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How did I not notice earlier that my brake cable is frayed/snapped  With any luck that won't be impossible for this idiot to replace.
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Apr 15, 2024 17:47
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Nah you'll be fine. Proper bike mechanics have special cutters for the outer cable sheath when trimming it to length (it's a good idea to replace that too for minimal friction and best brake feel even though you can get by with just replacing the inner cable that broke). I'm not a proper bike mechanics so I use a Dremel. Angle grinder, hacksaw or beefy side cutters should work too. There's more than one way to skin a cat. If you mess up the worst that can happen is you destroy a cheap part and your brake remains broken. Small asterisk though in the unlike event that your cable is routed inside the frame. If so you should use the old outer cable to pull a new cable or at least a pullstring through the same path.
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Apr 15, 2024 18:33
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loving  I did not even think that I might need to cut it. I actually have....very few tools. Time to stock up I guess.It's not routed inside thankfully.
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Apr 15, 2024 18:40
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If you're ever going to own one bike specific tool a cable/ housing cutter is pretty high on the list. The basic park tool one CN-10 will last the rest of your life if you only use it for it's stated purpose and your brake and shifter maintenance will be so much easier.
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Apr 15, 2024 18:50
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Good news is you need very few tools for a cable replacement. Likely a hex key for the clamp at the brake end (or possibly a little wrench on old bikes) and some way to cut inner and outer cable is pretty much the extent of it unless something fights you. Like if the adjuster commonly at the handle on flat bar bikes is corroded and stuck, then you might need some pliers and lube to work it loose.
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Apr 15, 2024 18:54
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Before I end up with the wrong thing - https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8555307/mtb-city-bike-universal-brake-cable-stainless-steel Claims to be a "universal" cable. In bikeworld does that mean....any cable any bike? I have the Riverside 120 from Decathlon: https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8405304/riverside-120-hybrid-bike They also have a kit containing the housing, or the housing is separately sold. If you're replacing a cable, I assume it's a good idea to replace the housing, too? https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/3289171/universal-brake-cable-and-housing-kit
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Apr 15, 2024 21:41
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Nobody Interesting posted:Before I end up with the wrong thing - https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8555307/mtb-city-bike-universal-brake-cable-stainless-steel Yes replace the housing too, may as well if it's a little old. That cable you linked is MTB head (hockey puck shaped) not road brake (mushroom shape). Any LBS or general sports store will have both kinds. Not sure about Decathlon's nomenclature but it sounds like a French way to describe it E: see the kit with housing has a cable with both types of head. With that bike either the mtb or the two-head product will work
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Apr 15, 2024 21:49
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Shifting cables/housing and brake cables/housing are different from each other. But as long as you get brake cable/housing, yes it's universal, you can walk into any bike shop and get some. A local shop will probably even have cool colors of housing if you want. Have the measurements handy for the housing when you go in. The general recommendation is to replace cable and housing together but I know plenty of people who will keep the housing through several cables, as long as it looks good and the cable travels freely.
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Apr 15, 2024 21:50
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SimonSays posted:Any LBS or general sports store will have both kinds. Not sure about Decathlon's nomenclature but it sounds like a French way to describe it Makes sense, Decathlon are French as gently caress. I tend to look there first since that's where I got the bike from, so I just assume they have the bits for it. I might just head over there and see what they say.
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Apr 15, 2024 21:55
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oXDemosthenesXo posted:If you're ever going to own one bike specific tool a cable/ housing cutter is pretty high on the list. 1: floor pump with pressure gauge 2: tire levers The next few places are up for grabs. Depends on the bike and person I guess. Third place is a tube patch kit probably. Then what? Chain rivet tool? Spoke wrench? Chain whip+cassette socket?
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Apr 16, 2024 05:33
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Invalido posted:I started thinking about this list. The first two things I recommend to bike newbies that already have some normal tools like metric box wrenches and hex keys are: Chain breaker is a good part of even an on the road multitool imo as it can get you going again after a broken chain (albeit with a slightly too short chain). They've saved my rear end several times. whereas you can limp home with e.g. a broken spoke (perhaps to the detriment of your rim but I've done it and still trued the rim back up just fine) Chain whip is good but you can improv it okay with a piece of old chain, I still do this tbh and I hate it every time until it works and then I forget about buying a chain whip until next time. But a socket for your cassette or freewheel, definitely a good one, only way to work on your bearings or replace the freewheel/cassette.
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Apr 16, 2024 05:43
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SimonSays posted:E: see the kit with housing has a cable with both types of head. If you get this one, it's especially important to make a clean cut on the end you don't use (the road mushroom end), since you'll need to feed that through the entire end of the cable housing. If you don't have a cutter tool and it frays/splays out a bit, try to use pliers or your hand to retwist all the strands together. You're trying to avoid any strand snagging on the inner plastic lining and causing a premature wear point. If you get a single-purpose cable, the free end will be soldered together and will feed through easily. Will still have to cut the extra cable, but can do that after you bolt it and adjust it at the caliper end. Fraying is still not ideal but less of a problem once you crimp a cable end cap over it.
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Apr 16, 2024 06:22
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Brake cable housing is spiral wound to protect against tearing as the lever is pulled increasing the internal "pressure" from the cable itself. Shifter cable housing has the filaments running parallel to the cable, owing to being under much less load and having a greater need for maintaining specific length for indexing to work correctly. You can see which is which by either looking at a cut end or seeing if a subtle spiral is visible through the outer plastic or not. alnilam posted:Shifting cables/housing and brake cables/housing are different from each other. But as long as you get brake cable/housing, yes it's universal, you can walk into any bike shop and get some. A local shop will probably even have cool colors of housing if you want. Have the measurements handy for the housing when you go in. Wouldn't you actually want to replace the housing and keep the cable? It would be pre-stretched and the Teflon/anti-friction coating is part of the housing, right? (I've only ever changed them as a set, so honestly curious) amenenema fucked around with this message at 22:55 on Apr 16, 2024 |
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Apr 16, 2024 22:53
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amenenema posted:Brake cable housing is spiral wound to protect against tearing as the lever is pulled increasing the internal "pressure" from the cable itself. OP mentioned the cables are frayed, they can also be bent, kinked, or worn. Not necessarily a huge problem in use but it makes it tricky or impossible to do the housing.
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Apr 16, 2024 22:58
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amenenema posted:Wouldn't you actually want to replace the housing and keep the cable? It would be pre-stretched and the Teflon/anti-friction coating is part of the housing, right? idk I used to only change out cables when they got frayed but now I change out brake cables preventatively ever since I had one unexpectedly snap on me (Always have a redundant braking system, kids!) and the new cables usually feel nice and smooth in the housing so I only bother if the housing looks visibly worn or if the new cables don't feel good in there. I know plenty of other people who rock the same housing for a pretty long time too. But we're all crusty bike co-op people so none of that is like, official recommended practice. Thanks for reminding me that I'm due for new brake cables, thread, and always have redundant braking
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Apr 16, 2024 23:07
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Complaining into the void: the office landlord at work has apparently decided to repurpose the bicycle parking room starting on Tuesday next week, so it looks like we're getting kicked out onto the street as far as bike parking goes. They claim to be looking into a new solution but welp, guess I'll be a lot less at the office until that's sorted!
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Apr 19, 2024 13:50
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That sucks. Before we had a bike room at my office I locked mine up out front and came back to find a female condom draped across my rear rack. Where do you even find those things?
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Apr 19, 2024 13:56
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There's no way I read that correctly.
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Apr 19, 2024 14:00
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A bad storm rolled through yesterday, and the trail system has a lot of downed trees blocking the paths. So, I'll ride tomorrow, but for today, I figured I'd take the single speed through my hilly town to pick up some stuff at the store. It gave me a chance to use the Avalanche backpack I bought last year at a Dick's outlet store. My single speed doesn't have a rack, you see. The trip was successful, and I found out that I can get a 12 pack of Pepsi Zero Sugar, a half gallon of skim milk, a quart of 2% milk, two half pints of buttermilk, and a few tomatoes in the pack with no problems. It was heavy, though, so if I do this again, I think I'll go when my shopping list doesn't consist totally of liquids.
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Apr 19, 2024 21:55
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Mauser posted:That sucks. Before we had a bike room at my office I locked mine up out front and came back to find a female condom draped across my rear rack. Where do you even find those things? You find them near bike racks.
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Apr 20, 2024 19:56
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A while ago someone (or someones) in the commuter thread helped me get my road bike and I still ride and love it. I also have a e bike, but I'm looking for a nice casual city bike that I can ride with people and fit the vibe. It should be under 500, but I'd really like to keep it at 300ish. I'd like smoothness and comfort over speed, and I might go 10 miles tops each way. Location: Minneapolis Height: 5 ' 11 Inseam: 32 Budget: 200-500, much prefer to spend less than 500 but for the right bike I can go up Length of commute: 20 miles in a day max Terrain: Fairly flat, mostly in bike lanes, occasional hills Link to local Craigslist or equivalent (if looking for second hand): https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/
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Apr 21, 2024 21:38
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Veskit posted:A while ago someone (or someones) in the commuter thread helped me get my road bike and I still ride and love it. I also have a e bike, but I'm looking for a nice casual city bike that I can ride with people and fit the vibe. It should be under 500, but I'd really like to keep it at 300ish. I'd like smoothness and comfort over speed, and I might go 10 miles tops each way. Not sure the vibe you're looking for but... https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bik/d/minneapolis-medium-56cm-schwinn-tempo/7734273637.html https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/bik/d/saint-paul-bianchi-cruiser-road-bike/7738202512.html You can also find fashionable singlespeeds new at various places online for 500 and under. Bikesdirect, State, etc.
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Apr 21, 2024 23:24
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Veskit posted:A while ago someone (or someones) in the commuter thread helped me get my road bike and I still ride and love it. I also have a e bike, but I'm looking for a nice casual city bike that I can ride with people and fit the vibe. It should be under 500, but I'd really like to keep it at 300ish. I'd like smoothness and comfort over speed, and I might go 10 miles tops each way. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bik/d/minneapolis-2000s-jamis-explorer-speed/7735763262.html Only costs $120, but needs:
amenenema posted:You can also find fashionable singlespeeds new at various places online for 500 and under. Bikesdirect, State, etc. That's because singlespeeds are the dumbest bike fad.
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Apr 22, 2024 11:04
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Groda posted:That's because singlespeeds are the dumbest bike fad. Weird flex but okay. Was just putting "casual" plus "vibe" together and seemed like a reasonable option.
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Apr 22, 2024 13:59
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I think a single speed might be an option for this kind of commute or just for enjoying a chill ride with some like-minded folks. It really depends on the hills you'll be dealing with. I find that I can handle hills with my single speed's gear ratio that I'd never try on my road bike with a similar gear ratio, as long as they're fairly short. I really like my single speed. As for single speeds being a fad, that's basically saying bicycles are a fad.
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Apr 22, 2024 18:14
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TheFluff posted:Complaining into the void: the office landlord at work has apparently decided to repurpose the bicycle parking room starting on Tuesday next week, so it looks like we're getting kicked out onto the street as far as bike parking goes. They claim to be looking into a new solution but welp, guess I'll be a lot less at the office until that's sorted! Today someone was parked on the bike lane/sidewalk on my way to the bike shop, and still loving there 20mn later as I rode home. Took serious mental fortitude to not put my foot through the mirrors. On the positive side, fresh sealant in the mountain bike so I can go hoon around this weekend. gently caress yes.
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Apr 22, 2024 18:41
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Respectfully, ew single speed gross  amenenema posted:Not sure the vibe you're looking for but... I actually like this one, i'll check it out. Thank you for the help!
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Apr 22, 2024 19:12
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Veskit posted:Respectfully, ew single speed gross No sweat! I just plugged "56cm" into your Craigslist under Bikes. You could also try 54 or 55cm for more options.
