All Questions
6
votes
5answers
614 views
Are there any recumbent tricycles that can be transported with a normal car?
My wife would like a 3 wheeled recumbent, but I can’t see how we can transport one with a normal car.
I can put my bike on a rack or the roof, but all the recumbent I have seen are too large to ...
5
votes
4answers
278 views
How to care for a steel frame?
I'm considering getting a steel frame to upgrade from my aluminum xc bike. As it will be my first steel frame I'd like to understand if there is more after ride care required than my current bike. ...
5
votes
3answers
479 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 ...
5
votes
6answers
698 views
Wind- and water-resistent jackets
To answer the comment after this question, what should one know about wind- and water-resistent jackets?
For example, what is "Gore-Tex", is it always expensive, and is there anything else like it?
...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
STI shifter sometimes doesn't catch in cooler weather
I've got a road bike with brake lever shifters, and it's developed a small problem with age: sometimes, the shifter doesn't catch the first time or two I push it. It'll move easily, with no ...
5
votes
4answers
7k views
Is there an optimal postion for SPD cleats?
I bought some SPD clipless pedals and shoes at the beginning of the season, and I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of them. There is quite a bit of distance I can move the cleat forwards ...
5
votes
4answers
738 views
How to objectively evaluate torque wrenches?
My local bicycle group bought very nice but very expensive torque wrenches (if I can remember right they cost about €300–500). My local discount store markets them for about €50. My local auction site ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
What's a good bike lock that costs less than $30?
I already have the cable cable kind with the combination lock. It just seems cheap and easy to break into. Is that sufficient or are the U shaped ones better?
5
votes
2answers
589 views
Where (UK) can we rent an adult tricycle or recumbent tricycle
There are a lot of cycle tracks (mostly old railway lines) in the UK that have bike rental, however very few of them have adult tricycle or recumbent tricycle.
Does anyone have the list of where you ...
4
votes
3answers
159 views
Shorten or replace bicycle chain?
The chain on my internally geared hub bicycle is now too long even when the rear wheel is entirely pulled back. How do I tell whether it's sufficient to shorten the chain by removing some links, or if ...
4
votes
4answers
165 views
Which tube size to prefer if several options apply?
I have 40-622 (a.k.a. 28x1.5") tires, and Schwalbe offers
two different sizes of tubes - their models "17" and "19" - as applicable for that tire size.
Ok, either one would surely fit well. But ...
4
votes
6answers
8k views
Chain slipping on newish bike
I've looked at most of the answers for related questions and they all speak about replacing parts that are old.
I just bought a new bike from a friend who rode the bike for about a month before ...
4
votes
2answers
270 views
Wiping extra Lube really important with all types of Lubes?
This question about chain maintenance during touring raised this quetion.
This tip sounds very unintuitive, of course, I know that the extra lube will attract dust (not good to chain) but I have paid ...
4
votes
3answers
657 views
How to clean out the inside threads of a braze-on?
I'm installing a basket on my cruiser, and getting some of the allen screws into the fork braze-ons is rough going. It feels like there's dirt or grease inside the threads of the braze-ons. Forcing ...
3
votes
4answers
406 views
Chain skipping on some gears
I have an old cruising bike with 21 gears. A few months ago I was pedalling back home when my chain broke, and I was only able to get the chain replaced this week. After having it replaced I noticed ...
3
votes
1answer
314 views
Will a road brake lever work with a v-brake?
I'm planning on changing my commuter handlebar to a drop handlebar. As the diameters are different, I need to know if the new brake lever will work with the existing v-brakes.
(My intention is to ...
3
votes
1answer
793 views
Replace Ultegra 6600 STI lever
I need to replace my Ultegra 6600 right hand shifter as the ratcheting system is gone. The rest of the groupset is all the same 6600 series.
I am having a hard time sourcing just a right hand side ...
3
votes
2answers
705 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, ...
3
votes
1answer
185 views
Should I use an already master-linked chain or add a masterlink to a plain chain?
Trying to find moderately-priced 9-speed chain is a pain, particularly with a master/missing link already installed. I can only find PC-971 master-linked chains from US market but shipping and ...
3
votes
1answer
228 views
Are all 9 speed chains compatible with all 9 speed systems?
My current chain is x9, but it's expensive in eBay. Can I use any 9 speed chain like on this page?
2
votes
2answers
419 views
7 speed to 8 or 9 speed cassette change
this is my first time here and i am new in the bike sport. I have a mtb for a month now and i usually use it for road trips with some dirt intervals. It has a 7 speed shimano cassette (14-34) and on ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
Road Shifters, Mountain Rear Derailleur?
I have a road/cyclocross/commuter frame that is currently spec'd with road components - all Shimano 105, with an Ultegra rear derailleur.
The cassette (10 spd) tops out at 27 teeth, and the rear ...
2
votes
4answers
646 views
What's the best way to lift a bike onto a storage hook?
At work we have hooks attached to the wall so that we can hang our bikes from the front wheel. They're effectively the same as these:
I see heaps of people struggling to lift their bikes onto the ...
2
votes
2answers
365 views
How to clean consumable metallic parts cheaply while touring?
By the term consumable metallic parts I mean things such as derailleur pulleys, chains and cassettes. I have met tourers that suggested me cooking oil for cleaning the metallic parts, more here. The ...
2
votes
6answers
182 views
Which are bicycle-politicized groups or advocate groups?
Well, that is it. I want better roads, more safe roads, better maintained roads to bicyclists so I am looking for bicycle-politized groups or advocate groups around the world. I believe they may have ...
1
vote
2answers
186 views
Any wheel on any fork / frame?
I have been braking for a bit too long with worn off brake pads on not so new rims so I basically killed them.
I currently have the stock wheels of an FX Trek 7.2 bike.
