Opt for multicoloured spokes! Sign in to manage your newsletter preferencesIf you want to get really creative, and have the skills to match your vision, how about decorating your bike freehand by painting directly onto the frame? Check that the brake pads contact the rims at the correct height and angle as pictured. Slide the housing out from the slots that hook it to the bike’s frame. If your old frame has a different cable path to your new one (ie top-pull instead of down-pull) you’ll need to install your cables following the new route. On standard square-tapered BBs such as Shimano’s UN series, the left non-fixed cup may be replaced with the correct version (Y-1SG05020 for 73mm, Y-1SG05030 for 68mm) if you can find them in the salvaged parts bin at your local bike shop (LBS).
On modern two-piece cranks with external cups (such as a Deore XT triple) add or remove a cup spacer as required, while maintaining the correct crank arm and chainring clearances with the lower stays; also check for adequate front mech travel, both inwards and outwards. First, measure up. EUROBIKE Start-Up Award Judge My bike with the Split Bel t is so quiet, so smooth, so clean, and so fun! This will be 130mm or 135mm (or 126mm on very old road frames). There are also many options whatever your creative skill level; hand painted frame, anyone? Follow these steps to keep your ride smooth. UK company Spray.Bike has aerosol paint sprays in different colours and finishes, and the range even includes a transparent finish and putty for filling in dents and scratches.Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5We know you love your bike, but sometimes it’s those little details that really make it your own. Available in titanium for mountain bikes and BMXs, these add a subtle flash of colour and look particularly good on stealth black bikes.Thanks! We recommend sketching out the design ahead of time, then lightly tracing it onto the frame once you’ve prepared it for painting so you keep to the pattern. While the current standard spacing for 26in wheels tends to be 135mm, 130mm is still quite common (depending on the hub used) and is also the current standard for 700C road hubs and wheels. You’ll have a bike like nobody else.Chances are, you’re going to spend a fair amount of time looking at your stem, particularly when climbing. If you don’t go for discs, cable hangers need to be present if you’re running old-school cantis, although the frame and fork pictured would make this difficult. Change it!
I'm semi-confident that with some time (and some help) I could move them to a new frame. Invest in a Bike Fit. Before inserting the seatpost, carefully sand or file down any sharp edges or roughness in the frame that might interfere, and grease generously.Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5Measure and compare the old and new BB shell widths as pictured, and check bearings for signs of wear before reuse. Front mechs can get hung up on mudguards, so if necessary trim the mudguard with tin snips to allow the front derailleur its full travel.Whatever the case, check out these common conundrums when swapping your kit and components, highlighting any problems and how to get around them. It’s now possible to get virtually any colour out there in grips, bar tape and even hood covers. Try a two colour ombre fade or get decorative using masking tape to make a pattern and then spray over the top in a second colour.Sign up to receive our newsletter!This is one of the easiest ways to brighten up your bike, requiring minimal skill, time, cost and effort. Sizing varies greatly between road and mountain bikes, as well as between men ... Use Your Height. Unless you’re running fully sealed systems, avoid using cable coverings between slotted guides, as this will hamper quick access for cleaning and lubing. All of my components are in okay shape. You’ll need to prepare the frame first, either by stripping off the original paint or by cleaning and sanding the paint that’s there. We don’t recommend you start playing around with the paintwork on carbon bikes — this is probably best left for the professionals. If your new and old frames have the same sized head-tubes then your fork should slot in easily, once the headset has been installed.