Active Bicycle Posts

How To: Change a tubular bike tire

To change a tubular bike tire start by stretching the tube. Put your foot on the tire and pull it upward with your hands to stretch it out. Take a clean rim and put Tuflo tire tape onto the rim inching your way all the way around the rim leaving a 2-3 inch gap opposite the valve stem so that you can remove the tube in case of a flat. Pull a small section of the tuflo tape foil loose and leave it sticking out to side of the tire. Put the tire on the rim starting at the valve stem. Once you hav...

How To: Prep spokes to build a bike wheel

Thebiketube will show you how to prep spokes to build a bike wheel. Prior to lacing the wheel prep the spokes. it provides a lubricant that dries and becomes a lead lock. Use linseed oil, found at an art store or a spoke prep. Use a separate color for the sides so you don't mess up. Use a separate color for the drive and non drive side. Take a little and put it on all the spokes. You will have to do this for all 18. Then let it dry.

How To: Adjust a front derailleur on a mountain bike

The video is about adjusting the front derailleur of a performance bike. To adjust the front derailleur you have to first adjust the rear derailleur to the smallest gear. To adjust the front derailleur shift the gear to the largest. If it does not slip into largest gear then adjust the barrel adjuster by turning it counter clockwise till it settles into the largest gear. Turn the barrel adjuster until it stops rubbing against the chain. The full process can be carried out whilst riding, it is...

How To: Transition in a triathlon

Professional Triathlon, Jessi Stensland, shows tricks to making quick and smooth triathlon transitions. She takes you through racking of your bike, bike equipment checks, gear positioning, helmet and sunglasses placement, and shoe preparations to minimize the time needed to transition from swimming to biking. Similarly, she covers the biking to running transition and shows how to position shoes, visor, identification, and nutrient packs so that you can quickly transition into the final leg of...

How To: Repair a bike tire

The video starts out by showing how a bike rack is helpful in repairing your flat tire. Next it takes you through all of the steps, along with tips and instructions on what you need to do. don't forget to heed the "notes‚" throughout as they are important tips to enable you successfully repair your flat tire. In no time at all you will have fixed your bike's flat tire and once again be ready to hit the road.

How To: Change your road bike tire

This video demonstrates how to change a road bike tire. First you would shift rear cassette to smallest gear and then you would open brake calipers or if you have the v-brakes. Then remove the quick release and then remove the wheel. Afterwards remove the tire with the tire levers. He helps by doing this slowly and provides instructions on the video screen in the form of text. If you follow the steps in this video, you'll be able to change your bike tire!

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.

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: Adjust a rear derailleur

Use a 5mm Allen wrench and loosen the bolt holding the cable on the rear derailleur. Thread the shift cable through the cable stays and tighten it in the rear derailleur with as little slack as possible. Make sure that the adjustment screw on the shifter is in the mid point of the adjustment.

How To: Understand the parts of a road bike

Jim, from The Bike Tube, describes the parts of a bike so that you understand the parts of a road bike. He starts at the back of the bike and goes through every part of the bike so that you know the names of these parts and where they are located on the bike. Learning the parts is the first step in learning how to care for each functioning part of a bike. From the front wheel to the back wheel, all major bike parts are covered.

How To: Change a bicycle tire at home

This how-to video with Christopher Danz Technical Product Specialist with Performance Bicycle shows you how to fix a flat tire. To fix a flat tire you need a set of tire levers, a spare tube or patch kit, and a pump. The first step is remove the wheel. Insert the tire levers and remove the tire from the rim. Starting with the valve tuck the new tube into the tire then tuck the tire back into the rim and re-inflate the tire.

How To: Ride a bike

Frustration is something that comes along with learning to ride a bike. You mustn't give up as it's a valuable skill to have. This video shows you how to ride a bike and minimize frustration.

News: DIY Contortionist-Cycle

Finally, a well designed solution to studio-style living. The Contortionist bicycle. London-native Dominic Hargreaves, unhappy with the available options, designed this folding bike himself (true DIY spirit).

News: Why should you covet a Fixie bike?

(We did not know about these, either...until we discovered these videos.) The fixed gear bike, also called a fixie, was designed for track racing in the velodrome. Working bike messengers brought them to the NYC, Tokyo, SF, London streets on account the cycles gave them far more control to maneuver the urban jungle. The Chinese acrobat peddling a bike with 18 contortionists wrapped around him, must have a fixie.

How To: Change a road bike tire during a trip

Jill and Bizzy show you how to fix a flat out on the road. You are lucky if you have a quick release for your back tire. Otherwise it can take a while to get the back inner tube off to either patch the flat or replace the inner tube. This is a great comprehensive video on quickly fixing a tire on the road.

How To: Change a bike tire

You’re on the side of the road with a bike tire flat. What is there to do but to impress your friends with the ability to change a tire with no tools? Learn how to change your bicycle tire.

How To: Steal a bike in New York City

This may sound like a terrible thing to show you how to do, but the Neistat Brothers are simply victims of bicycle theft who got fed up. They use their own bikes to show you how to steal a bike in NYC (in broad daylight) so hopefully you can learn from them, how to better protect your ride.

How To: Ride a bike safely on the road

Over a half-million cyclists end up in emergency rooms each year. Lower that number by following some rules on how to stay safe while biking on the road. Learn how to ride a bike safely on the road. You will need a bike with working brakes, a helmet, a pair of bike gloves, sunglasses, and knowledge of traffic laws.

How To: Make your bike sound like a motorcycle

This how-to video shows how to man up your possibly new way to save gas money or just try to be more noticed by cars or pedestrians. Whichever it is you can do this to any bike with spokes and with stuff you see about everyday. Watch this video tuotrial and learn how to make your bike sound like a motorcycle.

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: Brake on a bicycle

This how-to video demonstrates the proper procedure for coming to a stop on a bicycle. The rear and front brakes have different degrees of effectiveness, with the front being more powerful. Be sure to keep your weight back to keep yourself from going over. Be careful of skidding. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to brake on a bicycle.

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: Go through corners on a bicycle

This how-to video demonstrates the safe way to go through corners or make turns on a bicycle. Start braking before making the turn, so as not to lose control of the bicycle, and speed up when going through. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to ride through corners safely on a bike.

How To: Ride a bike in a straight line while looking behind

This how-to video offers some tips for maintaining a straight line when you have to look away briefly. Most riders will veer around wildly when they're not looking where they're going, but work up the skills to keep moving forward safely. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to ride a bicycle in a straight line even when looking behind.

How To: Reach for a water bottle while cycling

This how-to video offers some tips for building the skills needed to drink and bike at the same time. Don't feel comfortable taking a hand of the handlebar just yet? Work your way there, by trying to bike one handed every now and then. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to reach for a water bottle while bike riding.