Forum: Bicycle Mechanics

Is there a quick way to tell if you need to pull your hubs apart for any reason?? My wheels turn really true and effortlessly. There is no audible noise, but only a slight vibration when spinning wheels and putting my head up agains the frame. Sorry for such a noob question, i don't want to...

I'm planning on relacing an old wheel one spoke at a time so I don't have to disassemble it at all. Good idea, or not? Or is there a better way? Yes, I'm definitely replacing every spoke and nipple - the wheel is over 20 years old, has lots of miles on it, and the last time I rode it three...

New bike: Ultegra 6700 components - rear derailleur (GS) with 11-28 cassette. On the stand there is no problem, it shifts perfectly. While riding, it's a different story. Although shifting through the rest of the gears is normal, the chain feels and sounds like it wants to shift from 19 to 17...

I have 27" X 1 " high pressure tires on my vintage bike, and dread having to change flats or replace tires because of the godawful time I have getting the tires off. I've actually totaled tire levers and tubes in the process. Park sells the TL-11 tool: ...

Hi, do you guys think this kind of damage can be polished out? http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9132/skada.jpg

Hello all, I'm planning to upgrade a 25 year old Miyata 610 touring bike. It's in great shape, but I would like to do two things - 2) upgrade from a six speed cassette to 8 or 9, and 2) move from downtube friction to indexed shifting (either brifter or barcons). I've read Sheldon Brown...

Hi i have just bought a new bike and while i was riding it home i rode of a kerb and the chain came off!? it got wedged between the rear gear sprocket and the lower frame. I managed to fix it but it seems that i cant ride of kerbs it sounds like a low pitched clink. Any help would be great. ...

Is it possible to fit a 1st gen lever arm to a 2nd gen Ergo body? I need it for the sake of chromed lugs. If it's possible by some discreet machining, I'll buy the spare aluminum levers. Worth the try. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/RS1800/Lever-Xchange.gif

hello, i was wondering if anyone could shoot an opinion, experience, advice or any help to help me avoid or lean me towards the purchase of a Bontrager Race Lite Triple Crankset w/ Giga X Pipe external bottom bracket. Or is a Shimano 105 Octalink w/ BB-5500 bottom bracket better? I am...

have an old mtb fork and when i shake it i hear stuff inside. if I shake it a lot sand (I think) comes out of the holes mid tube. anyone know a technique for getting the stuff out besides shaking it for hours? or is it not worth bothering with? super technical question, i know. thanks!

Hi all. I am new to doing my own wrenching. I got my hands on an older GT Outpost (1997) that is some serious need of renovation/TLC. I have done about all of the stuff that I know how to do, but I am having some issues with the rear wheel and the freehub and cassette. Here's the deal. The...

Hi All I picked up a nice old Trek 1200 Aluminum frame bike. It is in great shape and a fun ride, looks real good too. But this 42/53 crankset is inhuman, my daily commute with this setup was around 1974, riding to Jr. High. It is a Biopace setup, I rode my Fisher Hybrid for 20 years with a...

Just got a Cannondale Quick 5 Hybrid. The tire says 37-622 and it uses a Schrader valve. The bike shop I frequent sells Bontrager tubes (http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=77&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1,2,442,524&iProductID=77&bShopOnline=1). What I'm wondering is: which tube should I...

Yeah as per title. Does it roll less effectively as regular tires? Heavier than the non-Kevlar version? Are there anything better than Kevlar for puncture resistance quality?

Hi, my apologies if this issue has arisen before, but this evening I went to swap the 1-1/8" threadless Thomson stem on my touring bike (Kogswell P/R) with a longer stem, and I wasn't able to remove the top cap, on account of the bolt & top cap moving together as I tried turning counterclockwise...

Ok, so I can not seem to get my stem tight enough so that it doesn't swivel around with a decent amount of pressure, where both surfaces are polished and smooth I can't seem to get enough bite. What say my more knowledgeable elders?

I recently built up a new bike using a Nashbar touring frame and am having some issues with getting the fit right. I'm currently experiencing pain in my lower back during and after rides. My guess is that this is either due to getting a frame that is too small or needing to get a slightly longer...

I've had a couple bikes in the recent past that had the craziest problem: The wheels were true in a circular sense but the dishing way way off, like a consistent 10 mm. all the way around. I eventually got them true but it baffled me. These were old bikes and the only explanation I could...

I'm building a new set of wheels for my Chorus 10sp bike and I'm having a hard time finding 10sp Chorus cassettes. I only see Veloce on eBay, when anything is available. I've seen a few used cassettes, but what's the point? Did Campy stop selling 10sp when they switched to 11? You know, give me...

I have trouble steering to the left or to the right. It doesn't move in those directions fluidly. In other words, it has a willingness to 'lock-up' in the center position . I ride this bike year-round in Toronto weather. I've only had it for a year and some and it has only had this problem...

I'm totally mystified by this: When I shift to the next smaller cog from the 4th smallest cog of my cassette, the chain just hesitates for sometimes as many as 10 revolutions before it shifts. The rest of the cogs shift beautifully up and down with no hesitation whatsoever. Shifting the 3rd...

