Questions tagged [maintenance]

Tools, parts, techniques, and procedures to keep your bike in working order. MAINTENANCE is not the same as REPAIR, a separate tag. Maintenance is what one does on a regular basis. Repair is what one does only when something is broken.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
3 votes
3 answers
551 views

Is Mean Time To Retune a major distinguishing factor between Sora and Ultegra?

Having gained experience riding both Sora and Ultegra, I'm puzzled that 2x9 already provides such narrow gaps that I'm entirely comfortable riding Sora (it helps that the cassette is 12-25), and that, ...
Sam7919's user avatar
  • 8,974
3 votes
1 answer
66 views

How to disassemble rear wheel hub with no lock nut?

Please see pictures. My rear wheel has a Deda Elementi hub which has a Thru axle. I have removed my 11-speed cassette and disc rotor. There is no lock nut on the non-drive side. There only appears to ...
TheAlpCyclist's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
49 views

Shigura - Can i use a Shimano XT Lever on A Magura HS33 Hydraulic Rim Brakes

Good day to Everyone, My Magura HS33 Lever on my ZHI Z3R trials bike broke, and i was wondering if i could replace it with a Shimano Deore XT BL-M775, as i have it stocked on my parts bin. And if i ...
Anni's user avatar
  • 163
3 votes
2 answers
102 views

Bike chain jumping at lowest and highest gear, fine in the middle

I changed out the shifter housing/cable because I felt some friction, and ever since it seems like I can't get the indexing right. If I set it to work well in the high gears, it doesn't work properly ...
user72590's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
585 views

Drivetrain lubrication for indoor training

Indoor training seasons starts and I'm again about to set up my direct-drive trainer this weekend. Before doing so and after experimenting with different methods of lubrication over the years, I'm ...
DoNuT's user avatar
  • 3,264
0 votes
0 answers
42 views

My bike won’t change out of first gear

NoI’ve tried changing the looseness of the H and L screws but my great problem remains the same. It won’t change out of first gear even when I manually put it into another gear. The back derailer is ...
Talia Gl's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
38 views

Replacement for VP-BC73E Bottom Bracket

I cannot find my bottom bracket online anywhere. It's called "VP-BC73E ". However, I can find loads of "VP-BC73" (E is missing). Would it still fit/work? I found this information ...
James's user avatar
  • 13
4 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is it possible to replace/regear the front cog? My easiest gear is too easy and I want to try for a higher resistance

I have a big-box-bicycle that I ride around the neighborhood regularly. After trying to master the highest gear setting I now find it easy on days where there isn't a breeze, and still manageable on ...
Sidney's user avatar
  • 347
1 vote
1 answer
82 views

Extractors for Centerlock rotors and Shimano HG cassette

I need to buy some basic tools to do some maintenance on my wheels, but I'm confused about what I need. I want to perform the following operations: change the cassette I have a 11-34 10-speed ...
larsen's user avatar
  • 145
0 votes
1 answer
81 views

Hybrid bike. ride with front suspension always locked: effects on fork durability

I am considering acquiring a hybrid bike with a front suspension, since it is the closest to what I want that I can find. But I do not want a front suspension, so I would always ride with it locked ...
calofr's user avatar
  • 1,059
4 votes
1 answer
282 views

Tightening drive side bolt for Mavic Cosmic Elite rear wheel

I have a question about this Mavic Cosmic rear wheel. I wanted to remove some play from it, so I took the rear wheel apart for that purpose. Now, when I'm putting it back together, I notice that I'm ...
zwep's user avatar
  • 143
2 votes
2 answers
199 views

Are freewheels compatible if they have the same number of sprockets and teeth?

I'm a novice to the cycling world and am wanting to learn to do my own maintenance, so I'm quite unsure of a few things. More specifically, I have a Dahon Eco C7 foldable bike that I got used and was ...
Iceape's user avatar
  • 123
5 votes
1 answer
323 views

Shallow ring of death

By not servicing the headset for a long time (>10K km), I ended up with the so-called ring of death on the steerer tube. If you have never heard of it, watch this ...
Alessandro Cosentino's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
515 views

Sheared off kickstand bolts. Repair shop recommends drilling the chainstay, should I try the bolt extractor first?

Both bolts holding my kickstand suddenly broke off (or maybe one did first a day earlier and I overlooked). It is the aluminum frame after 6000 km. How to repair this? Is drilling and then re-...
nightrider's user avatar
  • 7,452
0 votes
0 answers
33 views

I need to replace my tyre on my hybrid - 27.5x1.95 on the current tyre but struggling to find this size Is there a range of sizes that might fit? [duplicate]

Complete novice here and not sure if the tyre has to be replaced like for like or if there is some wiggle room on the width (1.95) aspect?
user13641's user avatar
  • 101
2 votes
1 answer
156 views

Unable to tighten the cassette lockring properly, how this could be?

It is an old 12 speed Shimano Deore cassette. I replaced the two smallest sprockets once and worked well for the first time. After the second replacement that included replacing the 4 smallest ...
nightrider's user avatar
  • 7,452
2 votes
1 answer
69 views

How can I identify which side of my axle needs to be held with a cone spanner?

I need to replace my front axle. I've bought the new axle with bearings and lithium grease, but I obviously need to remove the old axle. I know I need to use a cone spanner on one side, and a socket ...
spikey_richie's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
866 views

LBS won't Service Shimano Dual Control Lever

I have a bike with Shimano 105 dual-brake/control levers. But the right one stopped shifting, so I took it to my LBS to have it serviced. I asked them to take it apart and clean/grease the mechanism. ...
someguyinafloppyhat's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
170 views

Creaking sound, stem extender/steerer tube assembly

In the last few weeks a creaking sound has developed somewhere in the stem/stem extender/ steerer tube assembly. I noticed it when going over bumps, but only when my hands are on the handlebar. ...
Derek Lawrence's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
286 views

How servicable are older e-bikes?

I am considering to purchase a bicycle that includes an electric assist with a Shimano E6100 engine. I have not owned any bicycles with electric assist before, and I'm worried about serviceability. ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 3,637
8 votes
2 answers
986 views

Safe to remove plastic chainring cover?

I have a bike with a Shimano Tourney 2x chainset (this one) and the plastic cover that sits on top of the outer chainring has started to creak whenever the driveside crank is under load. Is it safe to ...
theplanlessman's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
126 views

How to get these lower legs off?

Hi I have a fork from a carrera crossfire 2000, the sticker says mg suntour cr 920. I want to full service and overhaul this fork because the suspension is totally stuck and not working! There are no ...
i_like_bikes's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
170 views

Why do my Urbanbiker Viena electric bike batteries keep failing?

Around late 2019, I bought an Urbanbiker Viena new off Amazon for my daily work commute (around 15km/day at that time, now it’s a bit lower at about 10km/day). After about 4000km, my (first) battery ...
breversa's user avatar
  • 143
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is this a sign for bearing maintenance?

My steerer tube recently experienced the leakage of some red (dirty) stuff at the bottom, whenever after I washed my bike. I guess it was the lubricant for bearings. Is it a sign for bearing ...
livemyaerodream's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
245 views

Stuck SRAM dub crankset

I'm having trouble removing my drive side crank from the spindle I have already taken out the 8mm bolt and undone the preload ring on the non drive side it seems stuck on the end of the spindle. ...
Bikerider01's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
933 views

Shimano 7-speed chain - is CN-HG71 an upgrade?

I have a modest commuter bike with Shimano 3x7-speed Tourney gruppo on and I ride quite a few miles on it. Compared to my 105 11-speed road bike, I noticed that chains don't quite last as long ... on ...
DoNuT's user avatar
  • 3,264
2 votes
1 answer
156 views

Want to change Shimano CS-5800 and FC-RS500. What are the newer models?

I have a Scott Speedster Gravel bike equipped with Shimano 105 CS-5800 11 Speed 11-32 T cassette in the rear and Shimano FC-RS500 black / Hyperdrive 50x34 T on the front. Now both are rather worn out, ...
Maxim Zabolotskikh's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
782 views

Identify missing screw from derailleur mount?

I've just noticed this screw is missing from the derailleur mount on my bicycle. I don't know how long it has been gone, or how it fell out, as I only noticed it when I had remove the rear wheel. It ...
John Rennie's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
37 views

How to remove threaded crank arm [duplicate]

I'm trying to service my son's bike that was left outside over the winter. I'm not sure what type of cranks and bottom bracket I have. The crank arms seem to be threaded and the bottom bracket looks ...
sReall's user avatar
  • 33
1 vote
2 answers
147 views

Repair/Replace rim brakes with bottom cable routing

Ok people I need some knowledge around here. I'm working on fixing up my wife's bike. It's a wonderful classic Peugeot women's city bike. Mid 70s steel frame. I've run into the issue of the brakes. ...
Ben King's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
213 views

What do I need to change on the rear derailleur to match with the new cassette?

I'm going to the Alps soon and thought that it is a good idea to change my cassette from 11-30 to a 11-32 (with a fresh chain). I started with replacing the chain, so I used like 3 different 'chain ...
Mat's user avatar
  • 727
3 votes
1 answer
124 views

Diagnosing and fixing a noisy seatpost

I am having problems understanding the source of a noise. I would describe the noise as a intermittent crack or click that seems to come from where the seatpost encounters the frame. It stops when I ...
larsen's user avatar
  • 145
2 votes
1 answer
97 views

Reusing headset cups on semi-integrated headset

I purchased a used frame that didn't come with the full headset but did come with the alloy cups still installed. They are ZS44/ZS56 tapered setup. Likely Cane Creek 40-series. The cups appear to be ...
shox's user avatar
  • 976
3 votes
1 answer
81 views

Are chain breaker pins manufacturer specific?

I broke the second (spare) pin of my Lezyne chain breaker and now need to buy more. There are no pins from Lezyne in the shop but there is a ParkTook breaker of the same basic design and spare pins ...
nightrider's user avatar
  • 7,452
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

What kind of tool do I need to change my bottom bracket?

I want to replace my bottom bracket, but I have no idea what kind of tool to use. What kind of bottom bracket is this? What tool do I need to change it?
Simon Hüning's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
292 views

What are good ways to remove initial cable slack when replacing rear derailleur shift cable housing?

I needed to change the cable and housing of a rear derailleur lately, and what I usually do to help with the initial cable slack is: Install the housing end caps on the newly cut housing and strike ...
olliebulle's user avatar
  • 4,111
2 votes
3 answers
110 views

Fox 34 dust wiper replacement suspension grease or not?

I am working on replacing the dust wipers and foam rings. I’m following this procedure: https://www.ridefox.com/fox17/help.php?m=bike&id=622 My first question is: do I want to use some suspension ...
TheLubeNinja's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
890 views

Caliper brake lubrication

Good day all, I have a question about caliper brake maintenance. Occasionally, my caliper brakes remain a little "stuck" closed, in that I have to manually open them/spread them back out in ...
Andrea's user avatar
  • 365
2 votes
0 answers
224 views

SRAM Guide R bleed problem

I'm bleeding my SRAM Guide R brakes. When working on the rear brake I noticed that the fluid can go from the lever syringe into the caliper syringe, but not the other way around. I can't move the ...
Jose Angel Garcia Frediani's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
906 views

Bleeding Promax Decipher Hydraulic Brakes

I have a Promax Decipher Hydraulic Rear Brake on a bike I am trying to repair, but no idea how to bleed the brakes. I have tried to find something out there in internet land but the two videos I found ...
Brian B's user avatar
  • 21
20 votes
7 answers
5k views

How maintenance-free can a commuter bike be?

Commuting is hard on bikes, especially when doing it all-year long. Maintenance is essential to assure one can get to work every morning without issues but it takes time and care. Fixed-gear and ...
olliebulle's user avatar
  • 4,111
2 votes
1 answer
115 views

Does the rear gear hub on a 6 speed Brompton needs regular servicing? How do I know when it needs replacing?

I got my Brompton second hand. I believe it was originally manufactured in 2011 and I strongly suspect it's never been properly serviced - most teeth are pretty worn and the chain is sitting on circa ...
KubaFYI's user avatar
  • 121
3 votes
1 answer
441 views

Shimano Nexus 8-speed gear unstable on hills. Struggling to calibrate

I have Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal gears on my bike. They have a subtle problem that has been getting worse over time. Any time the pedals are turning with some resistance on a hill, the gears keep ...
DJames's user avatar
  • 133
4 votes
2 answers
681 views

How to remove the lock lever on a 2020 Suntour NEX suspension fork?

The locking on that fork is no longer working in that in locked position, the fork is as unstiff as when not. On other models, I've been able to remove that blue lever and tighten things underneath ...
sch's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
2 answers
799 views

What size replacement brake pads for the Brompton?

What size brake pads are needed to replace the brake pads on a Brompton bicycle? The brake pads on my Brompton bicycle are getting thin, and I would like to buy a replacement pair. There is no ...
Michael Altfield's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

V-brakes rubbing on wheel

I have been given a bike which is in good order, except that the brakes are rubbing against the wheel. I have fiddled about with it but I can't adjust it effectively.
Tom's user avatar
  • 171
7 votes
2 answers
755 views

Is there a quick and reliable way to identify hydraulic brake fluid?

I recently saw a Shimano hydraulic disk brake system that was about to be bled with yellow oil in it (Shimano's mineral oil is red). Most likely it was third party mineral oil like Finish Line's ...
olliebulle's user avatar
  • 4,111
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Do we need to repeat the bed-in process for disk brakes after replacing only the pads?

I know that we need to go through the bed-in process when installing a new disk, but what about when changing only the pads? Technically, the surface of the disk has already been prepared with the ...
olliebulle's user avatar
  • 4,111
12 votes
3 answers
1k views

Is there a way to wrap bullhorn handlebars to avoid unwinding both in the center and on the sides?

My handlebar tape keeps looking messy because of an incorrect direction, and I can't find an obvious solution to it. Maybe someone can advise? The direction of the wrap for handlbar tape should be ...
goose_lake's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
841 views

Are small, portable medium-pressure washers susceptible to damaging some components when washing a bike (like with high-pressure washers)?

There are now on the market small, portable pressure washers meant for outdoor sports. Those are typically powered by batteries and have a water tank, to be used without a water supply and electricity....
Renaud's user avatar
  • 17.6k

1
2 3 4 5
21