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
19
votes
Pros and Cons of buying a floor bike
It highly depends on the mileage it has done as a demo. Keep in mind: as a demo, the bike should be leaving the shop as good a bike as it can be for each demo customer. It will therefore have been ...
- 49.1k
16
votes
Why are most BSOs mountain bikes?
When shopping for BSO bikes, people are just looking for a recreational ride that is a once in while, which leads them to focus on the sticker price. Looking at a mountain bike they then get to ...
- 2,361
16
votes
Does it makes sense to buy a new cycle to learn riding?
I learnt to ride in my 20s. I couldn't find a big enough bike second hand, except by spending several times the price of a cheap new bike. So I bought a cheap new bike and learnt to ride on it (a ...
- 57.3k
15
votes
Why are most BSOs mountain bikes?
Many BSO's are styled like mountain bikes, probably because the mountain bike features tend to be appealing to people who don't know a lot about bicycles. Consumers buy these bicycles even though they ...
- 2,720
15
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
25kg on a rear rack is already very hard to handle, especially if it’s on the top of the rack. Start leaning the bike unconsciously while standing at a red traffic light and you’ll suddenly do a very ...
- 26k
12
votes
Accepted
How useful/valuable is internal cabling?
One difference that internal cables make is if you transport your bike by car or have to haul it around by hand.
Because the cables are inside the frame, they are less likely to get pinched by the ...
- 29.1k
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
Does there exist a non-electric bike that can go 60mph (95 km/h)?
The problem with going 60 mph (assuming level ground, no wind, etc) is not gearing, which is an easy problem to solve. It's aerodynamics. Aerodynamic drag increases roughly with the square of your ...
- 29.2k
9
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
In your situation, I would buy the cheaper option.
Firstly, you will limit the amount of money you lose if you still want the mid-range rack later on.
Secondly, I don't know how much experience you ...
- 3,324
9
votes
Accepted
Would a Rockefeller custom-build a frame? (If money were no object, is a custom frame always preferable to stock)
Your hypothesis is incorrect. It's especially incorrect on frames with 2cm between different model sizes, but I'd say it's also incorrect on frames with even 4cm between sizes.
Here's why.
Today, bike ...
- 18k
9
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
For your use case of 'universal' (many would call this oldschool XC) riding you want the widest gear range possible to allow pedalling up both steep climbs, but also on non technical downhills.
At the ...
- 18.3k
9
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
Assuming that the recommended cassettes/chainrings are proposed, ranges will be equivalent.
36/26 chainrings, 11/42 cassette for the 2x10: 523%
10/51 for the 1x12: 510% (for 1x, the range of doesn't ...
- 17.6k
8
votes
Why are most BSOs mountain bikes?
It's much easier to make a chunky looking frame cheaply than to make thin tubing cheaply. The heavier everything is supposed to be the less obvious it is that the BSO is not what it looks like. One ...
- 23.3k
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, ...
- 81.9k
7
votes
Accepted
What is the markup on bikes sold in stores?
This can vary a good bit based upon the brand, quality of bicycle sold, and the agreement reached between the shop/brand. In general more volume=better deal, higher end=lower markup percentage (but ...
- 1,981
7
votes
Disadvantages of using QR->Thru Axle Adapters?
This is a deceptively complex question because it touches on many aspects of hub design, and answering it properly would also require taking some kind of survey of what design choices have wound up ...
- 81.9k
7
votes
Does it makes sense to buy a new cycle to learn riding?
Buy the bike you like and learn to ride on it.
The Trek DS or something like it is a good bike to start on.
Any bike in the pricing/style zone of the DS will last years.
Welcome to cycling, it's a ...
- 20.7k
7
votes
Is KCP a trustable bicycles Brand?
To add to the other answer, the obvious signs here are:
Unknown brand sold by Amazon
Tourney, Zoom and unbranded components
Mix of disc and rim brakes
Unified rear triangle rear suspension
Rear shock ...
- 21.8k
7
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
As others say, this is your decision. Here's what I decided:
Personally, I use one of the sturdy expensive ones (a Tubus Logo, which has now gone around with me something between 30000 and 60000 km in ...
6
votes
Accepted
Why do new road bikes come with handlebar tape attached?
The question was thouroughly answered in the comments. I shall try to summarise the points given.
@rclocher mentioned that handlebar tape today can be removed easily without much residue. Thus making ...
- 9,610
6
votes
Accepted
How can I segment the large market for cyclometers?
In 2022, I think that the main split is between GPS bike computers or sports-specific watches vs. your existing smartphone or possibly non-sports specific smartwatch. Older non-GPS bike computers ...
- 29.7k
6
votes
Gravel and MTB: What film to use to protect for rocky riding? and what parts?
Helicopter tape. Underside of down tube and bottom bracket shell, plus anywhere your bags or housings rub.
- 81.9k
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 ...
- 13.7k
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
6
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
Not covered and answers already is durability and cost. A 12 speed drive train costs a lot more than a 10 speed, so when if comes time to replace worn (and broken) components, a 10 speed setup will ...
- 49.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Replacement Hoods for SRAM Rival 1 Levers
It's the second option, the "SRAM Cable Brake Hood Covers, Black, Fit 2013 Red 10-Speed, Red 22, Force 22, Rival 22, Pair". SRAM part number for black is 00.7918.010.000. To my awareness the ...
- 81.9k
5
votes
Accepted
Rider height vs bike height
Next to the M and L, it lists 65"-70", and 68.5"-75". " is an abbreviation for inches. So at 5'8" (5 feet 8 inches), or 68 inches, the M is probably a better fit, but if the rider is still growing, ...
- 333
5
votes
Single-speed vs Multi-speed bike purchase
Single speed bikes tend to be very low end bikes--aside from fixies, but those are a different animal altogether. As such, you almost certainly will want a multispeed bike. Don't get too focused on ...
- 971
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible