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On Cyclocross Traditions (handlebar talk)
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends Today, I am introducing a new segment to this site – cyclocross/gravel talk. (I think that’s my fist post on the topic.) In this post, I will discuss a cyclocross tradition than many rookies may not be aware of, namely the adoption of drop bars (a handlebar type normally reserved…
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Road Shifters Just Aren’t Right For Bullhorns (being honest)
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends Yesterday, on my way to work, I saw an old road bike with bullhorns what appeared to be road shifters (probably STI) on it. My take on the combo? It’s just weird. I know. I know. Let me explain why before you start screaming. Where do I even start? The…
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Basic Fixed-gear Theory: Rear Brakes
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends This morning a customer left a bike (low-end fixie model) with a request to put a rear brake on it. Naturally, I started the procedure. (I always start with the simplest tasks first). Later, the manager told me that what I was doing was somewhat weird, but that I should…
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Let’s Talk About BMX Spindle Thickness
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends It’s time for another BBT (Basic BMX Theory) post. And Sunday is a great day to write one of those. Today, the focus will be on bottom bracket spindles/axles. The spindle provides attachment points for the crank arms and rotates inside the bottom bracket. As a result….your pedals spin. BMX…
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Basic BMX Theory: Female Axles and Pegs (2 graphs included)
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends It’s Friday evening where I live – a.k.a. a good time to type another article before we enter the weekend. Yesterday, I saw a couple of BMX riders mess around in my neighborhood. Later one of them came to the shop where I work for the time being and asked…
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The Truth About Wishbone Seat Stays (learn bike theory)
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends! I am trying to keep up with my schedule, but sometimes I fell behind. No more excuses. Today, I have prepared a post on a somewhat obscure topic – wishbone seat stays. I actually have them on my retro road bike, and can therefore talk from 1st hand experience/observation. Let’s…
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Road Bike Commuters Need Baskets Too (my tips)
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends Today was a bad day for bike commuting – lots of wind and cold for the end of September. But it is what it is. At least, I was carrying extra clothing and mitigated some of the discomfort. And that brings me to the point of this piece – even…
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Decreasing Spoke Length – it’s simple
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello yet again, friends I am semi-back with another spoke tip – or namely how to shorten them. The process is not extremely complicated, but you need one special tool that you can’t find at most bike stores. Step 1: Cutting the Spokes Before cutting the spokes, you have to calculate how…
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Theoretical Lesson: Analyzing The Idea of Adding Multi-gears On a BMX
from Rookie’s keyboard, Hello, friends Today’s post could seem a bit weird. But I’ve done my research and know that a good number of people out there have been wondering whether it’s possible to turn a basic BMX into a multi-gear bike. The technical answer is yes – after all, almost anything is possible in…
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An Important Tip For Fans of Carbon and Bar-ends
from Rookie’s keyboard Hello, friends! Yes. Today I am on fire….a real writing machine. And I have prepared another short piece. This time I will talk about carbon handlebars and the possibility of equipping them with bar ends. Before all you have to know that carbon handlebars can be coupled with bar ends only when…