Bicycle — community help for cyclists and bike maintenance « Bicycle

How To: This DIY Arduino Bicycle Safety System Includes Turn Signals, Brake Lights, Strobe, and More!

As dedicated bicyclists are well aware, riding can be very dangerous. Now that daylights savings time has ended in the United States, darkness appears quicker, and the night is especially dangerous for cyclists because of the low visibility that drivers have. Not only is darkness a danger, but also fog, blizzards, and heavy rain—all wreaking havoc on the vision. To combat this, bikers attach reflectors: clear front reflectors, red rear reflectors, amber pedal reflectors, and clear side reflec...

How To: Fit your bike correctly

Jessi Stensland, professional triathlete, explains how selecting the right bike can mean the difference between a comfortable ride and possible neck, back, knee or shoulder pains. Stensland first takes us through finding the right bike size with charts such as those available on Schwinn bikes. After the right size is determined, riders should determine the proper fit by adjusting their bike's handlebars and seat. Lastly, Stensland instructs bike riders on how to choose the proper saddle.

HowTo: Snow-Proof Your Bike Tires For Dirt Cheap

For the low cost of a bag of zip ties, you can easily survive any Snowpocalypses this winter by blizzard-proofing your bicycle tires. Says the MacGyver behind the ingenious hack, Fritz Rice of the Dutch Bike Co.:

How To: Adjust SRAM internal 3 speed hubs on your bike

In this tutorial, learn how to adjust multi-speed internal hubs on your beach bike. This particular video is for SRAM hubs, so make sure you are adjusting the right one. Pete from BeachBikes.com will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with your tune up!

How To: Change gears on a bicycle

This how-to video demonstrates the process of switching gears on a bicycle. Depending on the number of chains and hubs, your bike will have a varying number of gears. You should be aware of the terrain and make sure you are in the appropriate gear. Don't change gears under power. Know how and when to change gears to make the bike ride smoother and more enjoyable. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to shift gears on a bicycle.

How To: Keep Your Bike Chain Clean on Rainy Days with This Super Easy DIY Mud Guard

Nasty weather is bad enough when you drive, but if you ride your bike to school or work, it's really not a pleasant way to start the day. And if getting soaked isn't sufficient, a wet commute means your bike chain is going to be caked with mud and all kinds of other gross stuff.

How To: Reset a Mavic Wintech

This video tutorial is in the Sports category which will show you how to reset a Mavic Wintech. After you have installed the battery and you notice you have a blank screen, use the reset button inside the computer to reset it. This is not mentioned in the Mavic Wintech operating manual. For this, remove the battery and you will see a little compartment with a little silver button. It looks like a starter, but that is the reset button. Press the button with a sharp object and place the battery...

How To: Loosen a bike's stiff chain link

If you've been experiencing a problem with shifting and hear a constant sound near your chain, you may have a stiff chain link. This should be addressed so that you no longer experience any problems with shifting that can result in possible injury.

How To: Make Your Night Bike Glow in the Dark with Phosphorescent Paint

With gas prices constantly digging into your wallet, biking will always be a cheap and easy alternative for getting around—and it's a perfect way to get in a little exercise. But with the fall season about a week away, it is going to start getting dark a lot earlier and that ride home might be a little more dangerous. So to save yourself an unexpected trip to the ER, take a little time to make your bicycle impossible to overlook.

How To: Remove a wheel & 3 speed shifter from your bike

In this clip, learn how to remove a back wheel and the three speed shifter on any beach bike. This clip, hosted by Stephan, will show you specifically how to remove the Shimano Nexus Internal 3 Speed Shifter and the entire rear wheel. He will also show you how to put it back together safely.

How To: Remove & install a rear bicycle wheel

In this video from Intown Bicycles, demonstrates how to easily remove and to reinstall a rear bicycle wheel from a bicycle equipped with a quick release axle. There are three different common types of bicycle braking systems, and you will learn first how to disengage each of them, so that the wheel will drop out easily. Also, you will be shown how to operate the quick release system, and remove the wheel. Once you've completed this step, you are shown how to reinstall the wheel, engage the br...

How To: Make a Super-Simple Smartphone Mount for Your Bike or Motorcycle Using Plastic Clamps

There are plenty of ways to make a camera mount for your car, but what if you don't have a car? If you use a bicycle or motorcycle to get around, you can still take smooth videos with this awesome DIY mount for your iPhone (or any other smartphone) by antoinebugleboy.

