Hot Bicycle How-Tos

How To: Make your own single speed or fixie bike crank

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a single speed bike crank. You will need: chain ring bolt tool, large screwdriver, Allen wrench, file, hacksaw, vise, and crank set with 2 ring. First, grab your chain ring bolts and cut about 3mm off of the end. If the nut moves while you are cutting it, adjust it. After this, put your chain ring on the inside of the crank arm to align the chain. When you are finished, you will have a single speed bike crank! This tool shouldn't take too long to create,...

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: Choose a bike

Whether you're a pro or someone just taking off the training wheels, buying a bicycle can be difficult. There are plenty of choices and different kinds of bikes for different conditions. Knowing which bike to choose could be daunting. Taking the time to select the right bike ensures that your investment yields the rewards you desire.

How To: Improve your bike's night visibility

In some places, it's illegal to ride your bike at night without lights or reflectors, so if you plan on going for a joyride on your street bike, then you need to be prepared to share the road with vehicles and be seen. Appropriate gear and lighting are essential for safety when riding a bike at night.

How To: Properly set the seat height on your bicycle

In this clip, learn all about how to adjust your bike from NAIT personal fitness trainer, Ken Riess. Ken will show you how and where to set your seat for the most comfortable and easy ride. You want to make sure your legs are extended properly and your saddle is at the right height so that you can easily start and stop along your route. Check out this clip and grab a friend to help you measure yourself as you follow along.

How To: Adjust the front derailleur on a bicycle

If you bike is shifting poorly, you may need to adjust your front derailleur. That's not good, because the front derailleur is not the easiest part of the bike to adjust. Fortunately, this video is here to help. It will show you how to adjust your front derailleur, restoring the smooth functionality of your transmission and ensuring that you continue to have good rides.

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: Install a back rack (rear carrier) on your beach bike

In this tutorial, Pete the bike mechanic, explains how to install a back rack to your bicycle. Especially if you are taking your ride to the beach or around town, you will need to carry things with it. Whether it is lunch, towels, groceries or whatever else, make sure you have a nice sturdy carrier installed to help out. Follow along and stay safe while you ride.

How To: Tape your bicycle handlebars

Wrapping your bike's handlebars with bar tape might not sound like a complicated enterprise but it's much trickier than you might expect. Fortunately, this video presents a complete overview of the bar-wrapping process and will help you to a achieve a finished, even wrap every time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this free cyclist's guide.

How To: Figure out the right type of bike for you

This video discusses how to find the right type of bike for you. There are four different types of bikes: road racing, multisport, comfort sport and flat bar road bikes. Road racing bikes typically have lighter weight frames. They have steeper angles for more aerodynamic positions and higher components. Multisports also have light weight frames and higher components. They also have more aerodynamic tubesets in the fork and airwires which allow for a more aggressive position for races. Comfort...

How To: Keep your skirt clean while riding a bike

Your bike is your prized possession - it is your mode of transportation, your exercise and definitely your fashion statement. But, just because you love your bike, doesn't mean you want to destroy your outfit by riding it. Follow this tutorial and add a pretty mesh barrier to your back wheel and stop ripping and soiling your skirts.

How To: Build a bicycle wheel

This is a five part series on how to build a bicycle wheel. It will cover lacing and truing a wheel. There is nothing like crafting something with your bare hands, especially if that something is a bike wheel. There is something inherently rewarding and zen like about wheel building hub using a 36 hole rim.

How To: Adjust a bike seat

Riding your bike with and incorrect seat height will make it more difficult to peddle and can be hard on your knees. Ensure a more enjoyable bike ride by taking a couple of minutes and making sure your seat is the correct height.

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: Change a flat bike tire easily

In this video, Scott Paisley shows you how to change a flat bike tire. First, he will teach you how to find why the tire is flat, and how to make sure your tire is free of thorns or other debris that may flatten a new tube, should you put one in. Paisley demonstrates clearly and step-by-step how to change a bike tire. You will also learn tips and tricks to make things easier. Don't stop riding your bike just because you have a flat tire! Watch this video and learn how to fix it correctly.

How To: Unpack and assemble a new bicycle

Bill D., the tech lead at all3sports.com takes us through the steps involved in unpacking and assembling a brand new bicycle. The first he says is to set up or insert the seat post. He recommends using a work stand if you have one at home. He says not to unpack everything at the beginning, but to just expose the seat pack first. Use a wire-cutter to get rid of the film protection used for packing. He has mounted the frame-set on the work stand. The seat post goes into the frame-set. He asks t...

How To: Change a flat clincher tire

Here we see how change a flat tire on a bicycle properly. The video says that once you understand the principles you should be able to do this in three minutes. With the tire off the frame of the bike, be sure all of the air is completely gone. Next is to take off one side of the tire, with some plastic pry tools made for bikes. With the bead of the tire over the rim you should be able to remove that tube with ease. Inflate the new tube just enough so it takes shape. The new tube goes into th...

How To: Change a road bike tire

This how-to video demonstrates how to change the tire of a road bike. First of all, the old tube must be removed with the help of some tire levers. The new tube that will fit the rim must be inflated at an optimal 5 psi. The tube will then be mounted on the rim starting with the valve so it doesn't lose air. After that the tire will go on back to the rim, this time without the help of tire levers, so the new tube won't be pinched. After the tire is adjusted, it is recommended to check if the ...

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: Change a bike tire step by step

A step by step video tutorial that shows you how to change the tire from a Triathalon or road bike! Don't get stuck with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere! Gear West Bike and Triathalon show you how to: shift into the smallest gear, release the brake, open up the quick release and remove the wheel, remove the tire and tube, inspect the tube and tire, Install a new tube and remount the tire, reinstall wheel with quick release and close the breaks. Very basic, easy to understand instructions...

How To: Recover a stolen bike

You love your bike and it was stolen. Although, this is not a good scenario, you still may be able to retrieve it. Sketch the serial number or means of identification into the bike and then when it is stolen you can really get the word out to all the places that it might turn up.

How To: Remove bike handlebar grips

With a few easy steps you can remove the handlebars from your bike to change the grips, for maintenance or for whatever other reason you might want handlebars off of a bike. Now you'll never have to suffer though old handlebar grips again.

How To: Fix squeaky bike brakes

If you're racing for time or taking a leisurely ride by the beach there's little that's more annoying than a squeaking sound every rotation of a wheel. Don't let a squeaky break ruin your biking fun when those brakes can be as good as new in no time.

How To: Fix squeaky bike brakes

Squeak, squeak, squeak… SQUEAK! How annoying. Squeaky brakes on your bicycle. An idyllic bike ride can quickly be ruined by those squeaky bike brakes. Here’s a checklist of common squeaky brake culprits and how to fix them.