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.

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How do self-adjusting hydraulic disc brakes work?

I have Avid Elixir brakes on my mountain bike. They are the only part of the bike that's a total black box to me. I understand the principle behind disc brakes, and I understand the principle behind ...
Benson's user avatar
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33 votes
2 answers
18k views

Why does pedalling backwards not move my bike backwards?

On the Mountain bike I have, pedalling backwards moves the chain but doesn't drive the wheels of the bike backwards like you would expect it to. Why is this?
Ambo100's user avatar
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31 votes
7 answers
5k views

Why do the front and rear brakes work independently?

Why do bicycles have two individual brake levers that work independently to brake each wheel? I've always used my right brake lever because it is more comfortable to do so and I haven't noticed any ...
Ambo100's user avatar
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26 votes
9 answers
4k views

What is the most ecologically sustainable way to handle rags covered in chain grease?

I have a handful of cloths that I've used to clean and grease my bike chain over the years. Each is covered in chain grease and other gunk that was once on my chain. I'm starting to wonder what I ...
Tom's user avatar
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26 votes
4 answers
78k views

How do I know when to replace my bottom bracket?

With out completely removing the cranks and bottom bracket, how can I tell when it's time to replace my bottom bracket? The current symptom is a slightly 'rough' feeling when I pedal. It's not ...
Gary.Ray's user avatar
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25 votes
3 answers
30k views

What's the rubber tube in my puncture repair kit for?

I've got an old school puncture repair kit, the type with glue and patches. As well as the sandpaper, patches, 'vulcanizing fluid' and instructions, there is a 2.5cm long, 3mm wide, beige rubber tube....
Jonny Cundall's user avatar
23 votes
4 answers
13k views

Sequence for a complete road bike overhaul

I have a road bike that I plan to completely overhaul soon. Over the years, and with several bikes, I have overhauled most every component, but have never managed to do this for an entire bike, start ...
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23 votes
13 answers
112k views

How long is the life cycle of a bicycle?

This may not be a particularly practical question, but I wonder how often do you find yourself looking for a new (or another) bike? There are, of course, two main aspects of it: Mechanical decay. If ...
StasK's user avatar
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20 votes
4 answers
2k views

Minimal effort chain cleaning

One of the main reasons I eventually give up my bicycle commute in winter is that keeping my bike -mainly the drivetrain- clean despite all the rain/dirt/salt/hail/snow becomes too much of a time suck....
jilles de wit's user avatar
20 votes
10 answers
7k views

How does one wipe clean and oil the chain? (maintenance details)

This may sound like a dumb question -- I know how to oil a bike chain, but apparently not how to do it correctly. I have a relatively new gravel bike, a Giant Revolt, which I ride (on tarmac) about 25 ...
Cerulean's user avatar
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18 votes
2 answers
45k views

When to change derailleur pulleys?

A friend said me that if you have one part in a very bad condition like a cassette and then you put a new stuff like a new chain it will destroy the new stuff very quickly. A LBS said that I should ...
user avatar
17 votes
1 answer
11k views

Preventing frozen brake cables

This response to another question provides a wealth of info on winter riding preparation, but doesn't mention any techniques for preventing cables, especially brake cables, from freezing. Is there a ...
intuited's user avatar
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16 votes
7 answers
12k views

Why only ball bearings on bicycles?

In general, ball bearings are applicable in higher speeds because of the smaller contact area and smaller friction force, but roller bearings can carry greater loads because the load applied to the ...
Vorac's user avatar
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16 votes
1 answer
2k views

How often should I strip my bike down?

How often should I give my bike a full service? Strip the bottom bracket, clean and grease it. Strip the groupset and freewheel. And what products (or type of) should be used for each process? It's ...
Greg B's user avatar
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16 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to prevent my hub body from freezing?

In the winter, as soon as its gets a little bit below 0°C, after 10-15 minutes the body of my rear hub gets frozen. This means the pedals/chain do not have any grip anymore on the rear wheel, the ...
GvS's user avatar
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15 votes
9 answers
33k views

How to prevent my chain from breaking?

After my chain has broken what should I know about buying and maintaining a new chain (apart from lubing it and replacing when it 'stretches')? Do you keep a spare chain, or a spare link? I have a ...
ChrisW's user avatar
  • 12k
15 votes
6 answers
2k views

How to choose the right Citi Bike?

It's 2013, and bike sharing has finally made it to New York City. Of course, the branded cruisers aren't the most speedy bikes on the road. They weigh a whopping 45 pounds, and their third gear - ...
samthebrand's user avatar
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13 votes
4 answers
27k views

How often should I clean my bike?

How often should I clean my bike? I've used it several times over the summer, but only once in muddy conditions, should I clean it after every ride or once per quarter?
user155695's user avatar
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13 votes
9 answers
13k views

What can I use for a DIY cable end?

I am in a pinch and need something to crimp onto the end of my brake cable to stop it fraying. There aren't any hardware shop's nearby and its a long way to the nearest bike shop. Any household ...
user avatar
13 votes
7 answers
1k views

Minimalist setup for a "travelling bike mechanic"?

I have very little living/working space of my own and so, in order to keep my personal bike in working order, I need to be able to transport "bike mechanic stuff" (e.g. tools, screws, cables, inner ...
errantlinguist's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
5k views

Separate hex keys vs. combined multi-tool for bike adjustments?

Are separate hex (Allen) keys better than a multi-tool for adjusting and maintaining a bike at home? Some of the separated sets also have ball-ends for the 4/5/6mm keys: Apart from Torx T25 screws ...
Baumr's user avatar
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13 votes
3 answers
2k views

Truing stands, go big or stay home?

I'm looking to buy a truing stand. Is the Park TS-8 Home good enough? Or should I pay double the price and get the Park TS-2.2 Pro. I have some experience truing wheels, but never on a nice stand. I ...
dotjoe's user avatar
  • 925
12 votes
4 answers
16k views

Metal vs. plastic tire levers

What are the advantages of buying plastic over metal tire levers? (or vice versa). Which ones are easier to use?
dieKleene's user avatar
  • 267
11 votes
7 answers
20k views

How do I clean my bike in winter?

How or where do I clean my bike in winter? I live in Michigan, USA and winter can be very harsh, along with the added salt used for ice removal. I am not commuting or anything, just occasionally ...
Carson Reinke's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Should a chain be replaced even if it's not stretched?

This question suggests using a tool or ruler to assess chain stretch to determine when to replace a chain. I have one such tool (Park Tool CC-3), and it tells me that my chain is not stretched even to ...
kmm's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
10k views

Alternative Chain/DriveTrain DeGreasers

My question is whether there is anything "special" about the Bicycle-Specific Branded Chain degreasers or whether the much cheaper alternatives are just as good. I've used the ParkTool CB-2 (http://...
Dan Catlin's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
81k views

When do bearings need to be replaced?

How do I know when bearings need to be replaced? Should I go by time? Or is there a symptom to guide me?
user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
25k views

What parts of a bike could potentially be harmed by degreaser?

I'v been using citrus degreaser to clean my bikes for years. I usually get a gallon jug of it from the auto parts store, and it lasts a long time. I use it for cleaning the drivtrain, either using a ...
Goodbye Stack Exchange's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
4k views

Do narrow tires puncture more frequently?

Does a narrow bicycle tire puncture more often, or does it requires more attention regarding its maintenance and servicing?
Stp30's user avatar
  • 193
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Typical fastener torque values for bicycles

I'm thinking of getting a torque wrench (or something similar) for working on bikes. The ones I have for cars are pretty ungainly and I think I'd be at the low end of the range where they aren't too ...
dlu's user avatar
  • 7,046
8 votes
5 answers
2k views

Winter tyres or winter wheels?

I've just picked up some lightly studded tyres - winters aren't too bad here but ice can be a problem. The bike is a hybrid mainly used for commuting, with some early starts. Most of my route is ...
Chris H's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Bushings vs bearings - maintenance difficulty

I consider purchasing a full suspension bike with a linkage using bushings, instead of bearings for the pivots (Ghost Path Riot). A review says: The bushings are said to wear out quick, two to ...
J-unior's user avatar
  • 1,793
8 votes
5 answers
418 views

Are there big differences in maintenance/care between different types of clipless pedals?

I was reading this article http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/best-road-bike-pedals-33045/ and it talks about maintenance/care with a couple of the pedal options, even mentioning that "...
XaolingBao's user avatar
8 votes
7 answers
2k views

What are the absolute essentials a cyclist should own? [closed]

Context: My bike shop includes free servicing as a standard with a new bike. I don't need such thing and live too far away. In lieu of waiver I can get €100 of stuff from the shop. Best bike problem ...
larryone's user avatar
  • 111
8 votes
3 answers
7k views

Is the durability of more expensive chains better than cheaper ones?

