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

cletus · 25-02-2025 01:22PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_E-TpnobDc

There seems to be a couple of versions of your wheel. This one looks to have the most similar freehub body to your picture.

nialljf · 25-02-2025 07:07PM

Thanks for the response. I got it off but had to use brute force in the end as it seemed to be stuck on the axle after removing all the other parts.

magicbastarder · 27-02-2025 07:24PM

I remember mentioning this here years ago and never really did anything about it. The rivnuts in the carbon fork on my genesis are spinning, they're visibly a bit loose. I'd tried superglue at the time but that didn't last. Someone mentioned epoxy but I wonder if that'd hold well because of the dirt that's inevitably worked its way in there? Also could be rust on the rivnuts themselves.

Is there a standard approach to dealing with this?

My mudguards are years past their best and now I could be looking at the possibility of the rivnuts spinning if I try to remove the old ones!

CramCycle · 27-02-2025 07:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216545#Comment_123216545

Use a washer, two nuts and a longer bolt, the washer stops the rivnut spinning, you hold one bolt in place against it and use the second one to pull against the rivnut by spinning, therefore retightening it. I'll dig out a video when I am at home later, I learned it either from someone here, my father or youtube, or all 3.

cletus · 27-02-2025 08:02PM

I'd be inclined to just do it right and completely replace the rivnuts. The tool and the nuts themselves are available on Amazon for small enough money. Or, if you're anywhere close to me (although I don't think you are, MB), you're welcome to use mine

Drill out the old ones, and put in new ones.

nicksnikita · 27-02-2025 10:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216545#Comment_123216545

have replaced a fair few of these on frames over the years with fresh rivnuts using a homemade tool (bolt and some nuts)

That would be the best solution but I’d try tightening what you have first to see if that will suffice.
It can be tricky drilling out the old ones, especially if the fork is carbon

magicbastarder · 27-02-2025 10:29PM

cheers all, i'll see if i can get a photo and confirm whether they're standard rivnuts.

Wishbone Ash · 28-02-2025 10:24PM

Chain Question:

I've seen a KMC MTB 12 speed chain for sale for reasonable money.

How would it differ from a 12 speed road bike chain (leaving length aside)?

Basically, what I'm asking is can I stick it on a 12 speed road bike?

Thanks.

Seth Brundle · 01-03-2025 09:05AM

My Orro currently has a Shimano XT M8100 (same as factory fitted chain) which I believe is originally a MTB chain

CramCycle · 01-03-2025 11:00PM

I think Shimano have given up on different chains for 12 speed, the 9100 chain has MTB and Road groupsets listed as compatible.

loyatemu · 02-03-2025 12:45AM

f**king cables! I do have a specific cable cutter, yet they still fray when I cut them. And then when I manage to wrangle all the splayed strands into the cable end I go to crimp it and end up cutting it in half!

loyatemu · 03-03-2025 01:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123223964#Comment_123223964

I'm an idiot, I've just realised my cutting tool has a crimping notch built in.

Randycove · 06-03-2025 09:16AM

I’ve got a canyon endurace with the 11 speed ultegra di2 group set

Does anyone know if I can fit a 12 speed cassette and reprogram the rear mech to use all 12 cogs?

MangleBadger · 06-03-2025 09:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123236514#Comment_123236514

That is not possible.

Randycove · 06-03-2025 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123236598#Comment_123236598

I presumed not, but I want an 11-34 cassette and it seemed to be easier with a 12 speed.

JMcL · 06-03-2025 01:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123236623#Comment_123236623

11-34 should certainly be possible - I know I can put one on my 8070 group (there's a 32 on at the minute as I got it during the lockdown components drought, but will put an 11-34 on when replacing)

Are you just concerned about the potential gaps? Unless you're racing, I'd say you're grand - I've an 11-36 10 speed Tiagra level on another bike and for casual riding, it works perfectly

Randycove · 06-03-2025 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123237222#Comment_123237222

I’ve got 11-34 105 cassette on there at the moment, but 11 speed. From what I can see, there is an ultegra 11-34 but 12 speed, I’m not that fussed, but the 12 speed just seems more readily available and I could have bought it from Hunt at the same time as my new wheels.

it isn’t a big deal, just curiosity more than anything. I guess anyone who wants a 34 tooth ring isn’t exactly a pro!

07Lapierre · 06-03-2025 02:05PM

11speed 11x34 cassettes are available:

Macy0161 · 24-03-2025 04:28PM

I've happily split a flattop 12 speed chain (sized it too big first time!) with my old chain breaker tool from a decade old CRC tool set. Went looking at multi tools, as the one I have doesn't have a T25 head that I now need, and see them referencing the speed compatibility of the chain tool - is there something I'm missing?

CramCycle · 24-03-2025 08:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123293159#Comment_123293159

Don't think so, same chain breaker for my 1/7/9/10/11/12 speeds without any issue I am aware of.

nicksnikita · 24-03-2025 08:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123293932#Comment_123293932

8 speed?

JMcL · 25-03-2025 09:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123293159#Comment_123293159

I think I've read somewhere the only difference is the chain width - the pins are all the same size. Therefore there should be no difference as regards chain breakers (I suppose the pins do probably differ on where they snap but that's a length thing)

Utter Consternation · 31-03-2025 09:54AM

Could anyone give me a bit of advice in relation to changing the 20" tyres off my ebike. They're an absolute prick to take off/put back on, I usually bring it to my LBS, but i'd rather be able to do it myself.

magicbastarder · 31-03-2025 09:57AM

often e-bikes are sold with puncture resistant tyres, but they are usually harder to remove when you do get a puncture.

what make/model are they? marathon plus?

Utter Consternation · 31-03-2025 10:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123313035#Comment_123313035

No, not Marathon plus. I've had experience with them on my hybrid. Massive pain in the hole too. :D

They're bog stand CST 20"x4" tyres.

loyatemu · 31-03-2025 12:27PM

I assume you have tyre levers? Maybe try something like tyre glider?

Utter Consternation · 31-03-2025 12:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123313496#Comment_123313496

Yeah, have plastic tyre levers, have broken more than a few of them. I might get one of those gliders, could be very handy.

Been watching youtube videos and they're saying to put soap on the bead. Doesn't help that i'm after dislocation my f**king thumb.

My LBS are not too impressed with doing it, they seemed to have had a hard time when i got the tyre changed last.

MangleBadger · 31-03-2025 03:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123313560#Comment_123313560

I haven't tried it yet but below looks like a good trick. I have a tyre glider which also works well

Cyclists, You Won't Believe What a rope Can Do to Your Bike Tire! #shorts

MangleBadger · 31-03-2025 03:09PM

For people who have a garmin watch but use a different brand cycle computer and/or strava how do you manage rides?

Do you double record on the watch and the head unit and delete the duplicate from Strava?

Can other head units send info to Garmin connect?

Basically I want all my exercise data in Garmin connect

JMcL · 01-04-2025 11:26AM

The tyre glider for the most part works quite well. I say for the most part as I had to deal with a Vittoria Rubino onto/off of a DT Swiss rim last year which was a nightmare. I was having to put so much pressure on that I eventually chickened out as I didn't figure bladed spoke and knuckles with that kind of force were a good mix.

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

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