All Questions
993 questions
51
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Why do men's bicycles have a top tube while women's bicycles don't?
Bicycles intended for men have a top tube that always hits me on that embrassing part when I brake.
Conversely, women's bikes often don't have a top tube. Why is this?
- 629
38
votes
7
answers
45k
views
What is the difference between a horizontal top tube and a sloped one?
Some comparable bicycles have a crossbar (top tube) that's horizontal:
Others have one that's sloped:
What are the reasons for either frame design? Is it merely style preferences? Or is there more ...
- 742
36
votes
4
answers
37k
views
How can you recognise a quality steel frame?
I'm looking to buy/build a road bike and I would like it to:
last 100 years
have a low environmental cost
As I'm not interested in shedding grams (a diet would be more helpful for me), I'm leaning ...
- 463
35
votes
8
answers
143k
views
What are the differences between men's and women's bike frames?
Why do women's bikes have a diagonal bar in the frame instead of a horizontal frame? Is this the only difference?
Sorry if this has been asked (but I cannot find it by searching) and I also just ...
- 573
35
votes
5
answers
11k
views
How to choose a bike for a very tall and heavy person?
So I have wanted to ride a bike for a long time, I do strongman training, I am 6'6 (200cm) tall and kinda fluctuate between 440 - 480 pounds (200-220 kg) depending on what training I am on.
We are ...
- 423
32
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Why Did Old Soviet City Bikes Have Longer Frames in General
Yesterday I got my hands on an old soviet city bike "Ukraine". It was produced in Kharkov velo factory, 1987. I could not help but notice that the bike frame has different geometry compared ...
- 421
31
votes
6
answers
65k
views
Why is carbon fiber inherently weak? Or is it?
This question got me to thinking: If it were possible for me to use a carbon frame, I would, but the expense and my riding style keep me using steel and aluminum. (I like hauling stuff on racks and I'...
- 18.1k
30
votes
5
answers
17k
views
Explaining the effects of frame geometries
I asked about buying a bike here, and someone asked on my behalf about test-riding a bike before buying.
My question is, what should I know, or should have known, about the sizing or 'geometry' of a ...
- 12.3k
30
votes
2
answers
16k
views
Road bike carbon fiber frame life span
I have read in several places regarding bicycle frames that carbon fiber has a shorter life span than aluminum, and I was wondering just what would it be.
I am not referring to accident-related ...
- 2,327
29
votes
9
answers
8k
views
Why do I keep breaking my road frames?
I've gone through four five frames in the last decade or so, all from different manufacturers, all steel but both lugged and welded both steel and aluminium. Every one of them has eventually developed ...
- 1,555
28
votes
5
answers
123k
views
Should my foot be able to step flat on the ground, when I sit on a bike seat?
I was wondering, for a correctly sized mountain bike, or hybrid, should I be able to place my foot flat on the ground, when I sit on the bike seat?
- 551
25
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Can road bumps excite frame eigen frequencies?
During my last bike holiday I have happened to ride downwhill on roads which had transversal stripes to mark the approaching of a turn.
The stripes were made with road paint, and were slightly higher ...
- 7,311
24
votes
20
answers
6k
views
What different frame materials have been used?
In response to yet another frame materials question, I thought it might be useful to start with a more answerable question. One answer per material please, with an example of a bicycle frame using ...
24
votes
5
answers
36k
views
Should or can I (car) wax my frame?
Having spent the whole summer taking a bike apart, painting it and now in the process of building it again, I was thinking about waxing it. I want the finish to last as long as possible, after all, I'...
- 634
22
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Why the penny-farthing?
The penny-farthing was the standard until the diamond-frame "safety bike" was "invented" and revolutionalized the world of bikes.
It seems to me strange to have to "invent" to put the same size of ...
- 14k
22
votes
10
answers
58k
views
How many years an aluminium frame lasts in a touring bike?
How long does an aluminium frame lasts in a touring bike?
[Removed extra questions to be clear.]
Background
So far I preferred aluminium vs. steel for many reasons, but if steel lasts significantly ...
- 1,358
22
votes
5
answers
82k
views
DIY Painting a Bike Frame: Is it possible?
