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

magicbastarder

is there a simple list of chemicals which you should not get near disc brake pads? i.e. would even something like a detergent cause issues with contamination; i was wondering as i was cleaning the bike earlier if i can be overcautious in cleaning the bike near the brakes.

any tips on looking after a steel frame? my latest purchase has mountings for racks and also a couple of unthreaded holes - should i tape those up to keep water out, or leave them uncovered to let the water out should it get in?

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Icyseanfitz

will one of those stretch around a 34.9 clamp area? be a nice quick solution

Icyseanfitz

the hope wont slide down as it has a lip at the top, are there any clamps that are taller than standard, or a clamp without a lip at the top.

i swear i had every detail of this build worked out and this is after catching me

QueenMTBee

Not a bike maintenance question but didn't think my query deserved its own thread.... I have a buzz beetle car rack but the rubber straps provided to hold the bike onto the rack are too short to go around the frame of a mountain bike. Has anyone else come across this and figured out a solution?

http://buzzrack.com/galleries/beetle-trunk-rack-2-arms-bike-carrier/

07Lapierre

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

the hope wont slide down as it has a lip at the top, are there any clamps that are taller than standard, or a clamp without a lip at the top.

i swear i had every detail of this build worked out and this is after catching me

Do you have one of these?(with a curved edge) : https://goo.gl/images/MXMbWR

File away the lip on the clamp?

com1

QueenMTBee wrote: »

Not a bike maintenance question but didn't think my query deserved its own thread.... I have a buzz beetle car rack but the rubber straps provided to hold the bike onto the rack are too short to go around the frame of a mountain bike. Has anyone else come across this and figured out a solution?

http://buzzrack.com/galleries/beetle-trunk-rack-2-arms-bike-carrier/

wrap a Bungee or strap around the whole shebang (place bike on rack and wrap bungee around bike and rack (where the bike sits on the rack))

Or get in touch with the manufacturers and ask for longer straps, they may be able to oblige.

iwillhtfu

QueenMTBee wrote: »

Not a bike maintenance question but didn't think my query deserved its own thread.... I have a buzz beetle car rack but the rubber straps provided to hold the bike onto the rack are too short to go around the frame of a mountain bike. Has anyone else come across this and figured out a solution?

http://buzzrack.com/galleries/beetle-trunk-rack-2-arms-bike-carrier/

Usually those rubber straps are adjustable on both sides. There might be extra length on the side nearest the car.

Paul_Mc1988

Have ordered a 11-34 cassette with a 105 gs medium cage derailleur and a sram red 22 11speed chain for the upcoming randonnee as the steep climbs are killing my cadence and just burn the legs out when im at 60-70rpm.

Currently have an 11-28 and the plan is to measure up the the old chain and add on a link or 2. Anyone ever done this and know off the top of their head how many links would be required?

seamus

Six extra teeth = six extra links.

However, that assumes that the chain you currently have is correctly sized

You could end up putting on six links and then finding that there's no tension in the chain when in the lower cogs.

You'll probably need to just find the correct size yourself and not rely on the old chain:
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-length-sizing#article-section-4

Paul_Mc1988

seamus wrote:

Six extra teeth = six extra links.However, that assumes that the chain you currently have is correctly sized.You could end up putting on six links and then finding that there's no tension in the chain when in the lower cogs.You'll probably need to just find the correct size yourself and not rely on the old chain:

Thanks seamus for the link should come in handy. Now to start worrying about indexing the new derailleur

Joe1919

seamus wrote: »

Six extra teeth = six extra links.

Should that not be 3 extra links (2 or 4) as the chain only ever wraps half the number of teeth on a sprocket.

triggermortis

When I did mine recently I was told to wrap the chain round the two largest rings (front and back) without going via the derailleur and adding 2 links to that. Worked out fine.

Edit: just read Seamus’s link -says the same thing.

h 7

Is this a good bike? (In your opinion). It only has 14 gears, compared to my hybrid which I currently have, 21 gears.

Carrera Zelos Mens Road Bike - 51, 54cm Frames

Would it be slower because of less gears?

My 21 speed hybrid is 7 gears on derailleur and 3 on the front, so I assume the 14 has 2 on the front and 7 on the derailleur.

www. halfords. ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=212536&productId=1246237&storeId=11101

ED E

h 7 wrote: »

Is this a good bike? (In your opinion). It only has 14 gears, compared to my hybrid which I currently have, 21 gears.

Carrera Zelos Mens Road Bike - 51, 54cm Frames

Would it be slower because of less gears?

My 21 speed hybrid is 7 gears on derailleur and 3 on the front, so I assume the 14 has 2 on the front and 7 on the derailleur.

www. halfords. ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=212536&productId=1246237&storeId=11101

Wow, banned in 2 posts. GJ fella.

iwillhtfu

ED E wrote: »

Wow, banned in 2 posts. GJ fella.

