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 ...
- 12.4k
18
votes
Accepted
Tubular Glue vs Tubular Tape
I've glued hundreds of tubulars and learned the craft from some of the best mechanics in the sport including a former wrench with the Motorola team and a former Mavic Service Course mechanic. These ...
- 1,594
10
votes
Accepted
Bottom bracket too tight to screw in by hand
If one side screws in without problems, and you've verified the thread orientation, then it's not a compatibility problem. ( http://sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html - scroll down to "bottom bracket ...
- 4,262
10
votes
Accepted
I can't fix my tire
It looks like you have the bead outside the rim.
Here's a schematic from Wikimedia, of an installed tire. It looks like you have left the part labeled 4 on the outside.
How you can fix this is, put a ...
- 1,023
9
votes
Installing a Bottle Cage without Mounting Screws/Threads
The approach I've seen is to use hose clamps to hold a bottle cage to the frame. Hose clamps are what (used to?) attach a car's radiator hose to the radiator, if you've seen that. If you have an old ...
- 2,411
8
votes
Bottom bracket too tight to screw in by hand
Maybe double-check that there is zero debris in the threads. I ran into a similar-sounding situation and it made me very nervous given the stakes. It turned out to be small bits of finely-ground ...
- 2,411
8
votes
Accepted
Are bike saddles always removable from the saddle post?
Saddles are always removable from the seatpost or, in some cases, the seat mast. I am not aware of any arrangements where the saddle is made in one piece with a seatpost or equivalent part. Because ...
- 25.1k
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 ...
- 8,221
8
votes
Where can I buy a radiused washer?
Google "Diacompe half moon washer" and you'll see a bunch of options. Diacompe is the go-to for these. They make a tight and a broad radius version and call them rear and front respectively, ...
- 76.9k
7
votes
Accepted
Zip ties to hold smart-lock on frame
Zip ties don't last forever, so you'll need to keep an eye on them and replace them periodically. P-clips would probably work.
- 27.4k
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)...
- 14.1k
6
votes
Accepted
How to mount Ohlins TTX22M to a 2018 Yeti SB 5.5
Here's the debacle of how I mounted an Ohlins shock to a Yeti SB 5.5. There is practically no information on the internet explaining how to do this; therefore, I wrote my experience to give back to ...
- 1,057
5
votes
Accepted
Drilling and cutting rack mounting bracket arms
I've got a very similar rack and avoided cutting the arms only by using one screw per arm instead of the two in your first picture (at the rack end). Crossing the arms over and using one screw per arm ...
- 52.7k
5
votes
How to properly align the rear wheel to the bike (granny bike, single speed)
The underlying problem here is that the wheel's axle is moving in the dropouts.
I think your wheel nuts are not biting down enough to properly resist the tiny flexes of the bike while riding. When ...
- 114k
5
votes
How to properly align the rear wheel to the bike (granny bike, single speed)
I suspect you either are missing the lock washer (toothed lock washer, picture follows) on the drive side or the one that is there is worn out. Place one outside of the dropout, between the dropout ...
- 4,241
5
votes
Are bike saddles always removable from the saddle post?
There are in fact Carbon seatposts with the saddle as one molded piece. Check out ControlTech for a good example.
5
votes
Accepted
SRAM chain came with only half a powerlock
No, don't do that unless it's to limp the bike home. SRAM says not to and I've seen sufficient evidence it's for good reason.
The theoretical/manufacturer-stated reason not to is that the press fit is ...
- 76.9k
5
votes
Accepted
What bottom bracket tool is needed to install a miche evo max bb?
I use the standard Shimano or Campagnolo external cup bottom bracket tool for this, which works with both ITA and BSC thread versions.
I believe Park BBT 69.2 is correct.
Perhaps your tool is damaged ...
- 12.4k
5
votes
Is there a compression plug designed to be an alternative to star-fangled nuts on metal steering tubes
I have an old Reynolds Ouzo one on a Fox aluminum steerer in my living room right now. Most plugs have a fairly wide range they can expand into and can do both aluminum and carbon, although it is true ...
- 76.9k
5
votes
Where can I buy a radiused washer?
Another option is to start with a thicker washer and file it till it has the fit you want.
You can use a radius gauge to determine the curve at that location on the frame/fork. It may be possible to ...
- 114k
4
votes
Tubular Glue vs Tubular Tape
After 20 years of clinchers I decided to give tubs a go for summer riding and racing. I've used Tufo tub tape which was pretty easy to put on especially as there's some good GCN you tube videos ...
- 51
4
votes
Accepted
How to check and ensure parallelism of front derailer and chainrings?
It depends on the derailleur.
Most or perhaps all Shimano FDs intend to have you use the top forward part of the outside cage as your reference surface. Where the logo is. Their published procedures ...
- 76.9k
4
votes
Accepted
What makes WD40 work well for grip installation?
Any liquiid-fluid works for grip installation. The liquid temporarily decreases the surface friction between the grip and the bar, and then departs.
Personally I use soapy water which evaporates over ...
- 114k
4
votes
Accepted
Should a track cog's asymmetrical lock ring be installed so the flat end faces the cog?
Install it text visible.
One way to know this is the intention is that the "<- 40Nm" would be lying if you flipped it.
I'm not totally sure why the design is like this. The only thing I ...
- 76.9k
3
votes
Bike derailleur, keeps flicking back when I pedal
I think we can rule out the chain being too long. The OP replaced the derailleur but does not state the chain was replaced. Also, that does not look like a clean and shiny new chain.
The chain is ...
- 75.1k
3
votes
Accepted
Lockring spacer Shimano cassette
The "lockring spacer" (so labelled on Shimano Exploded View diagrams and other technical documents) is a very thin metal washer or shim between the lockrings of higher- end cassetes such as XT, ...
- 8,722
3
votes
Accepted
How to properly align the rear wheel to the bike (granny bike, single speed)
Is the chain too long? It looks like you have to move the rear wheel to the back-most position. For a new chain, you want to be around 1/3 away from the front-most position.
Single-speed bikes have ...
- 1,929
3
votes
Accepted
how to install a chainguard, when the chainring doesn't have screw holes?
The obvious mounting points for a chainguard are the chainring-spider bolts.
There are many 'bash guards' available that mount like an extra chainring that are intended to protect the chainring ...
- 75.1k
3
votes
How do I thread rear derailleur cable through this adjuster?
The shifter cable come in two parts, the cable housing (outer) and the metal cable (inner) that slides inside the cable housing. The adjuster on the down tube acts as a "cable stop." It stops the ...
- 30.2k
3
votes
How do I thread rear derailleur cable through this adjuster?
They don't pull apart; the idea is that you're getting the couple mm of adjustment range you actually need, and the upside is it's an attempt at the easiest possible design to adjust on the fly while ...
- 76.9k
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