All Questions
48 questions
4
votes
5
answers
168
views
Unable to shift to two largest cogs
Just been out on a ride and beforehand it was shifting through all the gears fine but I think I hit a few bumps and heard some clunking and I could not shift into the two highest gears. I did just re-...
- 81
4
votes
2
answers
835
views
Cannot figure out how to stop outer edge of front derailleur hitting chain
I have a Giant road bike with Shimano Ultegra gears.
The outer side of the front derailleur is making contact with the chain, on both crank chain rings, when in the highest gear at the rear.
I have ...
- 493
-1
votes
2
answers
288
views
Broken gear shifter case. Is it safe to use?
My campag gear shifter is cracked in the plastic. I realised this when changing bar tape.
It works perfectly and may be from a crash a few years ago.
Is it still safe to use?
Thanks for all opinions
...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
How to change gears on Triban road bike
So, I recently bought this bike: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-120-grey/_/R-p-308062
At the front are two cogs, small and large. I did say I was a newbie!!!
At the back are 8 cogs, ...
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What else do I need to change if I upgrade my Sora groupset?
I have a Specialized Allez 2019 or 2020 with Sora groupset, but the crankset is Praxis 50/32, and the brakes are Axis.
I changed the rear derailleur to a RD 5700 and I'm looking forward to upgrading ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
130
views
Impossible to index front chain ring!
My chain is struggling to get onto the big chain ring and when it does it has quite a bit of chain rub.
The limit screws are quite literally on the limit! And there doesn't appear to be a barrel ...
- 131
1
vote
4
answers
2k
views
What is the best gear combo for me on road bike?
I've got a 2011 Specialized Secteur Elite with basic sram apex groupset.
It has the following specs:
10 speed 11-34t cassette SRAM APEX
50/34t chainwheel SRAM APEX
Currently running 700c with 25m ...
- 19
0
votes
1
answer
192
views
Looking to change from Octalink Claris to Shimano 105, will the frame be compatible with a 105 hub?
Since road bikes are sold out almost everywhere. I was thinking about upgrading my current road bike with a new group set. My current bike a Scott Speedster 50 (2015) currently has a Shimano Claris ...
- 223
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Internal Gear Hub Nexus 7
I just bought a new bike and it has the nexus 7 internal hub. This is my first internal hub. I love to ride but admittedly don't know much about the mechanics of bikes. I'm 57 and mostly ride the bike ...
- 41
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Convert single speed, steel framed, vintage track bike to geared
Is there any way to convert a steel framed single speed vintage track bike to a geared bike? I have a track bike with only the rails for the wheel but I've moved out of the city and there are more ...
- 2,964
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Convert track bike to geared
Is there any way to convert a track bike to a geared bike? I have a track bike with only the rails for the wheel but I've moved out of the city and there are more hills where I am now living so would ...
- 2,964
6
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Rear cassette replace 11-30 with 11-32, or 11-28?
I have an 11 speed 11-30 rear cassette that I would like to replace but cannot seem to find an 11-30 anywhere. Can I safely replace this with an 11-28 or an 11-32 without replacing my rear derailleur?...
- 61
1
vote
2
answers
363
views
Sharing bike trainer between 11spd and 8spd bikes
I have an 11spd 11-30 cassette both in my bike and in my direct bike trainer.
My girlfriend recently purchased a road bike with an 8spd 11-34 cassette. What are our options for sharing the trainer? ...
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can I replace hood covers on Shimano ST-2300 brake/gear levers?
I'm looking to buy a replacement cover on my right brake/gear lever which is a Shimano ST2300.
I've found a 'Shimano Bracket-Cover Hood Dual-Control-Lever R9150/R9170' Road-Bike on AliExpress, but I'...
2
votes
1
answer
498
views
Gearing preferences of men vs. women on road bikes
Is there evidence that men and women prefer the same or different gearing when riding a road bike? In other words, in the same conditions, would both men and women generally ride in the same gear or ...
- 1,969
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
New derailleur - shifts up smoothly, or down - but not both
I've just replaced the rear derailleur and cassette on my bike. I have Shimano Tiagra 9 speed shifters. The cassette is now a 9 speed 11-32 and the derailleur a Sora RD-R3000-GS.
