Why Do Some Bicycles Have a Double Top Tube?
Condensed answer: 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…
Can You Put a Coaster Brake On a Fixie?
Condensed Answer: 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…
Using Bar Tape Instead of Grips (Pros and Cons Compared)
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…
Can You Use a Shimano 12-speed Chain With a SRAM Chainring?
Condensed answer: 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…
Can You Use a 12-Speed Chain on an 11-Speed Cassette?
Condensed answer: 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…
Do 10-speed Derailleurs Work With 11-speed Cassettes?
Condensed answer: 10-speed rear derailleurs do not work accurately with 11-speed cassettes when coupled with index shifters. The only exception are SRAM's 10-speed exact actuation road derailleurs which have the…
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…
Can You Put an 11-speed Cassette On a 9-speed Hub?
Condensed answer: 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…
Can You Put MTB Hubs On a Road Bike?
Condensed answer: 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…
Panniers vs. Trunk Bag (Bike Commuting Basics)
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…