Category Archives: Maintenance

Build Your Own Bike Poll Results

When I asked last week whether you would be interested in building your own bike — or modifying an existing one — I didn’t realize that I’d touched a nerve. Apparently, a lot of riders out there have at least … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Bikes, Maintenance

Would You Build a Bike From Scratch? (Poll)

My friend Tim over at An Old Guy on Two Wheels is getting close to finishing his latest project: He’s building a randonneuring bike from scratch. He had the frame custom built, and gathered together all the components for it. … Continue reading

10 Comments

Filed under Bikes, Maintenance

Bike Maintenance Poll Results

The results are in. My goal at keeping the bike repair poll open for three days was to try to reach 100 respondents. Final n: 108. There’s a nice split between those who do basic maintenance, such as replacing tubes … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Maintenance

Do You Fix Your Own Bike? (Poll)

I’ve been putzing with my bike more than usual lately. Just this evening I pulled off its pedals to move them to the steel bike my friend David lent me. If you’re a regular reader, you know that I am … Continue reading

15 Comments

Filed under Maintenance

The Saga of the Broken Derailleur

Guest poster Don Blount has been dealing with a frustrating situation. It is never comforting to show a mechanic or an experienced cyclist a broken bike part and hear them respond: “Oh wow, I have never seen that one before.” … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Components, Maintenance

The Mysterious Popping Bar Tape

Here’s a weird one: When I went into the garage early Sunday morning, with an idea to get the bike ready for the club ride that I never went on, I discovered this: For some reason unknown to me, the … Continue reading

7 Comments

Filed under Accessories, Maintenance

Bike Checks

Earlier this week, Pat and I were about to take a short ride in the neighborhood. While I waited with the bikes in the driveway as she finished putting on her shoes, I glanced down at the rear wheel of … Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Maintenance, Safety

The New Old Crank Set

As we neared the end of the year, some issues with my bike started cropping up. Because I am me, I immediately diagnosed them as problems with the front derailleur. Because I am me, my diagnosis was 100 percent wrong. … Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Accessories, Equipment, Maintenance

Ever Had an LBS Damage Your Bike?

I don’t mean to knock the local bike shop. I rely on them for many things, from routine replenishments of energy food like Shot Blocks to purchases of gloves, computers, other accessories, and even complete bikes. I’m lucky enough to … Continue reading

13 Comments

Filed under Maintenance

Watch That Sweat!

The oddest thing happened on my Sunday ride. I was about six or eight miles from the end, when suddenly, I couldn’t shift from the big ring down to the small ring. This was problematical, because at the time, I … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Maintenance