I've set the limits ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
164
views
Ever heard of a snapped rear gear sprocket? [closed]
Has anyone come across a rear gear sprocket snapping before? A clean break straight across the diameter. Happened at bottom of hill but not excessive force by any means.
Not new but not terribly old ...
- 21
3
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Dual shift levers, old bike and indexed gears
Long story:
I once built a road bike for my wife over 30 years ago. It has Reynolds 531 tubing / 501 forks and alloy parts, so it is quite a decent build. However, my wife has been put off ...
- 353
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I expend same or less effort riding a mountain bike than road bike?
I know nothing about engineering.
I feel like I can expend the same or even less effort riding a mountain amd a road bike (if going slowly) but feeling is not reliable, so I hope to get some insight ...
- 104
0
votes
2
answers
104
views
Issue with the gears? [duplicate]
My cycle seems to have this problem, that whenever I change the gear it starts changing from the second sprocket.
Whenever I start from gear one it starts from the second biggest sprocket, though it ...
- 51
1
vote
1
answer
377
views
Is it imperative to shift to a higher gear when in a descent?
I've noticed that, when I'm descending quickly on my road bike without pedaling, the pedals will sometimes spin too much freely, which seems like they have no impact whatsoever on the wheels.
Is it ...
- 479
0
votes
2
answers
250
views
Which upgrades are required for participate in cycle race?
I want to take part in cycle race, so for that I upgrade my bicycle to 18 gear. (It was not shipped with gears)
Here is my cycle STREET RACER NE 26T. (this is the same model I've, but size may be ...
- 103
9
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is there a difference between big chainring and big sprocket, and small chainring and small sprocket?
I am using a road bike as commuter its and old bike and have weird front gear selection 52 and 42.
So I took it to work this morning and thought that for a change I will ride it on big gears. While I ...
- 942
5
votes
2
answers
78k
views
Why does my bike make noise in certain gears?
I'm relatively new to cycling so this question may be obvious to some of you.
When I get into certain gears my chain or drive train makes a noise that I can only to compare to the noise a ...
- 1,927
2
votes
2
answers
153
views
Improve my riding experience [closed]
I'm new to cycling and I've got a borrowed, older, road bike. I believe it's a 10 speed, with 700 series tires. From what I've been told it was a very expensive bike in the 90's. I'm training for my ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Replacing 8 speed with 9speed
I've mistakingly bought a pile of rubbish instead of a road bike (was going to be my first one), however, I'm determined to make the most of it and treat it like a project for me to work on. Currently ...
- 53
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Maxing out on gears [duplicate]
I have an older specialized bike from 2001 that I ride and race on with a gearing of Shimano 53/39 and 9-speed cassette 12/26. On my regular weekly rides I end up maxing out on my gears and can't get ...
- 41
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Do all 10-speed chains fit 3x10?
I'm wondering if all 10-speed chains fit to 3x10. A lot of webshops say that the chain is "for road bikes 2x10" or something like that. Or nothing at all.
The chain I have right now (Shinano CN HG-54) ...
- 113
3
votes
1
answer
17k
views
Why is 53/39 known as "standard" for road bikes?
In common cycling parlance, 53/39 is referred to as "standard" gearing for road cranksets, and most mechanics or experienced cyclists will understand that if you say you have a "standard crankset", ...
- 2,085
2
votes
3
answers
327
views
Questions about shifting from a new road cyclist
I recently purchased a used bike from my local co-op. I've ridden previously on fixed bikes with straight bars, but this bike is the first one I've owned where I have to shift and use drop handlebars. ...
2
votes
1
answer
272
views
can down tube shifters be used with a gear set of 21 gears? (3x7)
I have two bikes - one a vintage 12 speed with down tube shifters - the other a twist shift gear conversion with 21 set shimano gears. I want to put the 21 gear set on the intage road bike - can I ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is it possible to fit twist grip gears on vintage drop down handlebars?
I have a bit of a Frankenstein bike made from odd parts and it has straight handlebars with twist grip gears fitted to an old road bike style frame.
I hate the straight bars but love the twist grip - ...
