The Mystery Of Bicycles With Two Top Tubes
Double-top tubes are meant to reinforce the frame. The feature is commonly found on large frames because their top tubes are under greater strain. The Motivation Behind Double Top Tubes…
Coaster Brakes Are Not Made For Fixed-gear Bikes
Technically, a coaster brake can be mounted on a fixie, but the process will require re-lacing of the rear wheel. Once the coaster brake is installed, the fixie will no…
“MacGyvering” Bar Tape Into a Set Of Custom Grips?
This post explores the advantages and disadvantages of using bar tape instead of grips: The Advantages of Bar Tape 1. Customization If you use bar tape for your grips, you…
The Compatibility Of Shimano 12-speed Chains and SRAM Chainrings
Shimano's 12-speed chains are optimized for downshifting and have a smaller inner width than normal. Subsequently, the chain has a hard time grabbing chainrings that aren't compatible with Shimano's HG+…
What It Takes To Combine a 12-Speed Chain and an 11-Speed Cassette…
A 12-speed chain can work with an 11-speed cassette. However, it's recommended to avoid using a Shimano 12-speed chain because it doesn't play well with 11-speed chainrings. Chain Width The…
The Compatibility Of 10-speed Derailleurs And 11-speed Cassettes (an analysis by a brainy biker)
10-speed rear derailleurs do not work accurately with 11-speed cassettes when coupled with index shifters. The only exceptions are SRAM's 10-speed exact actuation road derailleurs which have the same rear…
Can You Put an 11-speed Cassette on an 8-speed Hub?
Condensed answer: An 8-speed MTB hub is wide enough to accept an 11-speed MTB cassette. An 8-speed Road hub, however, is too narrow for an 11-speed Road cassette. If you…
Mounting an 11-speed Cassette On a 9-speed Hub
A 9-speed MTB hub can accept an 11-speed MTB cassette. However, a 9-speed Road hub is not compatible with an 11-speed Road cassette. Requirements for Installing an 11-Speed Cassette on…
Compatibility Lesson: MTB Hubs and Road Bikes
Rear MTB hubs are wider than rear Road hubs designed for bikes with rim brakes. Thus, rear road wheels built around MTB hubs won't fit on a modern rim brake…
My Detailed Comparison of Panniers and Trunk Bags
This post compares the advantages and disadvantages of bicycle panniers and trunk bags in relation to one another. The Advantages of Panniers 1. Enormous capacity The main advantage of panniers…