| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
I've got my bike in a small repair shop to replace a spoke. I couldn't
do it myself cuz I don't have the freewheel removal tool(s?) I need.
(The busted spoke is on the rear wheel and the spoke protector (the thing
that keeps the chain from riding up on the spokes) prevented me from
getting at the spoke hole in the hub.)
1. Do I need the spoke protector? Should I have him keep it off?
2. The (steel) rim also had a small flat spot where the spoke was
gone. I've often thought of upgrading to alloy rims. Can I
put an alloy rim on the rear, keeping the front rim steel?
The bike repair guy mentioned something about "balance" being
affected and "I can do it if you want me to."
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420.1 | No problem | 41262::OSULLIVAN | Plunge - Pedal - Plod | Wed Aug 12 1987 09:18 | 10 |
No . You do not need the spoke protector. Just make sure that the
set screws on the rear changer are set correctly. If you are unsure
of this, the guy in the shop will do it in 15 sec.
I can't see why putting an alloy wheel on the back in combination
with a steel on front is a big problem. ....unless you are riding
Tour de France !!!
John
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| 420.2 | beware of better braking | SAGE::DERAMO | Wed Aug 12 1987 13:21 | 11 | |
You should be aware that alloy rims offer better braking performance
that steel rims, especially under wet conditions. This could be
a problem if the front wheel were alloy and the rear wheel steel,
where if you appled an equal amount of squeeze to the front and
rear brakes, the front wheel might lock up, and send you flying.
But since the rear wheel will be the alloy one, I don't see any
serious hazard, except for some possible rear wheel skidding until
you get used to the more positive braking of the alloy rim.
Joe
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| 420.3 | TRACER::DUNN | Wed Aug 12 1987 14:31 | 22 | ||
The ring is on the rear wheel to protect the spokes in case the
chain jumps the freewheel. As long as your rear derailer is adjusted
correctly, leave it off. The consequences of not having it there
is that the spokes will get damaged if the chain does jump.
As for a rim change, just beware that all rims are not the same
size and that you will most likely need new spokes also. Chances
are (since it was a steel rim) the spokes/hubs/tires on your current
wheels are probably not really great and you'll pay a fair amount
to have new rims and spokes put on, you may be better of buying
a whole new set of wheels from a mail order outlet (all-ready built
wheels that is).
Balancing as your mechanic refered to it is usually called "truing"
in the bike world. After hitting a big pot hole or breaking a spoke
you'll notice the wheel isn't perfectly round anymore. Truing a
wheel involves re-tensioning the spokes so that the wheel does spin
correctly. Both side to side and up and down wheel wobbles can
be fixed this way.
Paul Dunn
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| 420.4 | Put alloy on the front! | RDGENG::MACFADYEN | Mon Aug 17 1987 13:35 | 9 | |
Re .2
If I had one alloy and one steel rim on a bike, I'd want the alloy
rim on the front, for the better braking that alloy offers. Since
most braking force comes from the front wheel, that's where the
better braking surface is most effective. And it's virtually impossible
to lock a front wheel anyway.
Rod
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