All Questions
2
votes
3answers
549 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
963 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
685 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
476 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
671 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
878 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
418 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
734 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 ...
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
740 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
489 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
461 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
2k 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
351 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
332 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
597 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
390 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
747 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
197 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
515 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 ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Why are electric bikes so expensive?
The limited selection of electric bikes available at Halfords ranges from £699.99-£1,199.99. What makes them 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
656 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
419 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
448 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
518 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
148 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
6k 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
967 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
867 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
822 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
2k 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 ...
