Chris King Universal Hub Tool Configurations
Instructions for using Chris King Universal Hub Tool.
Maintenance
Bookmarks
Sugino - Crankset Bolt Specs
Sugino FAQ.
Park Tool - Bicycle Torque Specifications
Table of parts torque.
BikeGremlin - Fork crown race removal
Remove crown race with a razor blade.
Bikes for Humanity PDX Bike hacks: how to fix loose headset cups
Demonstrates the technique of using a file and hammer to create notches in a headtube to seat race cups.
Articles
Degreasers And Cleaning Solvents
Bikes parts are greased and lubed for protection and reduced friction. The grease and oil attracts dirt, which can wear down parts, muck up shifting, and looks ugly.
There are many products for degreasing and cleaning, and it's important to pay attention and handle chemicals safely and avoid damaging parts with the wrong one.
Maintenance
Maintenance is key to keeping your bike in top shape.
Clean
Dirt gets into moving parts and wears them down. A quick rinse after a dirty ride will get most of it off, but avoid blasting water into any bearings. It's an opportunity to inspect the bike for any issues with the frame or parts and take care of them before it fails.
Bolts
Make sure the bolts on your bike aren't loose. Check the stem and headset, seatpost clamp, derailleurs, crankset, etc. Torque bolts to spec during assembly and double check periodically.
Drivetrain Wear
Over time, the moving parts on a bike wear down. Gear teeth slowly wear down by the forces and friction of the chain. The chain elongates as the inner parts wear and gaps widen.
Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your parts working optimally. Grit and insufficient lube will rapidly grind things down.
Parts wear together - as the chain stretches, the point of contact on the cog moves. Putting a new chain on a worn system can make a lot of noise, skip gears, and will wear the chain out faster.
Cup and Cone Bearings
Bicycles have used cup and cone bearings in rotating parts for generations. Nowadays many parts are replacing them with sealed bearings, which are less servicable but entirely replaceable. Cup and cone bearings are easily maintained, but if parts wear out can be difficult to replace.
Maintenance
Fresh bearings are packed with grease, but over time moisture and grit can work it's way in. Bottom brackets and wheels can pick up serious dirt that can increase wear on bearings and races. Service bearings periodically to clean out dirt and replace fresh grease.
Nuts and bolts
Most bikes use metric hex socket bolts for most parts, usually m4, m5, or m6.
The m number represents the diameter of the shaft.
Here is a table of bolt specs:
Bent derailleur hanger adjustment tool
Most bikes have an aluminum derailleur hanger that extends from the rear dropout. The rear derailleur connects here. This part is designed to bend if the derailleur is impacted, rather than damaging the frame. However once bent, it can disrupt your shifting.
A derailleur hanger tool attaches to the derailleur hanger, where the derailleur is fixed. There is a gauge to check it's distance from the edges of your tire rim. Use the tool to unbend the hanger until the gauge is equidistant at all points.