Questions tagged [preventative-maintenance]

Servicing things before they break, so they're less likely to fail at all.

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6 votes
2 answers
97 views

Hydraulic disc brake maintenance in the absence of performance issues

I see lots of questions about hydraulic brake-specific maintenance. I.e. related to the hydraulic system itself, not the pad/rotor interface. (For this question let's ignore the latter since that's ...
SSilk's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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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
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7 votes
1 answer
132 views

How should I prepare a used bike for the velodrome?

I'm due to collect a second hand track bike, it will be my first for the velodrome and until now I have used the hire bikes available. How can I prepare the tyres for use on the indoor, wooden track? ...
Swifty's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Increasing a 32T chainring to a 36T - will it fit?

I'm considering changing up the chainring on this 2020 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp in order to slow down wear on the cassette as the rider tends to keep it in a few of the mid-high gears. What ...
Swifty's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
827 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
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3 votes
2 answers
319 views

Will all chain wear tools work on any chain regardless of 9/10/11speed etc?

I have gotten a hold of a BBB chain wear tool to check my KMC x10sp chain. It seems to indicate I am at least at 75% wear. The chain checker does not have a serial or model number I can use to get ...
emyou's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
525 views

Wear-based maintenance/overhaul of air spring suspension fork

Assuming usage as a mountain bike, an air spring suspension fork on a hardtail is to be maintained every 50 hours of riding. By comparison it's sufficient, and plenty reasonable, to replace a chain ...
Sam7919's user avatar
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15 votes
11 answers
5k views

As an enthusiast, how can I make a bicycle more reliable/less maintenance-intensive for use by a casual cyclist?

The details of this question may end up being quite specific to my exact circumstances, but I think the information presented in the answers will still be usable and interesting for the general case. ...
MaplePanda's user avatar
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7 votes
4 answers
907 views

Guidance to replace cassettes sprockets "individually"

I've seen that sprockets were sold separately (or by "groups/spiders"). Given the small sprockets wear faster than the big ones, it could make sense to replace them at higher interval than ...
Renaud's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
4k views

Are air forks suitable for everyday use?

I am looking to buy a hybrid bike for all-around use and several of the models I am looking at come with the Rockshox Paragon air fork. I would appreciate the comfort of well-functioning suspension as ...
DailyRider's user avatar
16 votes
8 answers
4k views

What is the purpose of a tread pattern on city/road tyres?

What is the purpose of tread patterns on city/road tyres? I think I've understood (perhaps wrongly) from this site that they're unnecessary on paved roads: Grip (friction) is more-or-less contant, or ...
ChrisW's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
423 views

Is it safe to ride on wheels with rusted spoke eyelets?

I bought an old Bianchi with 26" wheels and I’m finding it hard to find a replacement with max width 23 mm tires and an old 6 speed freewheel I was trying to true the wheels but the nipples where ...
nck's user avatar
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8 votes
3 answers
3k views

Should I be worried about small cuts on a tubeless tire/tyre?

My tubeless tires/tyres have a few cuts around the tread pattern. They are each around 3–4mm in length. I've been proactive with topping up sealant and have not had any flats since riding with these ...
Danny's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
795 views

When to change quick release springs

The wife and I are newer to longer distance riding and have been learning along the way. While this might mean different things to different people, we are training for an Ironman and will do a half ...
Pete B.'s user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
350 views

Rim brakes and rim wear outside the brake track

I have recently found out, that my rim brakes were slightly misaligned and the pads had developed an edge over some time and had worn a bit of paint outside the normal brake zone (see photos). It ...
Sherwood's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
479 views

Can time-till-rest be used as a hub-regrease-and-repack flag?

The traditional way to determine whether the hubs need repacking, regreasing, and perhaps a ball bearing change is to grab the two sides of the fork or both seatstays after spinning the corresponding ...
Sam7919's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Copper grease on freehub when mounting sprocket?

Do you put copper grease (or something else) on a freehub directly before sliding the rear sprocket on? I put a light coating on by habit when fitting just because I don't like the idea of bare metal-...
2e0byo's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
402 views

Compound for freewheel locking sprocket threads

I have an oldschool SunTour 6-speed freewheel, where the smallest sprocket screws on the freewheel body to lock the larger sprockets in place. It's a normal right hand thread, so as you pedal in the ...
Deeq's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
582 views

Gear shifting is good enough after 6 years. Does that mean I don't need to replace my cables?