I have painted a couple bike frames (think really cheap garage-find rebuilds) with varying degrees of failure. Can you help me correct/fill in the missing pieces of my frame painting process?
...
- 321
21
votes
10
answers
36k
views
Rear wheel slipping out under load
My commuting/cyclocross bike (a Surly Crosscheck) has a problem.
If I tighten the quick release skewer to a normal level, sort of firm to close it, then if I step on the pedals hard at some point, ...
- 4,476
21
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Dealing with rust on a steel frame
I have a small spot of rust on the bottom side of my steel frame's top tube (Columbus Niobium tubing). It's from abrasion during transport that I didn't notice until it was too late. The spot is ...
- 11k
20
votes
11
answers
25k
views
How does a bike's weight affect the overall experience of owning it?
Naturally, carrying a light bike up the stairs is much more enjoyable compared to a heavier bike. Are there any other aspects of a bike which are affected by its weight?
For example, would the weight ...
- 303
20
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to prepare a frame for a new paintjob
I want to have my bike frame repainted.
What should I do before I give it to the paint shop? How would they like to have it prepared?
- 1,254
19
votes
11
answers
29k
views
Is there such a thing as frame failure?
Several general questions have been asked regarding how long a bike or bike frame will "last", and the gist of answers seems to be that a bike can last quite a while if the replaceable components are ...
- 1,444
18
votes
6
answers
8k
views
How is this damaged aluminium frame likely to fail?
I had an unplanned collision with a car yesterday (everyone is fine, thankfully) but my bike – a Giant Revolt 1 – now has a lovely new pair of dents.
I cycled it home from the collision (~6km) and it ...
- 290
18
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Which frame material is the most sustainable?
I would like to buy a new road bike. However, I also want to make sure which material is the most sustainable. On the one hand in production and on the other hand in disposal.
I had already asked a ...
- 613
18
votes
5
answers
8k
views
What is the purpose of a serial number?
It seems like pretty much everywhere I look, serial numbers can't do the things that it seems they should be able to do.
They can't help people figure out what bike they have.
They can't help at all ...
- 5,735
17
votes
5
answers
5k
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 ...
- 759
17
votes
12
answers
129k
views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of riding a smaller Mountain Bike frame?
I am 182cm (5' 11'') tall and am looking into buying a new frame for my mountain bike.
Right now i have a 19'' frame and i found a good deal on a 17'' frame.
The guy from the shop told me that it ...
- 2,327
17
votes
3
answers
22k
views
How do I measure the size of my bicycle frame?
From what point to where do I start measuring? I suspect the bike I'm trying to measure is a 56cm because I usually ride a 54 and this is slightly too big, but I want to be sure.
- 273
16
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Is it safe to ride an aluminium bike with a big top tube dent?
Someone tried to steal this bike - they damaged the top tube. The frame is designed with a wide flat top tube. Is this still safe to use?
- 161
16
votes
10
answers
14k
views
Removing Seat Post rusted into downtube
I have an old steel frame (Columbus Number 2 I think) that has the seat post (Suntour Superbe Pro - see, I said it was old!) rusted in. I have tried lots of WD-40 but it will not budge.
Any tips on ...
- 6,283
16
votes
8
answers
63k
views
Don't integrated headsets wear out, ruining the frame?
I came upon this marvelous explanation of headset types.
However, this got me wondering. Isn't the role of the headset cups similar to that of the derauler hanged - to not waste the frame as soon as ...
- 14k
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is this frame feature for?
I have a Kinesis Tripster ATR. The drive-side seat stay has a lug on it whose purpose I can't work out:
There's no such feature on the other seat stay. What is it for?
- 4,043
16
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Bamboo bikes - the verdict?
I'm curiously interested in buying a bamboo bike for use as a Sunday road bike, and I'm just wondering whether they're suitable:
Strength at high speed? I live near Parbold, which has nice hill for ...
- 589
16
votes
5
answers
13k
views
How does stiffness in carbon frames increase speed?
I have a Specialized Roubaix with a 7r carbon frame; the Tarmac has 11r. Will I notice a speed change if I ride "exactly" under the same conditions? Does the additional 4r = more speed? I am thinking ...
