Bicycle Repair Forums - All Forums

Importing electric bicycle conversion kits

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:24:55 -0500

Hi, I'm Doug Synder from San Fransisco. I've been interested in electric bicycles for a long time and promoting their use around our country and the world, it's the best way I know of to reduce impacts from fossil fuel burning. I've now started importing electric bicycle items for resale in the USA and have chosen to focus largely on getting a suitable range of electric bicycle conversion kits, have made a few sales but it's very early days at the moment. I've linked up with the Solar Bike team in Australia to fast track getting a decent product and also because I like their renewable energy take on things but I'll also be looking at getting other kits specific to the market base over here. If anyone has any information they can share on what they'd like in an electric bicycle conversion kit or is interested in getting one themselves then please let me know so I can take everything into consideration. Products I'm able to offer now are here http://www.solarbikeamerica.com and http://www.california-ebike.com I would be very happy for any advice for this enterprise. Thanks in Advance, Doug.

Bicycle alternatives

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:07:09 -0500

My mother-in-law has gone through extensive surgery on her wrists and is now being told by her doctor to not ride; from what she's told me a crash would toast her now more fragile wrists. Naturally, it's not a happy choice to abandon cycling for good. She wants to explore options to keep her on two wheels.

Her first idea was "adult training wheels" on her Trek hybrid. She does use some gravel/woodchip packed trails that I don't think would be appropriate for that sort of setup and they are expensive.
I thought of building a setup with two rear wheels without altering the frame making a sorta narrow trike. She doesn't want to buy a full trike because of cost and storage as she lives in an apartment.

I'm open to other ideas that may be helpful.

Back Sprockets Break Loose Under Load

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:45:14 -0500

I have a Shimano Hyper 7005 Series bicycle that has an issue in the back wheel. Under load (simple acceleration), the back sprockets seem to break loose.

The chain is not jumping, the gear cluster spins with the chain, but the cluster doesn't seem to catch the wheel. Sorry if my terminology is wrong; I don't know that much about maintenance (hence my question online). It's so bad, I can spin by hand to get it to break loose.

And guidance toward diagnosing and repairing would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!!!

Pump hose w screw-on head?

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:40 -0500

I'm looking for an older style pump hose with a head that screws onto the filler valve. This is a very old style - some 20-30 years back - that came with an 18 inch silver hand pump made to be fit in the frame of a bicycle. The barrel of the hose fit inside the barrel of the pump. Any idea where I can buy that?

I have a modern hand pump with a similar hove and head, but the end is too long to fit between the thick plastic spokes of a child's bicycle (12.5 in wheel).

Regards,
Lou

Front derailleur not shifting properly

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:38:07 -0500

Hi - I've had my road bike (an '08 Specialized Roubaix that I bought used) for about a year and am doing my best to do my own maintenance and repairs. I just came across this site and it looks like there's a ton of good info here!

I'm having some trouble with my front derailleur (or maybe shifter?). I am pretty sure the derailleur is properly adjusted, but I could be wrong. I seem to have to put quite a bit of force on the lever to move to a higher gear (largest chainring), and when I do shift up the chain seems to grind a bit and have trouble catching.

When I shift down from the largest chainring, the shift lever (Shimano 105 STI) it feels like a lot of tension gets released and it will sometimes jump all the way down to the lowest gear. Other times it will shift down to the middle chain ring, but from here I will try to shift down again and it won't get to the lowest gear.

The chain, cassette, and middle chainring are all new (if that makes any difference).

As I write this, it really seems to scream "derailleur needs adjustment!" but I've tried tinkering with that plenty with no success. Could it possibly just be the tension in the front derailleur cable it too high?

Any help is VERY appreciated!

Rear derailleur chain skip

Sat, 12 May 2012 22:46:04 -0500

Hello all,

This is my first post to this forum!

I fixed up my old road bike recently: replaced chain, new rear cassette, fine tuned rear and front derailleur setting. I really thought I had done a good job as it was running more smoothly than ever....

