the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120802899#Comment_120802899

no worries, thanks for the offer anyway.

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120803099#Comment_120803099

Those ones are handy in that they can take the clip-on basket which is handy to carry shopping etc. You should be able to order it either for delivery, or I guess collect in store

Regarding panniers, if you're talking about rear panniers the Ortlieb and the like clip on easily to racks and are very adjustable. I think there are a lot of similar style panniers by I can heartily recommend the Ortliebs - they're bombproof, Well, waterproof at least but that's a good start for a pannier :-)

magicbastarder

I bought a rack in Halfords a few years ago, if you've one near you.

Thargor

Is it the done thing to pull off old bar tape thats gone a bit loose/got gaps after its been on the bike for a few weeks and rewrap it or is it fecked the minute you open it and I should just order fresh stuff online?

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805173#Comment_120805173

It depends. Would you like new bartape?😀

I've found over the years when I start looking at things thinking they need to be replaced, it's mostly because I want a new thing. Otherwise, I'll just fix it up without even thinking about it

Thargor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805189#Comment_120805189

So it is reusable is what Im asking though, Im just worried it will be all slimy or slack or something when I unwrap it?

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805197#Comment_120805197

Honestly, depends on the tape. I've unwrapped up as far as the hood, and then rewrapped, it was fine.

It's definitely worth a shot

Thargor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805214#Comment_120805214

Sound thanks Ill give it a go.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805173#Comment_120805173

i have unwrapped bar tape and rewrapped it to recable a bike when the tape has been on several years - and that was several years ago...

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120805173#Comment_120805173

I never use the sticky stuff underneath for the very reason I can do this if it does slip. Yes it is more likely to slip but it cane be re wrapped sort of OK a few times.

ofthelord

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120802734#Comment_120802734

Hi Loyatemu - I've a few used tyres in the shed you can have your pick of if you are still looking? Different sizes from about 35 up to 45. All should be in decent enough condition. I can take a pic of them and add later. Based in Rathnew so if you are Greystones not too far between us.

CramCycle

11 speed Shimano Crankset on a 12 speed bike. i presume it will be absolutely fine?

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120818717#Comment_120818717

cheers, I'm away on hols this week, but I'll come back to you when I get back if that's ok.

ofthelord

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120825846#Comment_120825846

hi - yes no problem. See attached pic of a few of the tyres showing their sizes, you are free to have some of them if they are what you are looking for.

IMG_1864.JPG

cletus

Good morning, folks. I've just picked up my new wheels, which I'll be running tubeless.

Question is, are all tubeless valves made equal, or in other words, can I just buy a random no name set from Amazon, or are there particular valves that people would recommend.

As an aside, my eye has been caught by a pair of Muc-Off valves, primarily because they are orange

DaveyDave

Would it be a bad thing to regularly adjust tyre pressure? The 2.6" on my MTB are too wide for my riding, there's a considerable difference in climbing at 25psi Vs 30psi, it feels like a flat tyre but on the way down the higher pressure pings off rocks and the back wheel is prone to slipping off rocks which is uncomfortable and just ruins the flow of climbing.

Have my eye on a digital suspension/tyre pump. Was thinking if it's safe to regularly fiddle with the valves I could adjust it once at the top of the trails and air back up before my next ride. Once these tyres are worn out I'll be swapping to smaller more appropriate tyres.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120830480#Comment_120830480

There's no issue that I'm aware of from regularly adjusting tyre pressure

CramCycle

I know the answer is no but just in case, is there a GRX shifter that accommodates wired brakes, rather than hydraulic.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842252#Comment_120842252

Hydraulic only, I'm afraid.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842461#Comment_120842461

I thought so, have to get a new leftie (old one snapped in what would have been an awesome YouTube short narrated by Lanterne Rouge) and I just thought, I really like my CX bike levers, maybe I'll just replace both. Damn you Shimano.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120845929#Comment_120845929

The front gears tend to dictate your overall speed in my opinion. If you will be going slow then a smaller front cog might be better. If you plan on going fast then a larger cog at the front will help.

Then the rear cogs will allow you to almost fine tune the speed. The smaller rear cogs provide for greater speed while the larger ones provide for a slower speed.

If you were wanting to cycle alongside someone walking than you'd find that the large cog on the front (probably regardless of whatever rear you're in) is just too fast so jumping to the smaller front would be easier.

Due to this, you'll find going up hills easier if you are in a smaller cog at the front whereas when heading down that hill, you might want to be in the larger front cog so that your pedalling will match your speed.

There is an overlap at some point where being in a certain small front and a larger rear combination is the same as a large front and smaller rear. However, the smaller front might be easier to pedal at that speed.

Lastly, the following link describes the concept of cross chaining which you should avoid (the logic being that you want to keep your chain as straight as possible between front and rear):

Avoid ‘cross-chaining’: Cross-chaining is when you have a little/little or big/big combination. This puts stress on the drivetrain and can cause premature wear of the components. It’s OK if you occasionally find yourself cross-chained – say for a short, steep climb – but it is something you’ll generally want to avoid. The rule of thumb to follow is that when on the big ring, only use the smaller two-thirds of the cassette. When on the inner (or middle) ring, only use the inner two-thirds. When in ‘granny gear’ limit yourself to the largest two or three cogs.

https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/the-draft/bike-gears-explained/

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120829461#Comment_120829461

I've the Muc Off valves and they're grand. They are at the pricier end of the spectrum though. While I've never tried any no-name brand, with the multi branded Chinese stuff on Amazon, I'd say quality could be a lottery

68 lost souls

I’ve a pair of fulcrum racing 3 that are pretty much dead due to my poor servicing of the hubs. Front hub is all but seized and rear hub is very grindy. Open bearings mean that the hub is pitted. I’ve salvaged the relit belt low mileage gp5000s and the tubeless valves off them as well. Do I just put them in the bin or is there somewhere that can get some use out of them? I was thinking maybe the spikes could be worth it for someone for spares or maybe someone wants to practice wheelbullding or something?

Seperately I have an old bike with Shimano rx100 brakes, any particular brake shoes and blocks I should be looking for? They are wearing thin on the front.

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860581#Comment_120860581

Someone might take the front for a turbo spare?

For the brakes, any Shimano shoe and pad should be fine, I think you can get 105 ones pretty cheap with pads on Amazon for like 9 quid a pair

68 lost souls

Thanks I wasn’t sure if the standard was still the same back then.

if anyone fancies the wheels let me know

DaveyDave

More of a general query than maintenance.

I was thinking of throwing some gravel tyres on my road ebike and going off road. Anything to be concerned about? Geometry is similar to gravel bikes and clearance for 32-35mm tyres.

It probably gets more abuse with the speeds I've hit potholes and speed bumps over the years.

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120882316#Comment_120882316

Just make sure you’ve enough clearance for any muck/gunk that could build up depending what kind of off-road bits you’re doing

Mr. Cats

My headset has a bit of a grinding feeling. Presumably the bearing are kaput?

I’ve never serviced one before - is it something worth having a bash at at home or it’s particularly tricky in some way? I would just plan to watch some YouTube’s and follow along. Are the specific bearings fairly standard or specific to every brand?

cletus

Depends on your bike. If you give a make and model, you'll get better info

Mr. Cats

It’s a Cervelo R3 disc