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When do I need to tune up my bike?
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If your bike has been sitting all winter, or if you just purchased a used bicycle, a tune-up is in order. This article will help identify the areas of your bike you need to attend to when performing a tune-up.
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The best way to start a tune up is by cleaning your bicycle. This will help you to identify any areas of concern, and who knows – you might even get a chance to see what is under all that dirt. To clean your bike, use a degreaser and some old rags. A toothbrush is good for getting into the small crevices on your bike. Don’t just sponge your bike and hose it off. It’s not a dog!
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What does the front derailleur do?
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The front derailleur pushes the chain from one chainring to another. It works very similarly to the rear derailleur by shifting the chain so that it falls onto a smaller chainring, or so that is pushes against a larger chainring and eventually catches the teeth. A properly adjusted front derailleur will shift between chainrings without allowing the chain to slip off in either direction.
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How do I know if I have a stiff chain link?
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If you hear a clicking noise, or notice a skip in the chain every few rotations of the pedals, you probably have a stiff chain link. This problem is most often located at the point where the chain was closed.
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- Bike stands are a great investment for any level of bicycle mechanic
- You may need a chain breaker if the link cannot be loosened by hand
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When do I need to replace the cable housings on my bike?
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If your cable housing is stiff, shows signs of damage, such as a kink, or is getting old, it may be a good idea to install replacements. Working on cable housings is not particularly difficult but does require the proper tools.
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- Cable Cutters
- Wire Snips
- Awl or Similar Pointed Tool
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What is a freehub body?
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A freehub is attached to the rear hub of your bicycle. It is a spinning mechanism designed to hold the cassette. Coasting when the pedals are at rest and pedaling are possible thanks to the freehub.
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Start by removing the cassette.
To remove the cassette:
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When do I need to overhaul the loose bearings in my wheel?
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If your wheel has side-to-side play even when the skewer or axle nuts are tight, or after a hub has seen its fair share of use, it is time to overhaul the bearings and adjust the hubs.
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- Cone wrenches (usually 13mm for the front and 15mm for the rear)
- Open-ended wrench (usually 17mm)
- Plenty of grease
- Replacement bearings (usually twenty 3/16” bearings for the front, eighteen 1/4 “ bearings for the rear)
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When do I need to replace the cable housings on my bike?
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If your cable housing is stiff, shows signs of damage, such as a kink, or is getting old, it may be a good idea to install replacements. Working on cable housings is not particularly difficult but does require the proper tools.
...
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What is a freehub body?
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A freehub is attached to the rear hub of your bicycle. It is a spinning mechanism designed to hold the cassette. Coasting when the pedals are at rest and pedaling are possible thanks to the freehub.
...
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How do I know when to true the wheels on my bike?
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Lift your wheel off the ground and give it a spin. If the wheel wobbles back and forth or up and down, it’s time to true it. Wheels come out of true through regular use. The rim is held at the correct angle to the hub by ...
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When do I need to tune up my bike?
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If your bike has been sitting all winter, or if you just purchased a used bicycle, a tune-up is in order. This article will help identify the areas of your bike you need to attend to when performing a tune-up. ...
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When do I have to service my bike cassette?
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If your bike cassette is dirty, rusty, or worn, it probably deserves servicing. If the action of the cassette is excessively loose or reluctant, you will need to remove the cassette to service the freewheel hub. ...
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San Francisco, CA
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Temp:
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20°C
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Wind Chill:
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20°C
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Humidity:
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61%
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Speed:
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34 km/h
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Direct.:
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300°
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Barom.:
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1013.5 mb
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WNW
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Weather Details
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Provided by:
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