis Sutter Home) ...
3
votes
5answers
9k views
Clicking sound coming from pedals/pedal spindle/crank
I recently bought a Trek 4300 series MTB, but after only several weeks of use, I'm getting a clicking sound coming from both sides of the pedals.
It seems particularly pronounced when more torque is ...
2
votes
2answers
443 views
shimano M545 left pedal cap unit bolt fallen off during use
I recently (2 months ago) bought my first set of clipless pedals (first pedals I have ever bought, just used default ones before). Shimano M545. All was well till this morning when I noticed that ...
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 ...
-3
votes
3answers
516 views
Do Mandatory Bike Lights at Point of Sale Save Lives?
In France and Germany there are laws so that new bicycles have to come with lights. Presumably the French and Germans thought that this would be a good idea for road safety and there must be some ...
7
votes
3answers
558 views
When is a good time to change tyres due to age?
When should I consider changing tyres due to age? The tyres in question are five/six years old Continentals.
27
votes
12answers
6k views
What is the practical advantage of disk brakes over rim brakes?
Disk brakes are becomming more popular on bikes now, and I was just wondering what the advantage is of this type of brake over the older rim brakes.
21
votes
2answers
2k views
What's stopping you from pedalling backwards?
On the BMX bike I have, pedalling backwards moves the chain but doesn't drive the wheels of the bike backwards like you would expect it to. Why is this?
10
votes
10answers
6k 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
578 views
The drivetrain on my bike needs replacement, given the cost, do I just get a new bike?
Probably best to not go through the specific components on my bike, however, the sprockets, chainset, jockey wheels and chain need replacing due to excessive wear. Coupled with that, the cables are in ...
2
votes
3answers
537 views
Which waterproof overshoes would you recommend for use with clipless pedal shoes?
Last Winter I bought some waterproof overshoes on the internet to keep my feet dry on the daily commute. Unfortunately these overshoes fastened with a velcro strap which fastened underneath the shoe ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Do I need a Blackburn bike rack for my CoPilot Limo kids seat, or will the vintage Schwinn rack do?
I was given a CoPilot kids bike seat and the instructions say that it requires a Blackburn EX-1 rack. But will my Schwinn bike rack do the trick, safely?
9
votes
2answers
934 views
What do you do when a bus stops in front of you?
When a double decker bus stops in front of you, what do you do? Is it safe to attempt to overtake the bus?
10
votes
4answers
650 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?
0
votes
1answer
459 views
swap Shimano Alivio gear indicator for cover plate
I want to move my brake levers and gear shifters around a bit. The problem is my gears (Shimano Alivio, bought 4 years ago) have a large gear indicator on it. This is meaning that either the brakes ...
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
2answers
1k views
24V Vs 36V Brushless DC HUB Motor For Electric Bike
I am considering buying an electric bicycle using brushless DC Hub Motor. What is the difference between 24V Vs 36V motor? Is it related to the maximum torque produced by the motor? If yes, what does ...
2
votes
5answers
624 views
What child seats have a quick-release mechanism?
I'm looking to purchase a rear child seat for my almost-two-year-old.
The main feature I'm interested in is being able to very quickly and easily take it on and off.
This Yepp Maxi I saw in a ...
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 ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
Why don't most MTBs have rear shocks?
This keeps me wondering. I normally see front and rear shocks on downhill bikes, but when it comes to touring, road, or mountain bikes, almost every one has only the front shock.
What is the reason ...
6
votes
6answers
1k views
Which tires are best for on and off road use?
My tires are worn out so I want to change them.
When I am trying to change them, I want them to be to the best fit for the conditions I cycle in. I cycle about 30 km a day on roads ranging from ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
How to safely remove pump off presta valve?
No matter what I try I can't seem to remove the pump off my threaded presta valve without injuring my hands on my wheel spokes.
I'm beginning to think I'm doing something wrong.
After unlocking, I ...
2
votes
2answers
840 views
Bent Handlebars
My girlfriend recently got a new road bike. After getting it home we realized that that handlebars were quite badly bent. Here is a picture.
Here is my question. Can I try and bend the bars back ...
5
votes
6answers
417 views
Should the laws be amended to allow cyclists to run red lights?
Ignoring the question of whether or not cyclists should or should not break the law by running red lights, should the law be changed such that cyclists are somehow exempt from stopping and waiting? ...
1
vote
3answers
705 views
Are there any cyclocross/road bike rims that I could buy that will fit on my Cannondale F600 mountain bike?
I want to be able to ride my mountain bike on roads, but the sound of the mountain tires on the road is annoying. Can I just buy rims that will fit cyclocross or road bike tires? My bike has disk ...
7
votes
6answers
1k views
Bike Size to Human Size Conversion Chart
I am just shopping for used bikes right now online. I want to try and save myself a trip to visit the bikes by determining which bikes will fit me.
Does anyone have an approximate height-bike size ...
3
votes
2answers
703 views
How do I evaluate the quality of a road bike?
