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

Wildly Boaring · 31-08-2021 08:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117825200#Comment_117825200

Right you're more comfortable after raising the bars to the top.

The saddle going back and the bars going forward will not aid comfort and will put load back onto the hands/arms.

Think about the pressures on your body........

A more stretched out position puts weight on the arms and is using more of your core to stabilise you.

A less stretched out position puts more weight on your ass and is less aerodynamic.

So higher, closer bars are generally comfier and less aerodynamic.

magicbastarder · 31-08-2021 08:43AM

on my disc brake bike, there's always been a little rock on braking; the wheel pulls ever so slightly to the left under braking. has never caused me any issues.

Euro Fred · 31-08-2021 02:53PM

Can anyone recommend somewhere to repair/ touch up an aluminium frame?

I took my sons bike to the Guarda for ID marking and they wrecked the paintwork on the top tube.

31-08-2021 06:05PM

Not sure where you are based but you could try taking it to these guys they respray cars but at the end of the day metal is metal.

https://hillsidecarspray.com/

Roadtoad · 01-09-2021 08:50AM

Tyres Tyres Tyres

What are the sensible options for touring / sportif (typically 80-160 km days) on a road bike? I'm more interested in robustness and wear than racing performance.

What's the tyre of choice among the Audax fraternity?

My go-to tyre has always been 700x25 mm Gaterskins, which are due for a change, and I'm wondering whether anything new has come along and reset the standard.

ARX · 01-09-2021 01:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117774842#Comment_117774842

Update on this: after an increasingly tetchy exchange, the retailer has agreed to a refund. The turning point seems to have been when I pointed out that I've spent a lot of money with them over the last few years. I probably will be looking elsewhere in future though, unless they have what I want way cheaper than elsewhere or it's low-value stuff with no moving parts.

It looks as though Shimano pedals are prone to the pin holding them together coming out (see links below). It seem to happen to 105 pedals as well as the lower-end stuff. Has anyone here had this happen?

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/13016630/shimano-clipless-pedal-fault-r550-spd-sl

https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/3gi711/has_anyone_had_a_pin_start_coming_out_of_a/

https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/ml14uw/shimano_pedal_pd_r7000_would_not_clip_in_randomly/

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/954746-shimano-spd-sl-5700-pedals-loose-binding-pin-excess-float.html

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/13016630/shimano-clipless-pedal-fault-r550-spd-sl

01-09-2021 03:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831664#Comment_117831664

Sorry I can't answer your question directly, this website might help it compares the rolling resistance of different tyres you can put in your current model and then compare it with others.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews

tigerboon · 02-09-2021 06:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117826376#Comment_117826376

Open the allen bolts holding the stem in position. Tighten the bolt on top of the steerer tube a bit (quarter turn or so). You're basically pulling the fork up slightly so that's why you need to open the stem bolts. If you over do it then the steering will be stiff so as usual there's a bit of trial and error. Test with the front brakes pulled and then tighten up the stem bolts when it feels right. make sure your bars are in the correct position before tightening. Simple job, should only take a few minutes

jebidiah · 02-09-2021 02:07PM

Not fully bike related but... Tear on a brand new pannier bag, I've been offered a replacement so long as I "destroy this one appropriately". Wondering if anyone has experience with patching something like this?

Made from 300D Polyester Ripstop with TPU Coating, would I be able to get some kind of patch for that?

loyatemu · 02-09-2021 03:14PM

Gorilla Tape? Fixes everything in my experience.

daragh_ · 03-09-2021 09:33AM

Horizontal Dropout Question.

I've just picked up an old Felt B12 TT Bike. 2013 Model. It's in really good nick and doesn't need a whole lot of TLC beyond new brake pads.

Put on a pair of Carbon Clinchers with standard QR skewers and I noticed that the rear dropouts are horizontal. Went for a quick test and somehow the wheel drifted off centre and ended up rubbing the frame. Loosened the sewer, recentred and came home before I did any damage.

