21
votes
Worth repairing?
To start off, the crank arm isn't breaking, it's quite definitely already broken.
As to repairs - this bike seems to be what would commonly be called a 'BSO' (Bicycle shaped object). I definitely ...
- 18.3k
12
votes
Accepted
Got a new frameset, don't know why I need this split ring collar?
That looks like the compression ring for a threadless headset.
Images by keithonearth on Wikimedia Commons, reproduced under Gnu free documentation license
More information found at Sheldon Brown
- 20.7k
12
votes
Worth repairing?
Your bike is a low-end entry level bike from the 2000's. If you want to fix it, good-new parts could add up quickly. So look around for one or more donor bikes of similar vintage and see what you ...
- 121k
12
votes
Worth repairing?
Define "worth it."
If you're wondering if it's financially worth it, the answer is probably not. It'll probably cost you as much or more to replace the parts that need to be replaced as it ...
- 11.7k
11
votes
Accepted
What are these washers that came with my front wheel quick release?
Those washers help prevent your axles from dropping out of the dropouts if your quick releases become loose. In the USA, the CPSC requires some sort of secondary axle retention device -- if you don't ...
- 29.1k
10
votes
Is there a simple way to hack a bicycle so it moves back and forth based on pedaling back and forth?
That is possible, track bicycles are designed to work like that, that's called a fixed gear drive train. It depends on the style of free wheel already installed on your bike. The free wheel is the ...
- 1,490
9
votes
Front brakes need to be further apart to fit the front wheel through
Here's an annotated rotated version of your photo:
To get the wheel in:
Pull the RUBBER BOOT to the right, slide it along the INNER CABLE toward the PINCH BOLT
Squeeze the BRAKE ARMS together at the ...
- 121k
9
votes
Which bike multitool should I get for a cannondale trail 3 2019? Which other tools will I need?
I wouldn’t get a multi tool.
All the tools you need for a modern bicycle (if you are not replacing bearings, crankset or cassette) are:
4mm hex key for:
seat post clamp
stem+handlebars
bottle ...
- 26k
9
votes
Got a new frameset, don't know why I need this split ring collar?
It is indeed a compression ring, David D’s diagram is helpful to illustrate the following:
What it does is transfer the force of the cap bolt to the inner face of the cartridge bearing. That then ...
- 12.7k
8
votes
Pedals not turning
Being somewhat general, here's some common causes for each problem you've given
Chain comes off - because its too slack. Try loosening the rear wheel nuts and slide the whole wheel backward a bit. ...
- 121k
7
votes
Accepted
Small metal pellets in a new frame
My first instinct was that they’re little bits of weld splatter, but that doesn’t happen with aluminum (edit: it doesn’t really happen with TIG welding…splatter is mostly a stick welding problem) and ...
- 15.5k
6
votes
Minimum chainstay/crankset clearance
Answering my own question with some observations I gathered from other forums:
The bolt boss (the knurled metal ring) in the picture is visible only because the chainring was installed incorrectly. ...
- 1,895
6
votes
Which bike multitool should I get for a cannondale trail 3 2019? Which other tools will I need?
It's not a great idea to assemble the bike with a multitool. Multitools are short, which means you can't exert as much leverage as with a regular tool; and have a joint between the handle and tool ...
- 75.5k
6
votes
Swapping parts from old bike to new frameset
Breaking it down:
Wheels, yes, if they are rim brake wheels onto a rim brake frame
Rear derailleur, yes
Chain, yes
Cranks, yes
Front derailleur, yes if yours is a braze-on type, otherwise new one ...
- 12.7k
6
votes
Worth repairing?
The bike looks quite smart from a distance but the cheapest possible no-name components have been used to get this bike into a price category when it was new.
Some of the replacement parts you might ...
- 13.5k
6
votes
Worth repairing?
Don't ride it as is, that left hand crank is broken and dangerous.
You say you enjoy riding. Bike maintenance is an essential skill unless you enjoy spending a fortune at the LBS getting minor and ...
- 49.1k
5
votes
Which bike multitool should I get for a cannondale trail 3 2019? Which other tools will I need?
In my experience it's difficult at best to find individual hex and torx wrenches. They all seem to come in sets, and when I can find an individual wrench it's usually really expensive compared to just ...
- 1,359
5
votes
Which bike multitool should I get for a cannondale trail 3 2019? Which other tools will I need?
Check what type of fasteners you have on your bike. Usually its bolts with allen key heads or torx heads. Most multitools have both but you could choose only allen/torx after you've checked that your ...
5
votes
Front brakes need to be further apart to fit the front wheel through
Most V brakes can be disengaged by the process the manual says. Anther term for this part is the cable-hook link or the cradle and the noodle. Some most-basic V-brakes do not have this feature and may ...
- 16.1k
5
votes
Specialized Pitch 2017 clicks like its changed gear but hasnt
This is likely caused by your one of your derailleurs (probably rear) being very slightly out of alignment, which is not unsurprising for a new bike. Cables tend to stretch slightly* during the break ...
- 925
5
votes
What do I need to grease when assembling a new bike?
This is for your specific bike.
Must grease:
Pedal threads
Seatpost unless frame or post are carbon, then must apply carbon prep
instead
Things that usually have an adequate amount of grease or ...
- 81.9k
5
votes
Trouble w/ Zycom Bike Clamp
Assuming this is the bike you are talking about
Zycom My 1st ZBike
According to the assembly video on their website (I couldn't find a manual)
The fork and handlebars are held together with a clamp
...
- 20.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Carbon fiber aesthetics vs. poor craftsmanship vs. possible repair?
You’d have to be the first person I’ve encountered who explicitly dislikes this “raw carbon” finish. It’s completely normal and just an artifact of the way bikes are made. That is, bike frames are ...
- 15.5k
4
votes
Accepted
How to insert fork ring tightly?
You don't need to tighten that component - it is not supposed to hold the fork in place. The fork is held in place by the stem, preloaded by the stem cap.
When you took the headset apart that ring ...
- 75.5k
4
votes
How to insert fork ring tightly?
The part is called centering sleeve. The easiest way to install it is leaving it to the place where it is shown on the screen shot, then pushing it down with a headset spacer as far as it will go and ...
- 21.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Assemble gravel bike from parts
The first thing you need to know is it is almost always cheaper, faster and less work to buy an assembled bike than build it from parts. I have done it successfully, but it takes time, lots of time. ...
- 18.4k
3
votes
Which bike multitool should I get for a cannondale trail 3 2019? Which other tools will I need?
If the bike has been pre-assembled before shipping, there should be minimal work for you to do in the first instance. This should include turning the handlebars, attaching the pedals, adjusting the ...
- 12.7k
3
votes
Question on new bike assembly
This depends how much it was assembled before going into the box. I've had one bike that just needed the stem bolts to be loosened and the stem rotated, plus the pedals fitted (using tools provided). ...
- 57.3k
3
votes
Accepted
Rayleigh Alpine handle bar assembly
On the other side of the steerer (stem quill) you should have a bolt (most likely with Allen recess) - unscrew this bolt slightly to the wedge (the part that resides on the thread of the bolt) moves ...
- 4,281
3
votes
Accepted
How should I install the front wheel of a Muddyfox Bike (UK)
The nuts you see are bearing cone and locknut, and they should not be removed unless you are servicing the bearings.
This kind of tolerances are something to be expected from bikes at this budget. ...
- 21.8k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible