Main > Sport > Cycling > Equipment > Clothes & accessories
Replace your helmet regularly. Even if you've never crashed, your helmet won't continue to protect forever. Most manufacturers recommend replacement after seven years.
[guest]
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Equipment > Clothes & accessories
Clean your helmet. To make a stinky helmet fresh again wear it in the shower! Get a good shampoo lather going on your head, put your helmet on and massage your scalp with the helmet for a few minutes. Then, give it a good rinse.
[guest]
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Main > Sport > Cycling
Traveling by air: When taking your bike on an airplane reduce the tire pressure to about half. That way, if the remaining air in your tires expands during the flight you won't get a blowout. Also, leave any CO2 cartridges at home or pack them in your carry-on. They should not be stowed in the non-pressurized cargo areas.
[guest]
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Equipment > Clothes & accessories
Use a breathable wet-weather jacket. Otherwise, body sweat condenses inside the jacket. If the weather is cold, and the body is wet, fatigue can set in quickly.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring
Some transport services carry bikes for free. Not all travel insurance covers bikes. Some ask for bikes to be packaged in boxes; others just ask for the handlebars to be turned sideways and pedals removed. Check fine print.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling
If travelling often by bicycle, purchase a durable bike bag that folds into a small package. In summer, it can double as a sleeping bag.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring
Waterproof stuff-sacks keep dry your sleeping bag, clothes, small electronics.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring
A tent is not necessary in most touring conditions. Even in strong wind, rain, and heavy frost, a 4x2m fly in a sheltered position is sufficient for one.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring
If touring alone, and one encounters rough weather, dress appropriately and keep well-fuelled. This goes a long way towards keeping one's spirits up. Don't forget extra covering for toes, fingers, ear-tips.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics
Save money by fixing bike issues yourself.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Powertrain
Replacing chain: replace at the same time as rear cluster/cassette. The chain-length is correct when it fits over largest front and rear chainrings, plus one inch. Use an SRAM power-link (simpler).
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Crankset
Bottom bracket: choose sealed type for longer life and less fuss. The LHS locknut of a sealed bottom bracket unscrews first, c-cl; then RHS unscrews cl the entire bracket. Keep threads clean and greased well.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Brakes
Squeaky brakes: rims are greasy. Don't use degreaser to clean. Use spit.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Powertrain
Chain care: dry lube normally, wet lube (oil) in wet conditions. Try to keep clean to prolong its lifespan.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Powertrain
Gear adjustment: First degrease, clean, and re-lube all moving parts of power-train. The key is first to set cable length per derailleur, then chain-guide position of front derailleur, then high and low maximum positions of each derailleur. Other important tips: keep the bike upright, not upside-down; watch that the chain runs square on each ring; put fine adjustment screws at the end of each cable end into lowest tension (screwed in cl all the way).
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Brakes
V-Brake adjustment: First remove brake pads, keeping washers in their original positions, and whittle off detritus and hardened grease from the pads. The key to brake adjustment is spring tension. Each brake has a hardened wire acting as a spring, that slots into one of three positions. Get that position right for best tension. Also make sure
fine adjustment screws at handlebar end of cable are screwed in cl all the way first.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics
Cables: always crimp the ends to stop fraying.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics
Don't wash bike using high water-pressure, as a jet of water into bearings (wheel hubs, headset, bottom bracket, pedals) can dislodge grease and force grit in.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics
Keep metal parts slightly oily. WD-40 (water dispersant) works well.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Tools
Complete repair kit: rear cluster removal tool, chainwhip, crank removal tool, 14mm socket tool (crank bolt), bottom bracket removal tool, 25-30mm shifting spanner, hub spanners, small pair of very sharp diagonal cutters (cables and crimps), 4-6mm hex keys, fine Phillips-head screwdrivers (handebar part-covers), floor pump, tyre levers, spokes (long, short), tyres, degreaser, water dispersant, lithium grease, oil, wax, toothbrushes, rags, socket set, headset spanner.
