Month: May 2009

STEPS Loosen the nuts that hold the axle to the frame. If they are extremely tight, spray some lubricant on the nuts – “WD 40”, a silicone lubricant or even vegetable oil will do the trick. (Many modern bikes will not have nuts. They have a quick-release which you can easily loosen and remove the wheel). Take the wheel out of the frame. If it’s the rear wheel, you will need to lift the chain clear of the gear cluster. To ease the removal of a rear wheel, shift the chain to the smallest gear on the wheel before loosening the skewer or nuts. If it’s the front wheel, that one will be a little easier. You may also need…

STEPS 1. Locate the flat. This can be done by inflating the tube until it expands as big as a car tire. 2. Listen for any hissing noise or feel for any air coming out of the tube. You can also plunge the tube in a bucket of water and look for bubbles coming out of the tube. 3. Once the flat is located, check if it was caused by a foreign object (a piece of broken glass, a thumb tack, etc.) or a pinch flat (a snake bite looking puncture). Check the inside of the tire for any protruding foreign objects. 4. Mark the hole in the tire. 5. Open up a patch kit. There should be sanding paper,…

The name “Penny Farthing” refers to the size of the wheels on the high wheeled bicycles made popular back in the 1880’s, comparing the large “penny” (front wheel) to the small coinage known as a “Farthing” (rear wheel). This early version of the bicycle had no gears or chains and the pedals were attached directly to the front wheel. Each turn of the pedal rotated the wheel, the larger the wheel the faster and farther the bicycle could go. This bicycle, also known a “highwheeler”, “highboy”, and “ordinary” bicycle was the predecessor of the “safety” bicycle, similar to what we ride today.

Do Your Brakes Need Adjusting? Squeeze both brake levers and try to roll the bike to check if the brakes are operating properly. If the bike moves while the brave levers are squeezed or if the brake levers touch the handlebar, then your brakes are too loose and need some adjusting. Make sure brake cables are taut. Check the brake cable for breaks or frayed ends. Replace any worn or frayed brake cable. When brakes are applied, the brake pads (shoes) should contact squarely with the rim and should not touch the tire or the spokes. How to Adjust Bicycle Brakes