I was working on my 78 schwinn superior last night and noticed that somehow my seatstays had bent to the right about a quarter inch. The chainstays are fine, but now my brake mount doesn't line up. I'm running it fixed right now, so it's not too big of a deal, but I need to know how to fix it. Is...

I'm tired of my single bike being so much less comfortable than my tandem notwithstanding the relative harshness of the Al single. The tandem handlebars are approximately level with the saddle. I've got a 3" or so drop on the single. Single top tube is a bit longer, but easily compensated by...

Hello, first post here. I've searched and can't find an answer to this one. I have an older Kestrel frame that I plan on building up. I have a Phil Wood bottom bracket that I would like to install. The Phil Wood design with an adjustable chainline requires loctite to secure the outer cups (or at...

I'm tired of my single bike being so much less comfortable than my tandem notwithstanding the relative harshness of the Al single. The tandem handlebars are approximately level with the saddle. I've got a 3" or so drop on the single. Single top tube is a bit longer, but easily compensated by...

I have a Campy Nuovo Record rear derailleur from the mid-1970's. Recently, my old six-speed cassette stripped and had to be replaced. My mechanic put a narrow seven-speed cassette on it. He also replaced the chain. It all works fine until I have to stand on the pedals, such as going up a steep hill...

I have a 2009 Trek 7100. I have a broken spoke on the rear wheel, drive side. Which park tool model # do I need to remove the cassette? Thank you!!

I have a Dolan carbon fibre roadbike on which I think the head tube needs refacing (looking at it, the top and bottom of the tube does not appear to be 100% parallel). My question is this: I know that it is fairly common practice to reface head tubes and bottom brackets but is this possible with...

Hi, After recent trip to Tenerife, the handle of my bike case was broken. It might be that two screws that hold one side of the handle unscrewed - I found them inside as good as new - and the handle was hanging on one side. I fixed the handle with a shoe lace. But now I want to fix it correctly....

In another thread, I noticed a reference to a front wheel being in the fork "the wrong way", as evidenced by the wheel's QR lever being on the "wrong side". In the picture, the lever was in the right end of the axle, looking down from rider's point of view. Didn't want to hijack that thread, but...

My wife recently was offered the use of a Norco Scorcher that our nephew had outgrown. It's been sitting outside under partial cover for the better part of 2 years. The chain will have to be replaced, but the tires look to be in ok condition, and the chainrings and cogs look decent enough. I've...

Hi Guys have following parts for my bike Campagnolo Mirage 9 speed ergo shifters 9 speed cassette Looking to fit a mirage rear derailleur, problem is i'm struggling to find a 9 speed derailleur Can a ten speed derailleur be used with 9 speed shifters and 9 speed cassette?

I need some help.... I have a Specialized Allez sport triple. I want to switch it over to a double. Specs say square taper 68mm 118. It is a 9 speed. I would like a 105 or better. I am thinking about Ebay for cost reasons. I am totally confused on what to look for???? If I get a crank that is...

I've had a problem with the bearings in my headset on my giant tcr advanced 2 2009. The original problem was a slight judder between the forks and the frame and a creaking from the bearings. I am looking for a cheap replacement but am unsure which headset to buy. Are there different sizes or can i...

Not sure which forum to post this on, but decided on here. I have a 1987 Schwinn Tempo. Their sport/entry level road bike at the time. Pretty nice lugged steel frame, 105 componets through out. Im thinking of upgrading to modern componets. I am planning on an inspection and cold set of the...

Anyone know the inner width of these dudes? I looked at their main site but couldn't find it. I've heard good things about them despite the single wall design.

Did some searches and found some older posts that suggest you can use the Century 12 rear cluster from Harris without changing the short cage RD (that's also their claim). But I guess I need some more recent feedback. I've got a 9 spd Trek 2100 with 53/39 chainrings and want to use the Century 12...

Anyone know where I can get a 14T single speed freewheel that will fit on a standard freewheel hub? I ordered a 14t bmx freewheel and the diameter of the threaded part is smaller than the threaded mount on the hub. thanks!

I have a compact crank that I'd like to install but FSA apparently isn't compatible with Campy. Is there a chainring out there that is compatible with both systems? I'd prefer to just buy chainrings rather than purchase a whole new crank. Thanks.

I have a '76 Raleigh Grand Prix and I wanted to remove the large 52 tooth chain ring from the outside and just run the 42 tooth ring. Is it a bad idea to drill out the threaded holes so they will be flush with the crank assembly? here is the 42 tooth with the three holes in question...

I grew up among 27" tires on road bikes, and 26" and 24" tires on beginners bikes, tandems, etc. Then I noticed a new size, 700c, that was almost identical to 27" but not quite. Still haven't quite figured out why it was introduced, but it has become very popular as 27" tires slide - more power to...

Good day, I am riding a 2009 Shimano 105 drive train (double). Yesterday while riding home from work I shifted from my largest to smallest chain ring. In down shifting, the front derailleur dumped the chain. When I shifted back to the largest I discovered that the left release shifted no...