Lubricate cables – should you?
Should you lubricate brake or shifter cables? Learn what lube to use, when it’s needed, and how to do it properly without causing problems.
Start » Category: Technical
Technical
Tools, maintenance, parts compatibility and function…
Shimano cable grease explained
Detailed specs and real-world performance of Shimano’s special cable grease for OT-SP41 and BC-9000 housings. Why it’s better than typical greases for long-term cable smoothness.
Bicycle maintenance service intervals
At which intervals should I lubricate my chain, change cables and brake fluid etc?
What are the recommended bicycle maintenance service intervals?
Tightening torque and torque wrenches explained – 101
This article answers the questions:
What is tightening torque and why is it important?
What are torque wrenches and what kinds of them exist?
Square drive socket wrench (ratchet) size standards
What are the common, standard sizes of the square drive socket wrenches (i.e. socket spanners, or ratchets) – and what each size is best used for.v
Screwdriver hex-bit size standards and types
Screwdriver hex-bit size standards and types explained – so you don’t make a mistake when buying tools and spare bits
Bicycle repair or tuning – how to ask for advice?
How to ask for help and advice for bicycle repair, maintenance or tuning?
Bicycle parts tightening torque (N⋅m) specifications
A list of recommended tightening torques (in N⋅m) for various bicycle parts (stems, bottom brackets, cassettes, derailleurs, brakes etc.).
Spoke Lacing: What makes Sense and what is Nonsense! Efficiency Comparison using Advanced Engineering software
Why are some wheels stronger than others, and which wheel design and lacing pattern is the best? An engineering analysis of this dilemma.
Bicycle wheelbuilding tools explained
A list of all the tools needed for building bicycle wheels. Pros and cons of various wheel-building tool models.
Phillips, JIS, and Pozidriv screwdrivers explained
There are screwdrivers that don’t slip (come out, “cam-out”) when unscrewing a tight screw. How to tell those, what are the differences?
Broken / damaged bicycle parts
Display of malfunctioning, damaged, or broken bicycle parts, with brief explanations
DATASHEET: Hub dimensions
Table with measured hub dimensions that are important for calculating optimal spoke length when building bicycle wheels
DATASHEET: Effective rim diameter (ERD)
Table with a list of effective rim diameter (ERD) data that I have measured. Along with some other rim related data for bicycle wheel building.
Hub measurement for bicycle wheelbuilding
Important hub dimensions that need to be taken in order to calculate the optimal spoke length for bicycle wheelbuilding. What to measure and how to do it.
Effective rim diameter (ERD) explained
How to measure effective rim diameter (ERD) and a datasheet with effective rim diameter of various rims. Knowing ERD matters for bicycle wheelbuilding.
Bicycle wheel building basics
How to true a bicycle wheel? How to build strong wheels? Which spokes and rims are the best? I give all these answers (and a bit more) here.
Routing brake and shifter housing and cables
How to route housing and cables for bicycle shifters and brakes, so that it all works smoothly, precisely with as little friction as possible.
Bicycle shifter, brake cable, and housing standards
What standards for bicycle shifter and brake cables and housing exist. What are the differences. How to tell, what to pay attention to.
Front chainring mounting standards
Bicycle front chainring mounting standards – according to the number of mounting bolts and diameter of the circle they are spaced along (BCD).
Bicycle makes strange sounds
“My bicycle is making strange sounds”. Creaking, or clicking. How to determine the source of the sounds, in order to fix it.
Mounting and anti-seize pastes
Mounting and anti seize pastes (“copper grease”, carbon paste etc.) that are used for bolt thread and part preparation before mounting and tightening.
Bicycle drive chain standard dimensions
Dimension standards for bicycle driving chains. Pitch, inner and outer widths of single, and multi-speed bicycle driving chains.
How to service a bicycle cup and cone hub
How to service a bicycle wheel hub – needed tools, grease, and servicing procedure explained in detail, step-by-step.
Compatibility [04] Rear derailleurs
Which rear derailleur can be paired with which shifters and cassette combination. What to pay attention to when mix-matching
Compatibility [01] Chains
Which bicycle chains can be combined with which number of “speeds” i.e. number of rear sprocket systems. Single and multi-speed
