http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/-t1.htm Post your repair ideas, suggestions and stories here Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:04:46 GMT 10 http://i45.servimg.com/u/f45/12/85/64/87/google10.jpg http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/-t1.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/prevent-a-flat-tire-before-you-ride-t133.htm Randy No one wants a puncture. But sure as tires contain air, they lose it sooner or later. You can help make it later by doing two things before leaving your driveway. First, pump tires to proper pressure. Uncle Al has ranted about this several times. He's concerned about comfort, bike handling and tire life, but proper pressure also prevents pinch flats (known as "snakebite" flats). These flats happen when you bang into something hard, such as a rock, lip of a pothole or ... Bike Repair Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:04:46 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/prevent-a-flat-tire-before-you-ride-t133.htm#138 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/prevent-a-flat-tire-before-you-ride-t133.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/make-roadside-repairs-without-tools-t125.htm Randy Ideally, you'll have everything necessary to remedy breakdowns. But who actually lugs a tool box on every ride? When you get stuck without the item you need, heed the example of 2-time Race Across America winner Lon Haldeman. He claims he can fix any bike problem with materials commonly found on a short roadside walk. At one of his PAC Tour cycling camps, Lon proved it by hoofing along half a mile of Arizona highway with a big plastic bag. Here's a list of what he collected -- and how ... Bike Repair Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:50:10 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/make-roadside-repairs-without-tools-t125.htm#130 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/make-roadside-repairs-without-tools-t125.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-often-should-i-service-my-chain-t89.htm Randy QUESTION: I've been told by a local shop that my bike's chain should be replaced every 1,000 miles. Does this sound right? Also, how often should I clean and lube the chain? -- Bill S. COACH FRED: A thousand miles seems conservative. It might be necessary to replace a chain that often if the bike is frequently ridden on wet or gritty roads. But chains can usually go 2,000 to 3,000 miles before there's enough wear to relegate them to the trash bin. (See FAST FIX, above.) But there's ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:45:14 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-often-should-i-service-my-chain-t89.htm#93 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-often-should-i-service-my-chain-t89.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/chain-wear-check-t88.htm Randy PROBLEM: You've been riding with the same chain for ages, and wonder if it's time for a replacement. SOLUTION: There are several ways to ID a worn chain. Here's the one we like best. First, shift onto the large chainring. Kneel at the right side of the bike. Using a 12-inch ruler, hold it along the bottom run of chain (between the lower derailleur pulley and chainring). Put the ruler's first mark on the center of any link pin. Then look at the 12-inch mark. On a new chain, ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:43:35 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/chain-wear-check-t88.htm#92 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/chain-wear-check-t88.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/tire-won-t-seat-t82.htm Randy PROBLEM: You install a tire, pump it up, and a section bulges or dips. SOLUTION: Bulging is urgent. Quick, let out some air! A section of tube is under the tire bead (the inner edge around each side). If you continue to add air or try to ride, chances are real good that the tube will pooch between the tire and rim and explode. Once the tube is deflated, work on the problem area. Lift, squeeze and massage the tire until the tube no long appears under the bead. Then cautiously add air, ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:48:19 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/tire-won-t-seat-t82.htm#86 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/tire-won-t-seat-t82.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gappy-handlebar-tape-t80.htm Randy PROBLEM: Your handlebar tape loosens and shows gaps, especially on the top curves just behind the brake levers. SOLUTION: Re-wrap the tape starting at the bar end and finishing near the stem. When tape is wrapped the other way, from the center to the end, your hands push against the overlap along the top curves. This rolls the tape's edges and eventually opens gaps. Buy new tape or reuse what you have if it unwraps without tearing. Start at the very end of the bar. Pull firmly ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:35:53 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gappy-handlebar-tape-t80.htm#84 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gappy-handlebar-tape-t80.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-should-i-apply-chain-lube-t78.htm Randy QUESTION: My brand of chain lube comes in either a spray can or a drip bottle. Which way of applying lube is better? -- Chris D. COACH FRED: Both spraying and dripping work fine. But spraying is an advantage if the chain has residue you'd like to loosen and remove. When you spray, direct it at the chain where it goes over a middle cassette cog. Rotate the crank slowly backward as you spray. If you use light pressure with your finger, you'll avoid getting lube all over the wheel or frame. ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:21:39 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-should-i-apply-chain-lube-t78.htm#82 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/how-should-i-apply-chain-lube-t78.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/finding-a-puncture-producer-t77.htm Randy PROBLEM: Nuts, you got a flat! But once the tire is off and the tube is out, you can't see anything that caused the puncture. SOLUTION: This is worrisome because if something sharp is hidden in the tire tread, it'll quickly pop the new tube. First, gingerly feel around the inner surface of the tire. Don't like prickly surprises? Then wipe with a rag. It should snag on something sticking through, but your fingers do a better job. Find something? Get all of it out. You might need ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:19:33 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/finding-a-puncture-producer-t77.htm#81 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/finding-a-puncture-producer-t77.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/squeaky-cleats-t61.htm Randy PROBLEM: You're getting really annoyed by that chirping on every pedal stroke. SOLUTION: Silicon spray is the best fast fix we've found. Check that your cleats are on tight and not terribly worn. Make sure there's no mud or gravel stuck in them. Check for stuff in the pedals, too. Everything look OK? Spritz silicone around the edges of the cleats and on the pedal surface. Think about where there's contact and make it wet. Why silicone? Because it's slippery but not sticky. ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:03:13 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/squeaky-cleats-t61.htm#65 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/squeaky-cleats-t61.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/faulty-bike-pump-t59.htm Randy PROBLEM: Your bike pump doesn't work as well as it used to, and some strokes don't blow any air at all. SOLUTION: It's very likely that the plunger's washer has dried out. When that's the case, the fix is easy. Simply unscrew the end of the pump (opposite the end with the air chuck) and pull out the plunger. If the cupped washer on its end is torn or broken, check at your local bike shop for a replacement. If the washer is merely dry and stiff, massage in some bike grease until ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:58:59 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/faulty-bike-pump-t59.htm#63 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/faulty-bike-pump-t59.htm http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gash-in-tire-t57.htm Randy PROBLEM: You punctured bigtime on a chunk of glass, put in a new tube, but it pooched through a slice in the tire when you pumped it up. Boom! It blew out again. SOLUTION: Boot that bad boy! If a hole in the sidewall or tread is big enough to bulge when the new tube is being inflated, stop! Before you finish and try to ride, you need to cover the damage on the inside of the tire. Use the piece of tough material -- canvas, slab of old tire casing -- that you carry in your patch ... Bike Repair Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:53:54 GMT http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gash-in-tire-t57.htm#61 http://spriggcycling.forumotion.net/bike-repair-f24/gash-in-tire-t57.htm