All Questions
1
vote
2answers
441 views
Maintenance on an Aluminium frame
I have an aluminium frame.
The top tube has become slightly scratched or pitted (by something hard, presumably, I don't know what; maybe while it was parked).
Does it need maintenance (e.g. does the ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Does gear ratio affect Power?
Let me preface by saying that this may not be the right SE. I considered asking on the Physics SE, but I thought I might try here first. If it is wrong, I am not against it being migrated.
From basic ...
2
votes
1answer
649 views
Replacement for Suntour NCX-410 crankset on commuter bike?
I've had a 2007 Marin Larkspur which I have been using as a commuter and recreation bicycle for 3.5 years. For the past year, I've been slowly learning to do my own repairs and upgrades as they have ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Bike is shifting on its own
Ever since I got my bike (Surly Long Haul Trucker), it has been prone to shifting on its own. This is almost guaranteed to happen when I stand up on the pedals, and happens regularly when sitting as ...
4
votes
2answers
648 views
Bike mounted camera bag
Are there any bike mounted bags for a camera, that could safely hold my Sony NEX-5? I'd be happy enough if the camera fitted in with the 16mm pancake lens (as most of the shots are landscapes anyway). ...
4
votes
3answers
9k views
How many chain links do I need?
Looking for chains at ebay, I see, that they have 106, 114, 116 links and so on.
I have a racing bike (2x7) and see, that chains are often announced as 6-7-8-speed, 10-speed, 11-speed. Since there ...
12
votes
4answers
465 views
How to choose a Local Bike Shop
I have moved yet again and I am trying to find a LBS that I trust in my new city. How do you evaluate a LBS given that you are paying them for services that you don't understand. (If you did ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Bent Chainring causing chain to attempt changing gears
I was riding my road bike last night when something strange happened. I stopped at a stop sign. (I didn't have time to slow down so I was in my highest (fastest) gear. When I started I had to press ...
1
vote
1answer
194 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
499 views
BMX: Training routine for a beginner?
At the ripe old age of 20, I finally moved to an area with a BMX track, so this summer I'm finally going to be able to follow my life-long dream of racing. Other than spending a lot of time riding ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
How should I set up my rear shock (with ProPedal) to minimise bob when climbing?
I've got a Fox RP23 rear shock which I'm very happy with, apart from the apparent ineffectiveness of the ProPedal setting. Bob is very noticeable on climbs in both positions. It's hard to say which ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Trouble getting the right cup and cone hub adjustment
I have a pair of Shimano XT wheels and recently had issues with the hub on the rear wheel requiring new cones and bearings. These were fitted carefully but I've had issues getting the right adjustment ...
7
votes
3answers
279 views
What is the cheapest option to fetch a person over a long-distance with bicycles?
I need to fetch an outsider from about 20km far away and I want to use my bicycles. I have used roller skaters with a bicycle to fetch my friend, I let my friend to use the bike while I will stuck to ...
5
votes
4answers
742 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
624 views
What is the technical name for this nut-bolt thing with inner hubs?
Its size is 2.2cm times 1.5cm. The width of axle is 0.92 cm (measured on the curved area, not probably the right way to measure) for axle in the hub Shimano Nexus SG 8R20 (12mm stop washer but cannot ...
3
votes
3answers
643 views
Back wheel skidding out
On my cycle to work this morning I noticed my back wheel was skidding out as I was going up a fairly steep hill. It did it enough that I thought I'd probably gotten a flat, however upon inspection it ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
What are the advantages of owning a Unicycle?
What are the advantages of owning a Unicycle, as opposed to owning a bicycle?
I can think of several:
They are lighter and smaller than bikes
Easier to maintain, fewer moving parts
They provide ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
Rack (+ Pannier) for a bike with disc brakes
I'd like to get a rack for my bike (Haibike Land). The problem is that the bottom screws are blocked by the disc brake:
(If it is not obvious from the photo, the brake and it's mounting screws are ...
