Ikaika Cox
Bicycle Mechanic
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Co-authored Articles (29)
How to
Put On a Bicycle Chain
Sooner or later, any avid cyclist will have the chain on their bicycle come loose or break altogether. Luckily, there's no need to take your bike to an expensive repair shop for this common problem if you know what you'r...
How to
Replace a Bike Tube
If you ride a bike long enough, you’ll eventually have to deal with a flat tire. Flats are caused by a leak or puncture in the inflatable rubber tube that’s nestled between the wheel rim and the tire tread. Replacing...
How to
Fix a Bike Tire
Everything you’ll need to remove your bike tire before repairing or replacing the tubeFixing a bike tire nearly always means repairing or replacing a flat tire. Leaks or holes in the inflatable rubber tube between the ...
How to
Remove a Bike Chain
Removing your bike chain at home is simple if you have the right tools. The correct procedure depends on what kind of chain your bike has. If you're not sure what kind of chain you have, check all of the links. If they'r...
How to
Adjust Bike Gears
If your bike is having a hard time shifting, staying in gear, or the chain is falling off, you will need to adjust your gears. Derailleurs are devices that allow you to change gears, pushing and pulling the chain onto di...
How to
Assemble a Bicycle
Bikes are often broken down into separate pieces so they can fit into smaller cartons, which means you’ll have to put them back together yourself. How they’re broken down depends on the manufacturer, make, and model,...
How to
Change a Crank
A bike's cranks must be properly maintained to keep your bike operational. These are the arms connected to the Bottom Bracket (consisting of axle, bearings, etc.) via the axle(usually square on the ends). If you need to ...
How to
Adjust Your Bike Seat
Having your bike seat adjusted to the right height is essential for a comfortable ride, efficient pedaling, and avoiding injury. Luckily, adjusting your seat is easy on almost all bikes, and you can make simple adjustmen...
How to
Fix Stuck Bicycle Brakes
Are your bicycle brakes stuck, preventing you from riding? When brakes drag or stick, there are a few things you can try to fix them yourself. Checking the brake pads, lubricating the lever pivots and adjusting the cable...
How to
Fix a Slipped Bike Chain
A bike chain is a collection of links with pins, plates, and rollers that connects your front and back gears, allowing you to pedal. Chains slip off for a variety of reasons, such as improper adjustments and crashes, but...
How to
Measure a Bicycle Wheel
In order to purchase a spare or replacement tire for your bicycle, you first need to determine the size of your bicycle wheels. In fact, measuring the wheels is a standard component of bicycle maintenance. Although measu...
How to Remove and Replace Bike Pedals
Tips on switching out old pedals to ride safely & smoothly againWhen bike pedals get worn down or loosened, it's time for them to be replaced. Fortunately, you can easily replace your bike pedals at home using a few simp...
How to
Shorten a Bike Chain
If your replacement bike chain is too long for your bike, you'll need to adjust it first for safe riding. Chains will also "stretch" over time, but do not shorten the chain to address this issue. Stretching is a sign of ...
How to
Change a Rear Cassette
The rear cassette is a set of concentric gear rings attached to your back wheel. Each ring is a gear on your bike, and the chain, which connects to the pedals, turns the cassette to power the bike. Over time, the teeth o...
How to
Lube a Bicycle Chain
Routinely lubing your bike chain will improve its performance and prevent it from wearing out early. Choose a lube that’s right for your bike based on the conditions you’ll be riding it in. Once you have a lubricant,...
How to
Shift Gears on a Bike
Tired of pushing your "fixie" up the hill? Getting a bike with gears makes riding more comfortable and efficient whether you're climbing mountains or cruising city streets. Understanding the basics of how gears work can ...
How to
Measure a Bike Chain
If you need to replace the chain on your bike, determine how long the new chain needs to be. You can compare the original chain to the new chain and match the rivets. If you don't have the original chain or it's the wron...
How to
Fix a Broken Bicycle Chain
If you have a chain breaker tool, also called a chain tool, then fixing a broken bicycle chain is easy. You can do most routine maintenance by yourself, however, you should know that after a chain breaks it's best to get...
How to
Fix a Tangled Bike Chain
Tangled bike chains are one of the most common problems that cyclists face. But while a tangled chain may seem like a big deal to you, the process of fixing it is relatively simple. To untangle your chain, you can try to...
How to
Drift on a Bicycle
Drifting—also known as skidding when you’re doing it on a bike—is a technique where you approach a corner on your bike at a high speed and move around the turn as your back tire loses traction with the ground. To s...
