Bike maintenance for dummies.

99 watchers

StuH Oct 2020 4:51pm, 11 Oct 2020 3936 posts	0 StuH SUCCESS! Thought I was going to have to resort to a Dremel or hacksaw, but alternating between pullers and using quite a lot of force I finally got one to fully engage. The treads on the cranks are trashed but we were replacing them anyway.
Stepford Wife Oct 2020 11:18pm, 12 Oct 2020 19134 posts	0 Stepford Wife If a crank has been on a while trashed threads are common enough. I’ve cut plenty off before now.
K5 Gus Nov 2020 1:28pm, 6 Nov 2020 4149 posts	0 K5 Gus When working out maximum rear tyre width, where the gap between the chain stays ( as opposed to the seat stays ) is the limiting factor, what is the recommended minimum gap to leave on each side between tyre and stay ? eg if the gap is 36mm, would 2mm either side be ok and therefore could fit a 32mm tyre, or is more than 2mm recommended ?
MudMeanderer Nov 2020 2:34pm, 6 Nov 2020 1991 posts	0 MudMeanderer I'm not sure what the recommended minimum would be, but a few things to consider. Tyre width is nominal, so particular tyre/rim/pressure combinations may not be quite what's quoted. If the wheel isn't perfectly true(probably not uncommon), or flexes a bit under load, such a small gap may be absorbed by that eccentricity. You could also pick up road crap that may absorb that gap. I'd probably want a bit more clearance for most purposes, but you could experiment.
Stepford Wife Nov 2020 8:24pm, 6 Nov 2020 19139 posts	0 Stepford Wife What MM said. Sounds like he speaks from experience
K5 Gus Nov 2020 8:35pm, 6 Nov 2020 4150 posts	0 K5 Gus Thanks MM - all good points. So, if say min 4-5mm needed each side, looks like I'm better to stick with my 28mm's Was hoping to turn my hybrid "city bike" into more of a gravel bike for light trails, but may just stick with the hardtail for those paths
Stepford Wife Nov 2020 2:57pm, 8 Nov 2020 19140 posts	0 Stepford Wife I’m surprised you can’t put wider tyres on a hybrid. 28 isn’t a wide tyre really.