Website tags – Magic drawers
Learn how tags on this website create ‘magic’ connections across different categories to help you find the right information.
Start » Category: Basics
Basics
Elementary things – terms, fitting, buying tips…
El Rey Del Najlon: Warranty on a Used Bicycle?
Used bike warranty? Learn what a warranty really means, the conditions it must meet, and how BikeGremlin’s “El Rey Del Najlon” guarantee works.
Why I’m Mostly Inactive™, Yet Recommend Bike Forums
Why I rarely post on Bike Forums despite valuing it as a top cycling resource – my experience, reasons for stepping back, and where I now focus my efforts.
How to Critique Without Being a Twit
How to offer real feedback without just bashing creators. A guide to making your criticism useful, respectful, and worth reading.
How I Organise and Share My Knowledge
How I organise cycling ideas and turn them into useful articles and videos, plus how to navigate BikeGremlin websites, YouTube, the forum, and search.
Your Support Keeps BikeGremlin Rolling!
Help BikeGremlin stay online and intependent of any corporations with your donations!
Where should I buy bicycle parts (and tools)?
A short list of shops where I buy bicycle parts and tools online – what I’m using and can recommend
Bike Team bicycle repair shop in Novi Sad (Serbia)
A few words about the “Bike Team” bicycle repair shop in Novi Sad (Serbia), run by my friend Miloš Radosavljević.
Is it the best one in Serbia?
Questions & answers “moved” from the website to the forum
Why did I “move” and redirect questions and answers from the website to the forum?
Is BikeGremlin a reliable source of information?
Is BikeGremlin a reliable source of cycling and mechanics (and computer-related) information?
Optimal bicycle cranks(et) length
This article answers the questions:
“What cranks(et) length should I use/buy?”
“Is 170 mm better than 175 mm, or should I get something in between?”
BikeGremlin’s Black Friday recommendations
A very brief (and exclusive) list of offers that I consider good enough to buy myself, or recommend to friends. Nothing more, nothing less.
Nonsense in the cycling industry
Why and how do nonsense and even unsafe patents and solutions emerge and remain in the cycling industry – with a few words about artificial intelligence
Newspeak (and corpo-speak) dictionary
A sarcastic dictionary of corporate doublespeak: what “competitive salary,” “soft skills,” “HR,” and other newspeak terms really mean.
Kids’ bicycles – how to pick the right size?
A practical guide to choosing the correct kids’ bicycle size. Includes wheel-size charts by age and height, balance-bike advice, and tips for first-time riders.
Buying a bicycle – new vs used
For a given budget, is it better to buy a new, or a used bicycle? Which one of those gives you more bang for the buck in the long run?
Mailing list and website monetization (adverts)
My thoughts about the mailing list (newsletter), and website monetization (adverts)
Buying a bicycle – how to ask for advice?
How to ask for help and advice when buying a new or a used bicycle?
Vintage bicycle frames with modern parts
Mounting more modern wheels, derailleurs and forks on an old, or vintage frame, in order to make a cheap, and durable bicycle that’s easy to maintain.
Buying a bicycle on Amazon, or another online shop
Is buying a bicycle on Amazon a good idea? What are the pros and cons? Do they offer a wide range of good choices?
Sheldon Brown’s Legacy
A homage to the late legend – Sheldon Brown. A great cycling and bicycle mechanics enthusiast, who was happy to share his vast knowledge.
Bicycle service prices
My thoughts on the prices of bicycle service – are they too high, or too low, how much should that cost?
Story of one bicycle, and 40 years
40 years long story about one bicycle, maintenance, upgrade, travels, and life…
Questions & Answers
Page dedicated to posting questions and giving answers to those questions – sort of an online consulting page if you like.
Bicycle service overload
What to know, what to look (out) for when dealing with bicycle services and shops during peak season rush (Spring/early Summer).
How to store a bicycle indoors
How to store a bicycle indoors, whether in a house, flat, or a garage. Different methods of hanging a bicycle explained and shown.
Accurate vs Precise
Explanation of the difference between the terms “accurate” and “precise”. They are similar, often used interchangeably, but technically different.
Why cars are not sustainable?
Why cars aren’t sustainable. A classic 1973 essay by André Gorz on cars as antisocial luxury, urban destruction, congestion, and humane transport alternatives.
Bicycle mechanic’s job – my thoughts
My thoughts on the job of a bicycle mechanic. Inspired by a post on bikeforums.net, from a man asking about getting into the businsess.
Gear inches explained – bicycle gearing
Explanation of gear inch and other units for expressing bicycle drivetrain effective gear ratios.
Why the site uses Amazon on-line shopping links
Explanation why I use Amazon affiliate links and Amazon on-line shop for recommending products for buying over the Internet.
The best bicycle chain lubricant
What is the best bicycle chain lubricant? A practical guide explaining why there’s no single best lube, with simple recommendations and real-world advice.
“Stack and reach” – effective size of a bicycle frame
What are stack and reach on a bicycle frame? A clear, practical guide explaining effective frame size, how to measure it, and why it matters for bike fit.
Right and left hand(ed) thread
Left-hand vs right-hand threads explained. A short, clear guide to bicycle pedal and bottom bracket threads, with practical rules to avoid mistakes.
Posting questions, or comments
How to ask questions and post comments on BikeGremlin. Simple rules for clear questions, constructive criticism, moderation, and useful discussions.
A thank you note for donations and help
A thank you note explaining how BikeGremlin donations are used to fund education, tools, testing, and independent cycling tutorials and experiments.
Pros and cons of suspension (shock absorbers) on bikes
Advantages and disadvantages of suspension elements (suspension forks, seatposts etc.) on bicycles.
Theory vs Practice
Theory vs practice in mechanics and engineering. Why real understanding comes from combining hands-on experience, solid theory, and user feedback.
Kids’ bikes – why training wheels aren’t training
Why training wheels don’t teach kids to ride. A short guide explaining balance, steering, and why balance bikes help children learn faster and safer.
How to set a comfortable bicycle riding position
How to set a comfortable bicycle riding position. A practical guide to saddle height, tilt, fore-aft position, and handlebar setup for comfort.
White arrow – vintage road bike project
A vintage road bike restoration project on a budget. Sourcing parts, restoring components, frame work, and final assembly of a fast classic bike.
How to adjust bicycle handlebar angle and height
How to adjust bicycle handlebar height and angle. Step-by-step guide for quill and threadless (A-head) stems, including headset preload basics.
MTB (flat) bars setup
How to set up MTB flat handlebars for comfort and control. Practical advice on bar width, height, angle, brake and shifter lever positioning.
Buying (checking) a used bicycle
How to check a used bicycle before buying. A practical step-by-step guide to inspecting frame, wheels, bearings, brakes, and test riding safely.