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1500 questions
24
votes
4 answers
Optimal Maintenance Schedule
It is forecast to rain this weekend so I was thinking I would drop a tarp down over my living room floor and give my bikes a bit of a tune up.
Question
What maintenance needs to be done on your bike? How often?
Background
Generally speaking I am…
sixtyfootersdude
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24
votes
5 answers
Lessons from downhill crash
I was taking my usual morning ride before dawn on an 'adventure' road bike. It is a very steep hill with bends (Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex, England). I was descending and noticed (too late) some debris on the road and applied the brakes on the…
fractor
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24
votes
5 answers
How do I keep my seat from tilting back?
When I first got this bike, I got the saddle adjusted almost perfectly. Recently it slipped back (so that the nose sticks up). I loosened the bolt under the saddle, tilted the saddle back into the proper position, tightened the bolt up, and within…
freiheit
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24
votes
2 answers
Practical cleaning routine for a commuter bike
I regularly (almost daily) ride my bike, often in bad weather. I mostly ride on roads, but sometimes through parks, forest etc. on unpaved surfaces. My bike is usually rather dirty, at least the lower parts, especially when the weather is rainy. I…
sleske
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24
votes
3 answers
How do I prevent disk brakes from squeaking in the rain?
When I got my new bike with disk brakes, I thought that they would perform much better in the rain. While this is true, they still squeak quite loud in wet conditions, which is quite annoying. Is there a certain type of disk brake or brake pads…
Nik Reiman
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24
votes
6 answers
How can I interpret the intent of and respond to cars behind me honking?
Two days in a row on my commute home I've had vehicles behind me start honking at me. (Note: I'm in Canada, and drive on the right.) The first time I was riding on a four-lane road, with a left turning lane and a right turning lane, in the second…
Michelle
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24
votes
6 answers
Should I fear cows? How can I encourage them to let me pass?
Recently a herd of cows appeared at my local trail. They often block the trail. I, being a city boy, don't know how to respond. I don't feel comfortable yelling at a creature which could easily break half of my bones with a single shot. This is…
J-unior
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24
votes
5 answers
How should a bicycle helmet fit?
I see enough folks wearing helmets in such a manner that they might as well not be. What is the proper way to fit & wear a bicycle helmet?
Drew Stephens
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24
votes
3 answers
How do I stop my rim brakes making a squeaking/squealing sound?
I bought a Schwinn Frontier Sport few months ago and started riding happily. After a few weeks my front rim brakes started creaking. It's so annoying in public places. My rear brake doesn't produce any sound but isn't as powerful as the front…
pMan
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24
votes
4 answers
Do I have to simply wait for google maps to add cycling directions to my area? Or can I help?
Related to this question about submitting road data to google maps. I'm curious to know if there is any way to get Google started on cycling data in my city. There are a lot of cyclists in my city, but as it is located outside of the US, it will…
Nik Reiman
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24
votes
5 answers
Should or can I (car) wax my frame?
Having spent the whole summer taking a bike apart, painting it and now in the process of building it again, I was thinking about waxing it. I want the finish to last as long as possible, after all, I've spent sooo many hours on this project.
Would…
Matsemann
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24
votes
3 answers
How do you distinguish a touring bike from a speed/road bike?
I would like to buy a touring bike soon, but in our country I cannot find any well known touring bike. I would like to buy a used one so I am going to visit some of the bicycles stores of our capital city. I am afraid I do not know how to recognize…
Gabor Meszaros
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24
votes
12 answers
Is it better to get an entry-level carbon bike or a similarly priced aluminum bike?
I am going to buy my first proper road bike, and I have been comparing entry-level carbon frames with top-level aluminum frames in the same series (Giant Defy). What are the benefits of carbon vs. aluminum frames? Is it better to get an aluminum…
Andrew Welch
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24
votes
8 answers
How can I clean sand off my bike chain?
I recently went for a ride in the forest. Sections of sand were encountered during that ride and I can clearly see sand sticking to my bike chain now.
How can I clean the sand off effectively? There are chain cleaning "machines," but they look like…
user155695
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24
votes
9 answers
What are some alternatives to fruitlessly ringing my bell at a motorist?
I doubt that motor-vehicle drivers can hear the "ding" sound that a bicycle bell makes. What are some better alternatives?
unforgettableidSupportsMonica
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