How To: Cut spokes to build a bike wheel

Assemble tools and materials. You'll need a rim, a hub, and the proper length spokes and spoke nipples. You'll need a wheel truing stand, a spoke wrench, a flat screwdriver, and medium weight oil. A spoke tensiometer, a dishing tool and a nipple driver are optional. Place the rim in your lap with the valve stem hole directly across from you. Hold the hub in the middle of the rim with it axle vertical. These instructions assume you are building a front wheel 3x. Drop one spoke though every oth...

How To: Add LED Turn Signals to Your Bike for Safe Road Cycling

In the past few weeks, you've already learned how to make your bike light up at night with some DIY rim lights and handlebar lights. But how about something a little more functional? Instead of using those tedious hand signals (which drivers don't even understand), spruce up your ride with some do-it-yourself LED turn signals.

How To: Need a Place to Store Your Bike? Try One of These Cheap and Simple DIY Bicycle Racks

If you bike a lot and live in a small room or apartment, it can be tough to find the space to store your wheels. There are tons of bicycle racks and mounts you can buy, but where's the fun in that when they're so easy to DIY? Here are some of the best inexpensive solutions for your bike storage woes.

How To: Spruce Up Your Bicycle with This Wooden DIY Riser Handlebar

Looking for a way to make your bike stand out? You could light it up with LED rim lights or turn signals. Or if you're looking for something a little less flashy, you could make your own set of custom wooden handlebars like these by furniture designer David Moore. To actually make these wooden handlebars, you will need some woodworking tools, not to mention some actual woodworking skill, or at least the tools and some knowledge on bending and forming wood. In his video below, David shows exac...

How To: Properly lace a 32-spoke rear bicycle wheel

You could go out and buy a bike, but what fun would that be? Make your own! One main step in making a bike is lacing your wheel. In this great two-part video you will learn how to lace the drive side and non drive side spokes on a rear 32 wheel with the right patterns. Mike goes into great detail on which holes to lace first and what patterns work the best.

News: Who Needs Spokes? I'd Take a Hubless Bicycle

The Gumby bike. The invisible steering bike. The spokeless bike. All kinda bizarre. All kinda awesome. Designed by Luke Douglas as an entry for the James Dyson Awards, the Lunartic Cycle boasts a toothed belt drive and hubless rear wheel. I want one. Previously, The Invisible-Steering Bicycle.

How To: Remove the rear wheel from your bike

Don't know how to take that rear wheel off of your bike? Is the chain making things difficult? Check out this instructional cycling video that demonstrates how to remove your rear wheel if you have to change your bike tire or fix a flat. This is a VERY BASIC and non-technical tutorial for the absolute beginner who has never taken their rear-wheel off before. It will just make life easier. Sure, you can muddle through it your first time and curse the chain as to why it's being belligerent into...

How To: Install a seat post

This is a video tutorial in the Sports category where you are going to learn how to install a seat post on your bike. This is pretty easy. But, it's important that you get proper measurements for the inside and the outside diameter of the tube using a caliper. Now find the correct seat post and the seat clamp. Fix the clamp on the tube. Put generous amount of grease on the bottom part of the seat post and on the inside part of the tube and slide the seat post inside the tube. There is a minim...

Lube No More: Chainless Bike Operates With Pulley System

The forefront of bike technology has delivered bikes without hubs, bikes as flexible as Gumby, and invisible steering. The latest to enter the field rethinks the bicycle chain. As in... who needs it?

How To: Adjust your beach cruiser bike to fit you & be comfy

Finding the perfect seat and handlebar height on your bicycle can mean the difference between a comfortable and irritating riding experience. In this tutorial, Ryan from BeachBikes.com, shows you how to make sure your bike is the perfect size for your body so you aren't slipping and sliding while you try to ride.

How To: Appraise a vintage bicycle

The value of vintage bicycles depends on each make and model. Get tips on appraising vintage bicycles for their value from a bicycle expert in this free video series.

