Interactive knife steel database
An interactive knife steel database to objectively compare and sort alloys by abrasion resistance, toughness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.
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Technical
Tools, maintenance, parts compatibility and function…
Knife sharpening 101
Master the art of sharpening with the Joe Talmadge’s Sharpening FAQ. Learn about burrs, stone grits, stropping, and how to maintain a razor edge.
Blade geometry 101
Republished Joe Talmadge’s Blade Geometry FAQ. Learn how grinds, bellies, and points affect knife performance. Essential for mechanics and outdoorsmen.
Knife steels 101
Updated Knife Steel FAQ by Joe Talmadge. A clear, technical guide to tool, carbon, and stainless steels with a modernised glossary for knife enthusiasts.
7 mm hex key – old handlebars, cranks & more
Not sure if that hex (“Allen”) bolt is 7 mm or 9/32″? Learn how to tell the difference and avoid tool or bolt damage, with real bike and car examples.
How much should bicycle wheelbuilding cost?
A detailed breakdown of bicycle wheelbuilding costs: lacing, nipple threading, truing time, rim and spoke prices, and when custom wheels are worth it.
BPT™ – Baby Panda Tears
BikeGremlin’s DIY chain lube formula development log. Follow the evolution of the “BPT™ – Baby Panda Tears” – serious testing, unserious naming.
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.
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.
What is effective rim diameter (ERD) and how to measure it
What is the effective rim diameter (ERD), how to measure it – and a linked datasheet with ERDs of various rims. Important 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.
Custom made wheel for a great man
Custom wheel build with a laser-engraved hub. A technical lesson on why using long nipples to fix short spokes failed.
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.
Approach to bicycle servicing
Practical guide to bicycle servicing: how to inspect a bike, communicate with clients, prioritise repairs, set budgets and deadlines, and avoid wasted work.
Bicycle handlebar dimension standards
Clear overview of bicycle handlebar size standards. Learn how to measure stem clamp and grip diameters, understand current and obsolete standards, and avoid buying incompatible bars.
Bicycle stem size standards
Clear guide to bicycle stem size standards. Learn stem types, how to measure handlebar and steerer diameters, and choose the correct stem without compatibility mistakes.
Bicycle cassette (rear chainrings) standards
Clear guide to bicycle cassette standards. Learn freehub types, sprocket compatibility by speed count, and how Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo cassettes differ.
Bicycle drive chain standard dimensions
Dimension standards for bicycle driving chains. Pitch, inner and outer widths of single, and multi-speed bicycle driving chains.
Headsets [03] Headset bearings standards – SHIS
Clear guide to headset bearing standards using SHIS. Learn how to identify headset types, measure dimensions correctly, and choose compatible bearings without confusion.
Roller wear effect on chain to chainring engagement
Clear demonstration showing why chain roller wear does not affect chainring engagement. Explains with tests why only chain elongation matters for drivetrain performance.
Seatpost diameter sizes (standards)
Clear guide to seatpost diameter standards. Learn how to measure seatposts and seat tubes correctly, understand common sizes, and avoid fitment mistakes.
Standard/common thread dimensions used on bicycles
Overview of standard thread dimensions used on bicycles. Lists common ISO bolt sizes, pitches, tools required, and thru-axle thread standards to avoid compatibility mistakes.
Comparative overview of bicycle chain lubricants
Comparative overview of bicycle chain lubricants. Compares oils, waxes, and commercial bike lubes by durability, cleanliness, price, and availability.
Bicycle chain lubricants – explained
In-depth explanation of bicycle chain lubricants. Covers chain wear, oil vs wax, viscosity, dry and wet lubes, and how to choose the right lubricant for your riding conditions.
Bicycle bearing greases – explained
Detailed explanation of bicycle bearing greases. Covers grease types, standards, compatibility, and how to choose the optimal grease for hubs, headsets, and other bike bearings.
Short overview of threadless BB (press fit) standards
Short, clear overview of press-fit (threadless) bottom bracket standards. Explains BB30, PF30, BB86/92, BB90/95, BBright, and 386EVO with key dimensions and compatibility.
Compatibility [10] Bottom brackets
Clear guide to bicycle bottom bracket compatibility. Explains which BB standards work with which cranksets, common adapters, and how to avoid mismatched parts.
Compatibility [09] Cranks(ets)
Clear guide to bicycle crankset compatibility. Explains mixing cranksets with different speeds, double vs triple setups, and road vs MTB combinations without drivetrain issues.
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.
Tools needed for a bicycle hub overhaul
Complete list of tools needed for servicing cup-and-cone bicycle hubs. Covers cone wrenches, grease, bearings, cleaning tools, and practical workshop tips.
Compatibility [08] Mechanical brakes
Clear guide to mechanical bicycle brake compatibility. Explains cable pull differences, matching brake levers with callipers, and common pitfalls with V-brakes, cantilevers, and road brakes.
Compatibility [07] Rear shifters
Rear shifter compatibility explained in plain English. Covers friction vs indexed shifting, cable pull and derailleur ratio, plus SRAM, Campagnolo and Shimano standards with practical mix-and-match rules and a pull-ratio table.
Compatibility [06] Front shifters
Front shifter compatibility explained simply. Covers friction vs indexed shifters, double and triple setups, road vs MTB mixing, trim function, and known Shimano and Campagnolo exceptions.