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Apr 22, 2024 21:01
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evil_bunnY posted:repurpose into what? Something that pays rent, presumably. Storage, I think? There are some tenants in the same building that probably need storage space.
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Apr 23, 2024 13:28
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I strained both my meniscuses in a move last summer, so i'm finally now getting some time to shakedown and ride my old commuter that I converted from Rival 2x10 to a SRAM 1x11 groupset during covid. this poo poo loving rules! i hate front shifting! i have an old 2x10 Red groupset on a gravel bike, and now im' tempted to pull the FD, punch the shifting mech out of the left brifter, stick on an 11-32T cassette, and find a 42T chainring for it. all my homies hate front derailleurs!
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May 2, 2024 07:15
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Single ring up front rules indeed. Narrow/wide is all I've ever run and I drop the chain maybe twice in a blue moon but a colleague who had a conventional one had to switch because of frequent derails.
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May 2, 2024 08:26
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I cannot to this day understand the problems people seem to have with front derailleurs. I never touch mine, it needs 100x less tweaking than the rear derailleur. I run out of spec 52-34 chainrings with Shimano 11 speed and don’t remember the last time I dropped a chain. If you’re riding in mud every day sure. But even then, my old mtb with a triple was also rock solid in terms of front shifting, went years between having to even think about it. Maybe much of the hate is just misdirected from people who have gearing too high for their ability, especially for offroad & hills.
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May 2, 2024 08:40
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TenementFunster posted:I strained both my meniscuses in a move last summer, so i'm finally now getting some time to shakedown and ride my old commuter that I converted from Rival 2x10 to a SRAM 1x11 groupset during covid. this poo poo loving rules! i hate front shifting! i have an old 2x10 Red groupset on a gravel bike, and now im' tempted to pull the FD, punch the shifting mech out of the left brifter, stick on an 11-32T cassette, and find a 42T chainring for it. At that point why not an Alfine
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May 2, 2024 08:57
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wooger posted:I cannot to this day understand the problems people seem to have with front derailleurs. also i live in a city with sudden and substantial hills now, and like being able to bail out fast using one hand. 34x36 sounds NICE Groda posted:At that point why not an Alfine TenementFunster fucked around with this message at 09:06 on May 2, 2024 |
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May 2, 2024 08:59
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TenementFunster posted:I strained both my meniscuses in a move last summer, so i'm finally now getting some time to shakedown and ride my old commuter that I converted from Rival 2x10 to a SRAM 1x11 groupset during covid. this poo poo loving rules! i hate front shifting! i have an old 2x10 Red groupset on a gravel bike, and now im' tempted to pull the FD, punch the shifting mech out of the left brifter, stick on an 11-32T cassette, and find a 42T chainring for it. Why would you need to gut the shifter? Just don’t use the doubletap paddle.
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May 2, 2024 09:34
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Seems like indexed front shifting made a lot of people hate front derailers, for good reason. It's so unnecessary, more so even than indexing a rear, it has two positions.
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May 2, 2024 12:20
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It's slightly faster to have it indexed, I guess, but my commuter is down tube shifters with mixed friction and indexed and no complaints
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May 2, 2024 12:36
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My backup commuter has a sachs heuret hybrid drive train. 2-speed IGH + 7-speed cassette. It's neat So 2x7, but 1 chain ring
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May 2, 2024 12:42
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SimonSays posted:Seems like indexed front shifting made a lot of people hate front derailers, for good reason. It's so unnecessary, more so even than indexing a rear, it has two positions. I feel like my 5600 was pretty crap and I had to use the trimming all the time but all the doubles after that are fine Then again I never really shift out of the big ring and until today I totally forgot the trim positions existed on the 5800 I've been riding for the last 3 months
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May 2, 2024 15:08
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I've had multiple people ask me to explain what the front gears actually do and how you are supposed to use them when I've been volunteering at the local bike repair not for profit. I think having two sets of gears interacting is just annoying and unintuitive for a lot of people, particularly if you compare it to the simplicity of having only one set. I also hate adjusting them, so I hope this trend of doing away with them continues and sticks.
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May 2, 2024 15:38
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