Ecstatic Mechanic

The most common type of bicycle tire is known as a clincher, and derives its name from an airtight rubber tube that sits – “clinched” – between the tire and the rim. When a cyclist “gets a flat,” the tube develops a hole, the air escapes, and the tube deflates. Here’s a list and description of all the flats I’ve ever known, and how to avoid and/or repair them. [more...]

The dimensions and design of a bicycle's frame fundamentally determine how it will ride. Understanding which features of the frame affect corresponding aspects of its behaviour can be very helpful in determining what kind of bike is right for you. Herein, a primer on bicycle frame geometry - a look at how certain aspects of a frame's design determine how it will "handle" or ride as a bike. I'm going to examine bottom bracket drop, seat tube angle, and chain stay length. [more...]

Bottom Bracket Drop

Draw a horizontal line between the front and rear drop outs (where the wheels attach) of the frame and fork. Now, draw a perpendicular line that passes through the center of the frame's bottom bracket. The distance between the centre of the frame's bottom bracket and the first line, measured along the second, is the frame's bottom bracket drop: how far below the wheels' axles the bottom bracket sits. [more...]

My experience teaching workshops on bicycle repair and maintenance have taught me to regard two mechanical skills as essential for the well-prepared bicycle commuter: flat repair and drivetrain mainte [more...]

If you’ve ever had to pack up your bike for an airplane trip, you know that not every threaded part on a bicycle follows the “lefty-loosey” rule of thumb. [more...]

Pop quiz: Which lever on your bicycle controls your front brake, right or left? [more...]

For bike month, I got it into my head to design the perfect commuter bike. [more...]

Matthew Grimm, of Kogswell Cycles, recently came up with a new tag line for his website: the fork IS the frame. [more...]