Until today, i.e. 2 weeks after the overhaul (i probably did 200 km with it since then - without any issues)

The chain "skips", i.e. it periodically kind of gets off the jockey pulley, which is really annoying!!! When cycling backwards, the chain just gets off the jockey and blocks.

This does not seem to be due to improper chain tension as problem persists regardless of which gear the chain is on.

In order to illustrate this better, I took a bunch of videos. I took 4, it is kind of overkill I know But just so the problem is very clear:

What can I do about this? This is a high quality, albeit old, Campy friction derailleur, so I'd rather fix it than replace it with a cheap one.

Thanks a lot!!!

Adjust diacompe dp7

Sat, 12 May 2012 17:28:58 -0500

thought I was ok mechanically but stumped here, see pics.
the caliper on the left in the pic is jammed on the rim, no matter what adjustment I make to the cable or the tensioner at the brake lever I can't get it to move back off the rim
when I pull it over to the left more by hand it pulls the right caliper with it, so it can't go too far, just enuf to get pad from being on the rim.
tightening the cable or adjusting at the brake lever seems to just make it pushed harder on the rim.

Skipping chain

Fri, 11 May 2012 22:48:14 -0500

commuter 10 miles a day round trip.2006 specialized hardrock sport.skips when torqued, (stop and starts, traffic lights). replaced chain, sprocket, and had deralieurs adjusted, at the shop. still skips not as bad as before, what else can it be? do i need a new hub? can i rebuild my hub? what else can i do?

FYI: Some great responses to road rage.

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:39:35 -0500

[attachment=3204]

Derailluer problem

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:32:22 -0500

I'm working on a bike that needed new shifters and I've discovered an issue. The rear derailleur is a Sugino VIC high-normal 6sp on a 90's Murray MTB. It shifts fine from high to low but traveling opposite is where the problem is. When I begin up-shifting the RD sticks and does not shift above gear 2. I found the instructions for it online but with no luck. Lubing the pivot points has not helped. I suppose the worst thing would be replacing it.

WTB: Vintage 70's Campagnolo NR Normal Reach Brake Calipers

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:33:26 -0500

I'm looking for a nice set of vintage 70's Campagnolo NR normal reach brake calipers.

Only One Pad Moves

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:46:44 -0500

I chronically struggle with brake adjustment. I vaguely understand that I may have to readjust brakes several times before they function correctly, but I don't know how the caliper functions so I waste a lot of time. I spent 20-30 minutes during my last work shift on a single set of rear brakes. No matter how many times I adjusted the cable one pad barely moved, if at all. (I think it actually moved less as time went by.) I eventually gave up and told the owner to take his bicycle to a repair shop. That was a shameful thing for me to have to say; he had just taken it from the store's bicycle rack that day. It should already have been in working order.

Many hand brakes on Wal-Mart bicycles resemble the set in the "V-Brake" video. The only other type I've seen is horseshoe-like.

20 year old derailleur

Mon, 07 May 2012 22:26:54 -0500

Will I notice improvement by replacing a 20 year old derailleur?

I just replaced chain and cassette and wonder if shifting will improve with a new derailleur?

Schwinn 354 Road Bicycle (1991)
Frame: Schwinn 5000 Aluminum
Crankset: Shimano Exage300EX biopace double
Front Derailleur: Shimano Exage 400EX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Exage 300EX 7-speed

MTB rear shock

Mon, 07 May 2012 16:10:57 -0500

Hi.

I have this shock : http://i47.tinypic.com/n5kevm.jpg

I dont know nothing about it ,its an old bike frame 1995 the shock i think 2

Does someone know about this shock ? Its heavy for sure and its not air shock...

Its fully functional, it can be locked ore unlocked... but i wont to replace it with new one i changed everything ( the picture here is old ) on the frame except this shock.

Can someone tell me what to do give 200-300 $ more ore to stay on this shock ? btw I have measure it it's 215 mm ...