Apparently not to knowledgeable on bikes but up to speed on our ethnic minority :eek: "Knackers smell, they are inbred. Anywhere they set up camp, they always cause trouble. They are a menace in society and a virus in life."

errlloyd

Kinda bike maintenance, kinda human maintenance.

So I bought a bike a few years back. I'm using it for some commuting, never going more than like 10k each way. So not far.

Anyway it's an entry level road bike, 57cm frame. I'm probably a smidgeon under 6'2. Just trying to work out if it's uncomfortable because it's too small, or because I'm not used to cycling.

ED E

errlloyd wrote: »

Anyway it's an entry level road bike, 57cm frame. I'm probably a smidgeon under 6'2. Just trying to work out if it's uncomfortable because it's too small, or because I'm not used to cycling.

Forget your height, its your inseam the matters. Measure that then compare to the sizing chart.

Thats only the start though, there's lots to a bike fit but the right frame size is important.

Paul_Mc1988

Ok so put the new 11-34 cassette on and then sized up the chain and took of the links all with no issues, joined up with power links sagging ever so slightly. Still waiting on derailleur which should be here tomorrow hopefully.

Heres where it went tits up. Put on three new brake blocks but on one the Allen key screw that holds the block in was reamed. Have a drill and a tap and die kit in the job would it be ok for me to drill the head off the screw then re-tap it?

cdaly_

Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »

Heres where it went tits up. Put on three new brake blocks but on one the Allen key screw that holds the block in was reamed. Have a drill and a tap and die kit in the job would it be ok for me to drill the head off the screw then re-tap it?

Take the block off the bike and give it a soak in wd40 or penetrating oil. Then try tapping a torx bit into the screw. That will often grab even if the allen key slips. If you have to drill, the screw may end up turning before you need to tap. You'll have to make sure to be centred if drilling to tap or you'll end up cutting new threads into part of the old screw which will be weaker.

CramCycle

If the screw is still Ok, just rounded, get a hacksaw and cut across the top to make a ridge for a flathead screwdriver.

Paul_Mc1988

It had enough head to get a vice grips on, thanks for the ideas, All sorted now except for the rear derailleur. Ordered from merlin cycles last Friday and no sign of it. Anyone got a long cage 11 speed shimano rear derailleur i could borrow for Saturdays randonnee would leave a deposit to cover the cost until returned

saccades

Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »

Ok so put the new 11-34 cassette on and then sized up the chain and took of the links all with no issues, joined up with power links sagging ever so slightly. Still waiting on derailleur which should be here tomorrow hopefully.

Heres where it went tits up. Put on three new brake blocks but on one the Allen key screw that holds the block in was reamed. Have a drill and a tap and die kit in the job would it be ok for me to drill the head off the screw then re-tap it?

Screw extractor is easiest way, Lidl and Aldi have them in stock quote regularly for peanuts.

Paul_Mc1988

Derailleur came and installed and indexed without issues thanks mostly in part to Dan loyds GCN video.

Final question, could i use the old chain and cassette with the longer mech now if i reset the Indexing and B screw without having to switch to the short cage?

Type 17

Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »

...could i use the old chain and cassette with the longer mech now if i reset the Indexing and B screw without having to switch to the short cage?

Yes, and you probably wouldn't even need to re-index, unless the axle spacing got changed (worth checking, though).

Paul_Mc1988

Type 17 wrote:

Yes, and you probably wouldn't even need to re-index, unless the axle spacing got changed (worth checking, though).

Lovely thats just what i wanted to hear. Thanks

dahat

Each time I remove my back wheel it needs re indexing.

Am I putting the wheel back slightly incorrectly or is it part of the process?

07Lapierre

dahat wrote: »

Each time I remove my back wheel it needs re indexing.

Am I putting the wheel back slightly incorrectly or is it part of the process?

No...u should be able to fit/remove the wheel without indexing each time.

Difficult to know what the problem is though.

Is the derailleur hanger damaged? How old is your derailleur? Is there any sideways movement in it? You can check by holding the jockey wheel and "rock" it from side to side (towards the wheel spokes). Do this while the rear wheel is off the bike. There shouldn't be any movement....if there is, then you may need a new derailleur.

Type 17

Likely the wheel is inserted a bit crooked - before closing the QR lever, lean down on the saddle and jiggle the top of the tyre to ensure it's fully settled in the dropouts.

dahat

I've been taking wheel off and replacing while on the bike stand so possible it's slightly out of position alright.

I have suspected the rd is cooked and will be dropping bike in to get an expert opinion tmrw as part of another issue. I have a second hand one that I hope is in better nick than the current one.

magicbastarder

i never tighten up the QR fully until the bike is sitting on its wheels on the ground. you usually get a slight adjustment in the alignment after taking the bike off the stand and releasing and redoing the QR.

dahat

magicbastarder wrote: »

i never tighten up the QR fully until the bike is sitting on its wheels on the ground. you usually get a slight adjustment in the alignment after taking the bike off the stand and releasing and redoing the QR.

That's actually a very good tip. Thanks.