Road bike changes-

[Pegasos]

What should i pay attention too, in sizes, shopping for a new stem?

And, do they measure from center to center? Or from far edge to far edge


Is there a way to straighten the rays of a wheel?


Is there a way to find where exactly a wheel has been malformed (by mmetres of course) and straighten the wheel? Or is such a wheel supposed to be thrown away?

This is (as you probably will have a guessed) a beginner in technical issues..

 

[Powerful Pete]

Any good shop can true ("fix") a wheel that has some wobble in it. Watch the shop owner, ask a few questions, and if you feel like it get a spoke wrench and learn how to do it yourself. Warning: this will take some patience, but is easier than it looks initially.

Why are you shopping for a new stem? Does the one you have make your riding uncomfortable? Most manufacturers do measure stems center to centre, but not all.

Double check the manufacturer's website before you buy - if you are new to cycling I suggest that you establish a relationship with a bike shop and ask millions of questions... and then purchase some/most of your equipment from them in exchange!

 

[Pegasos]

Any good shop can true ("fix") a wheel that has some wobble in it. Watch the shop owner, ask a few questions, and if you feel like it get a spoke wrench and learn how to do it yourself. Warning: this will take some patience, but is easier than it looks initially.

Why are you shopping for a new stem? Does the one you have make your riding uncomfortable? Most manufacturers do measure stems center to centre, but not all.

Hello Pete, actually i am thinking of buying this spoke wrench tool and start immediately to fix it myself, if it is not very expensive, with the help of some books i have on bicycle mechanics. So how would they fix the wobble in the shop? With a hammer?!

I m looking for a new stem because the one i have is a very cheap looking one and is also a bit too extended. I recently turned it upside down and with its about 30 degree inclination, it gave me a MUCH better riding feeling. I had bought the bike as a size 57, according to measurements of my height. I was assured that everything on it was measured correctly, but i did feel a bit stretched when leaning forward. I didnt had any pains or injuries though. But now that i turned the stem upside down, which lifted the handlebar, i feel like i am riding the bike for the first time! No stretching at all! I feel like a new man! Like all my muscles work in coordination, like its the first time i am really CONNECTED to the bike! I just cant believe i was riding for a year and a half in the previous position.. I dont know if they made a mistake from the shop to use that stem, or it is me that has long legs, for my height (1.83).

So, now i am thinking of a new stem, which must be a bit shorter that the one i have, with a little less inclination, to match my now good position. And naturally i wonder about the sizes and all. Do you have any brand to propose to me, any kind of material, for a stem costing up to 50euro? I am all ears if you do!

The stem i have now is brandless, all black! Now, that maybe says something about its value, despite the fact i never had any functional problems with it.

Doublechecking, you mean the stem manufacturer's website, or the bike's manufacturer website? As for what you say for a bike shop, yes, its the easy thing to do, but apart from the fact i do not want to be a burden by asking all these questions i have, i dont want to be in debt to anyone, to buy his stuff, since the internet variety is infinite, compared to what a single shop will have! Maybe its a bit far fetched, but i ve been riding seriously for about 5 years, road bikes for the last 2 or so, and from now on i have the ambition to be able to fix and transfrom my own bicycle however and whenever i choose to, and to do it by myself!

 

[jcthomasjr]

Hello Pete, actually i am thinking of buying this spoke wrench tool and start immediately to fix it myself, if it is not very expensive, with the help of some books i have on bicycle mechanics. So how would they fix the wobble in the shop? With a hammer?!

I m looking for a new stem because the one i have is a very cheap looking one and is also a bit too extended. I recently turned it upside down and with its about 30 degree inclination, it gave me a MUCH better riding feeling. I had bought the bike as a size 57, according to measurements of my height. I was assured that everything on it was measured correctly, but i did feel a bit stretched when leaning forward. I didnt had any pains or injuries though. But now that i turned the stem upside down, which lifted the handlebar, i feel like i am riding the bike for the first time! No stretching at all! I feel like a new man! Like all my muscles work in coordination, like its the first time i am really CONNECTED to the bike! I just cant believe i was riding for a year and a half in the previous position.. I dont know if they made a mistake from the shop to use that stem, or it is me that has long legs, for my height (1.83).

So, now i am thinking of a new stem, which must be a bit shorter that the one i have, with a little less inclination, to match my now good position. And naturally i wonder about the sizes and all. Do you have any brand to propose to me, any kind of material, for a stem costing up to 50euro? I am all ears if you do!

The stem i have now is brandless, all black! Now, that maybe says something about its value, despite the fact i never had any functional problems with it.

Doublechecking, you mean the stem manufacturer's website, or the bike's manufacturer website? As for what you say for a bike shop, yes, its the easy thing to do, but apart from the fact i do not want to be a burden by asking all these questions i have, i dont want to be in debt to anyone, to buy his stuff, since the internet variety is infinite, compared to what a single shop will have! Maybe its a bit far fetched, but i ve been riding seriously for about 5 years, road bikes for the last 2 or so, and from now on i have the ambition to be able to fix and transfrom my own bicycle however and whenever i choose to, and to do it by myself!

Keep in mind that the length of the stem can have an impact on how the bike handles. It can affect how your weight is distributed. In terms of your comfort level regarding your current stem: do you stretch? Many people do not stretch (I do!) and this can have an impact on your position and your comfort level. By stretching the back and trying to relax your upper body while riding can have a huge impact. Just my 2 cents.

Oh yeah, and strengthening the abdomen helps the back also. If you already know all this then just ignore.

 

[ToffoIsMe]

As for what you say for a bike shop, yes, its the easy thing to do, but apart from the fact i do not want to be a burden by asking all these questions i have

Take it from an experienced bike shop mechanic and salesman (me!), you won't be a burden. Most of the guys that work in a bike shop generally love talking about equipment and mechanics, even if you do buy elsewhere. I don't hold it against customers if they buy online, and I have even referred them to the internet if I know they can get a deal that we can't offer them. However, I will occasionally do some heckling or ball busting on some of the regular customers when they buy something online, but its all in good fun.

 

[kdelong]

Take it from an experienced bike shop mechanic and salesman (me!), you won't be a burden. Most of the guys that work in a bike shop generally love talking about equipment and mechanics, even if you do buy elsewhere. I don't hold it against customers if they buy online, and I have even referred them to the internet if I know they can get a deal that we can't offer them. However, I will occasionally do some heckling or ball busting on some of the regular customers when they buy something online, but its all in good fun.

I have to agree with ToffoIsMe. I have never had a bike shop owner ever get annoyed with me for asking a question concerning maintenance and repairs. I have even been referred to the internet for items that they did not have available. In my 40 years of riding (39 years and 14 days since I learned how to ride to be precise) I have only had one bike shop employee that ever tried to cheat me by trying to sell me a bike off the floor that was too small for me. I'm not saying that all bike shops are filled with saints, but most that I have dealt with have been really kind and helpful.

 

[Pegasos]

Lol, alright, lets assume than that bicycle shop owners who may also be mechanics, are possibly a man's best friend, if given the chance to become best friends, and not merely merchants.

What i really want though (am interested in) is to be able to be self-sufficient in handling my road bicycle, which i will manage to do over time, i hope..

 

[Pegasos]

http://www.cyclingforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1071/cat/516


check it out (with the differently positioned stem)


pretty baby eh??? all i need is some new lighter less spoked wheels, a new stem, new tyres (i wear 700x25 now) and possibly a change in cassette, brakes and derailers as an optional extra! just that. I ve already ordered a gelflow saddle, 2007 model!!!