- 161
15
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why do some triathlon seatposts go straight up and down instead of at an angle?
Why is it that some triathlon bikes have a seat post that adjusts straight up and down instead of the more standard axis that aims at the bottom bracket?
This means that if you raise (or lower) the ...
- 1,111
15
votes
4
answers
21k
views
Why offset the rear rim to the hub and not the hub in the frame?
I'm currently reading The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt, and I'm reading all of the issues with offsetting the rear rim toward the drive side of the hub...
Asymmetry in a rear wheel built for a ...
- 3,983
15
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Repairing a bent bike frame, is it worth it?
I have a bike with an incredibly bent frame. The bike itself I have tried to replace with other inexpensive bixes, but this one just had a certain geometry that I keep wanting to resurrect it. It is ...
- 948
14
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Can I glue this crack as a temporary solution?
I suddenly noticed a crack in my frame.
Is it practical for me to use glue to seal it off as a temporary solution?
Edit: Further information ...two incidents so far. Someone opened their driver ...
- 243
14
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Is it worth buying a high end light bike (8.5 kg) from 80' vs recent mid range bike (10kg)
I want to acquire my first road bike with a limited budget (~400€) but I'm faced with a lot of choices, found an old vitus 979 equiped with campagnolo chorus, a little rusty but really pretty and ...
- 243
14
votes
5
answers
11k
views
Can the top tube on a mens bike be cut off?
I want to cut the crossbar on a mens bike to make it easier to get on and off. Will it damage the bike?
- 165
14
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Why are all road bike frames now squashed parallelograms?
I am currently shopping for a road bike and have questions about current frame designs. My height is 6'3" and decade(s) ago I always liked frame designs for which the top of the seatstays joined ...
- 597
14
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is this spring between the fork and the frame?
Sometimes on a bike I see a short spring, most often covered in rubber, connecting the fork with the frame:
What is the purpose of it? The only thing that comes to mind is stabilising the fork so it ...
- 735
14
votes
3
answers
7k
views
What are the advantages of investment casting?
I'm starting to see more and more frames using investment casting for head tubes, drop outs, seat tubes, etc. Such as the new WTP c.r.e.a.m. frame . It looks nice, but I'm suspect on how much more ...
- 935
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why do most full suspension MTBs have a kink in the down tube?
Back in the time... bikes did not have (rear) suspension and the most common frame design was the "diamond frame", with straight pipes. Today, mostly in full suspension bikes, there is ...
- 461
14
votes
2
answers
2k
views
I need help identifying this "Mystery Bike" (could possibly be a real ferrari?)
New UPDATES below!!!
Good day to everyone,
So i have this really old bike.
I don't know its brand and model. The paint is still stock, and it has a Ferrari sticker with the name "Michael ...
- 316
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Front tire and downtube are extremely close
I bought a brand new Oolter Torm S
The distance between the front wheel and the frame looks normal. However the bike that I got looks like this:
I did buy a bike that is slightly too small (...
- 1,468
13
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Can I trust my bike’s frame after I was hit by a car if there's no visible cracking?
I was waiting at a red light and the person behind me hit me. Her car ran over my rear wheel crushing it and over my frame. I have checked the frame were there are indications of her car but do not ...
- 131
13
votes
6
answers
10k
views
What's the strongest way to bond a cable stop to an aluminum frame?
I recently picked up another well loved GT road bike frame- it's in great shape aside from a missing downtube cable stop. The model is a ZR 4000 probably from 1999, it's 7005 heat treated aluminum. My ...
- 761
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Rear wheels are dished. Why not "dish" the frame instead?
Most rear wheels are dished to make room for the cassette. They have the drive side spokes comming into the hub more perpendicularly, which weakens the wheel against lateral forces in that direction. ...
- 2,079
13
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Why would a bike feature a "carbon wrapped aluminum frame"?
I saw a link to what appeared to be a Carbon bike on amazon. The price was extremely lower than any carbon bike I had ever seen. After reading a bit, it seems that the bike frame is really made of "...
- 22k