I will most probably change ...
1
vote
1answer
248 views
Dismounting wheel in a fixie
I have a fixed gear bike, Rocky Mountain Boroughs Fixie (see picture).
The chain is very tight compared to any free wheel bike. So anytime the tire gets punctured (unfortunately very often) and I want ...
1
vote
1answer
193 views
How much axle space for the cap nuts and chain tugs?
I am investigating whether I can insert cap nuts with too short axle attaching area. The image below is exaggerated but the attaching areas are about 1.2cm and 0.95cm. The difference 0.45cm meant in 6 ...
16
votes
7answers
2k views
How to achieve an always clean chain
My chain and cogs always look very dirty as the oil attracts dirt. It is a constant problem as you can't fully avoid stains on your trousers and hands. Also, that looks ugly and I believe it wears the ...
21
votes
9answers
11k views
What is the best breakfast right before cycling?
Sometimes I feel I will faint when I am cycling in the morning. I usually don't have this problem after lunch.
My breakfast is rich in carbohydrates, but maybe I'm eating too much or missing some ...
40
votes
8answers
13k views
Why do cyclists prefer messenger bags over backpacks?
Ok, I know form sometimes follows function - and things can be even more funnily irrational when fashion and trends come into play - but what's the lure of the cyclist's messenger bag? I see them ...
28
votes
8answers
2k views
What cadence should I aim for?
I recently got a cyclocomputer that measures cadence and I'm not sure what a good speed is or what benefit I would get by altering my natural cadence. On good, level tarmac, I find myself doing about ...
26
votes
1answer
347 views
Does a helmet-mounted light affect the safe functionality of the helmet?
I am currently testing a bunch of lights for my (slowly) upcoming head lights review. Several of the lights can be mounted to a helmet using a mounting strap, like this:
I'm wondering if having a ...
5
votes
4answers
403 views
What is the recommended procedure for adjusting the fit of my bike?
I have a road bike which is a reasonable fit, what is the recommended procedure for adjusting the seat position and handlebar height to get the "perfect fit"?
A complete answer should include what ...
11
votes
9answers
3k views
What is the narrowest tire you would use for commuting?
Speed isn't so much of a factor, obviously, but the lower the rolling resistance the less sweaty I am when I get there. Then there's flats to consider. Basically the tire has to never get them because ...
10
votes
6answers
1k views
What are some good exercises to prevent knee pain?
About four or so years ago, I hurt my knee on a fairly long ride (~150km or so). It was really my own fault, as I hadn't been training regularly, and I pushed myself a bit too hard. By the time I ...
22
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I make my brakes stop squealing?
I am having a very loud squeaking voice in the brakes of the rear tyre. I don't know what the problem is, but I am sure it has nothing to do with rain, because it happens all the time even if it is ...
21
votes
12answers
17k views
Why ride a single-speed bike?
A question came up recently about why people ride fixed-gear bikes. I think you can't reasonably answer that question without first understanding why people ride single-speed bikes.
So, why do they ...
18
votes
5answers
317 views
What are some good tips for riding in a large group?
One of the popular bike routes near me has a few groups that ride together on Saturday and Sunday. The groups get as big as 30 to 40 riders and they move fast (25 to 35 mph). I have occasionally ...
15
votes
8answers
681 views
Techniques for minimising injury when falling or crashing?
I've been riding bikes since I was a child but my partner only started when she was in her 20's. She's had one fall where she lost teeth and is keen to avoid future injuries. I've broken bones twice ...
14
votes
4answers
859 views
Equipping a commuter bike
My commute is a bit over 5 miles each way through the city. It's not that long a commute; in traffic, it takes about 35 minutes door to door, and I'm never far from public transit that I could use in ...
12
votes
5answers
648 views
Suggestions for outdoor commercial (security/parking) stands
I'm looking for suggestions for space efficient stands for parking multiple bikes.
A sports club (not cycling) for which I sit on the committee is looking to solve a bit of a problem. At the moment ...
11
votes
15answers
685 views
What's the best way to track your performance?
I was checking some options to track my performance (kms/hr, distance, altitude, etc...), I do MTB and city biking. The first choice is a nokia based tracker (http://www.sports-tracker.com/), I love ...
10
votes
7answers
4k views
What is the best bicycle lock on the market?
What is the best bicycle lock on the market, defined by:
Best security
Easiest usability when securing your bike
Easiest method of transport
Lightest without other compromises
Edit:
In addition, ...
8
votes
1answer
310 views
Bamboo Bike Frames
I've seen some bamboo bike frames out there in the world. I am curious as to how they ride? Is it similar to a steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber frame?
Do you think it's worth the effort to build one ...
3
votes
4answers
286 views
Book Recommendation: Training
I am curious if anyone has any interesting books (preferred) or blogs on training for cycling.
Right now I ride for a couple hours twice a week, I have a short 15 min commute to work and I ride for ...
53
votes
13answers
7k views
Why don't road bikes have disc brakes?
Window shopping for road bikes, can't see many that have disc brakes, any reason for this?
25
votes
8answers
636 views
How can I be visible in the dark when I'm signalling a turn?
My bike and I are fairly visible at night--white light in front, red light in the back, bright yellow fenders, reflective tabs and a light on my helmet. I use hand signals to alert motorists when I'm ...
20
votes
7answers
17k views
Which way do I orient my bike tire's tread direction? and why?
I have a mountain bike tire that has stamped on the side something like:
<----------front rear------------->
Which seems like a pretty clear indication that the tire should be oriented in one ...
17
votes
10answers
535 views
Safety guidelines for cycling in traffic
Please post your safety tips for cycling/commuting that should help you get to your destination place in one piece.
I came across a nice printed guideline a few years ago when working as courier, it ...
