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1500 questions
19
votes
8 answers

How do you lock up your bike trailer?

Many of us pull bike trailers - whether one-wheeled or two-wheeled -- cargo or kids. What is the best way to lock up trailers - especially when you're commuting? Most trailers come with a quick-release attachment to the bike, which means they're…
RoboKaren
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19
votes
2 answers

Why are disk brakes not completely round on the outside?

Why are disk brakes not 100% round? Why is the outside edge "rough"? Here's a pic of what I'm describing:
user29388
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19
votes
2 answers

Plastic ring on new Shimano crankset, toss or keep?

I just got a new Shimano crankset and it has this plastic ring on the "inside" of the small chainring. I'm thinking that this just some packing material. Am I right and can I toss it, or is this a real part?
BPugh
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19
votes
6 answers

Why are most BSOs mountain bikes?

All department store bikes, that I have witnessed, are mountain bikes. Many of them are even full suspension and some feature dual-crown forks. Why the lack of BSO (Bicycle Shaped Object) road bikes?
Vorac
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19
votes
9 answers

How do people ride road bikes without fenders?

I want to buy a bike. The road bikes look very gorgeous. However I noticed that they come without fenders to protect from water! I was really surprised for that actually and that made me wonder about how do people protect themselves when driving on…
Jack Twain
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19
votes
7 answers

Can mountain biking shoes be used with road bikes? What are the pros and cons?

Is there anything wrong with wearing mountain biking shoes (SPD) with a road bike? I find that it makes sense because you can still walk around with them on but you still have the ability to clip in and pull the pedal up like a normal road bike shoe…
Joe Phillips
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19
votes
6 answers

Can I use "normal" shoes/trainers with clipless pedals?

Is it possible to use regular trainers/shoes (i.e., withou cleats) with clipless pedals? A friend of mine mentioned he does this all the time. However, I cannot imagine how this would work. Surely the area of grip would be far too small to get any…
kaybee99
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19
votes
11 answers

Most suitable and tasty ride food?

I ride relatively long distances on a road bike on Sundays, usually around 90-100 miles and have experimented much as to what to eat. Here's what I've found so far. Soreen - tastes good, full of carbs, although must be buttered other the slices…
wonea
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19
votes
7 answers

How to build surge brakes on bike trailer?

There are a couple of pretty good answers in How to make a cargo trailer?. After looking at those, at the answer to What are the safety concerns of a high vs a low mount trailer hitch? and doing some other research, it seems that heavy trailers…
James Jenkins
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19
votes
3 answers

Is it normal for my derailleur cables to cross over on the down tube?

I've just picked myself up a Specialized Allez Sport 2014 road bike from Evans Cycles (UK). I test rode the bike and I'm happy with the bike, but when I got home, and flipped the bike over to make a note of the serial number (for insurance) and I…
JoeNyland
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19
votes
12 answers

Listening to audio without obstructing ears

I'm looking for a way to listen to my audiobooks while commuting without obstructing my ears. One (rather expensive) option appears to be the Tunebug Shake (a Bluetooth turn-your-helmet-into-a-speaker gizmo); however, I'm hesitant to spend $120 on a…
Charles Duffy
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19
votes
3 answers

Should I oil my seat post?

In a previous question I asked how to remove rust from my seat tube/post. In the comments of one answer somebody said I should be oiling my seat post to prevent it from rusting into my seat tube, but I'm concerned this will cause the tube to slip…
user229044
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19
votes
6 answers

What are some good exercises to prevent knee pain?

About four or so years ago, I hurt my knee on a fairly long ride (~150km or so). It was really my own fault, as I hadn't been training regularly, and I pushed myself a bit too hard. By the time I arrived home, my left knee had swollen up and was…
Nik Reiman
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19
votes
5 answers

When are studded tires necessary?

Aside from racing or riding across a frozen pond, under what conditions do you find studded tires useful? I have never used them, and the worst I have had to do is take a day off when it is really nasty and icy. Maybe some climates or landscapes are…
David LeBauer
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19
votes
2 answers

How to prepare a frame for a new paintjob

I want to have my bike frame repainted. What should I do before I give it to the paint shop? How would they like to have it prepared?