2
votes
1answer
614 views
Panniers for a Giant Defy 2.5 (2009)
I was wondering whether anyone had any retrogradations for a lightweight rear pannier rack and a rack bag which would go on my Giant Defy 2.5 (2009).
I'm doing a 3 day cycle in a fortnight and will ...
1
vote
1answer
334 views
Mechanical Engineering Designing/ Analyzing Stress in the beam members of a bicycle
This question is for those who are familiar with analytical engineering of bikes (not using Finite element analysis)
Okay guys, I'm trying to do an optimization project on the frame of a bicycle to ...
4
votes
1answer
254 views
does my degreaser hang around and destroy my new chain lube?
I generally clip on the Park chain cleaner, fill it with a cheap department store degreaser (Rubbermaid), run it through for a few seconds, then fill the chain cleaner with water once or twice or more ...
14
votes
4answers
12k views
What are the pros and cons of internal gears?
I've had my hybrid 24-speed for a bit over 3 years now, and just last weekend, when looking for a bike for my wife, discovered internal gears. Suffice to say it blew my mind when I saw 7-speed ...
9
votes
7answers
346 views
Hand signaling while decelerating
I'm nervous about hand signalling (taking a hand off the handle bar) while I'm decelerating: I'm worried that my body being pushed forward will act on the one remaining hand and change the angle of ...
4
votes
4answers
954 views
Why aren't sportive' 'bikes popular outside the UK?
I recently bought a 'sportive' bike, i.e. very much like a road bike but with a taller head tube to give a slightly more upright, more relaxed, less 'heads-down' riding position, and a triple chainset ...
2
votes
2answers
324 views
Lower Top Tubes on Road Bikes
My girlfriend wants to buy a used road bike as well. She is pretty small 5'2'' with shorter legs so it has been tricky finding anything that would fit her.
She suggested that we should look at ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Will cycling off-the-trainer with the trainer's steel skewer damage my bike?
I recently bought a cyclops trainer. It is annoying to switch the skewers. I know the steel skewer that came with the trainer is heavier and stronger, but I don't know if it will damage my bicycle off ...
6
votes
3answers
599 views
Converting kid trailer to cargo trailer
I just purchased a kid trailer to convert as a utility trailer. I paid $75 for it used. I could not find a cargo trailer for under $200 plus shipping (probably large). The trailer is also rated up ...
5
votes
2answers
211 views
What's the deal with the axle of my wheels? (or, why is one gear so much smaller than the other?)
I want to put a smaller set of gears on my bike, but looking at the wheel I see that I already have the smallest gear for my axle. Comparing it to another wheel, I found that the other wheel has a ...
0
votes
2answers
308 views
Choosing a bike for errands [closed]
I've recently bought a Viva Pista 3 single speed bicycle, after getting my previous bike stolen. It's a really nice ride and very good for road rides. It's my pride and joy.
However, it's not ...
5
votes
2answers
341 views
Inner Frame Mounted Carrying Bag
I've been thinking for awhile that having a bag on the inside of the frame of the bike would be a good place to store a few small things, such as a camelback bladder, shirt, etc. What I mean is a bag ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I improve my stamina?
Generally I'm doing a lot of sports, (volleyball, hiking, soccer, swimming, etc.) and while hiking I have no problem to do 3000 meters or more in a day (uphill ;)) but when I go mountain-biking I have ...
7
votes
7answers
636 views
Mapping the most gentle route for my single speed
I commute to work on a single-speed road bike, so it's a lot easier if I avoid any steep hills (preferring to cover the same gradient gradually). Taking a look at a map, there are seemingly 3-4 ...
12
votes
3answers
291 views
Will regular removal, cleaning and re-placing of my chain weaken or damage it?
When I'm cleaning my bike, the quickest way to degrease my chain is to remove it and degrease it in a small tub. Will constant removal / re-adding to the bike cause damage? I don't have a quick ...
