How to change a bike seat
Last modified on 2009-07-26 17:55:01 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
I am 6’5″ tall and I need a hire seat post. I am changing the standard seat post to a 27.2 mm / 400 post. I have long legs and need the extra size. The problem is that with the bike I have I can break the frame if I extend the seat post too far up. If it is too far up it will act like a lever and bend the top frame apart. So for 36.00 I got a new seat post and here is how to install it.
Loosen the bolt that holds the seat post.
Press it back with you thumb or get a pair of plyers.
Turn the seat over and loosen the attachment bolts with and allen wrench. There maybe be one or two bolts. Loosen them both.
Top is the old seat post, bottom is the new. Notice the bottom is about 3 inches longer and has a different seat attachment piece.
Loosen both bolts on the new post until they are just about to fall out. On this seat post, one bolt had a slot that would allow it to swing out.
Place the new seat post on the seat rails. Then swing the bolt back into position.
Align the seat post in the middle of the seat bars. Later you can adjust the seat forward or backwards. Tighten the screws with an allen wrench.
Notice on the post there will be a line that indicates that this is the highest the post is allowed outside the frame. Don’t extend the frame any higher than this line or the frame will break. Now go and ride the back and test to see where the best height for the seat is.
!!NOTE !! You may need to rotate the seat post 180. If the seat feels like it is jamming your but, detach and rotate. This happened on mine and once I rotated, it felt 100 times better.
Once you are satistified with the ride height. Use a sharpee to put a mark on the post. It may lower after general use.
The new seat post for a 6’5″ tall rider. Since I am saving up to buy a bigger bike, this will work for the mean time. Happy riding and hope this helps. !!
My Butt chafed on the bike ride
Last modified on 2009-07-18 22:57:43 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
After riding for 24 miles this morning, I have experience my first butt chafing. At the triathlons they give out this stuff called “Aquaphor”. I applied to the affected areas and now my butt is feeling just fine. It is really thick stuff butt (pun) it worked like a charm. I will start applying this before long rides and runs to make sure I don’t get red-butt.
14 Part Bike Tool Chest
Last modified on 2009-07-08 20:34:24 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
You have to be able to repair and work on your own bike. I have a set of tools gathered from around the house. I don’t need alot but this is what I bring to an event:
- Spare Tire Tubes (3). Don’t worry that a repair will bust. Just buy a new tube. $4.00 – $6.00
- Tire Pump from Target: $12.00
- Duct Tape. The ultimate fix it all. $5.00
- Multiple Allen wrench sets. You will lose them so make sure you have extra. $10.00-$20.00
- Adjustable wrenches. $5.00
- Wire cutters. $2.00
- Scissors. $2.00
- Razor blades. $2.00
- WD-40. $1.25
- Flat Head and Phillips screw drivers. $5.00
- Tire pressure gauge. $1.00 – $20.00
- Sharpie Marker $1.00
- Baby powder for changing tires. $2.00
- Tire repair kit $2.00
I was a boy scout so my motto was be prepared. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS carry two of the same tool. You will lose, lend or break a tool at the wrong time. Having a backup will make all the difference in the world. The fancy tools from the bike shop are nice, but I can’t afford a full set. So tools from Target or Walmart will work just as well untill you get a big sponsor to pay you ! 
My 40lb Raliegh Detour 3.0 Bike
Last modified on 2009-07-08 14:05:38 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
It weighs alot but the bike is solid and has gotten me this far. Eventually I will need to get a fancy Cannondale, but here is the bike:
I am 6’5″ tall so its a little bigger of a bike. It’s 40lbs.
After market aero bars. Worth the 80.00. I had to rig it a little because my handle bars were too small for the brackets, but it worked well: Next time I will make sure I get the right size.
I had to cut a piece of aluminum and place it between the handlebar and the aero bar attachement bracket. I tried using plastic, but metal was the only thing sturdy enough so the bars would not twist.
Added a $15.00 speedo and $18.00 light. I do alot of night riding and the light keeps me from meeting a cars wind shield. Plus Racoons get out of the way quick too when they see the light.
For 19.99 at bike works, I got the strapped pedals. They have made alot of difference in my average speed. I went from 14.9 mph to 17 mph average. Plus the leg strengh excercises have helped too. I can’t afford the fancy shoe/pedal combo yet. But it will come.
Its a big ass seat, but I have no natural padding and this is comfortable until I upgrade to the new bike. The bag was a good $20.00 edition. I keep my cell, a spare tire tube and an allen wrench back there for repairs.
I like the bike, but I think I have outgrown it. Its tough. I ride in the city mostly, and except for a couple flat tubes, the bike has served me well.
Fix a Flat-10 Steps to replace a bike tube
Last modified on 2009-07-09 01:45:14 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The front tire on the Raleigh went flat. It is only $4.00 for a new inner tube. The front tube is over 3 years old so a new one is due. Here are the steps to change the tube. It took me about 10 minutes to do the actual tire change.
Detach the tire with the quick release:
Since the tire was flat, I could pinch the tire so it could move past the front break. It made it easier to remove. and I did not have to adjust the front break. (Which is a pain in the ass)
The tire is removed and on the table. In the left hand side of the picture is the quick release bolt.
It takes a little bit of squeezing, but get the tire over the rim. Then put a flat head screw driver and run it around the rim. This gets one side of the tire off the rim so you can get the rest off.
There is probably a fancy tool that is better than the screw driver, but this works.
Remove the tube from the tire. I like to pump up the tube to see where the leak is coming from. Mainly to see if the rim is poking into the tube/
I listened for air seeping out and found the spot. Then I put some regular dish soap on the spot and looked for the bubbles. It didn’t look like a puncture, so I assume it is just use of the tire. I have owned the bike for over 3 years and this is the first time I have had to change the front tire tube. (See the small air bubble by the seam of the rubber)
More evidence of a leak. (Bubbles by the seam) NOTE: I ride a lot of side walks and along normal highways; so the wear on the tires is probably more than if you rode on a bike trail. For me to get to a trail is about 5 miles. I love riding on the trails, but I have limited time so I can only ride them on the weekend and occasionaly during the week.
The new Specialized tire tube from Bike Works in Orlando, FL
Take a look at the rim and rubber “Thing” on the rim. Make sure that there are no spikes or holes through this that could cause more punctures. Just spin the rim around and see if there is metal or spokes peeking through. the rubber liner.
Coat the new tube with baby powder. I have an 18 month and 5 year old, so baby powder is all around. The powder helps reduce friction when installing the new tube.
Put the valve into the rim. This gives you a good guide when putting the tire on.
I inflate the tube a little. It make it easier to put the tire on.
Add a little baby powder to the inside of the tire. I will help installing the new tube.
It takes a little work, but get the tire around the tube and the rim. One thing that helps is to inflate the tire a little. It prevents it from slipping off the rim and the tire/
When the rim is off the fork, inflate and make sure everything fits. Then deflate the tire. This makes it easier to get it back on the fork.
Squeeze the tire and slip it past the break. Now is the time to inflate; after it is installed.
Pump up the tire with the $12.00 Target tire pump.
Check your tire pressure and write it on the rim. I never remember what I started the tire pressure off at. Write it on the rim will help you remember.
Make sure you put the cap on the tube. It prevents dirt from getting in
DONE !!!! You have replaced a tire tube. This took me about 10 minutes to do including taking the pictures for the blog post.
