Resources for Common Bike Repairs

Links to excellent resources for completing a variety of repairs and upgrades, organized by bike system.

Index of Resources

Wheels

Brakes

Shifting: Shifters, Derailleurs, and Cables/Housing

Drive: Chain, Rear Gears, Front Gears

Pedal: Pedals, Pedal/Crank Arms, and Bottom Bracket

Handlebars: Handlebars, Headset, Grips/Tape

Seats and Seatposts
Frame
Shop Practice
Bike Fit
Racks, Baskets, and Bags
Fenders
Lights
General/Misc.

Repair Resources

Wheels

Tire and Tube Repairs

Replacing or patching a tube:

Changing your tires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqR6nlZNeU8

Replacing a valve core: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etugmlsSljE
Patching a tire hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0F_hibWHlU
Some tire patch hacks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lux1S16YQcM

Tubeless setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0p5pE4sRJM
Tubeless tire plugging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcg1tlOJFHM
Tubeless tire troubleshooting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPyqbTDqkY

Working on Wheels and Hubs

Getting a wheel off and on your bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjB_wHW0-Q

Truing a wheel: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/wheel-and-rim-truing

Replacing a spoke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlQn_JA0sI4

Servicing/repacking a wheel hub: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment
Definitive overview on servicing/repacking hubs: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/hubs.html

Building a wheel: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/how-to-build-a-wheel/

Overview of Rim, Tire, and Tube Standards

Tire standard sizes: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-tires.html
Presta vs. schrader valves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nortegJXI7M
Tire and inner tube standards: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/tire-wheel-and-inner-tube-fit-standards
Tubeless tire standards: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/tubeless-tire-compatibility

Reference info on wheel, rim, tire, and tube sizes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Wider tires vs. speed info: https://www.renehersecycles.com/why-wider-tires-are-not-slower/

Brakes

Cable and Housing

Rim brake identification: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/rim-brake-identification

Replacing/servicing brake cables and housing

Crimping cable ends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ5Knc9qWRo
Understanding barrel adjusters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWbeDRbK-wk

Brake Levers

Installing flat bar brake levers: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/brake-lever-mounting-positioning-upright-bars

Installing drop bar brake levers: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/brake-lever-mounting-positioning-drop-bars
Replacing hoods on older drop bar levers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhI3ecl_30

Rim Brakes

Overview of kinds of brakes: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/rim-brake-identification
Replacing brake pads and pad types overview: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/brake-pad-replacement-rim-brakes
Cleaning brake pads: https://www.elite-wheels.com/cycling-topics/a-guide-to-maintaining-and-cleaning-rim-brake-pads-and-braking-surfaces/

Adjusting brakes:

Replacing/installing brakes:

Measuring and installing caliper brakes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/calipers.html
Servicing caliper brake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqbCR83psAg

canti brake adjusting yoke: https://www.chapmancycles.com/cantilevers/

Disc Brakes

Overview of brake sizes, mounts, and adapters: https://thelostco.com/blogs/blog/mountain-bike-brake-adapters-explained

Cleaning/reconditioning pads and rotors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsZPUyFZaxQ
Replacing brake pads: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/disc-brake-pad-removal-installation
Truing a disc rotor: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/disc-brake-rotor-truing

Adjusting and aligning brakes, and overview of brake types

Replacing a rotor: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/disc-brake-rotor-removal-installation

Servicing a mechanical caliper (example): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFl0SG-Ps5M

Hydraulic Brake-Specific

Installing a hydraulic disc brake system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_-2UCbCyzE
Reopening hydraulic brake pads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGMDjqNieg
Servicing a hydraulic caliper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQXFFgRButo

Overview of bleeding hydraulic disc brakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICPkeAMNO6E (Find for a step-by-step guide to your specific model) Bleeding:

Shifting: Shifters, Derailleurs, and Cables/Housing

Rear Derailleur

How a rear derailleur works: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/how-a-rear-derailleur-works

Adjusting rear shifting

Straighten the derailleur hanger: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/rear-derailleur-hanger-alignment
Replace the derailleur hanger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADqYtUNpVjs

Adjust the b-screw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3x13dD0UiQ
Lubricate the derailleur posts/pivots: https://youtu.be/GZYcJcWiF2U?si=6Tro7t77pmtb49QD&t=67
Service the derailleur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5KWFhzIPoc

Front Derailleur

How a front derailleur works: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/how-a-front-derailleur-works

Adjust front derailleur: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-adjustment
Troubleshooting front shifting: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-advanced-troubleshooting

Lubricate the derailleur posts/pivots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZYcJcWiF2U
Service the derailleur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv3-zzBEKAY

Overview of mounting diameters: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/front-derailers.html#mounting

Cables/Housing

Replace housing, overview: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/cutting-and-sizing-cable-housing

Replacing shift cable for:

Crimping cable ends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ5Knc9qWRo
Understanding barrel adjusters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWbeDRbK-wk
Running internal housing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msIyofUud3A

Shifters

Servicing trigger shifters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lJ3vCtWYvw
Servicing drop/combined/integrated/sti shifter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49lAdo_vUX4
Servicing grip shifters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pCr5zH7kBg
Servicing friction shifters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPavfGvu714

Drive: Chain, Rear Gears, Front Gears

General

Troubleshooting noisy drivetrains: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/troubleshooting-a-noisy-drivetrain

Chain

Lubricating a chain: https://youtu.be/DYMq0nQOC0U?si=HnTCHNo_JEUwgxB9&t=533
Checking for chain stretch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXd-3UnqoaM
Replacing a chain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUQKVMPF5I
Sizing a chain (length): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0YibMDWBAw
Single-speed/fixie chain sizing and tensioning: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/chain-replacement-single-speed-bikes