6
votes
6answers
906 views
Mount additional water bottle on bike frame with only one water bottle mount
I only have one set of water bottle mount screws on my bike. I would like to have an additional water bottle. Ideally I would like to mount the bottle on the frame (preferably on the vertical tube).
...
1
vote
1answer
526 views
Software to evaluate *.gpx files
I record my mountain bike tours using my Android mobile. Now I want to evaluate the tours. Currently I'm using MyTourbook. This would be a great software, but it has two major drawbacks: The height is ...
1
vote
1answer
771 views
Truvativ Firex chainset replacement middle 32 tooth chainring & bolts
I have a Truvativ FireX chainset from 2008ish, I'm looking for a replacement middle chainring however, no shops seem to stock replacements for Truvativ chainsets.
Just wondering if anyone has any ...
5
votes
3answers
7k views
iPhone app to follow/navigate an imported .gpx
Is there an iPhone app that allows one to follow an imported .gpx track, in a car navigation-like way?
The apps I found so far, like Trails, can only display the track on a map. What I am looking for ...
2
votes
3answers
291 views
What should I expect from a GPS logging device?
During the last years I do a lot of mountain biking tours. To record this tours I currently use my Android phone and a GPS tracker application. I'm happy with it, but the problem is, the battery life ...
7
votes
3answers
7k views
Disc brakes squeak on Trek mountain bike
I have a Trek 3900 mountain bike with disc brakes, and I just took it out of winter storage to start riding it for the season.
Everything works well, except for one very annoying problem: when I stop ...
3
votes
1answer
802 views
Shimano PF-M545 pedals Mavic Alpine All Mountain Shoes how to fit the cleats
I just bought Shimano PD-M545 pedals and Mavic Alpine All Mountain Shoes (links below)
Shimano M545 Free Ride Pedals
Mavic Alpine All Mountain Shoes
I did do some research and "think" I got the ...
7
votes
10answers
479 views
Demographics of cycle commuters
I haven't been able to find any usable statistics but from my observation of cycle commuters men appear to out-number women by around 10:1
This is in a relatively bike friendly city, at least by ...
3
votes
1answer
352 views
Chainring and cassette compatible?
I've got a 20 year old Cannondale mountainbike (model # scratched off long ago). It's been used as a daily commuter for a few years and for a couple long trips. I've been told that the original ...
4
votes
1answer
297 views
How to choose a front rack
I am thinking about getting a front rack for when I am doing some touring. What should I look for when determining if it will fit. Steel or aluminum? Better styles?
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Steel vs. Aluminum Wheels
I was at my local bike dump looking for a spare set of wheels for an older bike I have. He said that they have lots of steel wheels but very few aluminum. Whats the deal on this?
What are the ...
2
votes
6answers
3k views
Adjusting rear derailleur - shifts to lower gear, but not to higher
Well, it will shift to a higher gear, but it takes two clicks of the shifter and it skips over a gear when it does shift. With one click the chain hangs on the current gear by the slimmest if threads. ...
1
vote
1answer
144 views
For what kind of bike and under what riding conditions would a Biologic FreeDrive Chain Cover be suitable?
I've got a Strida 5.2 and absolutely love the greaseless experience.
For ordinary chain bikes, when could a Biologic FreeDrive Chain Cover be used without causing troubles, but only provide a cleaner ...
2
votes
2answers
369 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
632 views
Is there anything similar to motorbike roadbook holders for bicycles?
Does anybody know if there may be in commerce anything similar to the roadbook holders they use on offroad motorbikes, but for use on bicycles?
I know there are some electronic versions in commerce ...
3
votes
4answers
774 views
How to warm up / stretch and cool down?
I'm starting to ride again after a couple of years of not doing any sports at all. I dimly remember some stretching exercises back from school, but I don't know if I'm doing it right at all.
Instead ...
3
votes
3answers
324 views
Need a well-fitted bike for urban commuting
I started cycling to work every day. The bike I'm currently using is a mountain bike with a tiny frame and has begun to hurt my back. So, I'm looking to purchase something new. I'll be cycling around ...
