bike wrench

So... I discovered that I can still get parts for my mid-90s MTB, which is the bike I use for everything hauling, winter, and off-road.

Initially, I was thinking of upgrading to more modern parts, but the components have been so good that I'd rather just refresh them.

I did order a "new old stock" crank/chainring, which I'm really excited about. Since I wax my chain, I don't see me ever having a need to replace it again.

But, I'd like to get a front and rear derailleur that are in better condition.

Both are the original Shimano Alivio RD-MC10 and FD-MC10, which I can still buy as used parts (which look like they are much better condition than the ones I've got).

But I'm curious to know if newer models in this series would be directly compatible with my existing cassette/chainrings and grip shifters. Things like the MC11, MC12, etc.

Does anyone have a clue? It's hard enough to find information about vintage bike parts, but I figure it's worth asking before I go with the same ones.

Hoping someone can offer some advice. I'm working on a late 80s Raleigh Montage, 88 I think. It has a u-brake on the rear which dates it.

Anyway I have it all stripped down, including the cup and cone bb.

The only thing I can't seem to remove are the headset cups, as the headtube is slightly flared on the inside top and bottom, so I can't get the tool to make contact with the edge of the cup.

What am I missing here? How do I get these out?

Hey! I had a minor crash the other day. Luckily I was unhurt, but unfortunately my “brifter” (new word for me) took the entirety of the hit.

Over the past year I’ve been learning about bike maintenance, and now have a decent understanding in some areas but not shifters/brake levers and associated cabling. So… the silver linings is that now I get to fill that gap!

I’ve tried to research how to resolve my current brifter-less situation. I have a Kona Rove DL 2021, 1x11 gearing and SRAM Rival 1 group set. I have the following questions:

1. Where can I find a replacement SRAM Rival 1 brifter!? I’m in Finland, and can only seem to find the SRAM Rival 22 or SRAM Apex 1. I don’t believe the SRAM Rival 22 is the same product, but all my searching directs me to it and it seems to look identical.
2. If I cannot find a replacement SRAM Rival 1 brifter, what are compatible (/best) alternatives (<200€)?

Then, once I have a replacement brifter, is my understanding of the easiest replacement process accurate?

1. Disconnect both the derailleur cable and brake cable
2. Unwrap handlebar tape
3. Remove derailleur cable and brake cable via broken brifter
4. Remove broken brifter

Reverse process with new brifter and cables. And does anyone have any “gotchas” or tips for me to bear in mind?

Thanks for any advice!

Here's the bike I have: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_tour.htm

Here's the tires I want: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B6BXF43T/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3QGN5CVWB8NQ6&psc=1

I recently moved and there's less paved trails and more rail trails. I want a wider tire, but can't figure out if it will fit on the rim, within the fork/frame, or within the brake pads. I measured and 38mm looks like it should fit, but I figured someone else might know more than me. All the products and stats are listed on the site.

Also: I get it, it's not the best bike/tire combo on the market. Cycling is only really a side hobby for me, so don't shame my choices. I love my bike and the price I paid for it.

I have some cotton velox rim tape but it's not very sticky and so I'm struggling to apply it to my rims.

Can I just use a few dots of superglue here and there to stick it down?

The upgraded model has the same low-end adjustability and a wider wide vs the old style. Yet, it's only compatible with 27.5 - 29"?

Typo?

I've got 32mm wide tires on my road/gravel bike. Currently looking at TPU tubes and I've got two options:

• 32-47mm
• 18-32mm

So, is it better to get one over the other, or will they both work equally well? Never used TPU tubes before, so I wouldn't even have a reference to compare these.

I have an aluminum Brodie Revel bike that I've attached a kids seat to. Is it safe for me to mount a double kickstand like the one in the link to this bike? It doesn't have a mounting plate, and someone told me I should only attach these to steel bikes or it will break the frame. Any insight would be super appreciated!

I couldn't find almost any tutorials on how to disassemble or service this particular eBike motor (Bafang M400), so I just started removing screws and pulling out parts while taking a ton of pictures.

I found two dirty, rusty bearings that I cleaned and re-greased, along with all the gears, and then put it back together. Not only did I manage to avoid breaking it, but the noise seems to be gone as well. This was by far the most intimidating bike repair I've done so far. I've serviced every other part before, but I hadn't dared to touch the motor until now.

