Bike Repair

Occasionally, you may decide to replace an individual cog because of wear or because you want to change its size. After you’ve removed your freewheel or cassette, you can follow these steps to remove individuals cogs: 1. Secure the freewheel or cassette in a vise …

If the cable is frayed, kinked, or worn, it probably needs replacing. When you go to buy a new cable, make sure you buy cable and housing (the rubber coated sheath) that is made specifically for derailleurs — it’s normally a little thinner than brake …

After cleaning and lubricating your bike regularly, the next most important thing you can do to extend the life of your bike is to give it a yearly overhaul. You wouldn’t think of driving your car year after year without taking it in for service …

The rear derailleur is the biggest factor in shifting performance. Top-end derailleurs have stronger springs and tighter bushings and pivot points that allow for easier and faster shifting. These derailleurs are designed with jockey wheels with higher-end bearings, which cause less resistance and smoother chain …

Pedals are often subject to a lot of abuse. Not only do they absorb energy from your body, but they’re low to the ground and away from the center of the bike, which means they’re often exposed to harsher conditions than the rest of the …

If your biking experience goes back as far as ours does, to when you climbed onto a tricycle for the first time and pedaled off to conquer the world, you may remember what it was like to ride with one gear. Cruising down the sidewalk …

Even if you’re the world’s safest and most cautious biker, there’s always a chance you could end up in an accident. When you’re on a bike moving for­ward on two thin wheels, you’re completely exposed. Add in the fact that you’ll end up biking on …

Installing the front and rear wheels is a fairly simple process but one that should not be taken lightly. The wheels must sit firmly in the frame’s front and rear dropouts. If you have anything less than a tight fit, you could be risk­ing the …

Adjustments to the saddle can make a big difference in comfort when you ride whether it is a long or even short trip. After all, most of your weight is being supported by the saddle. In this section, we tell you how to adjust the …

To install a freewheel, follow these steps: 1. Apply grease to the threads on the inside of the freewheel and to those on the hub. 2. Thread the freewheel in a clockwise direction, being careful to make sure that the threads align properly. 3. Thread …