Handy travel repair kit: hand pump, tyre levers, patches, sandpaper, rubber cement, spare tube, rag, multitool, and a waterproof container with spare chain links, crimps, hex-bolts, spoke key, spoke nipples, a few spare spokes, boot, gaffer tape, pocketknife.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Crankset
Pedal removing: a way to remember the threads, is, when using a shifting spanner, turn the spanner towards the back of the bike, over the axle, like throwing over-arm.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics
Rear wheel removing: Shift chain onto the smallest cog (highest gear), so the chain can then slip off that little cog as the wheel is removed. It may help also to lift the chain off the cog with your finger and over towards the axle nut, as the wheel is slipped out of the drop-outs.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Powertrain
Straightening a bent derailleur hanger: one suggestion is to carefully thread the hanger onto a wheel axle nut, then carefully press the hanger against a hard surface (like concrete) using the wheel as a brace. It might work. I had no success with this technique. Hangers are also harder to replace than most bike parts.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
Carry a basic first-aid kit, and spare electrolyte mixes like GU20.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
Downhill speed: Imagine coming upon a ditch suddenly. Keep your speed at a speed that can either brake or jump the ditch. Or learn to roll.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
Bio-oil (Vitamin E) helps healing skin to stay elastic around a forming scab, and thus prevent extra tearing.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
Use tyres with good tread.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
Wider handlebars give more leverage control in steering.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Fresh or dehydrated: dried foods weigh less. Where fresh water is not plentiful, it'll have to be carried. Aim for 1L per hour riding, and extra for cleaning hands and cookware.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Health
Preventing fatigue: keep your temperature normal and muscle glycogen high. It helps to sip water regularly, and not to rely on high-calorie foods like chocolate.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Raw or cooked: Have a cooked dinner with fresh vegies thrown into the pot. It is easier to digest cooked food, and after a day's cycling this matters. Also, it's relaxing to watch a billy boil.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Budget Tour Tip #1: If you like cafes, ask for a cup of hot water, then secretly whack in your own tea-bag or coffee. Then leave a small tip or a nice comment in the guest-book.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Budget Tour Tip #2: Carry electrolyte powder in a ziplock bag, to mix later, instead of buying ready-made drinks.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Budget Tour Tip #3: Stop for a break in an attractive public park near to others. You can learn a bit from the locals, exchange tips with other tourists, offer some of your food, and might get an interesting change to your diet.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Food
Budget Tour Tip #4: Add about 300 calories per hour of exercise to your basic daily quota. But more exercise = more body repair = more calories = $$$ = more stress = shorter tour.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Tourism
Interesting things to see that don't cost much: museums, art galleries, gardens, conservation parks, swimming or fishing at a lake or seaside.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Tourism
Aim to go at an easy pace, to be most aware of everything you experience. Imagine you're unmoving and the world moves.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Health
Stretches keep your muscles flexible. It's also a relaxing way to start and end a ride.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Health
Shift the body around while cycling to prevent stiffness. For example, try different hand-positions on the handlebars, stand up while coasting (stand on the horizontal cranks, closer to the axle, not out on the pedals), and shake the legs out while sitting.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Health
Prevent saddlesores: wear two pairs of cycling knicks on longer rides, and stand in the saddle while freewheeling.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Health
Core strength: imagine the area around the spine as either a wide, porous, flabby sponge, or as a tightly contracted cylindrical mesh. Suck in the stomach as if squeezing sideways through a tight doorway. Tuck the shoulder blades in, close to the spine. This core strength helps support the weight of the body.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Touring > Tourism
One always leaves some kind of trace of having been somewhere. Try to leave traces that benefit others, like being free of greediness, stress, or anger. Try to be 'Nature incognito'.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking
If you get a very cheap mountain bike, do not go over jumps much higher than a few centimetres. Cheap new mountain bikes have very flimsy rims. I went over a jump and when I landed with over 90kg in bodyweight, the entire front wheel buckled to the point where I hit the ground and lost a lot of skin. Six weeks later I still have bruises and could not walk properly for three days initially. The bike could not even be pushed it was so heavily buckled and the replacement rim (which was the cheapest they had but double walled) cost me more than the bike did originally. A positive spinoff is that the new rim made a return to the track a more enjoyable ride.
myxlfidian (150)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Tools
Allen Keys: Virtually everything on a bike can be tightened with Allen Keys. But most people buy the standard length ones, which provide little leverage. When you buy a set, spend a fraction more for the really long handled ones. They are much easier to make a bolt tight with, and to loosen them.
myxlfidian (150)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > How to ride > Cycling in traffic
Contrary to belief, cycling has nearly the lowest number of fatalities for all transport modes by road (in developed countries). See link : US. link : UK. link : Eur. link : Aus
Panoculus (40)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > How to ride > Cycling in traffic
Help others to notice you by wearing light-coloured clothing, and by positioning yourself on the road intelligently, e.g. out in front, not beside or behind the car.
Panoculus (40)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > How to ride > Cycling in traffic
Choose a route to your destination before you get on the bike. This will ensure you behave more predictably, giving drivers time to slow down where needed.
Panoculus (40)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Building
Wheel-building: The rear wheel needs to be stronger than the front, in most cases. This means the number of spokes is better 36/32 than 36/36. See link
Panoculus (40)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Transporting goods > PABs (Power-assisted bikes)
An efficient PAB has:
- torque applied directly to the rear wheel's hub, not by friction to the tyre or wheel
- the engine inside the hub for better weight distribution
- a good battery (light, compact: <1kg; powerful: 200-400W; smart: fool-proof, long-life, less toxic to the environment)
- a pedal-sensor: assists only when pedalling
- an electronic controller: adjustable power, e.g. a grip-shift throttle or pedal sensor
- a battery power gauge: to let you know when the power is running low
Research shows the best PABs currently run for ~70km on a sealed flat road, no wind, and some pedalling.
kellyjones00 (593)
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Main > Sport > Cycling > Mechanics > Tools
Tools/equipment for touring: Do a complete bicycle check several weeks before departure, to reduce the chance of mechanical problems. If cycling unsupported into remote areas, and there is no or very slow postal service, you will need to carry all tools, and spare parts.
Other tools / equipment for longer tours, missing from the first tip on this page: spare brake pads, chain-break tool, chain lubricant, front wheel bearing ring, rear wheel bearing ring, rear derailleur hanger, spare chain, fast-release chain link, spare bottom bracket (sealed), spare cluster.
kellyjones00 (593)
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