All Questions
8
votes
3answers
129 views
What tools on a multi-tool do I actually need?
I feel like there are almost as many bike multi-tools out there as there are bikers. In a single trip to REI, I found nine different bike tools each ranging from only four to over thirty individual ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
What is the width of Giant CR41, 32-hole rims
I'm tuning up a 2010 Giant TCX 2 which has Giant CR41, 32-hole rims as the only information I can find. There's nothing printed on the rims themselves either.
Right now it's using the 700 x 35c Kenda ...
2
votes
2answers
58 views
Fixed Gear Chainring Centering
I have a fixed gear bicycle with a chain that gets periodically tight and loose as I complete a rotation of the pedals. How do I center my chainring so that the chain has even tension throughout?
1
vote
0answers
20 views
Raleigh AT20 series bottom bracket affects derailleur
I took out the bottom bracket to clean it etc taking off the pedal shafts etc - and when it came to putting it back - the front derailleur was well out of adjustment - Have I done something wrong>- ...
4
votes
1answer
62 views
Chain Lube Compatibility?
I bought the bike used, so I am not sure what chain lube was used in the past. I used Tri-flow Superior Lubricant once (does not seem to be very popular on this board) but may wish to experiment with ...
5
votes
3answers
105 views
Good Quality Road Platform Pedals?
I am trying to find good quality but not exorbitantly expensive platform pedals for a road bike. I tried Shimano SPD, but ended up concluding that for me it was more of a deathtrap. I did end up ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Long Quill Stem?
I picked up a used mid 1990s Serotta Colorado CSI (lugged steel) bike. It is a size 54L which in Serottas from that era means it has a 54 seat tube but a 55 top tube. The size was not intentional, it ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Rear derailleur and front shifter are not indexing “together”?
So my rear derailleur and front shifter have stopped working together, my shift can shift once up and then nothing. My bike has essentially turned itself into a 2 speed.
The shifter is a 2300 shifter ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
Can a chain-lock be better against cutting than a U-lock?
I'm looking for a bike lock and, in 2013, Kryptonite have a new lock, the Evolution Series 4 Mini Chain:
The chain is quoted as being only 55 cm long, and 10 mm thick.
Is the blue mark below a ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
FC-M330 replacement
I have a Trek 4500 with a Shimano FC-M330 crankset. I need to replace the crankset and was hoping that someone could tell me the current replacement. I believe that I have narrowed it down to the ...
2
votes
2answers
158 views
Cycling Shorts and underwear
About one year ago, when I first started cycling, I noticed that during long trips (60km or more) I get skin burns on the inside of my quads. That is when I decided to buy myself a nice pair of ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Brake cable housing too long?
I replaced the no-name brake calipers on my bike with Ultegras today. Am I correct in thinking the rear brake housing is too long and needs to be shortened? And if so, how do I determine how much to ...
2
votes
0answers
44 views
How to calculate bike stand-over height using frameset geometry and wheel radius?
While it's best to buy through fitting a bike in store, it's not always possible (discussed here).
On some websites, the stand-over height of a bike may not be listed as part of the specifications.
...
-1
votes
5answers
122 views
Good locks seem awfully heavy [closed]
I am looking at buying an electric bike (possible the smart ebike) -- these are not cheap. So I began to look at locks and stuff and -- these are ridiculous! 3.5-4kg even 6kg for a chain?? How do ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
upsweep and backsweep for mtb handlebars
Characteristics of the following bars for MTB are:
• 780mm wide
• 30mm rise
• 5˚ up-sweep
• 7˚ back-sweep
I know what effects do the width and rise have on the feel and riding. But what about ...
8
votes
5answers
200 views
Is having your hands “on the hoods” of drop handlebars safe for braking?
I've never had a bike with drop handlebars, but may get one for commuting in busy London (likely a single-speed with mechanical disc brakes).
This would mean riding with my hands mostly on the hoods, ...
6
votes
3answers
126 views
Evaluate hill gradient
I mostly commute and have never had trouble climbing a hill sometimes by using my lowest speeds (or close to them).
How do I evaluate even roughly what grave %age I climbed?