Deep-cleaning a chain: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/chain-cleaning-with-a-park-tool-chain-scrubber
In-depth info on lubricating chains: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Overview on chain compatibility between speeds and brands: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/chain-compatibility

Rear Gears/Cogs: Cassette or Hub

Identifying cassette and freewheel types: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/determining-cassette-freewheel-type
Cassette/freewheel tools: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/cassette-freewheel

Overview of cassette body types and kinds of splines:

Cleaning rear gears, cassette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrsSKQjxmt8
Replacing rear gears, cassette: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/cassette-removal-and-installation
Light service of cassette hub: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/freehub-service

Full service/repacking cassette hub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9gIEG1db0s

Cleaning rear gears, freewheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDdSpIPt5qk
Replacing rear gears, freewheel: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/freewheel-removal-and-installation
Light service of freewheel: https://youtu.be/eDdSpIPt5qk?si=y_qVpZRZMyb40uny&t=250
Full service/repacking freewheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_vRbBRPr3c

Rear Drivetrain Compatibility

Derailleur maximum capacity: https://www.mantel.com/uk/blog/derailleur-capacity-maximum-techcenter

Rear derailleur, cassette, and shifting standards

Front Gears/Cogs: Chainrings

Replace chainrings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGm9cC0WVUs
Overview of 1x conversion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_uQvusbTJM

Measuring chainring BCD: https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/pages/how-to-measure-bolt-circle-diameter-bcd
Reference on chainring/BCD: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html

Drivetrain/Chainline Measurement

Gear calculator: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html
Drivetrain and chainline: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/chainline-concepts

Definitive chainline resource: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html
Chainline on derailleur bikes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline-multi.html
Chainline on single-gear bikes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline-single.html

Three-speeds (Sturmey-Archer)

Adjusting shifting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvR0S6lHJ4Q
Overhauling a 3-speed hub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNxwMwzS3Jo
Understanding a 3-speed mechanism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3QJTTcDXJo

Shimano Nexus

Replacing a shift cable: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html#cableinstall
Replacing a sprocket/gear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz-3PfboKTw

Servicing a nexus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teKhi7TeVL8
Complete overhaul:

Reference information: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html

Pedal: Pedals, Pedal/Crank Arms, and Bottom Bracket

Pedals

Installing/removing pedals: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/pedal-installation-and-removal

Servicing pedals

Cotter Pedals (Older Type)

Removing three-speed/cotter pin pedals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQg89p6gcjk
(solution without a vice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMLmbD1CRY)
Overview of cotters: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html

Cranks

Crank type overview: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/how-to-remove-and-install-a-crank
Removing/installing different kinds of cranks:

Reference on chainring/BCD: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html

Why change your crank length: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GLZnLbFgcw
Crank lengths overview: https://www.applemanbicycles.com/resources/riders-guide-to-crank-length/

Bottom Bracket

Overview of bottom bracket types: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-8G1G9QNX8
Article version: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-standards-and-terminology

Install/remove a bottom bracket:

Adjusting through-spindle preload: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjE1YMj9Al0

Vintage cup/cone bottom bracket to cartridge conversion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BrVjDFqotE

Bottom bracket tool finders:

Bottom bracket sizes database: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html

Handlebars: Handlebars, Headset, Grips/Tape

Handlebars

Adjusting handlebars up and down: https://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html

Flat bar removal/installation: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/handlebar-removal-installation-flat-bars
Replacing flat bar grips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN2Q8tnOLoo
Cutting flat handlebars to size: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/cutting-bike-handlebars

Drop bar removal/installation: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/handlebar-removal-installation-drop-bars
Replacing drop bar tape: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/handlebar-tape-installation-drop-bars

Handlebar sizes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html

Extending a threadless headset with a riser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8snVwDnfec

Headset

Threaded headset:

Threadless

Adjusting handlebars/headsets up and down: https://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html
Troubleshooting the headset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TihBJNn0Bck
Converting threaded headset to threadless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey_kiNivXGM
Extending a threadless headset with a riser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8snVwDnfec

Overview of headset types, sizes, and standards: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/headset-standards
Overview of standardized code system for headsets: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/standardized-headset-identification-system
Chart of headset sizes: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html

Seats and Seatposts

Picking out a seat: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-saddles.html
Raising/lowering a bike seat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbUmoPA5e4Q
Finding ideal seat height and front-to-back setting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_RwRvQc_zQ
Understanding seat post sizes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4nga7XNprU

Removing stuck seatposts: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html

Frame

Aligning a frame: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/frame-alignment

Adjusting rear dropouts: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

(Non-educational) Frame being built: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STmZdGNVil0

Shop Practice

Common torque wrench ratings: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/torque-specifications-and-concepts
Using a torque wrench: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/torque-wrench-use-and-care

Lubricants, greases, and cleaners: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/the-park-tool-guide-to-bicycle-lubricants-and-compounds

Different techniques for removing stuck bolts (not in a useful order): https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/how-to-loosen-stuck-bolts/

Bike Fit

Finding/adjusting overall bike fit: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-fit.html
and https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/calvins-corner/thinking-about-your-ride

Frame sizing: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

Racks, Baskets, and Bags

Installing a rear rack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeGR6Tdmxj8

Fenders

Typical fender installation: https://www.planetbike.com/content/manuals/full_fender_installation_manual.pdf

Lights

Aspects of choosing a front light: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/LED-headlights.html

Overview of dynamo/generator hubs: https://bikepacking.com/plan/dynamo-hubs-lighting-charging-guide/
More depth of generator hubs: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/generators.html

General/Misc.

Looking over a bike/testing for safety: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bike-tests.html
Bike terms glossary: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

Assembling a bike: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/new-bike-assembly

Washing a bike: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/bike-washing-and-cleaning