Do expensive chains last longer? I get 300-400 miles using Wally World's $10 8 speed chains while riding off road or dirt. I monitor and replace the chain at close to 1 percent stretch. Would a '...
Brianutah's user avatar
  • 161
8 votes
2 answers
10k views

How often should I change brake cables and housing?

Seems like every year towards the end of cyclocross racing my brake cables start to get 'sticky'. The STI shifter is fine for changing gears, but when pulling on brakes it feels like I'm breaking ...
Glenn Gervais's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Dent in bearing cone, try to get a new one, or can I keep riding like this?

So I opened my rearhub, because there was a lot of dirt in there after 4000 kilometers usage and I found that there is a little dent in the bearing cone. When I slide a bearing ball over that "dent" I ...
Martin's user avatar
  • 215
8 votes
3 answers
9k views

Rotate or replace tires

I ride a cross bike mostly on the road right now and my rear tire is wearing much faster than my front, which is to be expected. I found the following thread which I think is a similar question but ...
ninja coder's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
18k views

Bottom bracket making noise, should it be fixed now or can I wait until regular maintenance?

My bike has been ridden 4 months / 2000 miles and is no longer completely quiet. About a month ago I noticed a whispering noise like a wire brush sliding across a cymbal. It happens on the power-down-...
ChrisW's user avatar
  • 12k
7 votes
3 answers
8k views

How much should I inflate my tires?

I just purchased a new bicycle pump with a pressure gauge and after checking my tyres, inflated them to the top end of interval printed on the tyres (4.5-6.5 bar). I'm wondering when the tyres ...
Bartek Tatkowski's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
319 views

Do higher end road bike require less maintenance?

I bought a entry level road bike CAAD optimo for around $1000 and I've noticed that the bike required a fair bit of maintenance for example creaking noises, chain rubbing, chain skipping etc. I am ...
Bigbob23's user avatar
  • 223
7 votes
5 answers
66k views

What should I use to lubricate a freehub?

I've noticed my freehub has gotten quite a bit louder over the last few months. Several people have recommended that I lubricate the freewheel by tipping the bike on its side and dripping lubricant ...
James Schek's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
29k views

How to clean a rear derailleur?

This has always bugged me. At the end of the season I'm breaking down my bikes and cleaning every inch of them and I get to the derailleur and can't seem to ever get all the junk out of the middle of ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 5,057
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Help with cassette, worn or not?

I have done exactly 2879 km on my cassette, and currently I got myself a new chain which is a third for this cassette. With first chain I made 1985km, but I already noticed a significant degradation ...
user8409's user avatar
  • 123
7 votes
3 answers
9k views

How to open the top cover of a Shimano Tourney ST EF 41?

My 3 speed gear shifter is stuck. I want to open the cover so that I can clean the old lubricant and dust and apply new lubrication. There are no screws on the top and I am not able to open it even ...
Bhargav Ram c's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
27k views

Disc brakes make a grinding sound

I am completely new to cycling and purchased a road bike equipped with Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes. I have ridden an estimated 20 miles total so far and was unaware that there was a bedding in ...
mgroader6's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why are some leather saddles laced at the bottom and should I do this to mine?

Some Leather saddles, such at the brooks b17 imperial have holes at the bottom for lacing. What does lacing a leather saddle do and should I (or when should I) do this to my own leather saddle? ...
Benzo's user avatar
  • 18.2k
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Changing Magura HS33 rim brake pads

My brake pads have worn to the point where the lever can no longer apply full pressure, and there isn't much pad protruding beyond the pad mounting. So they need replacing and I want to do it myself ...
Tom Goodfellow's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
811 views

What should I look for in a torque wrench?

It has come to the point where I need a torque wrench for installing things on my bicycle. What should I look for when purchasing one?
Chris Belsole's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Where to park a bike during a year for free ? (in the Netherlands?)

We are two French in love with the Dutch people and culture. Each time we have the time we rush there. Rather than hitchhiking (as we used to), we plan to travel across the Netherlands by bike as it ...
MagTun's user avatar
  • 250