Questions tagged [preventative-maintenance]
Servicing things before they break, so they're less likely to fail at all.
95
questions
34
votes
12
answers
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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 ...
19
votes
7
answers
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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.
...
17
votes
8
answers
4k
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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 ...
15
votes
11
answers
5k
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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.
...
13
votes
9
answers
14k
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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 ...
13
votes
2
answers
4k
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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 ...
13
votes
6
answers
19k
views
Preventing rust in bolt heads
I have several bikes and use them more and more in bad weather. I have no problem with rust on the chain, but I am seeing little bits of rust in the various hex bolt heads on the bike. What can I use ...
13
votes
5
answers
36k
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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. ...
10
votes
3
answers
6k
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Is it normal for a fixed gear bicycle's rear wheel to slip forward in its dropouts from time to time?
My fixed gear bike has a track fork with a chain tensioner, and uses Pitlock's solid axle nuts to secure the wheel in the dropout, though I had similar issues with the stock nuts.
After tightening ...
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 ...
9
votes
2
answers
488
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 ...
9
votes
4
answers
2k
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Do aluminium chainrings/cassettes contribute to chain wear?
In trying to achieve a long lasting, low maintenance drivetrain, I've read statements about aluminium oxide being the source of the black colour of chain dirt and also being highly abrasive:
...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
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Can I flip my worn chain to extend it's life?
Assuming my chain is showing that it's worn and getting close to needing replacement due to chain 'stretch'. I know you can flip single speed chainrings to extend their life when they become worn. Can ...
8
votes
7
answers
2k
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How do I keep a bike feeling "new"?
I think there is a subjective feeling of "newness" to a bike which is straight out of the box. What is it mechanically and aesthetically that creates that? What can I do to prolong, preserve or ...
8
votes
4
answers
5k
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When does a Marathon Plus tire (not) need replacing?
I have Marathon Plus tires:
5 years old
15000 km
bike stored indoors
I'm getting more punctures than I used to, but maybe that's caused by my riding now on worse road surfaces than I used to. The ...
8
votes
2
answers
2k
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 ...
8
votes
1
answer
824
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 ...
8
votes
2
answers
862
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....
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 ...
8
votes
2
answers
28k
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Left pedal coming loose
On my bike, which I just built out of spare parts, the left pedal seems to constantly be coming loose. It seems to come out about 5m every time I ride ~10km.
It's an old cotter pin crank, and the ...
7
votes
4
answers
1k
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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 ...
7
votes
3
answers
676
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 ...
7
votes
1
answer
583
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 ...
7
votes
1
answer
254
views
How to test bike after upgrades?
I've just finished my first 'big' bicycle related project in order to start and complete a small challenge of at least 100 days of riding a bike in 2017 :)
This project consisted of completely ...
7
votes
1
answer
260
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? ...
6
votes
6
answers
8k
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 ...
6
votes
4
answers
20k
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 ...
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.
6
votes
3
answers
447
views
What are the good ways to maintain the bicycle during the rainy season?
I have a bicycle. I ride it everyday because it was my primary vehicle. When I was going to campus or another places, I used it. Currently, the raining season is on my country. I would like to ...
6
votes
5
answers
39k
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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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
114
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Maintenance Schedule
There are many questions that deal with routine/ preventative maintenance (including this one which is probably the most comprehensive Optimal Maintenance Schedule) but none deal with issues related ...
5
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How do I know when it's time to pump up my tires?
I've been cycling for several months now. However, I have had the misfortune of having two bicycles stolen from me, so I've never had a single bicycle for more than a few months. With time passing, I'...
5
votes
1
answer
525
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 ...
5
votes
2
answers
423
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 ...
5
votes
3
answers
373
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 ...
5
votes
2
answers
15k
views
How can I prevent rubber handlebar grips from melting/disintegrating?
I bought a used mountain bike recently that came with some not so great handlebar grips. In humid weather they get really sticky (so much it hurts to pry my hands off them) and bits of rubber come ...
5
votes
3
answers
601
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
315
views
How Can I Prevent Slime Barrel Pumps from Clogging?
I work at a bike shop that Slimes tubes. We have both pre-filled Slime tubes as well as a keg of Slime that we use to fill tubes on customer request. Unfortunately the tube connected to the pump for ...
5
votes
1
answer
530
views
Carbon fiber chip
See the white mid picture in the shape of a canine tooth. The sticker / veneer came off / separated. Is it something I should worry about? Is there something I can do? Niner Air Nine Carbon.
I ...
4
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 ...
4
votes
2
answers
341
views
former weightlifter turned triathlete repeatedly breaking hanger
Every year, it seems I am on a training ride 5-10 miles from home and while torquing up, I snap the hanger throwing the rear derailleur into my spokes and locking up my rear wheel. I am 205lbs and 5'...
4
votes
2
answers
347
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 ...
4
votes
4
answers
4k
views
When to replace a tire?
I was repairing a flat on my rear tire today and noticed that the tire has started developing a flat area on the tread (see the photo below, it is the one on the right). The tire is a Continental ...
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 ...
4
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Should I change my chain? It broke once, but its condition seems rather good
Expanding a bit on the title, I ride a 27.5" KTM Peak XT with a 3x10 setup. The chain I'm currently using is of unknown provenience (it was already there when I bought the bike, and it wasn't new). It'...
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
At what temperature do you say its too cold to ride a bike? [closed]
It's been a great winter here in DC, its mostly high 30's but the last few days it's low 20's and in at night a little windy?
4
votes
2
answers
463
views
Tips for winter maintenance?
A couple years ago I rode through the winter (took last winter off) and am looking to resume. My bike got hammered during the New England winter though, especially the hubs. Other than a regular ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
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, ...