29 votes
Accepted

Is this brake mounted incorrectly?

The brake pads are too high and barely contacting the rotor, which is wrong. It's also dangerous and the bike shouldn't be used in this condition. If the wheel in the picture is properly in place in ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
21 votes
Accepted

Should amateurs install their own headsets?

The headset is a straightforward unit. Two cups are pushed into the frame with an interference fit and the crown race is smacked onto the top of the fork in a similar way. In the past, when I have had ...
Noise's user avatar
  • 13.9k
10 votes
Accepted

Bottom bracket too tight to screw in by hand

If one side screws in without problems, and you've verified the thread orientation, then it's not a compatibility problem. ( http://sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html - scroll down to "bottom bracket ...
Mike Baranczak's user avatar
10 votes
Accepted

I can't fix my tire

It looks like you have the bead outside the rim. Here's a schematic from Wikimedia, of an installed tire. It looks like you have left the part labeled 4 on the outside. How you can fix this is, put a ...
HAEM's user avatar
  • 1,080
10 votes

Is this brake mounted incorrectly?

Yes, that caliper is mounted incorrectly. As others have noted, the pads are not contacting the rotor appropriately. Perhaps, the caliper is mounted using an adapter where none is needed. I have had ...
Jahaziel's user avatar
  • 12.4k
9 votes

Installing a Bottle Cage without Mounting Screws/Threads

The approach I've seen is to use hose clamps to hold a bottle cage to the frame. Hose clamps are what (used to?) attach a car's radiator hose to the radiator, if you've seen that. If you have an old ...
compton's user avatar
  • 2,481
8 votes

Bottom bracket too tight to screw in by hand

Maybe double-check that there is zero debris in the threads. I ran into a similar-sounding situation and it made me very nervous given the stakes. It turned out to be small bits of finely-ground ...
compton's user avatar
  • 2,481
8 votes
Accepted

Are bike saddles always removable from the saddle post?

Saddles are always removable from the seatpost or, in some cases, the seat mast. I am not aware of any arrangements where the saddle is made in one piece with a seatpost or equivalent part. Because ...
Weiwen Ng's user avatar
  • 31.2k
8 votes

Should amateurs install their own headsets?

I'd once bought a naked new Italian steel frame that I intended to build up myself. There were three things that I had done by the shop that sold me the frame. That was mainly because I didn't want to ...
Carel's user avatar
  • 8,289
8 votes

Where can I buy a radiused washer?

Google "Diacompe half moon washer" and you'll see a bunch of options. Diacompe is the go-to for these. They make a tight and a broad radius version and call them rear and front respectively, ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
7 votes
Accepted

Zip ties to hold smart-lock on frame

Zip ties don't last forever, so you'll need to keep an eye on them and replace them periodically. P-clips would probably work.
Adam Rice's user avatar
  • 30k
7 votes

Should amateurs install their own headsets?

If carried out carelessly, even changing a chain can cause bad damage to the frame. Consider headset installation against other commonly carried mechanical tasks on a bicycle. Why does nobody (usually)...
Grigory Rechistov's user avatar
6 votes
Accepted

How to mount Ohlins TTX22M to a 2018 Yeti SB 5.5

Here's the debacle of how I mounted an Ohlins shock to a Yeti SB 5.5. There is practically no information on the internet explaining how to do this; therefore, I wrote my experience to give back to ...
Kellen Stuart's user avatar
5 votes
Accepted

Drilling and cutting rack mounting bracket arms

I've got a very similar rack and avoided cutting the arms only by using one screw per arm instead of the two in your first picture (at the rack end). Crossing the arms over and using one screw per arm ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 58.4k
5 votes

How to properly align the rear wheel to the bike (granny bike, single speed)

The underlying problem here is that the wheel's axle is moving in the dropouts. I think your wheel nuts are not biting down enough to properly resist the tiny flexes of the bike while riding. When ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
5 votes

How to properly align the rear wheel to the bike (granny bike, single speed)

I suspect you either are missing the lock washer (toothed lock washer, picture follows) on the drive side or the one that is there is worn out. Place one outside of the dropout, between the dropout ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 4,341
5 votes

Are bike saddles always removable from the saddle post?

There are in fact Carbon seatposts with the saddle as one molded piece. Check out ControlTech for a good example.
Aaron Mitchell's user avatar
5 votes
Accepted

SRAM chain came with only half a powerlock

No, don't do that unless it's to limp the bike home. SRAM says not to and I've seen sufficient evidence it's for good reason. The theoretical/manufacturer-stated reason not to is that the press fit is ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
5 votes
Accepted

What bottom bracket tool is needed to install a miche evo max bb?

I use the standard Shimano or Campagnolo external cup bottom bracket tool for this, which works with both ITA and BSC thread versions. I believe Park BBT 69.2 is correct. Perhaps your tool is damaged ...
Noise's user avatar
  • 13.9k
5 votes

Is there a compression plug designed to be an alternative to star-fangled nuts on metal steering tubes

I have an old Reynolds Ouzo one on a Fox aluminum steerer in my living room right now. Most plugs have a fairly wide range they can expand into and can do both aluminum and carbon, although it is true ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
5 votes

Where can I buy a radiused washer?

Another option is to start with a thicker washer and file it till it has the fit you want. You can use a radius gauge to determine the curve at that location on the frame/fork. It may be possible to ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
5 votes

Setting the Ritchey Venturemax handlebars in gravel

There's really not a right or wrong here. There's what's right for you. I had my bars and levers set up (what I thought was) the "orthodox" way, and when I saw a fitter, he rotated my bars ...
Adam Rice's user avatar
  • 30k
5 votes

Is this brake mounted incorrectly?

This does not look right at all. The pads are just gripping the very outer part of the disc as you yourself have noted. I'm not sure about the cause. Perhaps incompatible parts(after a swap of forks) ...
WornChain's user avatar
  • 1,263
4 votes

Tubular Glue vs Tubular Tape

After 20 years of clinchers I decided to give tubs a go for summer riding and racing. I've used Tufo tub tape which was pretty easy to put on especially as there's some good GCN you tube videos ...
user24909's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

How to check and ensure parallelism of front derailer and chainrings?

It depends on the derailleur. Most or perhaps all Shimano FDs intend to have you use the top forward part of the outside cage as your reference surface. Where the logo is. Their published procedures ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

What makes WD40 work well for grip installation?

Any liquiid-fluid works for grip installation. The liquid temporarily decreases the surface friction between the grip and the bar, and then departs. Personally I use soapy water which evaporates over ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
4 votes
Accepted

Should a track cog's asymmetrical lock ring be installed so the flat end faces the cog?

Install it text visible. One way to know this is the intention is that the "<- 40Nm" would be lying if you flipped it. I'm not totally sure why the design is like this. The only thing I ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
4 votes

Shimano BB: add grease over threadlock?

Grease on the threads of both the shell and cups is necessary to prevent galling the metal as torque increases to its final setting. The water proof quality of grease helps prevent ingress of water ...
Jeff's user avatar
  • 10.1k
4 votes

Is this brake mounted incorrectly?

No, the brake pads are not contacting the disk in the right place - the pads are too far away from the disk. Looking at the disk you can see where the pads use to contact the disk - the wear path of ...
David D's user avatar
  • 21.1k
4 votes

Tire inflation issue when using a Presta to Shrader adapter

It may be a case of one or a combination of both of the following possibilities: The inside diameter of the Presta (valve) to Schrader (pump head) adapter is machined too small, and therefore when ...
Ted Hohl's user avatar
  • 6,142

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