Bicycle wheelbuilding tools explained
A list of all the tools needed for building bicycle wheels. Pros and cons of various wheel-building tool models.
Mostly harmless ™
Tools, maintenance, parts compatibility and function…
A list of all the tools needed for building bicycle wheels. Pros and cons of various wheel-building tool models.
There are screwdrivers that don’t slip (come out, “cam-out”) when unscrewing a tight screw. How to tell those, what are the differences?
Display of malfunctioning, damaged, or broken bicycle parts, with brief explanations
Table with measured hub dimensions that are important for calculating optimal spoke length when building bicycle wheels
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.
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.
How to measure effective rim diameter (ERD) and a datasheet with effective rim diameter of various rims. Knowing ERD matters for bicycle wheelbuilding.
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.
How to route housing and cables for bicycle shifters and brakes, so that it all works smoothly, precisely with as little friction as possible.
What standards for bicycle shifter and brake cables and housing exist. What are the differences. How to tell, what to pay attention to.
Bicycle front chainring mounting standards – according to the number of mounting bolts and diameter of the circle they are spaced along.
“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 (“copper grease”, carbon paste etc.) that are used for bolt thread and part preparation before mounting and tightening.
Updated: 09/09/2020. This post is about approaching a bicycle that needs repairs, or regular maintenance. Perhaps it sounds a bit absurd – “what’s the big deal in how to approach a bicycle?”, but in the remainder of this post, I’ll explain what’s the “catch”. Contents: 0. Introduction 1. Talking to the client …1.1. Listening …1.2. … Read more
Updated: 16/09/2020. This post will give overview of bicycle handlebar size standards, in terms of stem mounting area as well as grip mounting area (or bar wrap area for road “drop” bars). Other important dimensions of road bike bars are explained in the post about road bar geometry, while important considerations for flat bars are given … Read more
Updated: 05/01/2021. Table of contents: Introduction Types of stems1.1. Quill stem1.2. Threadless stem Important dimensions and how to measure2.1. Handlebar (clamp) attachment diameter2.2. Steering column attachment diameter Stem dimension standards3.1. Handlebar clamp dimension standards3.2. Steering column attachment dimension standards…3.2.1. Threaded stems…3.2.2. Threadless stems 0. Introduction This post explains stem size standards in terms of steering … Read more
Updated: 30/03/2020. This post will explain bicycle rear chainrings standards. Since in cycling literature a term “sprocket” is used to refer to rear chainrings, that term will be used in the remainder of this post (and most other on this site). In cycling terminology, term “chainring” usually refers to front chainrings only. Contents:1. Introduction2. Sprocket … Read more
Updated: 05/01/2021. This post will give overview of bicycle driving chains standard dimensions. Each chain has three important dimensions: pitch, inner diameter and outer diameter. 1. Bicycle driving chain pitch Chain pitch is the distance at which the pins are placed. It is measured by measuring the distance between 3 links, then dividing it by … Read more
Updated: 25/11/2018. Previous two posts have explained the names of steerer parts and how to measure the important dimensions. This post deals with headset bearings standards. If (re)packing a (new) headset with loose bearing balls, see: Standard bicycle bearing ball sizes. Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Marking rules (format) 3. Standard dimensions …3.1. Head tube inner … Read more
Updated: 09/09/2020. In a previous post “Bicycle chain wear (elongation)” it was explained how chain wear happens and affects chain’s performance. There it was mentioned that roller wear doesn’t affect chain’s performance. The only thing that affects performance is chain’s elongation (change of pitch) – i.e. inner plates to pin contact area wear. The goal … Read more
Updated: 20/01/2021. This post explains what kinds of seatpost diameters are most commonly used and how they are measured – to avoid mistakes when purchasing, or changing seatposts. The post deals only with diameter (width). The length of the seatpost depends on frame geometry (design) and size – i.e. how much the saddle needs to … Read more
Updated: 09/09/2020. ISO standard defines dimensions of thread – by diameter and pitch. This post provides a list of standards most commonly used on bicycles, with explanation of most common use. Tools most commonly used for (un)screwing the bolts and nuts of the given standards will also be noted (also by ISO standard), for both … Read more
Updated: 11/12/2020. This post will offer a comparative overview of bicycle chain lubricants. It will include standard commercialy available lubricants that can be used for lubing bicycle chains, such as chainsaw bar oil, motor oil etc. It will also give comparison of lubricants sold and marketed as bicycle chain lubricants. They will be noted with … Read more
Updated: 05/01/2021. Bicycles usually use ball bearings. Modern cartridge bearings come as a closed unit – with balls and races packed in a single unit. However, many bicycles still use older, cup and cone system, where balls can (and should) be replaced with new ones when servicing bearings. This is the case with most Shimano … Read more