What is the single most useful tip you've learned on BikeForums?
10-22-14, 12:18 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
What is the single most useful tip you've learned on BikeForums?
For me it's probably that you can tell which direction to trim your friction shifters by listening to the sound your drivetrain is making.
10-22-14, 12:20 PM
#2
Senior Member
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BF reminds me every day of why I've been so passionate about bikes for so long. It's great to be part of a larger community whose members share your hobby.
10-22-14, 12:22 PM
#3
Senior Member
That not all people on the internet are a-holes...
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Semper fi
Semper fi
10-22-14, 12:35 PM
#4
All Campy All The Time
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Never criticize another person's bike; it may be rare, classic, vintage, collectible or just plain cool to someone.
Beware of stuck seat posts and stems. (I've never come across one in person.)
Learned the meaning of: DUI bars, a.k.a. Hobo Bars.
Beware of stuck seat posts and stems. (I've never come across one in person.)
Learned the meaning of: DUI bars, a.k.a. Hobo Bars.
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My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron
My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron
10-22-14, 12:40 PM
#5
Pedal to the medal
Generally, how to tell the difference between quality steels and gas pipes.
Love this site, check it out almost daily.
Love this site, check it out almost daily.
10-22-14, 12:48 PM
#7
Senior Member
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That an old tube sock dampened with simple green can clean the nooks and crannies, wheels, spoke, etc... on any C&V bike in a snap and shine your shoes. Just don't do it in that order.
10-22-14, 12:50 PM
#8
Senior Member
Don't post a newly acquired bike and say that you finally found your Grail bike that you will never sell. Because no matter how long you have it, once you post it for sale someone will remember you saying that and dig up your old post and post it!
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Semper fi
Semper fi
10-22-14, 12:52 PM
#9
Senior Member
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Yes, how would one find this useful information? The Bike Forums search function is, as always, useless, and even google is no help....
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www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
10-22-14, 01:00 PM
#10
Ellensburg, WA
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The reality of n+1 does not mean you're crazy
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
10-22-14, 01:22 PM
#11
High Plains Luddite
Most inspiring: That drop bars can be installed on a mountain bike. I haven't done it yet because I'm not sure I have the right old MTB from craigslist, but I'll get there eventually.
Most useful: that you can put street tires on MTBs instead of knobbies. The idea never dawned on me until I read about it here.
Most useful: that you can put street tires on MTBs instead of knobbies. The idea never dawned on me until I read about it here.
10-22-14, 01:28 PM
#12
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Good question. I echo the sentiments of all above.
Useful tip: the google search; site:bikeforums.net "search terms"
The vast amount of information here is amazing, along with the knowledge pool of non-aholes.
Useful tip: the google search; site:bikeforums.net "search terms"
The vast amount of information here is amazing, along with the knowledge pool of non-aholes.
10-22-14, 01:35 PM
#13
Senior Member
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That crossing shift cables under the DT can make for very tidy brifter cable routing. I think I got it from the Retro-Roadies thread. That, and Shimergo. Shimergo rules.
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The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
10-22-14, 01:38 PM
#15
incazzare.
10-22-14, 01:42 PM
#16
Tractorlegs
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That when I'm bombing around my city on the infamous Black Knight bicycle, as a matter of choice over using a gas-guzzler money-eating smoke belching fire-breathing monster, I am not alone in the world. As I'm riding down the street I think "Ya know, I have a lot of friends - some of whom I have never seen - doing this too."
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Trikeman
Trikeman
10-22-14, 01:43 PM
#17
Bianchi Goddess
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Buy high sell low!!
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-22-14, 01:55 PM
#19
Senior Member
That any "mystery safe" is always empty. Oh, sorry--that's ******.
How about this: to look for a telltale small crimp or wrinkle at the top of the down tube that shows a used frame has been in a serious head-on collision.
Or, "Look at that Fred riding a gaspipe Raleigh with hobo bars and a Cannondale decal".
How about this: to look for a telltale small crimp or wrinkle at the top of the down tube that shows a used frame has been in a serious head-on collision.
Or, "Look at that Fred riding a gaspipe Raleigh with hobo bars and a Cannondale decal".
10-22-14, 02:00 PM
#20
Cisalpinist
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This.
And I've picked up some great music that doesn't get much attention here on the continent (Little Feat, Townes van Zandt) from all the thread drift into music.
and bikes? Well, I've learned a couple of shortcuts when you don't want to spring for tools, and that a little aluminium foil and water works wonders on rust.
And I've picked up some great music that doesn't get much attention here on the continent (Little Feat, Townes van Zandt) from all the thread drift into music.
and bikes? Well, I've learned a couple of shortcuts when you don't want to spring for tools, and that a little aluminium foil and water works wonders on rust.
10-22-14, 02:06 PM
#22
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For me it's a toss-up between the powers of oxalic acid and Khatfull's Aluminum Polishing thread. Prior to finding BikeForums, I had never restored a bike. Khatfull's polishing thread and the various threads about oxalic acid gave me the confidence and know-how to turn several rusty, neglected, and abused bikes into keepers.
And though not necessarily one tip, I did learn through BikeForums of a great, wise, and legendary man who shared many, many tips: SheldonBrown.com.
And though not necessarily one tip, I did learn through BikeForums of a great, wise, and legendary man who shared many, many tips: SheldonBrown.com.
10-22-14, 02:27 PM
#23
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Forks are bent.
10-22-14, 02:52 PM
#25
Shifting is fun!
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^ All this. But most importantly: if you like the bike, it's a good bike. Whatever anyone else says.