My road bike gear cables have never been replaced, they are 6 years old now. The shifting at the back needs at tune up now and then, more and more frequently as time goes. But once it's done the ...
Learning is a mess's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
574 views

What non-obvious maintenance should I do after 6 years/~25k km without professional service

I've ridden my commuter and touring bike (cyclocross frame, but with mudguards, rack, hub dynamo etc.) extensively for the last six years and a total of maybe 25 000 km (~15 000 miles). It has seen a ...
Emil's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
369 views

What is the lowest total cost way to lubricate a chain? [closed]

I know there are numerous different ways of lubricating a chain. Some prefer to remove the factory grease from a chain and lubricate it with a different lubricant immediately, others use the factory ...
juhist's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Protection against saddlebag straps

How can I protect my bike against abrasion and scratches from bikepacking saddlebag straps? It is mostly for a full frame bag, like the Apidura one.
Tarass's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
251 views

Should I ride my bike on the beach?

This is the suggested follow up question from this earlier question that dealt with if I can bike on the beach. While it turns out I can ride the beach on 32c tires, the comments made it clear that I ...
Saaru Lindestøkke's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

What maintenance should be done on a bike pump to keep it in good condition?

My zefal hp x 4 full frame bike pump internals have rusted out. I now have a Lezyne mini pump. What maintenance should I do on the pump to make sure it does not rust out?
WireGuy's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
5k views

When basic maintenance for basic Suntour XCM/ XCC fork is needed?

When basic maintenance for very basic Suntour XCM/ XCC fork is needed? Is it needed just in case if something wrong or once a year or after some amount of km? By maintenance, I mean something like ...
Michael D's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
322 views

Data on cable lubricant

Chain lubrication is a popular topic. Perhaps for this reason, it is possible to find data for chain friction and chain lubrication. Some of the results of the research are quite interesting. I'm ...
BetterSense's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
194 views

What would cause a pedal to loosen from its spindle while riding?

I recently serviced an old pair of Wellgo platform pedals. They were already old and well-used by the time I got them, and they were slightly too loose, but useable. I rode on them for a few months ...
hairboat's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
915 views

Removing an internal headset before pulling the fork?

I'm completely taking apart a 2014 Kona UTE (for fun, and to clean it, but nothing wrong with it). I'm not sure how to proceed with the fork. It is now "bare" (no wheel, no cable, no handle, ...
Clément's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
130 views

Installing flat pedals (with pins) on a MTB for rainy/wintry conditions?

I have some RaceFace Chester pedals that I want to install on my beater MTB, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Basically, I have two bikes and I want to use one for the "bad" weather conditions (...
user2371809's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
661 views

Longer side of bottom bracket goes toward which side of bike?

I am replacing the bottom bracket bearings on my Schwinn World Sport. Which side of the bike does the longer side of BB axle go to? I would assume chain side but just wanted to make sure.
TheFlea Farmerie's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
200 views

Retaining M5 bolts for bottle cages

I have a Ti frame. Alloy M5 bolts (they were greased) not working too well for me for holding the bottle cages - one seized / broke off, and I lost the boss/insert (?) when a mechanic drilled out the ...
Peter's user avatar
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6 votes
6 answers
7k views

Can a new chain significantly improve the riding experience? If yes - what else can?

I am a casual commuter (in average 2 days per week, 30 km per day), on a generic bike which I bought a few years ago. Yesterday I took the opportunity of having the bike reviewed and the chain and ...
WoJ's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
60 views

Servicing full suspension bike after long period of not being used

I bought a new bike about a couple of years ago, rode it about a dozen times and haven't been on it since. Should I perform a full service on the bike (replace seals, oil, bleed the brakes, etc.) ...
Chris's user avatar
  • 23
2 votes
1 answer
716 views

Calculate suspension oil needed for a fork?

I've got a non-standard 20" air fork (Mekkem SASO) that could use some maintenance, but there's zero info I can find from either the manufacturer or OEM on oil viscosity, volume, or anything else. I'...
WPNoviceCoder's user avatar
19 votes
7 answers
41k views

How to patch glass cuts in a bicycle tire?

