Bicycle — community help for cyclists and bike maintenance « Bicycle

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: 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: 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: Install an LED light on your bicycle.

Safety is important. If you are going to be riding a bike at night, make sure you are wearing light colored clothing and that you have lights. Lights help cars and other cyclists see you in the dark so you stay safe.

How To: Dish a rear bicycle wheel

In this video, Mike shows us how to dish a rear bicycle wheel. First, you need to measure the distance from the wheel to the hub and axle. Do this on both the non-drive and drive side. Set the dish on both sides, then find the gap from each of the side. Now you will know if the rim needs to be pulled more to one side. Loosen the non-dry spokes and tighten on the dry side spokes. Do this by loosening the non-dry a quarter turn each all the way around, then tighten the dry side a quarter turn e...

How To: Change a tire on a Dutch bike

This video shows you how to change a bicycle tire with your bare hands. First, he shows you how to get the tire out. Use the valve cap to let all the air out of the tire tube and then loosen the bead all the way around. Eventually you can just pop the tube off then inspect and patch it. Then you put the tire back on and pump some air into it. Make sure the tire looks like it's seating properly. That is how you change a bicycle tire.

How To: Recover your bike seat by sewing your own drawstring seat cover

If your bike seat is wearing out, or you want to protect your bike from the elements, you can make your own drawstring bike cover. This tutorial shows you how to get the pattern and then sew the drawstring cover to slip over your bike seat.

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: 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?

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.

How To: Fix a flat bike tire without tools

Simple instructions for doing a simple bike repair when you are on the road and don't have your tools. This vide shows how to take the tire off your bike rim without using tire levers. Our host demonstrates on a completely flat tire, and shows us how to leverage off the beads of the tire using only brute strength - the leverage of your hands. He then demonstrates how to put the tire back on. The final small section of bead is pushed on using his body strength. This technique is less likely to...

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: 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: 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...

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 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: 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: Assemble a beach cruiser bicycle, start to finish

If you have recently ordered a new bike online, or purchased it at a store where it is not fully assembled, check out this clip.

How To: Change a mountain bike tire

In this video, we learn how to change a mountain bike tire. Start by shifting the rear cassette to the smallest gear. Then, remove quick release and remove the wheel. After this, remove the tire with tire levers or strong fingers, then check inside the tire rim for foreign objects. Inflate the new tube slightly, then put the tire in. Put both of these inside the rim, then inflate the tire to the correct PSI. After this, install the wheel on the bike and then tighten quick release. Do the fina...

How To: Communicate during a bike ride

When you are riding with a group or in a trafficked area, communicating with the people around you is essential for keeping all of you safe. This videos will explain the importance of good communication for riders and show some commonly used hand signals that you can use to signal your fellow riders. These will help you avoid obstacles and have the most fun ride you can.

How To: Unpack and assemble a new bike at home

This is a Video clip presentation from all3sports guides us on how to check and assemble the unpacked shipping box. The first step to assemble the motorcycle involves inserting the seat lifter to the reasonable depth and tighten the screws. After that attach the handle bars and front brake and make sure that there is an equal amount of gap between the top and bottom of the handle bars. Then, check the brake cables are properly fit. Then, assemble the arm gauge or arm rest with the two sets of...

How To: Assemble a bike

Riding a bike is a great way to get exercise and as means to getting around but incorrect bike assemble will make for a bad time. Double check all your work and make sure everything is lubed up and fastened before taking your bike out for a spin.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: Cut lugs and miter tubes for a bicycle frame

Building a custom Oswald bicycle frame using hand powered tools. This shows you how to lug cut and tube miter.

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.

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: 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: 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...

How To: Change a tire on a folding bike

In this tutorial, we learn how to change a tire on a folding bike. First, you need to know how the bike goes together so you can take the tire off correctly. Once you have taken the tire off of the rim of the bike, you can discard with it. You can use either strong fingers or a wheel lever to help you take the wheel off if it's difficult. Next, you will need to slightly inflate the tire and add on the rim to the tire. Once it's on, you will need to inflate it and then place on the bike! Now y...

How To: Change the seat on a beach cruiser bicycle easily

In this clip, learn how to change out the seat on your beach bike. This clip will show you exactly how to take that tough, standard seat that comes with your new bicycle and change it out with a comfier, better seat. The difference between a bumpy ride and a relaxing one is all in the seat cushion, so make sure you have one installed that best fits you.

How To: Assemble & tune front & rear handbrakes on a bicycle

In this tutorial, learn step by step how to assemble and tune your front and rear handbrakes. This video, hosted by Pete, will walk you through the process of assembling your brakes so you stay safe on the road. This how-to will work for beach cruisers, mountain bike and BMX bikes, too.