Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Ask the Community

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Ask the Community

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-13-17 | 05:34 PM
  #151  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

TimothyH is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-17 | 06:17 PM
  #152  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by bonsai171
How about 3d printing or zip ties?

Dave
I don't even have a 2-D printer, but that would be cool. I'll most likely be trying out some ziptie rigging, see what I can come up with.
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-17 | 09:05 PM
  #153  
Unkle Rico's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR

Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi

What always worked for me was to just use electrical tape. Good for a solid night session -- Easy to remove and doesnt leave residue behind. So.. Just tape the light to your bar in other words

What light we talkin about here?


Originally Posted by seau grateau
Any ideas/resources for DIY headlight mounts?
Unkle Rico is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-17 | 09:26 PM
  #154  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by Unkle Rico
What always worked for me was to just use electrical tape. Good for a solid night session -- Easy to remove and doesnt leave residue behind. So.. Just tape the light to your bar in other words

What light we talkin about here?
Axiom Lazer 500. The mount broke while I was riding last night. Ideally I want to figure out something I can easily remove and put back on for commuting type stuff. I have a smaller spare light to use in the meantime, but it's **** at actually lighting the road on dark routes.
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Old 06-17-17 | 08:05 AM
  #155  
UltraManDan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL

Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond

I am currently riding 48x17, which is 74 gear inches. Is there any advantage to having smaller sprockets, other than the reduced weight?

Example does 43x15 (75 gear inches) differ much from 49x17 (also 75 gear inches)?
UltraManDan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-17-17 | 11:32 AM
  #156  
SquidPuppet's Avatar
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,861
Likes: 41
From: Coeur d' Alene

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Originally Posted by UltraManDan
I am currently riding 48x17, which is 74 gear inches. Is there any advantage to having smaller sprockets, other than the reduced weight?

Example does 43x15 (75 gear inches) differ much from 49x17 (also 75 gear inches)?
Better curb hopping/dropping clearance.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Reply
Old 06-17-17 | 07:41 PM
  #157  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 97
Originally Posted by seau grateau
Axiom Lazer 500. The mount broke while I was riding last night. Ideally I want to figure out something I can easily remove and put back on for commuting type stuff. I have a smaller spare light to use in the meantime, but it's **** at actually lighting the road on dark routes.
Have you tried polypropylene based glue? (like Gorilla glue). I had really good luck with that on a cracked headlight mount. Moisten the two pieces, apply glue, and then clamp them together. I was even able to torque it down, and it didn't break!

Dave
bonsai171 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-17-17 | 11:36 PM
  #158  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by bonsai171
Have you tried polypropylene based glue? (like Gorilla glue). I had really good luck with that on a cracked headlight mount. Moisten the two pieces, apply glue, and then clamp them together. I was even able to torque it down, and it didn't break!

Dave
Good idea, I fixed my dresser with gorilla glue a few years ago. I'll see if I have any still lying around.
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Old 06-18-17 | 01:47 PM
  #159  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,329
Likes: 5,239
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by UltraManDan
I am currently riding 48x17, which is 74 gear inches. Is there any advantage to having smaller sprockets, other than the reduced weight?

Example does 43x15 (75 gear inches) differ much from 49x17 (also 75 gear inches)?
Smaller sprockets will wear proportionally faster.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-17 | 06:32 AM
  #160  
hay's Avatar
hay
tumbleweed
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 171
Likes: 20
From: txs

Bikes: stumpy,bianchi,Wabi classic

I'm having trouble finding tube for some deep v rims. I can't locate long presa valve tubes in a large diameter.
Question is;
Can I install a 35 mm tube in a 40mm tire? I know I can but will it cause any issues?
hay is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-17 | 06:38 AM
  #161  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

Originally Posted by hay
I'm having trouble finding tube for some deep v rims. I can't locate long presa valve tubes in a large diameter.
Question is;
Can I install a 35 mm tube in a 40mm tire? I know I can but will it cause any issues?
It will probably be ok. The tube is quite flexible and will simply expand to fit inside the tire.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-17 | 06:44 AM
  #162  
hay's Avatar
hay
tumbleweed
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 171
Likes: 20
From: txs

Bikes: stumpy,bianchi,Wabi classic

Cool, That was my train of thought but I wasn't really sure if stress would over take the tube or not.
Thank you T.T.
hay is offline  
Reply
Old 06-22-17 | 11:22 AM
  #163  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

Originally Posted by hay
Cool, That was my train of thought but I wasn't really sure if stress would over take the tube or not.
Thank you T.T.
A tube is like a balloon, which can expand a lot before it bursts. Once the tube is constrained by the tire, the only stress it sees is from direct pressure, and as long as the tire casing is not damaged it will not fail. Tubes are often rated for a range of tire sizes anyway, such as 35-43mm, so going from 35mm to 40mm as in your situation is certainly not a problem, IMO.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 02:46 PM
  #164  
UltraManDan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL

Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond

Creaking sound - need help

So, I am having a creaking sound that is coming from either the cranks or BB, and I am not sure which is the culprit or what I should be looking for to fix.

I get a slight creaking sound on the left side crank when applying a lot of torque, either with forward pedaling or backwards. If I mash the pedals to go forward I will get a slight creaking that does not continue as I keep pedaling. That is until I apply enough back pedal torque, in which case it slightly creaks again. Then again, if I apply forward motion torque it slightly creaks again. So it only happens when significant torque is applied in either direction. Does that make sense???