How do you deal with the small cuts in a bicycle tires main tread? Do folks fill these small cuts? I have continental gatorskins which I periodically check and pull out the street glass shards. ...
akyeung's user avatar
  • 193
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do I clean the inside of my frame? Is it even necessary?

I'm trying to fix up a bike that has been abandoned outside for a while. When I first turned it upside down, rust brown water started coming out of holes in frame around the rear stays. I've fixed it ...
biketoeverything.com's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

Should I cover my bicycle overnight while bikepacking?

I'm wondering if all the moisture from being out overnight will damage my bicycle. I'm thinking 30+ days of being in use, with maybe a couple of those days being light rain. If the water will damage ...
nda's user avatar
  • 133
5 votes
4 answers
19k views

Bottom bracket maintenance - is it a thing?

Previously when I've had annoying noises from my bottom bracket I've simply discarded it and bought a (cheap) new one. But the last time I replaced it I got a great offer and splashed out a little ...
Philip Couling's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
760 views

Home made bottom bracket plastic sleeve

I want to make a plastic sleeve from a water bottle, for a classic cup and cone bottom bracket, to protect against moisture and impurities that may run down the seat tube. How do I know the proper ...
Robert's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Coaster brake heat management and lubrication

I've heard that coaster brakes can reach high temperatures, so it desirable to use grease designed for high temperature applications. My questions are: Would a grease labeled max 220 °C be good ...
Robert's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
235 views

Best places to put protective clear stickers

I want to protect the new paint of my bicycle, so I'm thinking of putting some transparent stickers to the most prone to scratch areas of the frame. But what are the most prone to scratch areas?
Robert's user avatar
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13 votes
5 answers
34k views

How long do inner tubes last?

I recently started biking again after taking about 2.5 years off. My bike has been sitting in my garage since then. I did a 30 mile ride as my first one back and I didn't replace my tubes beforehand. ...
drg's user avatar
  • 233
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to tell when to change steel front fork?

I am riding a Dawes made sometime before 1974 and have read in a Swedish report (http://vti.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:694821/FULLTEXT01.pdf) that front fork failure is a not uncommon cause of ...
Uli Alskelung Von Hornbol's user avatar
34 votes
12 answers
13k views

Why does my bike constantly break/need servicing?

I only cycle about 4 miles per day, on roads and paths, which although a little bumpy in places, I'm not off roading. I'm finding something is breaking or coming loose on my bike after only a couple ...
Corvus's user avatar
  • 443
4 votes
2 answers
345 views

What things to check on road bike after a long trip on poor roads

Just bought a new aluminium frame road bike with 25mm tires. Due to very poor planning, I started a journey that turned out to be suited for mountain bikes: it involved country roads, unpaved gravel ...
user3371583's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
94 views

How do I tell what needs repaired/replaced/cared for? [closed]

What items on an older bike should I check for wear and damage and how do I differentiate wear/damage that can safely be ignored and wear/damage that I should repair/replace? At the start of this ...
Nyle's user avatar
  • 1
10 votes
2 answers
4k views

Which threaded fasteners on a bike should not be lubricated?

I have the habit of lubricating most screws on a bike with whatever grease I have laying around, except those which aren't meant to be tightened completely, there I use threadlocker (for example the ...
stijn's user avatar
  • 1,484
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How to dry out the inside of a bicycle frame?

I have a bicycle with a high carbon steel frame. For the most part, this frame is sealed off from the air, but there are some bolts, through which water can get through during rainy days or when ...
Village's user avatar
  • 433
4 votes
5 answers
36k views

What type of grease to prevent seat post sticking?

What type of grease should I buy specifically to prevent the seat post from getting stuck in the seat tube? I believe its aluminum. Is there all-purpose grease that I can use for other parts of the ...
Rosalie Molloy's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
6k views

Would rotating or flipping disc brake rotors make any sense?

Front brakes take the brunt of braking forces - so the front rotor wears faster than the rear. With mechanical disc brakes, the rotor gets pushed in one direction only so wear is also uneven. For ...
RoboKaren's user avatar
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