Bicycle Features

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.

How To: Jump a mountain bike

This brief instructional video will help you learn to jump your mountain bike as well as add more skill and control to your mountain biking. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear any time you ride a bike and especially when you are learning a new and/or applying a new skill.

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: True your bicycle wheels

Whenever you're out cycling, you may hit a pothole or some obstruction and bend your rim or take your wheel out of true. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to true your bike wheels. By adjusting the spokes, you'll be able to bring your wheels back to true and cycle ready. A truing stand is especially handy for this process as it'll help determine how out of aligned your wheel is. True your bicycle wheels.

How To: Set the correct seat height

Active Expert Gale Bernhardt explains the importance of seat height with this instructional cycling video. It's critical for you as a cyclist to have your bike fit to you. Setting the seat height just right has minimal motion, or quiet hips. A seat height that is correct for you minimizes injury and maximizes power output on the bike. So learn how to set the correct seat height on your bike with this cycling tutorial video.

How To: Change a road bicycle tire & tube

This video from Canada Bicycle Parts shows how to change a bike tire. The tools required are a bicycle pump and tire levers. He demonstrates with the rear tire, and puts the chain on the proper cog to create less tension on the chain. He releases a lever on the brake and opens the quick release lever and lowers the rear wheel. He removes the valve cap and removes all the air from the tube. He demonstrates how to remove the tire with two tire levers. He explains how to determine what caused th...

How To: Change a bicycle brake cable

Stuart Dennison demonstrates how to change a bicycle brake cable and you will need a set of allen keys and a brake cable. To check, you should pull firmly on the break lever and make sure the outer casing is positioned correctly. Change a bicycle brake cable.

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.

How To: Build a DIY bicycle basket

Moving cargo on bikes is not commonly done in America, but in the rest of the world people carry their whole lives on their bikes with ingenious storage methods. If your bike doesn't even have a basket, watch this video to learn how to make one yourself and make your bike much more practical.

How To: Remove a crank arm with a square taper

In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove a crank arm with a square taper on a bicycle. You will need a crank puller. You will also need two sockets (14mm and 9/16"), a quarter, a socket wrench, and a screwdriver. Use the quarter as a screwdriver to pull off the cover. You can use the screwdriver in case that does not work. Take the 14mm socket, place it in the socket wrench, and twist off the bolt. Take the crank puller and screw it on one end. Twist the lever until the crank is loo...

How To: Go faster on a bicycle

Check out this instructional cycling video that explains aerodynamic concepts in bicycle fit and wheels to go faster. The bike fitters at Fit Werx talk about all the components of a triathlon bike fit and how it relates to aerodynamics and the individual. This cycling tutorial video covers the following topics to help you pedal faster on a bike:

How To: Unpack a bike and put it together

Got a shiny new bicycle and trying to figure out how to build it? This how-to video offers some general tips for unpacking a bike and putting it back together piece by piece. Be careful not to hurt yourself, because lots of bike parts are very sharp. Watch this video bike repair tutorial and learn how to build your bicycle.

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: 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: Shorten a brake hose on a bicycle

This how-to video demonstrates the process of shortening a bike's brake hose or cable. You will need a driver, an 8mm spanner, brake fluid, a 4mm allen key, a small flat (chisel tip) screwdriver, long nose pliers, hose cutters, bleed pipe, tissue, and old pads or wood block to be used as a pad spacer. Shortening the hoses on a new brake is real simple, and don't worry, the pistons won't pop out. Watch this video bike repair tutorial and learn how to shorten the brake hose on a bicycle. Shorte...

How To: Service a Mavic Freehub on your bicycle wheel

In this video, we learn how to service a Mavic Freehub on your bicycle wheel. To begin, disassemble which requires a 10 mm and 5 mm Allen wrench. Then, remove the end cap and use the wrenches to pry the nuts and bolts from the middle of the wheel. Remove the free hub after this, then set on a cloth to the side. After this, you can remove the spring and slide it out. After this, you will clean the parts off and then reinstall your parts back on the bike. Put them on how you removed them and th...

How To: Change a 700Cx38 bicycle tire with baby powder

In this how-to video, you will learn how to change a 700Cx38 bicycle tire with baby powder. You need a tire tool, a new tube, new tire, baby powder, a bag, and a bicycle that needs a tire change. Run the tire tool around the rim to remove the tire Remove the old tube from the tire and check the tire for foreign objects. Take out a brand new tube and place it in a bag with baby powder. This will help the tube move around freely once installed. Inflate the tube a tiny bit, find the label on the...

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).

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: 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: Start and stop on a bicycle

This how-to video offers some steps for coming to a safe stop and a quick start on a bicycle. Coming into the stop, lift the foot off the bike pedal early so you have a chance to get the foot on the ground before stopping. Use the brakes while in the stop position. Reset the pedal to the midway position while fully stopped. Keep the head up to get ready for take off, and try to get momentum going before getting the other foot back in. Watch this video cycling tutorial and learn how to start a...