Ask the Community
#152
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
#153
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?
What light we talkin about here?
#154
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
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.
#155
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)?
Example does 43x15 (75 gear inches) differ much from 49x17 (also 75 gear inches)?
#156
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
#157
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 97
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.
Dave
#158
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Good idea, I fixed my dresser with gorilla glue a few years ago. I'll see if I have any still lying around.
#159
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,329
Likes: 5,239
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Smaller sprockets will wear proportionally faster.
#160
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?
Question is;
Can I install a 35 mm tube in a 40mm tire? I know I can but will it cause any issues?
#161
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
It will probably be ok. The tube is quite flexible and will simply expand to fit inside the tire.
#163
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
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.
#164
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!
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!
#167
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Bikes: 2015 Aventon Diamond
Also, should I grease the pedal threads prior to install? Or loctite? I never know what should be used where. lol
#168
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.
I gotta ride it home from work, and then I'll take the cranks off and inspect.
#169
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
I've read that teflon tape on the bottom bracket threads will help fight creaks if that is the culprit.
#170
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).
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.
#174
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.
Attempted to inspect this morning, but could not get the crank arms off. 

Wheel is steady in the dropouts with plenty of tire clearance. The creaking is definitely coming from the left side crank arm somehow.
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
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.


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).
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).
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
#175
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer


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.



