22
votes
Accepted
Should amateurs install their own headsets?
The headset is a straightforward unit. Two cups are pushed into the frame with an interference fit and the crown race is smacked onto the top of the fork in a similar way.
In the past, when I have had ...
- 13.7k
20
votes
How to bend handlebar to customize it?
No! Don't do it!
Certainly not with aluminium / alloy bars. Any bending stresses the internal structure of the metal, weakening it. Even in a metalworking shop, I would be doubtful of the safety of ...
- 17.2k
15
votes
Are there limitations to how much you can upgrade a cheap bike?
You’ll always be limited by the frame. And buying a cheap bike just to upgrade it is usually not cost effective.
The frame will always be heavy and bad. It will dictate what kind of headset (-> ...
- 26k
14
votes
Accepted
Does it matter what way the tires go if no directional arrow?
Tires with directional arrows usually have a tread that's asymmetric in terms of rotation of the tire about the hub (i.e. the tread appears to "point" forward or backward along the direction of travel ...
- 4,099
14
votes
Accepted
Alternatives to rim tape
Several layers of any non-elastic adhesive tape with fabric reinforcement should work.
For example medical “fixation” tape like this one from a pharmacy:
There are more robust variants, for example ...
- 26k
12
votes
How to bend handlebar to customize it?
I wouldn't recommend bending handlebar -- if the bar breaks (which is more likely due to the stresses you're putting on it), you're probably going to lose some teeth or worse. I don't know your skills ...
- 46.1k
12
votes
How to bend handlebar to customize it?
Doing it safely with aluminum is not simple or equipment-minimal, either modifying it or making it from scratch. But, if you want to make a hobby of it for a while, you can do it safely in steel in ...
- 81.9k
12
votes
Accepted
A small bolt/nut came off my mtn bike while washing it, can someone help me identify it?
Arghh! got it. thanks for all the input(im the OP)
I looked over everything I thought super closely but ended up test riding and found its the bolt from my dropper lever(old specialized command post)...
- 209
10
votes
Accepted
What type of bottom bracket does my bike have?
There's nothing integrated there - instead, there is one cup still in the frame, and it has been painted red at some point.
You'll need either a careful hand with a large spanner to remove it, or to ...
- 121k
10
votes
Alternatives to rim tape
I've never tried it, and it would be awkward to cut strips narrow enough but Duct tape should be ideal for the job.
It's made with a mesh fabric (which could be made of various materials) which would ...
- 18.3k
9
votes
A small bolt/nut came off my mtn bike while washing it, can someone help me identify it?
Could be the "nut" for a bolt mounting a chainring to a spider.
Here's an example of a pair:
Perhaps a similar "nut" for one of the rear derailleur jockey wheels.
Perhaps a ...
- 2,825
8
votes
Cup and cone bearings: better a little tight or a little loose?
As loose as possible without play. Bearings are supposed to have some amount of preload, which is a fancy name for being a bit tight as opposed to being loose. There should never be play once adjusted ...
- 81.9k
8
votes
Are there limitations to how much you can upgrade a cheap bike?
If you want to go that way, you need to define "where you want to go" in terms of upgrades and choose a used bike that is compatible with these standards. Some research will also be needed ...
- 17.6k
8
votes
Should amateurs install their own headsets?
I'd once bought a naked new Italian steel frame that I intended to build up myself. There were three things that I had done by the shop that sold me the frame. That was mainly because I didn't want to ...
- 8,269
8
votes
Brake post broke off the boss. How do I replace it?
Is installing another rear wheel with a coaster pedal-activated brake an option? In this case, you will only need to fixate the brake arm to the chainstay for it to work. The "fix" will be ...
- 14.4k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I tilt up a stem of my bike's handlebar which is held by two bolts?
Adjustable stems follow a couple different design schemes, all of which involve some interlocking toothy bits that hold the angle in place. If the angle isn't changing, the toothy bits are still ...
- 81.9k
7
votes
Should amateurs install their own headsets?
If carried out carelessly, even changing a chain can cause bad damage to the frame.
Consider headset installation against other commonly carried mechanical tasks on a bicycle. Why does nobody (usually)...
- 14.4k
7
votes
Alternatives to rim tape
One of the LBS I went to sells Gorilla Tape as rim tape.
https://www.gorillatough.com/product/black-gorilla-tape/
That being said, it's a branded product, I don't know what would be the equivalent in ...
- 17.6k
7
votes
What kind of load should I put on in simulation if I were to design a stem in CAD?
You’d probably have to measure in real life with a load cell to get good numbers.
I think the greatest forces occur when one is sprinting out of the saddle and pushing and pulling on the handlebars. ...
- 26k
7
votes
A small bolt/nut came off my mtn bike while washing it, can someone help me identify it?
I wonder if it's part of a clamp for a brake lever or shifter lever, and has dropped out of the handlebar area.
Pushing/pulling/prodding should show a surprise loose item, and go from there.
...
- 121k
7
votes
A small bolt/nut came off my mtn bike while washing it, can someone help me identify it?
My 2 cents is that it is from a clamp of a lock on grip. I have a set of WTB ergonomic grips that have lock on clamps on each end. The notable thing about the clamps is that they are built in to the ...
- 9,777
6
votes
Accepted
Abus Folding Lock: Adding Damping to Joints
I use an ABUS everyday. Keep the lock orientated on its side, the friction in the joints will help it keep its form. The friction is essentially the dampening units you interested in. If you ...
- 30.5k
6
votes
Installing downtube shifters with no clamp
Without any additional knowledge on the bike, my advice would be don't drill into the down tube. You run the risk of making it structurally unsound. That being said, some bikes with downtube shifters ...
- 46.1k
6
votes
Anyone tried to brush mud/snow in rear-wheel while on ride?
I prefer not using anything in the snow to block the snow. You risk the snow packing in the snow blocker (e.g. fenders) and freezing, which can be dangerous. A brush against the tire (depending on the ...
- 46.1k
6
votes
What type of bottom bracket does my bike have?
As so often, Sheldon Brown had straightforward good advice on removing such a fixed cup:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html
From his link:
He cautions about approaches to avoid: (...
- 2,825
6
votes
Brake post broke off the boss. How do I replace it?
Just threading what you have won't work because it's too thin.
If you can fashion a nut to slip in behind there and take your brake post and have the inside of the remaining braze-on actually hold the ...
- 81.9k
6
votes
Accepted
Easily misaligned handlebars when using stem raiser
Pull the bolts, grease the threads and the bolt shoulder and washer, then put it back together.
This product has very large (I think they're M8) stainless bolts that come totally dry. Being dry often ...
- 81.9k
5
votes
Accepted
DIY chainsaw powered bicycle
We deal with bicycles here, and you're looking to replicate the early motorised bicycle (ie on the way to being a motorbike.)
Speaking generally, you need some way to put that power from the motor ...
- 121k
5
votes
Child seat: how to protect my child's face from rain and wind?
Hamax certainly make a dedicated cover, though when I had a Hamax seat I used a cover from another brand (Raleigh I think). Both keep the child's face uncovered.
My worry with that design is that with ...
- 57.3k
5
votes
Child seat: how to protect my child's face from rain and wind?
If you go to a hardware supply in the personal protective equipment area there is a clear face shield that goes around the top of the head and pivots up. I suggest attaching that to the kids helmet. ...
- 151
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible