21
votes
Accepted
What are the differences between a seatpost-mounted and frame-mounted rear rack
The advantages of seat mounted racks are that they don’t require rear dropout rack lugs; some of the seat mount racks have quick release levers so you can easily take them off (while racing or ...
- 28.7k
18
votes
What are the absolute essentials a cyclist should own?
This is what I tell everyone to get first when they get a new bike:
Seatbag, to hold the following:
Spare tube (maybe two)
Small multitool
Mini-pump or CO2 inflator
Tire patch kit
2x tire levers
...
- 321
17
votes
Accepted
Do I need a shock-proof watch for cycling?
There are no special requirements for a watch for cycling. A cheap watch from the supermarkt will do as well as a decent quality watch or a sports watch (besides sport-specific functions).
Rain or ...
- 9,454
17
votes
Do I need a shock-proof watch for cycling?
Why not go for a cheap and simple bicycle speedometer? Apart from the time it can also show you speed and distance which is always nice to know.
As gschenk said, there are no special requirements for ...
- 24.5k
16
votes
How comfortable is it to wear a u-lock holder this way?
tw: extreme anti-hipster /snark
Ahh! The u-lock belt holder. The perfect accessory for hipsters, literally:
Advantages:
Everyone will know you're a hipster
People may think you're into hardcore ...
- 28.7k
10
votes
Accepted
Fitting a vibration-proof bell for drop bars
If your screw head is actually a nut, like the picture looks like, replace it with a nylock nut. If that is not possible, thread lock fluid like blue Loctite works nicely.
- 21k
9
votes
Accepted
What are these mounts for on inside edge of carbon fiber fork?
They're for full fenders. Many disc road and fitness/urban/hybrid bikes now have them here in order to completely avoid strut interference with the brake. To install the fenders neatly I've been ...
- 75.5k
8
votes
What are the absolute essentials a cyclist should own?
Bicycle
Helmet
Suitable clothing and shoes
Cellphone
Whatever else you "need" depends on your mechanical abilities and how independent you wish to be.
- 52.9k
8
votes
What are these mounts for on inside edge of carbon fiber fork?
Tommaso here.
We put them on the fork so riders can install fenders for off road and other adverse weather situations. Hope you enjoy the new Sterrata!
- 81
7
votes
What are the differences between a seatpost-mounted and frame-mounted rear rack
RoboKaren's answer is great on the pros and cons, so I'll restrict myself to explicitly answering
... why would someone get the seatpost-mounted rack over the frame-mounted rack?
Really, the only ...
- 16.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Purpose of fork with single bidon mount and no eyelets?
The mount is for pannier racks that sit low on your fork. In the absence of this mount I have seen a bracket used, but this is more secure. The rack also mounts using the front axle.
- 716
7
votes
Accepted
What are the Trek Domane frame bottom hex screws for?
The braze-ons beneath the down tube are traditionally for mounting a third bottle cage. Of course that bottle is more exposed to road dirt than the others, so many people use it for various utility ...
- 4,590
6
votes
Does a helmet-mounted light affect the safe functionality of the helmet?
Answer: Yes - anything on your helmet may affect its ability to function.
Remember the skiing accident that gave Michael Schumacher brain damage?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/...
- 111k
6
votes
How comfortable is it to wear a u-lock holder this way?
An obvious disadvantage is shown clearly in the photograph in the question: locks get dirty. I'd rather not have oil, brake dust and general road dirt rubbed all over my clothes.
- 16.8k
6
votes
Accepted
What are these eyelets for on my 2015 Diverge?
The smaller hole is for Specialized's proprietary "plug and play" fenders, while the larger is for a rear rack. The larger hole can also be used as an alternate mounting point for other types of ...
- 30.1k
6
votes
Do I need a shock-proof watch for cycling?
I've got a digital G-shock that's lasted >12 years cycling, kayaking, etc. It's massive overkill, and rather massive which is occasionally uncomfortable (some combinations of winter gear and hand ...
- 51k
6
votes
Quick Release for Accessories
I think in most cases there's going to be a better solution than actually doing this, but wing bolts are one way to go.
Since most of the accessories brackets in question have recessed holes for the ...
- 75.5k
5
votes
How can I carry a tripod on my bike?
I used to strap mine to the bike frame, but I have a bike specifically built to facilitate touring with a camera. This is a cheap Manfrotto tripod rather than my expensive one, used while making sure ...
- 23.1k
5
votes
How many lumens (lm) should a front light have?
A front light needs to have both enough lumens (brightness) and have those lumens pointed in the right places - dictated by the reflector and lens. It also needs a battery (presuming its not dynamo ...
- 44.7k
5
votes
Is there a "conventional" configuration for mounted accessories?
For commuting with panniers and/or a toddler seat, I've settled on the front fork for the D-lock, mainly because little else fits there and I'm restricted by cables and tube diameters elsewhere. ...
- 51k
5
votes
Rubber rings for attaching lights etc
Have you thought about cutting an old inner tube across its length. Various thicknesses of cut give more or less stretch. Rubber versus latex, too many different size tubes to mention. Cheap as chips ...
- 129
5
votes
Would a seat post mounted back rack act like a rear fender?
I'd say it depends on the length of the rack you're going to attach.
It's all about the physics - the water droplets, when they detach from the tyre they move perpendicular to the perimeter of the ...
- 4,241
5
votes
Accepted
Bike accessory: what is this for?
It's a bracket for holding an old style light like these
Photo from Amazon
- 16.8k
5
votes
What are the Trek Domane frame bottom hex screws for?
I would mention that, at least for the carbon bikes, the two on the downtube are not for mounting external accessories.
To quote from the Domane SLR-SL FAQ document:
What are those two holes on the ...
- 251
4
votes
What are the absolute essentials a cyclist should own?
I would go for a good floor pump, as I find it can be extremely important in preventing flats. One big problem I see is underinflated tires. This can cause flats and other problems like rim damage. A ...
- 21.6k
4
votes
How comfortable is it to wear a u-lock holder this way?
Actual reply to actual question: I find it supremely comfortable. Not uncomfortable in the least. I absolutely endorse carrying your lock around your waist. In fact, my summer bag is an Ortlieb ...
- 2,060
4
votes
Accepted
How can I fit this bottle holder to this bike?
That does not appear to be a attachment for mounting a bottle cage to a frame tube. The two holes in the mount appear to match the two holes in the upper plate of the cage, which orients the mount ...
4
votes
Bikes and wiring trouble
Just run two wires, a positive and a negative lead. Both leads in the same casing will make for a more robust wire, less susceptible to vibration damage.
If you expect to run one of the leads in the ...
- 111k
4
votes
How to mount central (two-legged) kickstand on normal bike frame
The groves are for any cables that are routed under the stays.
Your kickstand should have come with a counter plate - B in the picture below
Your kickstand is slightly different but the mounting ...
- 19.1k
4
votes
Help identify fender mounting clamp?
They may be called R-clips in the US. The hole of the R encloses the fender stay (the metal rod). The stay is one of the fender's points of contact with the frame/fork and it prevents the fender from ...
- 24.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible