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1500 questions
70
votes
8 answers
When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?
I’ve fallen a couple times, but no serious damage is visible on the helmet except for a couple divots here and there.
Should I consistently be replacing my helmet after a certain amount of time? After every relatively serious fall?
kamens
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70
votes
7 answers
Can I ride home with a broken spoke?
I noticed a wobble in my back wheel while commuting in this morning. Broken spoke. Is this a problem that I should take care of before my 7 mile commute home, or can I pick up a spoke and repair it at home?
Precipitous
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70
votes
19 answers
Do skilled cyclists really "use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time"?
Sheldon Brown's Braking and Turning Your Bicycle page states that:
Skilled cyclists use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time
and
"Generally I advise against using both brakes at the same time."
I certainly use my front brake more than…
amcnabb
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67
votes
9 answers
Periodic Maintenance Task for Bike Commuters
What are the periodic maintenance tasks (weekly, monthly, annual, every X miles) that anyone who relies on a bike for transportation (typically in urban/semi-urban environments) should be performing? Ideally stated in terms of miles travelled (where…
noah
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67
votes
3 answers
What's the difference between All-Mountain, Cross Country, Freeride, Downhill bikes?
I'm somewhat new to the world of mountain bikes and I'm seeing various terms to describe different bikes. What is the difference between all-mountain, cross country, freeride, and downhill? Are they just marketing words or do they represent actual…
MrBoJangles
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64
votes
11 answers
How to store a bike outside and still avoid rapid decay?
I've got insufficient space to store my bike inside. I fear however that it will rust away within a few years if I store the bike outside. My question is twofold:
Will storing a bike outside be a problem?
What can I do to prevent rust and possibly…
Dimitri C.
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63
votes
15 answers
Why don't cyclists wear all-encompassing motorcycle-style helmets?
It is possible to get a helmet that covers your entire head and face, and in theory would protect you against more kinds of falls. In particular, Why don't bicyclists wear them, and why do motorcyclists wear them?
I'm not asking whether helmets are…
Goodbye Stack Exchange
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63
votes
7 answers
Hydraulic Vs. Mechanical disc brakes
What is the difference between hydraulic and mechanical disc brakes? Are hydraulics more reliable? Or more powerful? I'm curious since, hydraulics seem to get more attention and seem to be on professional bikes.
Wesley Crusher
- 757
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62
votes
21 answers
What is the best method to teach a young child to ride?
My daughter is just about ready to start to ride a proper bike.
I am loathe to get her a bike with training wheels/stabilisers, as just about every kid I see with them just relies on them and doesn't learn to balance properly.
What is the best…
Anthony K
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61
votes
6 answers
What are the pros and cons of internal gears?
I've had my hybrid 24-speed for a bit over 3 years now, and just last weekend, when looking for a bike for my wife, discovered internal gears. Suffice to say it blew my mind when I saw 7-speed internal gear hubs, for example on this This Giant Suede…
drfrogsplat
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59
votes
21 answers
Is listening to music dangerous while cycling?
This wouldn't apply to riding technical trails or anything challenging, but are there any reasons to eschew the tunes while riding? Noise canceling earbuds would probably be hazardous to myself and others, but provided I can hear what's going on…
Kara Marfia
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59
votes
2 answers
What are the effects of completely filling tires with water instead of air?
As absurd as it sounds, I was curious as to how a bike would handle with the front tire filled with water. I wonder if steep hill climbs would be easier (particularly for a mountain bike):
1) to bring the center weight forward
2) to use the…
Michael
- 1,684
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- 11
59
votes
11 answers
What is a reasonable speed for long distances on a bike?
I am curious what a reasonable speed to travel on a bike is. Speed will obviously vary based on the conditions in which you are riding. I am planning on taking the GPS out with me this weekend to see how quickly I go. Before I did that I wanted…
sixtyfootersdude
- 8,516
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58
votes
18 answers
What is the practical advantage of disk brakes over rim brakes?
Disk brakes are becomming more popular on bikes now, and I was just wondering what the advantage is of this type of brake over the older rim brakes.
Connor W
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58
votes
6 answers
How to prevent drafting?
I am engaging in a friendly race with a co-worker. He has told me he plans on drafting behind me most of the race to save energy.
I want to make it hard for him(without doing anything mean spirited) to draft off me. In general, in racing…
Ronnie W
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