All Questions
8
votes
6answers
2k 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
708 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
478 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
458 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
327 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
567 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
378 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
726 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
501 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
625 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
401 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
443 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
506 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
147 views
Is it possible to loosen or crack the tire when I change a broken tube?
If I don't use the proper tools. Last time I used spoons to take out the tire.
6
votes
5answers
5k 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
933 views
How to properly calculate wheel diameter (rim+tire)?
Is it true that 26" rim actual diameter is 25.625"? How does tire size affect wheel diameter?
Is there any special formula to calculate wheel diameter?
6
votes
9answers
1k views
What can bald guys do to prevent helmet sunburns?
In the cooler months I normally wear a skullcap like this, which both keeps me warm and covers my scalp under my helmet.
Now that summer is around the corner that skullcap is way too hot. I'd like ...
6
votes
11answers
5k views
What is considered the maximum safe downhill speed on a road bike?
I've heard between 30-40mph, but I am pretty sure I have hit 45 and felt safe and in solid control of my bike. If you look down and see you are above XXmph, you decide it is time to put on the ...
10
votes
5answers
821 views
Child seat: how to keep the child's head from falling forward?
When my child falls asleep in the child seat, his head falls forward.
How can I keep his head back?
The child seat is a modern type with a back that can be tilted back to prevent that. It works, but ...
0
votes
1answer
161 views
Tank tape for tire patching - Enough friction?
This topic has been cursorily covered by How can I repair a tyre with a deep cut? before, but less with empirical evidence. Tire patches as mentioned there are not available in my local bike shops ...
4
votes
8answers
3k views
Should you use GT85 on your chain?
I've been told by various sources that WD40 is bad for your chain so have avoided using it. I've seen people using GT85 on their chains but I'm not really sure how the two products differ. So my ...
3
votes
1answer
800 views
How do I fix a dent on my frame?
I suspect that something has pierced my frame. At any rate, I have a dent in my bike frame. I would like to avoid the possibility of corrosion, with minimium cosmetic trade off. So, how do I go about ...
9
votes
7answers
5k views
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Is my pressure gauge broken?
I recently got an xtech pressure gauge that reads up to 160psi. My bike is a road bike that uses presta valves on the inner tubes.
Here's the gauge (the one at the bottom):
...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Drop handlebars with drops that don't fit. Replace or adjust?
I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker a couple years ago, and it has the stock handlebars. My hands don't really fit in the drops, and I sometimes would like a lower handlebar position where I can still ...
3
votes
2answers
828 views
What direction of rotation should I mount my tyre?
I have a panaracer rampage tyre which I have mounted on my front wheel. This tire has knobs in the centre tread which have a ramp on one side.
The tyre does not have a direction of rotation marked ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Summer Reading Recommendation: Bike Touring (Canada)
Summer is here so I was hoping to get some summer reading on the go (for when I am not riding my bike).
Sometime in the future (next summer hopefully) I would like to do a cross-Canada bike tour. ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
707 views
How to install geneticbikes.com's chain tug to horizontal dropout with anti-rotational washer and hub gears?
I have 8 speed Shimano hub-geared bike. When I place the chain tug by geneticbikes.com, the black tud does not fit into the dropout. According to the thread, here, I can use one chain tug to the right ...
2
votes
2answers
499 views
Bike fitting experiences
I just recently went through a Specialized BG Pro-Fit (was about $200), and have to say that I'm super happy with the results and experience. The fitter was telling me about some others out there ...
3
votes
3answers
209 views
Why is the rear wheel of my tandem bike skidding?
We have recently bought a tandem and the rear wheel skids out when riding. Any idea why this happens?
Comment below: When we are riding along in a straight line and there is an uneven surface it does ...
5
votes
3answers
876 views
Disk brake has never worked properly from new, pads replaced - still rubbish!
I've got Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and ever since I've had the bike (from new) the front brake has never worked properly. It used to squeak really loudly and perform badly but I assumed they just ...
12
votes
5answers
789 views
Why is it common for cheap bikes to have the frame sawn in half below the saddle?
These days cheap bikes often seem to come with the frame sawn in half below the saddle.
What does the manufacturer gain from this design, and why is it associated mostly with cheap, low quality ...
10
votes
5answers
3k views
How much to eat and drink during a 50km ride?
I want to try a 50 km ride for the first time, to be completed continuously one morning.
The most I've even done before is an 18 km (70 minute) each way commute (out in the morning and back in the ...
3
votes
5answers
484 views
Which footwear is the safest for summer cycling?
This morning I could not find my training shoes. So, I used my sandals. I found that the sandals not only kept my feet cool but there was no pedal slippage as I had expected. The more I think about ...
0
votes
3answers
198 views
BMX racing with a full size MTB?
There is a local BMX track in a suburb of the town I live in. I had called there before asking about scheduling and rules and whatnot. I found out, that (at least on that track), they had a special ...
3
votes
6answers
385 views
Age-specific information for cyclists
I was reading a discussion (Cycling: mashing versus spinning) in which someone commented ...
In the big picture, winning against
other age-groupers is pretty
unremarkable.
... which implies ...
2
votes
1answer
958 views
Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub stuck in second gear?
The situation My Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub is stuck in second gear (it's a 3-gear hub). When I take the external cable housing apart, I can move the pin that goes inside to change gears, ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
First time purchase of cycling shoes?
What should one look for when purchasing spin shoes?
I will mainly be using these for indoor spin classes and occasionally on a road bike.
1
vote
1answer
948 views
Riding from Los Angeles to San Francisco [closed]
Anyone ridden from LA to SF? (or SF to LA?) Just curious about the best routes, places to stay along the way etc.
Cheers!