- 41
5
votes
2
answers
8k
views
what does a 22 gear bike look like?
I read that road bikes on average have around 22 gears and mountain bikes up to 30-40.
But my hybrid only has gears numbered 1-3 on the left hand and gears numbered 1-8 on the right, so my bike's a 8 ...
- 171
4
votes
1
answer
344
views
Using 9 speed Deore front shifter with 10 speed Ultegra front Deraileur
I am trying to build a bike out of all the spare parts I have in my garage. I found a 3x9 Deore front shifter, 3x10 Ultegra front d and crankset. Would they work together?
By the way, I am building a ...
- 41
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Can I install a double chainset on a bike that was originally designed for a triple chainset?
I have a BTwin Triban 3 which has a triple chainset that needs replacing. I am thinking of replacing it with a double chainset this time. Is this possible, or do I need new shifters and a different ...
- 111
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Shimano Claris shifter double/triple shifting up (when moving to smaller, harder cogs) on the rear derailleur
Although my rear derailleur is properly indexed it's suddenly started to double or even triple shift on an upshift - i.e. when moving to harder, smaller cogs on the cassette.
This happens whether I'm ...
- 53
3
votes
1
answer
226
views
Weird gear ratio for a couple of seconds after crash
Just yesterday, I was riding my mountain bike along a sidewalk and out of nowhere hit a stop sign pole mounted in the middle of the side walk. I guess that’s what happens when you get too preoccupied ...
- 31
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
(racer) Standard vs compact crankset: Increased leverage for same gear ratios true?
I'm a road and mtb regional racer about to have a go at my first road endurance nationals very soon.
I'd like some educated scientifically validated answer on a matter that has been on my mind ever ...
- 130
0
votes
1
answer
221
views
Scott S30 road bike 11speed with 10 speed compatibility
I have a Scott S30 bike currently running a shimano 105 2x10 speed 50-34 crankset, shimano 105 10 speed front shifter and 10 speed cassete and chain.
I have a new crank that i want to install, the ...
2
votes
0
answers
424
views
Low gearing setup for road bike with Shimano dual control [closed]
Question: What is my best bet for a crankset, given the following requirements for a road bike I am setting up:
68mm "English" thread bottom bracket
Shimano STI "brifters", 2x10 (I already have ...
- 300
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Beside drive train, what is the difference between group components (e.g. 105 vs. Ultegra)?
In his previous post, jmusits asked the difference between the Shimano 105 and Ultegra drive train. Obviously, the derailleur is certainly one of the major components of a group. However levers, ...
- 199
5
votes
1
answer
4k
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 ...
- 53
21
votes
8
answers
13k
views
What is the simplest way to lower the gearing on my touring bike?
I have a 2004 Jamis Aurora with a 52/42/30 triple and an 11-32 cassette in the back. 30x32 (25.3 gear inches) being the lowest gear is frustrating for the hilly terrain where I live (e.g., 7% grade ...
- 1,568
8
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Is it practical to replace two sprockets on a cassette?
My bike has 53/39T chainrings and a cassette with 12,13,14,15,17,19,21,23,25 sprockets, but I like to ride up steep mountain roads. Is it possible (without great expense) to replace two sprockets to ...
- 7,165
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Efficient gear shifting
I've recent purchased a road bike bit of a classic with the downtube shifters, lugged steel frame etc etc.
Before I mainly road my fixie, thou I do have another geared bike, but it left a bit to ...
- 924
15
votes
6
answers
114k
views
Why does my gear slip when going uphill / standing?
I have a road bike that I use to commute ~6 miles to work every day. Some of the portions of the ride are at a steep incline, and I've noticed that when I get up to stand on some of these hills, my ...
- 393
2
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub stuck in second gear?
The situation My Shimano Nexus Inter-3 internal gear hub is stuck in second gear (it's a 3-gear hub). When I take the external cable housing apart, I can move the pin that goes inside to change gears, ...
- 121
4
votes
1
answer
8k
views
What are the advantage of the different gear shifters
I have just buy for the first time a road bike (Boardman Team Carbon) after long years on hybrids bike and unfortunately due of a injury I didn't have much time to experience with it.
The bike has a ...
- 490