How To: Illuminate Your Bike at Night with These Super Bright DIY Rim Lights

Riding your bicycle at night is dangerous on busy streets, especially if you've got no bike lights. In most states, it's illegal to ride your bike at night without any lights because drivers on the road won't be able to see you until it's too late. Plus, how is anybody going to notice your sweet ride without a little illumination?

A Restaurant on Two Wheels: The DIY Taco Bike

Serious Eats' latest Meet and Eat features Todd Barricklow, creator of the Taco Bike, an eco-friendly alternative to the fast growing food truck industry. The 200+ pound bike is equipped with a propane tank, three sectioned griddle, water tank, heat exchanger, wash sink, wastewater hold, ice holder and sectioned food area, trash can, napkin holder, table, money drop, chopping boards and more.

How To: Remove a stuck freewheel

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove a stuck freewheel. First, take your crescent wheel and place it on the outside piece of the wheel axle. After this, use a wrench to remove the bolt that is around this, using a big push to help it get out of place. This should be pretty tight, but will come out eventually. Now, place a wrench in the vice and rotate the wheel counter clockwise. When this is finished, you can put the parts back onto the wheel. When finished, the parts should be free to t...

How To: Perform leg exercises to help build endurance and power when cycling

If you're having a hard time going up hills or being able to ride a bike for a long time, you may need some help. Performing leg exercises away from your bike can be a great way to help build endurance and strength.

How To: Remove and reinstall the rear wheel of your bike

The rear wheel of a bicycle is the more complicated to work with of the two because of it's position in the frame. If you have quick releases, it's still pretty easy to remove and reinstall. This video will show you how to do it step-by-step, and should have you back on the trail again in no time.

How To: Lubricate bicycle chains and gears & adjust its brakes

Keeping your bike in shape is the only thing that could help keep you in shape. Once its done, you have to pay tons of money to get it fixed, and in the meantime, you're off your bicycle, sitting on your couch, eating potato chips. To avoid this problem, a little bicycle maintenance goes a long way for the health of both you and your bike. This video will show you how to simply lubricate your bike (chains, gears, derailleur) with Tri-Flow and adjust the brakes.

How To: Install a bicycle computer

PerformanceBikes will show you how to install a bicycle computer. Whether you have a simple computer or a more advanced computer you be able to see the basic instructions. Start by reading the instruction, install the handle bell mounts, install the wireless transmitter. You then install your spoke magnet, then calibrate your computer for your wheel size. Make sure you have read your own particular directions. If its not working, make sure you re-read your instruction, check your set up or ch...

How To: Customize your bike with a Pringles can pipe

It's amazing what you can do with a Pringles can! So many things, and if you own a bicycle, that Pringles can attract some serious babes!

How To: Steer and handle a bicycle

This how-to video offers some tips for improving bike riding skills. You'll want to work on balance, steering, speed, and how use your weight. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to steer and handle a bicycle.

How To: Oil a bicycle chain

This how-to video demonstrates the process of oiling a bike chain. A well-oiled chain will keep the bicycle running smoothly and prevent any possible breakage. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to oil a bike chain.

How To: Avoid cross-chaining

Active Expert Gale Bernhardt explains the problems with cross-chaining in this instructional cycling video. This is a common error for new cyclists and puts the chain in a lot of tension across the bike. Learn a few techniques to avoid cross chaining in this cycling tutorial video.

News: Thieves Using GPS Apps

This is just a heads up that thieves are now using GPS fitness apps to target people. Thieves are using popular GPS fitness apps such as Strava to find out where you live where they will then come and steal your bikes.

How To: Make the Most Brilliant Bike Light Ever with This LED Handlebar Mod

If you ride your bike at night frequently, you've probably had at least one close call with a car, pedestrian, or some other moving obstacle because of reduced visibility. Not only is it dangerous to ride at night without lights, it's illegal in a lot of places. Make sure no one can miss you with these DIY handlebar lights from Becky Stern at Adafruit. What You'll Need

How To: Change Your Bicycle's Tire, Inspect for Damage, and Detect Hidden Problems

Many things cause a bike tire to deflate. Glass, sharp rocks, tacks, and nails can pierce the tire and puncture the tube within. A tube can be pinched between the rim and tire causing the tube to split when inflated. If a tire has a hole in it, the tube, which is filled with air pressure, will bulge out of the opening and pop. As well, the valve holding the air pressure in the tube can be damaged or faulty.