Hot Bicycle How-Tos

How To: Teach your child to ride a bike

In this tutorial, we learn how to teach your child how to ride a bike. Before you get them on the bike, make sure you pick a place that is fun and safe. Make sure there are no distractions and no traffic. Pavement is the best place to practice to ride a bike. Make sure the bike is ready for them before you teach them as well. When you teach them, place training wheels on and then when they are comfortable, take them off and start off with a slow ride. Let them walk and ride with the bike to s...

How To: Adjust a rear derailleur on a mountain bike

In this tutorial, we learn how to adjust a rear derailleur on a mountain bike. First, get on the bike and start to ride it like normal, except have it mounted into one place. Then, shift the front derailleur into middle gear and the rear derailleur to the smallest gear. After this, shift back gear up one gear while pedaling. If it hesitates going up to the next gear turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise until it moves smoothly into gears. Do this again through each step until it shifts sm...

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: Ride a bike with no handlebars

Being able to rid a bike without holding on to the handlebars allows you to do all sorts of useful things while on your bike and makes your look like a pro. Watch this video to learn how to do it easily and open up your biking life.

How To: Ride a bike wearing high heels

Riding your bike is a great, free way to get around the city, but if you've ever tried to do it in heels you know that it can be daunting. This video will give you some tips on how to do it, moving about town without sacrificing style.

How To: Glue a tubular tire using Tufo rim tape

This video tutorial is in the Sports category where you will learn how to glue a tubular tire using Tufo rim tape. Gluing a tubular tire is very simple. You will need a tire, rim, Tufo rim tape, scissors and a pump. Stretch the tire with your foot and your hand as shown in the video and then inflate it. Take the Tufo rim tape, find the side labeled rim side, remove some protective foil and press the tape into the rim inching your way along the wheel. Leave a 2-3" tape unglued so that you can ...

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: Perform four abdominal exercises for cyclists

If you are a beginner when it comes to bike riding and you're constantly finding yourself to be sore, then check out this next tutorial. In this video, you'll find out how to perform four basic abdominal exercises that will help get rid of soreness and imrpove your bike riding experience. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Fix a flat bicycle tire

There's nothing like taking a nice, relaxing bike ride during anytime of the year. Not only do you feel more in touch with your surroundings, but you're able to burn some calories as well. But all the joy and happiness that it brings can quickly be sucked away by a flat tire.

How To: Change a bike tire with a quick release wheel

In this tutorial, we learn how to change a bike tire with a quick release wheel. First, put your chain down and release your brake. Now, take your wheel off and then pull the tire off. Now, take the tube off by using the tire lever and pushing away from you. Don't hurt your fingers on the spikes. After you pull the tubing off, put the new tire back onto the rim by rolling it on with your fingers. Place the tubing around the tire after this, and inflate it. Now, place the wheel back onto the b...

How To: Adjust cantilever brakes on a bicycle

It's time to address brakes in this next tutorial. In this video, you'll find out how to adjust cantilever style brakes. For this tutorial, you'll need a 5mm allen key, a 10 mm open-end wrench, a strip of sandpaper, and an optional cable puller.

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: Replace your bike's freehub body

If you've found out that your cassette cluster is loose or is getting stiff, it may be time to replace your freehub body. In order to do this you'll need to make sure you have all the right replacement parts and 10mm allen key.

How To: Properly true a wheel

If you're new to cycling and have no idea what truing is, then check out this tutorial. It's a procedure that is delicate and requires a good amount of time and patience. In order to do this you'll need a good stand, lighting, and a place where you'll enjoy working.

How To: Replace cotterless crank arms

This next video is going to show you how to remove and install square-spindled crank arms. The tools you'll be needing for this project include either an 8 mm allen key or 14 mm socket wrench, crank puller, 16mm open-end wrench and an adjustable wrench.

How To: Replace bike pedals

Bike pedals are one of the most important aspects to a bike. If you don't have pedals, you'll have a very hard time moving. So if you have worn out or a missing bike pedals, this tutorial is going to help teach you how to replace them.

How To: Adjust your bicycle's front derailleur

For this next tutorial, you'll need to have set up your rear derailleur since you'll need to access all of the rear gears for this video. Like the rear derailleur, this can be a very painful and frustrating experience, but is very important to help extend the life of your bike.

How To: Calculate your bike's chain length

If it's time for a new bike chain, you'll need to figure out how to determine how much length your bike will need for the chain. It's pretty easy to determine and can take around five minutes to help figure out what you need. So check out the tutorial, pay attention, and enjoy! Calculate your bike's chain length.

How To: Properly shift your bicycle's gears

With most of the bikes today, people tend to get confused on how exactly they should use their gears. Inexperienced or new bicycle riders can easily become confused with all the gears that are available. A bike that's being advertised as 21 speeds may be deceiving to some.

How To: Maintain proper etiquette when road biking in groups

Like most of life's great pleasures, riding bicycles becomes more fun when you do it with groups of people. For road bikers, however, riding in groups presents its own set of challenges. This video will give you some common-sense rules to bear in mind when road riding in groups that will keep you and your friends safe and having fun.

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: Shift the gears on a road bike

The gears on your bike are crucial tools for allowing you to traverse multiple different types of inclines on the same ride. They allow you to make your pedals easier or harder to push, maximizing power and speed throughout your ride. This video will explain how the gears work and show to shift properly to ensure that you have the best ride you can.

How To: Change a flat tire on your bike

If you are a serious bike rider, chances are you have had or will have a flat tire at a disastrous time during a ride at some point. Knowing how to change out the bad tire and tube (and having a spare to replace them with) can make all the difference in saving your ride. This video will show you how to change the tire tube on you wheel while on the trail quickly and easily, getting you back riding.

How To: Use quick releases for your front and rear wheels

Quick releases are one of the most convenient features that you can have on your bike, allowing you to change out your wheels quickly and easily without any additional tools. This video will show you how to use the quick releases on your bike to replace a flat or otherwise damaged tire on the fly, helping you get back to riding without getting your hands dirty.

How To: Install a cog cluster/casette on a wheel

In this video, we learn how to install a cog cluster/cassette on a wheel. Find the wider gap and wider spine and line them up. Then, slide the cassette down onto these. After this, you will have to install all of the clusters onto the top of it. If you need to, install spacers as well so your wheel doesn't get messed up. Make sure you use grease to install the cluster and cassette so your wheel doesn't squeak and they go on easily. When you are finished, take your bike out for a spin and enjo...

How To: Remove and install a freewheel

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove and install a free wheel. First, take out the skewer from the wheel. Then, take off the nut from the inside of the hub with a cone wrench. After this, go to the other side of the axle and loosen it up. Now place your free wheel tool onto the wheel. Firmly secure the free wheel tool onto the wheel until you're sure it won't come off, with any tools you have available. When you are finished, put your nuts and bolts back onto the axle, then use bicycle lu...