It also turns out that the motor is much better sealed than I expected, so I'll happily continue doing deep river crossings with the motor half submerged in the future, just as I have done until now.

I had no idea that cromoly tubes were so expensive so Im now looking for alternatives..

a generic question I have is, does it really matter on what I use of its not for a competition setup?

I mean I dnt care if its relatively heavy.. my initial thoughts was using stainless steel tubes or even construction rods but everyone online seem to recommend only using cromoly..

edit: ordered 5x25mm wtainless steel tubes for 15eur (1.5m) the same in cromoly couldnt find them under 70eur..

NGL I assumed something had happened, and it kinda did, but this was an extremely welcome sight

So, I joined the world of waxed chains. So far, it's life changing. Quiet to the point that your think I'm running a belt drive, but more importantly, super clean and component preserving.

But, I was thinking earlier, if wax fills in the gaps between the parts the wear, how would you actually get a true chain wear measurement?

I've never heard of someone stripping the wax off to check for wear, and that would get incredibility wasteful to do it often.

Zero friction Cycling doesnt mention anything special in regards to checking a waxed chain.

So, would I go about checking the chain, waxed and all, and assume the numbers are pin point accurate?

I know some wobble is OK, but is this too much wobble on the rear axle? replaced the axle and the bearings, greased them up, screwed all into place. can't remember what it was before I replaced it, am I good here?

Just a rundown what is wrong on it:

• totally destroyed drive train (cassette, chain, chainrings)
• wheels aren't true/ lose spokes
• rear derailleur is loose (I couldn't tighten some bolts) and has bad springs
• bent V brakes (I don't know how he managed to do that)

If you want to know how the trip went look in to [email protected]

I had some wheel made but when they rotate they come in contact with the disc break pads (slightly).

The bikeshop that built them will take another month to look at this, as they are fully booked, and I dont want to pay 35+ on another bikeshop..

Is it doable to DIY this with a spoke key and using the fork as a stand?

(I think it would be a useful skill to learn as it will make me less dependent on bikeshops)

Basically title, this symbol is on the tires of my new (to me) CAAD12. Are the tires on backwards? The right side of the picture is the front of the bike, the left side is the rear. This is the front tire. Another picture below showing which way the tread is facing. The tread "looks" right, it appears it would channel water away from the center correctly.

Long story short: completely stripper the hex slot on the back of the freehub body while trying to remove it. It's incredibly tight. Can I just take a pipe wrench to it from the front or do the teeth seen here on the new part lock with the wheel hub making it impossible to turn?

Any brands that sell a rack like the one in the picture? (Edit: what i like from this rack is the mounting points on the frame that will result in a more comfortable ride than carrying the weight on the handlebars or fork))

If not do you recommend someone that can make this without breaking the bank? (I grew up in an agricultural area and there were a lot of folks that could weld something like that for a small fee - but some people online are charging 300+ for this, which is insane)

Bike shops are asking 100+£ for a bike assemble and it might be justified but its too much for my budget and I want to DIY it.

Is that risky to do by watching youtube videos and borrowing tools from friends?

I want to install an english threaded bottom branket with a squared tappered crankset, disc brakes (mechanical), headset (threadless including cutting stem).

The photo was from a site that no longer seems to be up. The pedal on the right, measuring at 15.7mm is the same size that the pedal on my indoor spin bike uses and I want to use standard 9/16 threaded pedals instead.

Has anyone come across this size??? Do adapters exist to step up standard 9/16 to 15.7mm?

Fresh wheelset for my single speed and i noticed this out of the box. Should i be worried or is it fine?

Context: My 90s MTB still has its original Shimano chainring (crankarms say Alivo). The cassette was replaced several months ago, as was the chain and bottom bracket. No wear on the chain right now.

The derailleurs are Alivio, and probably the original ones from the mid-90s. I don't have any reason or intention to replace those, although, I do have a Deore LX on my decommissioned 90s MTB that I could likely drop in, but I digress. LOL

I guess two questions:

1. What would I need to provide to my LBS as far as measurements to get me a replacement? I understand that I'll likely need another BB and maybe(?) a chain, but I plan to stick with the same gearing.
2. Ideally, I'd want to find a 3x chainring where I can replace the crank arms and individual chain rings when needed. Will this be easy to find, considering the age and group set?

Thanks in advance.