Thanx

Replacing an entire Stock crank set (Truvativ to shimano)

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:04:51 -0500

Hello folks I am new to this forum so please go easy with me lol

just a quick question, I will try and keep it as simple as possible

I want to replace my entire stock crankset on my Carrera Fury mountain bike. At the moment it has a Truvativ crankset but I want to replace the lot with a Shimano Deore Hollowtech.

What I need to know is will I come across any problems? will I need to replace or adjust my front SRAM X7 Derailleur, (my shifters are SRAM SX5) will I need to replace the chain or rear cassette or anything else?

Cheers folks any tips much appreciated

29ers

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:40:41 -0500

I am learning bicycle repair and have noticed that some tools I have do not fit so well with the 29ers, for example the chain whip, Trueing stand, etc. I am sure there are a few more that I haven't mentioned yet. Any suggestions as to where and If I really need additional tools to work on the 29ers.

Thank you in advance.

Help me I.D.My Mystery Euro Bicycle

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:12:05 -0500

When I first saw this bike in pics, I thought it was a common, huffy of the late 70's or something. Then, when I went to pick it up. It had aluminum fenders, a really cool seat and a lugged frame. So, I thought it was an old Raleigh. After looking at the serial #, it does not appear to be a Raleigh(though, maybe made by Raleigh). I only know that that its a little different. The sprocket is different, the seat is different, the aluminum fenders are different and it looks like it used to have an aluminum chain guard. But I can't seem to figure out what the bike actually is. I can only guess mid 60's, since it has a 333 3-speed hub. I do plan on restoring it. But depending on what it is, will determine as to how I restore it. I have asked some local bicycle shops and no one seems to know. No one seems to care about an old 3-speed bike, which explains how I got it for $12.00, but I care. If you can help me, I would Greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Rocky

http://photobucket.com/MysteryEuroBicycle

SRAM and Shimano compatibility

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:07:35 -0500

Hiya all, I'm a newbie here. Just started on the hobby of repairing/rebuilding bikes. I like fixing them more than I enjoy riding them. Go figure. I have about 16 bikes in various condition and am currently repairing 3-5 of them, switching from one to another as I wait for parts and research. I usually work outside my garage (car garage, not a workshop) and have quite a number of passerbys ask questions and for help. I do not charge anything except if I have to buy spare parts for them. I repair their bikes gratis, if I can figure out what the problem is and if it's not too major a task. I would like to know more so that I can actually be a better help. I'm not running a business, I have a full time job. This is just for fun.

Almost all the running componentry on the bikes I own are Shimano. Would it be a problem to fit SRAM components into the mix?

I like the SRAM powerlink chains and it seems to work ok with Shimano groupsets and sprockets. Can I run a Shimano groupset with SRAM cassettes? Noobish question but I'm curious. So much to learn.

Cheers
Andrew

Derallieur wants to be changed

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:38:20 -0500

Hey,
i have a shimano tourney tx31 on my cycle. is it okay to change it to a shimano tourney tx50 or tx55

Bad History With Crank Arms

Sun, 06 May 2012 18:33:58 -0500

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice and knowledge since I am relatively new to mountain biking and am having a few problems.

I have recently bought a Raleigh AT30 MTB to get a bit of practice on the trails. After riding if for about 4 weeks I found the left crank arm came loose. I had it tightened and decided to carry a spare allen key with me just in case it happened again. Low and behold it did, in fact it happens about 20 minutes after I do it up.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me. My last bike was a Trax Fearless (again a bike to try and get me into MTBing. I had the same problem with the left crank arm coming loose and falling off. I had this changed and had loctite used to keep it on. After about an hour of riding it came loose again.

My question is, as I have had terrible luck with this, could my problem be down to how I ride my bike or is it purely bad luck?

I tend to ride in low gears (granny gears as I call them), I hate the feeling of pedaling and going nowhere so I use higher gears where I can actually feel myself doing something and going somewhere. Not as problematic as I may think, but I also tend to point my toes outwards when riding, I doubt this actually affects anything but just a bit more info.

If anyone can give me advice or suggest a long lasting fix I would be grateful.