What I mean is that I ...
3
votes
4answers
82 views
Transmission (cassette/crankset) considerations for 1st road bike purchase
I currently have a touring bike, with fenders, rack, panniers, and so on.
I currently run a triple crankset 28/38/48 and 9sp 11-34 cassette.
I mostly commute and tour with this bike. And with a fair ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Buying slicks for a cross bike
The whole rim/tire size thing baffles me. I have a Specialized cross bike that has DT Swiss rims (622x 14). The tires are Tracer Sport (700 x 33). I would like to get a pair of slicks for longer road ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
Is it possible to cycle from Manhattan to Williamsburg, Brooklyn on cycle paths only? [closed]
Is it possible to cycle from Manhattan to Williamsburg, Brooklyn on cycle paths only? Or do you need to ride on normal roads as well?
3
votes
1answer
50 views
When not in use, How should I store my tubeless tires?
I have a bike setup with tubeless mountain bike tires. I tend to ride about 20-25 PSI.
How should I store my tubeless tires? Does it matter what pressure I store the tires at between rides? Should ...
4
votes
1answer
75 views
High pressure water cleaning and chain lube
After mountain biking in muddy conditions I clean my mountain bike with a high pressure water blaster. I'm assuming that after this I should re-lube my chain?
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Italian bottom bracket Shimano BB-6400 fixed cup tightening - what tool?
All,
I have a Shimano 600 Italian-threaded bottom bracket (BB-6400) and after riding with it for a few weeks, the fixed cup is loosening. I've since read up about Italian BBs and learned that the ...
4
votes
2answers
152 views
Does frame size inside a particular model affect the ride characteristics of the bike?
I read an article stating
that the smallest of a particular model of bicycle doesn't fully reflect the original design concept of the model
when I was about to buy the smallest (430mm seat tube) of ...
4
votes
1answer
78 views
Does handlebar tape go inside the bar, under the bar-end shifter, when using bar-end shifters?
I'm installing bar-end shifters for the first time (Shimano 9-speeds, for what it's worth) and was wondering if I should be running the tape over the bottom of the handlebar with surplus to insert ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Replaced Shimano Bottom Bracket, now front derailleur won't shift to largest gear
OK, so in my quest to get my old Trek 7000 ZX MTB running again after a long retirement, I am having an issue with replacing the bottom bracket.
The bike came with a Shimano LP25 that is marked BC ...
2
votes
3answers
357 views
Why did I feel like crap after racing against a car?
I raced against a car yesterday for fun, in doing this, I rode at about 25-29 mph (40-47kmh) for about 3 minutes. The temperature outside was in the mid to low 40s (5-8 Celsius).
Afterwards I felt:
...
2
votes
3answers
191 views
Does never using the easy front gear give a better workout?
I have a road bike with a 52/36 crankset. I make it a point to never use the easy gear because I think that it gives me a better workout when climbing hills. Another reason I don't use it is because ...
5
votes
1answer
104 views
Number of gears for a racer
I am looking to upgrade my racer, I currently have a Bottecchia racer from the mid-80s and it has 14 gears. While looking around for newer racers I noticed that a number of them had 20 gears while ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
ISO Rhode Gear Bike kid trailer parts (axle and spring for the wheel)
I have Rhode Gear bike kid trailer and I am missing the axle and spring for one of the wheels. Any advice on how I can obtain those parts? Can I replace them with another brand? The trailer is in ...
1
vote
2answers
100 views
Cannot fit pump nozzle properly to the presta valve of my tyre
I bought a Reebok Bike pump yesterday which is this one. I have presta valves for my Jamis Allegro Sport 2012 hybrid bike and I was trying to pump the tyres using the pump as part of my monthly ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views
Rear derailleur hits spokes when switching to largest sprocket
I accidentally ran a bungee strap through my old rear deraileur and it tore it apart. I have fitted an identical replacement but cannot work out how to adjust it so that the tension pulley does not ...
0
votes
3answers
68 views
What are the possible upgrades to a 95' Cannondale M900?