I am specifically looking at a Fuji Finest Womans road bike - 51cm. I am not sure what year it is. The ad description says:
Women's specific geometry, 51 cm
Shimano Sora, Ritchey stem, ...
4
votes
2answers
473 views
Different tyre width (front and back)
Out of necessity, I had to put an 1.26" (32mm) rear tyre on my bike where the front tyre is only 1.1" (28mm) wide (and the bike came with 1.1" tyres when I bought it). Are there any advantages or ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Is my chain too long?
I'm in the process of setting up a new drive train. When using the smaller chainring and smallest sprocket (hence least amount of utilized chain), the chain brushes up against the bottom of the ...
12
votes
4answers
457 views
Optimal Maintenance Schedule
It is forecast to rain this weekend so I was thinking I would drop a tarp down over my living room floor and give my bikes a bit of a tune up.
Question
What maintenance needs to be done on your ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Is my dream of finding a light/commuter/hauling bike a pipe dream?
For a while now I have been trying to find the perfect bike. One that is fast and allows me to ride 20 mph for 50 mi. One that I can load stuff on and has braze-ons for racks, fenders, etc. A bike ...
1
vote
4answers
2k views
How do I know which derailleur I need?
The derailleur on my sons mountain bike is mangled, how do I know what to replace it with?
I understand they aren't one size fits all.
There are 6 sprockets on the rear cassette and 3 on the front.
3
votes
3answers
345 views
Should I use gloves or track mitts?
What are the differences between gloves and track mitts? (other than the obvious lack of covered fingers)
2
votes
2answers
325 views
How practical is an unicycle on uneven surfaces?
From my experience riding a bicycle the fact that a bicycle has two wheels makes it rather easy to ride over minor obstacles like minor cracks in the road. Segway also looks promising in this aspect ...
1
vote
3answers
565 views
Cantilever cable adjustment device
I'm about to build up a frame (Motobecane Fantom CX) with cantilevers and drop bars. I plan to use my old Campy 9-speed levers. Obviously, those levers don't have any way of adjusting the cable length ...
8
votes
6answers
375 views
Can I jump from small heights on my bicycle?
I have recently bought a Merida Matts 40-D bicycle. I didn't buy it for extreme sports, rather for a recreational cycling, etc, but as I'm only 22 years old, it's too tempting to jump down from small ...
3
votes
6answers
722 views
Finding a road bike for 5'2'' girlfriend
Last year I bought myself a used (although almost never ridden) road bike from around 1985. I love the bike. It is reasonably light and I love the diamond geometry.
My girlfriend wants to get a ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Finding the history of my 1980s Norco Bike
Where can I find a Norco catalog from 198X? I bought a used Norco about 10 months ago and I am begining to get curious about the bike. How good of bike is it? How much did it cost new? Where was ...
1
vote
1answer
192 views
Easton EC90 TKO wheels, tire options
Does anyone have experience with tires for these rims? I've been looking at tubulars, and many of them (especially track versions) are listed as being 27x3/4 or 27x1, as opposed to 700x19 and 700x22. ...
2
votes
2answers
500 views
New bars & shifters on old Bridgestone 700
I recently bought a 1980's Bridgestone 700. I have trouble feeling confident on this bike between the narrow drop bars and the downtube shifter. This is my all-steel commuter and I'd like to put ...
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 ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Why are electric bikes so expensive?
The limited selection of electric bikes available at Halfords range from £699.99-£1,199.99. What make's it so expensive, the dynamo, battery, or something else?
1
vote
0answers
133 views
What is a reasonable maintenance routine for a commuter bike? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How much maintenance?
I've purchased a nice hybrid (a Trek Fx) and plan on using it as my daily commuter, maybe averaging 50 miles per week on it.
What regular and ...
1
vote
6answers
617 views
I am about to buy a new bicycle - what should I check before I do so?
I'm not really a pro in bicycles, I barely know the basics about the construction itself, but I love cycling. I've been cycling on my old bicycle for 2 months now and I love it.
Unfortunately, my ...
1
vote
1answer
398 views
Name of part - Rear wheel spacer screw
I have a single speed bicycle which has a spacer screw that controls the position of the rear wheel and hence the tension of the chain.
The screw goes through a small hole in the frame, which is ...
0
votes
3answers
155 views
How to recover from a crash? [closed]
I started to bike regularly about a month ago. A few days ago I had my first serious crash. I was going at a decent speed on the road and then slipped and fell on concrete.
I am less confident about ...
3
votes
6answers
441 views
Tools required for trailbuilding?
Shovel,
Saw,
Roulette (very long, perhaps even geodetic roulette),
Ax.
The trail will be built in a forest. So there's no rocks, just dirt, small stones and a lot of roots. What else will I need to ...
0
votes
1answer
504 views
Mountain biking: How to ride in mud?
Any one have any tips for riding in mud, and lots of it? I am talking about mountain biking.
Update
I am doing a race on Sunday, and it rained all week, and there's a chance of rain during the ...