To me it seems like something is slightly loose, but the crank arm is tightened to spec, and the BB is tightened to spec.

Any clues as to what I should start with? Go easy on me, I am newish to the world of cycling.

Thanks!
UltraManDan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 02:58 PM
  #165  
50voltphantom's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 149
From: SD

Bikes: Handsome Fredward, Trek 1.1

Make sure your pedals are gutentite.
50voltphantom is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 03:53 PM
  #166  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 97
Might be pedal bearings. I had a similar situation recently, and was convinced it was the crank, but not so much. If you have an extra set of pedals, try swapping them out.

Dave
bonsai171 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 04:18 PM
  #167  
UltraManDan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL

Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond

Originally Posted by 50voltphantom
Make sure your pedals are gutentite.
Originally Posted by bonsai171
Might be pedal bearings. I had a similar situation recently, and was convinced it was the crank, but not so much. If you have an extra set of pedals, try swapping them out.

Dave
Thanks guys! Now that I think about it, I think I forgot to put the washer on the left pedal when installing onto the crank. Maybe that's the issue?
Also, should I grease the pedal threads prior to install? Or loctite? I never know what should be used where. lol
UltraManDan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 04:25 PM
  #168  
UltraManDan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL

Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond

Ok, so it's not the pedals. They are plenty tight, and I still get the creaking when pushing on the crank arm itself.

I gotta ride it home from work, and then I'll take the cranks off and inspect.
UltraManDan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 05:46 PM
  #169  
SquidPuppet's Avatar
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,861
Likes: 41
From: Coeur d' Alene

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Originally Posted by UltraManDan
Ok, so it's not the pedals. They are plenty tight, and I still get the creaking when pushing on the crank arm itself.

I gotta ride it home from work, and then I'll take the cranks off and inspect.
Look for possible cracks at the pedal holes and and at the tapers.

I've read that teflon tape on the bottom bracket threads will help fight creaks if that is the culprit.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Reply
Old 06-29-17 | 05:54 PM
  #170  
scoho's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 0

Bikes: steel track

I'll add one to the already large bucket of standard things to check for squeaks/creaks in that area:

If your tires just barely clear the chain stays, pedaling hard can deform the stays (or possibly the wheel; I'm not exactly sure about the mechanics of this) enough to rub one side against the tire. Solutions are to 1) true your wheel perfectly to ensure optimal clearance all around, 2) move the wheel back in the tracks ends to get more chain stay clearance (they get wider as you go back), and 3) check your frame alignment and adjust (if it's steel).

Last edited by scoho; 06-30-17 at 05:17 AM.
scoho is offline  
Reply
Old 06-30-17 | 04:29 AM
  #171  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 328
Does anybody here recall the character string to search the google for particular users' posts in this forum?

TIA...
IAmSam is offline  
Reply
Old 06-30-17 | 05:16 AM
  #172  
scoho's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 0

Bikes: steel track

Stick this in the google:

iamsam site:https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/
scoho is offline  
Reply
Old 06-30-17 | 05:31 AM
  #173  
Steev's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 1
From: Backwoods of Ontario
If the creak only occurs when changing the direction of the applied pedaling force, I'd be checking chain-ring bolts or cog tightness.
Steev is offline  
Reply
Old 06-30-17 | 07:47 AM
  #174  
UltraManDan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL

Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond

This morning before leaving for my commute, I attempted to find the answer. I took out the crank bolt on the left side and it was pretty dirty and gunky. I went to remove the crank arm, and could not get that damn thing off for the life of me. Feels like it might've wedged itself onto the spindle, but I'm not sure. Maybe I am missing something in my haste.

So all I could do was clean and grease the crank arm bolt and reinstall. That seams to have fixed 99% of the creak. I faintly heard it again at the end of my commute this morning, but it could just need to be tightened a little more after riding it.


Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Look for possible cracks at the pedal holes and and at the tapers.

I've read that teflon tape on the bottom bracket threads will help fight creaks if that is the culprit.
Attempted to inspect this morning, but could not get the crank arms off.


Originally Posted by scoho
I'll add one to the already large bucket of standard things to check for squeaks/creaks in that area:

If your tires just barely clear the chain stays, pedaling hard can deform the stays (or possibly the wheel; I'm not exactly sure about the mechanics of this) enough to rub one side against the tire. Solutions are to 1) true your wheel perfectly to ensure optimal clearance all around, 2) move the wheel back in the tracks ends to get more chain stay clearance (they get wider as you go back), and 3) check your frame alignment and adjust (if it's steel).
Wheel is steady in the dropouts with plenty of tire clearance. The creaking is definitely coming from the left side crank arm somehow.

Originally Posted by Steev
If the creak only occurs when changing the direction of the applied pedaling force, I'd be checking chain-ring bolts or cog tightness.
Cog and chainring bolts are tight. The sound is very distinctly coming from the left side crank arm.


I will try to remove them again when I am not so pressed for time. I would think the crank arm should easily slide of the spindle, unless it has been wedged somehow.

I should mention I have the SRAM S300 Courier Crankset like here
https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...-s300-crankset
UltraManDan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-30-17 | 08:06 AM
  #175  
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas

Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels

I'm confused by your statements. If you have a square tapered spindle, the crank will require a puller to get it off. It will not just "slide off" and will indeed be too tight to remove w/o a puller.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.