Everything is original except for saddle, tires and forks. I have a sentimental attachment to this bike but would like to bring it into the 21st century. I'm looking to make this a nice project bike ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Brand new disk brakes are barely stopping the bike
I just built a mountain bike with Avid BB7 brakes and Shimano V-brake levers. I used the exact same configuration on another bike, and it worked beautifully. But on this one, the brakes are just weak ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
How can I fit this mudguard?
I thought this would be simple.
The problem is that the entire brake assembly needs to be rotated to screw into a thread built-in to the fork. There's also a hex/allen hollow tube-nut at the back ...
1
vote
3answers
97 views
Bags for longer touring
I am planning to go on a 2 week touring trip in a few months and I'm looking for some bags/panniers to buy.
What are your recommendations regarding the capacity of the bags (considering the length of ...
-2
votes
3answers
169 views
exploding inner tubes [closed]
Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence...
I just patched my inner tube, rode the bike a bit, parked it in the sun, and about an hour later --BOOM! the tube exploded tearing a 4" gash near the ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Can I use a “short pull” brake lever with a set of V-brakes? [duplicate]
1) Can I use a "short pull" brake lever with a set of V-brakes?
2) If not, Do long pull brake levers work effectively on drop handlebars?
3) Am I better off using short pull with dual pivot brakes?
...
-2
votes
0answers
65 views
Looking for a solid MTB/hybrid bike for my girlfriend
My girlfriend is 5' 1" and I was looking at this bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/3htw_womens_xiii.htm#geo
but wasn't sure if motobecane bikes are good or not. She's new to biking ...
1
vote
4answers
240 views
Thinking of quitting due to dangerous driving [closed]
I used to cycle a lot, and decided to try taking it back up after last year's Olympics.
But it feels like almost every time I try to go out for a ride I nearly get taken out by someone passing far ...
-2
votes
0answers
45 views
Where can I find a square tapered bottom bracket for my TREK Navigator 200?
I have the crank puller and bracket remover but finding the bearing assembly is daunting. I took it to the bike shop (not where the bike came from) and they took 2-weeks to order the part. I'm not ...
0
votes
2answers
149 views
Bike recommendation for daily commute
I am a 6ft, 172 pound being. Just moved to boston and now that the weather is better, I am looking for a bike which I can use for my daily office commute (around 3ish mile one way). I am willing to ...
3
votes
0answers
68 views
Suspension fork - Can you leave them locked for a long time?
My bike's two years old (about 1800km on it, almost all road and bridleway) and kept in a garage. Back in November or so I locked the front suspension fork for road-riding, and over the winter ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Direct Mount with top and bottom swing?
I want to buy a new frame that supports Direct Mount. Now I read that Bottom Swing is preferable for hardtails. At the same time, it was also mentioned that Bottom Swing is mounted higher onto the ...
4
votes
1answer
80 views
Are there mechanical advantages and disadvantages of various front derailleur styles?
In general there are:
High clamp
Low clamp
Braze on
Top pull
Bottom pull
And in particular, is any of those better choice regarding reliability and durability for touring bicycle.
2
votes
1answer
75 views
DIY colouring components
I find silver, black and occasionally red are quite dull colour choices. Granted there are some components out there in more interesting colours, but the engineer in me won't let me choose the "wrong" ...
2
votes
3answers
291 views
Why is cycling on a road so much faster than cycling on a cycle path?
I normally cycle on a cycle path and I struggle to go over 10Mph on my bike for any distance. My Daily commute took me 58 to 42 minutes depending on how much I push myself.
This morning and yesterday ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Bicycle rear hub sounding weird
My rear axle broke about 2 weeks ago, and I replaced it with a new one.
I also replaced the ball bearings with new ones when I did this.
The issue I am having is when I'm going with a higher speed ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Squeaky rear wheel when rotating
I had my bike on a stand yesterday and decided to check the rear wheel for any issues. I then noticed this squeaking noise coming from the rear hub. It happens regardless of whether I am pedalling or ...
3
votes
3answers
286 views
What happened to pumps?
I'm an old-time bike rider who commuted to grad school every day for 3 years on a bicycle. Then after a 20+-year-long hiatus, started riding again with my son. I cannot figure out the fitting on the ...
