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

Brian? · 06-10-2021 05:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117982193#Comment_117982193

i can’t imagine that’ll be comfortable.

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 09:02AM

This is a great thread, thank you all for the info, it is really helpful to someone new to bike maintenance like me.

I'm bringing an old mountain bike back to life and I have something weird - the cable for the rear derailleur is cutting the corner just behind the pedal chain wheel and rubbing off the tyre. Is there something I can bolt on to guide the cable away from the wheel?

Seth Brundle · 11-10-2021 09:05AM

Has the cable come out from a guide (possibly when last replaced)?

magicbastarder · 11-10-2021 09:15AM

as above - what does it look like from underneath? is there a 'socket' for the cable to run through on the underneath of the chainstay?

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 10:42AM

Underneath the bottom bracket there is a guide but this looks like its located square to the frame

There isn't a socket for the cable on the bottom of the chain stay - are there ones I can buy to bolt onto the chain stay?

cletus · 11-10-2021 10:44AM

A couple more pictures might help clear up the issue, bur I'd be pretty sure that cable isn't routed properly

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 10:46AM

My phone is acting the maggot posting pictures so please bear with me

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 10:47AM

And the guide on the underneath of the bottom bracket tubing

Brian? · 11-10-2021 10:49AM

Tyre is too wide, weird.

magicbastarder · 11-10-2021 11:02AM

yes, that just looks like a badly designed bike rather than something actually broken. you may need to bodge a cable guide onto the chainstay to keep the cable clear.

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 11:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003923#Comment_118003923

Is there guides made for this job? I've tried googling random names like "add on wire guide to bike " but nothing is coming up to purchase, what name do I need to put in? (If such a thing exists !)

cletus · 11-10-2021 11:14AM

Are they the original tyres (or at least the same width as the original?)

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003860#Comment_118003860

Back story to this bike is; its an old bike someone was throwing away. I had a hybrid for six or seven years and never rode the hybrid as I always felt the tyres were too skinny under me. I feel happier cycling this one even though it needs work

When I got the bike I decided to get new tyres, tubes and pedals fitted by the local bike shop as they've been very helpful to me in the past. I did ask for the biggest tyres possible as I just prefer having chunky tyres under me - just my preference, it'd be boring if we all had the same 😁

cletus · 11-10-2021 11:24AM

That might be the issue, so, as Brian said, tyres are too wide

magicbastarder · 11-10-2021 11:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003955#Comment_118003955

not that i'm aware - hence my use of the word 'bodge', unfortunately.

it's a very poor design though, there's not a lot of point in having nicewide chainstays if the cable doesn't also follow that design.

Seth Brundle · 11-10-2021 12:36PM

Could you use a length of cable housing which has been fixed to the chainstay using a few cable ties?

07Lapierre · 11-10-2021 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003849#Comment_118003849

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117985140#Comment_117985140

How are you at DIY? I’d fit a new cable stop closer to the chainwheel. Then use a longer outer cable casing to reach it.

you would have to drill a hole and tap (add threads) it. You could then fit something like this:

Shimano STI Pair Of Cable Stops

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-sti-pair-of-cable-stops

07Lapierre · 11-10-2021 12:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004292#Comment_118004292

Actually that’s a better option. OP, get a length of outer casing that reaches from the shifter all the way down the frame to the rear derailleur. You can then attach the cable with cable ties to the chain stay and down tube.

Macy0161 · 11-10-2021 02:00PM

I'm pretty sure you can buy stick on/ cable clip on cable guides. They weren't what I was really looking for a project bike, but they are available. But I'd go for the option of outer casing option above.

Brian? · 11-10-2021 03:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003981#Comment_118003981

Ah right. Those tyres are too wide so, you could go slightly narrower and your issue is fixed.

Are you cycling on the road? If so, you’re better off with narrower tyres them those behemoths anyway.

magicbastarder · 11-10-2021 03:34PM

even with narrower tyres, i'd be wary of having to deal with buckles etc. Seth's suggestion is easy and effective i would guess.

Brian? · 11-10-2021 05:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005378#Comment_118005378

My point about the ridiculously wide tyres stands.

if the bikes main use is on the roads, bodging other solutions isn’t the answer

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 08:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004292#Comment_118004292

Thank you, I was thinking of one of the metal holders for the cable but never thought of the cable tube

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 09:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004371#Comment_118004371

Another great idea, thank you. I'm happy drilling / tapping so this is a repair I'd be comfortable with!

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 09:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005977#Comment_118005977

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118005302#Comment_118005302

I deliberately want wide tyres. I've had that hybrid bike over seven years now and won't cycle it as I never felt comfortable on it. I had it checked over before giving it to my nephew and the mechanic said he couldn't detect any wear on the chain, only surface rust - that's how little I cycled it in seven years. I had a bike similar to the one were talking about now in my teens and liked that.

quietsailor · 11-10-2021 09:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004404#Comment_118004404

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118004959#Comment_118004959

I'll measure up the length and frame diameter and go with this idea. Thank you everyone for the advice

Brian? · 12-10-2021 04:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006866#Comment_118006866

im not trying to be an arsehole, but those tyres aren’t meant for road use AND they’re actually too wide for your bike.

There has to be a compromise that you’re comfortable on and aren’t the widest tyre you can buy. You can get mountain bike slicks that are still pretty wide.

For the comfort thing, did you ever think you just gave up too easily? Maybe you just needed to get used to the hybrid. Millions of people cycle around every day on tyres as narrow as 23mm. I can understand if they don’t feel comfortable at first, but they will once you get used to them.

loyatemu · 12-10-2021 10:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007397#Comment_118007397

as Brian says there are a lot of options in between 23mm racer tyres and the 2.1" knobbly yokes you have on now

These would be a lot quicker on the road, while still very durable and with good handling. (Cheaper option here )

DaveyDave · 12-10-2021 11:06AM

Road tyres are available in bigger sizes that would be better than the knobbly ones you have. They'll have more grip too and still be comfortable. I had the Schwalbe Big Apple on my mountain bike, I think they were 2" then I settled on Marathon Plus at just over 1". Comfort difference is negligible in my opinion but the main thing is to have a slick road tyre for best grip.

There's only so much comfort available on a bike at the end of the day.

Mundo7976 · 12-10-2021 12:00PM

Hi all. Ive broken 4 spokes since may, 3 on the front (last one today) & 1 on the rear. I asked my lbs should i have them fully respoked but he said no need and do them as they break. However im fed up with them now.

Any advice on a reasonable set of stronger wheels that wont kill the wallet?

Current, Alexrims Disc

700c

Disc brakes

11spd cassette

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

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