Is the fix for this just having the Skewer really tight or is there something really obvious I'm missing.

patrickc · 03-09-2021 10:15PM

I got a major service done this week , new chainring, chain, bearings etc etc

took the bike out for a spin and when on top ring at the front and bottom ring on the rear cassette only the chain is not sitting right its like its going click click. The bike shop is closed for holidays now anyone any ideas what needs adjusting for those gears in particular?

magicbastarder · 03-09-2021 10:47PM

you mean you're going big ring at the front to small ring at the back?

patrickc · 03-09-2021 11:36PM

Yes the hardest gears possible if that makes sense?

nicksnikita · 04-09-2021 10:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831664#Comment_117831664

Jack Brown Mike Munchers are supposed to be very good for your described use. I’ve used their Race tyres and found them excellent. The Mile Muncher is the more robust model.. Usually reasonably priced on Planet X. Worth a try

Brian? · 04-09-2021 04:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117844667#Comment_117844667

The smallest sprocket on the back and the biggest ring on the front?

patrickc · 05-09-2021 06:17AM

Yes that's it

Brian? · 05-09-2021 09:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848520#Comment_117848520

You either need to

let some tension off your barrel adjuster, just a quarter turn at a time. If it doesn’t come right quickly go to option 2
Release the tension completely off the derailleur by removed the cable. If the chain isn’t running smoothly adjust the high limit screw. After you have it running smoothly add the tension back.

However, if I’d paid someone to service my bike I would expect to be sweet as a nut and not need to be touched. So whether you go ahead and sort it yourself you should be complaining to the shop.

Out of interest, when are you using this gear? It can’t be often

magicbastarder · 05-09-2021 12:18PM

i was going to suggest it may be the chain rubbing off the inside of the FD cage, that the cage is not moving out quite far enough.

patrickc · 05-09-2021 07:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848838#Comment_117848838

on the flat it would be the most common gear I use.

He would normally sort it, but he's gone on holidays so I can't ask him but will say it the next time.

thanks I'll try that barrel turn anyway.

Brian? · 05-09-2021 07:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117850810#Comment_117850810

I would politely suggest it’s not the gear you should be using on the flat unless it’s much smaller than I suspect.

What bike is it? What gearing?

Brian? · 05-09-2021 07:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117849346#Comment_117849346

I’m more worried about his knees if he’s grinding around in a 53x11 ;)

patrickc · 05-09-2021 07:50PM

I'm not sure you have it right, its the top ring at the front, bottom at the back, the hardest gear which gets me the most speed on flats. what gear should I be using and why not that gear?

it's a la pierre audacio and its 10 speed is all I know. I don't do technical if I don't need too.

Brian? · 05-09-2021 08:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117850951#Comment_117850951

It’s the hardest gear to push right?

Now, you may be a complete beast of a man and can spin that at 90rpm + on the flat, but most people can’t. You’re probably turning at a very low cadence, under 60rpm. This is very bad for your knees and an inefficient way to cycle.

If you are spinning it easily you need bigger gears.

patrickc · 05-09-2021 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117850996#Comment_117850996

thanks for that info Brian. I'll keep an eye on it for future reference.

magicbastarder · 05-09-2021 09:52PM

i think the only time i've ever hit that gear on my bike is when i'm going 70km/h+; pushing a hard gear is counterproductive unless you've a gale behind you or are going down a decent hill.

patrickc · 05-09-2021 10:43PM

Each to their own too.

Thanks for the help😊

Shotser · 06-09-2021 11:39AM

I am breaking spokes on my rear MTB wheel every 3 or so rides. I've gone through 4 since the first one. Its an OEM SunRingle wheel 27.5 about 4 years old with about 1300km of trails on it. I am replacing the spokes myself (have a truing stand but not a tensioner) but its a pain the the backside as I'm running tubeless. Time for a new wheel?

magicbastarder · 06-09-2021 12:00PM

could be the spokes are fatigued? have any of the spokes you've replaced yourself broken?

i had a road bike with ten year old wheels that started breaking spokes, so i had the wheel rebuilt with new ones and it was fine after.

Brian? · 06-09-2021 02:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117851623#Comment_117851623

It’s not really an “each to their own” situation. I’m not having a go, I’m trying to impress the seriousness of this on you. Grinding away like this is terrible for your knees.

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

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