Jim Langley

Jim’s Tech Talk by Jim Langley January being the month for making resolutions, I have decided for 2020 to try to 1) finally upgrade a  vintage road bike I’ve been in analysis paralysis on for some time; and 2) hopefully ride it in this year’s Eroica California, which takes place April 5 in beautiful Cambria. … [Read more...] about Quick Tips for Upgrading Vintage Road Bikes

Jim’s Tech Talk by Jim Langley There were so many great tips in the comments about last week’s Tech Talk on using chain quick links, we’re sharing some of the best ones here with some photos. And, offering another tip for quick links I think you’ll be able to put to good use. … [Read more...] about More Quick Links Tips

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley One of the best technical developments recently has been that most chain companies are now providing special connecting links. They’ve become known as “quick links.” That’s because they can be connected by hand. Which makes them quick and easy compared to the days of old when the only way to install or repair a chain was by pushing out and … [Read more...] about Tips & Tools for Chain “Quick Links”

Jim’s Tech Talk by Jim Langley See what I did there in the title? It has a double meaning, in that you can make this gift and give it to your favorite cyclist. Or you can make it for yourself. Actually, you might decide to do both because it’s a helpful thing to have on hand in your home bike shop. It’ll easily fit in that Christmas stocking. … [Read more...] about A Handy Holiday Gift You Can Make Yourself

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Last week, we gave Larry tips for fixing his rim brakes. They were often moving out of position and needing centering to avoid them rubbing the rim on one side. Here’s the whole story: Fix for Larry’s Off-Center Rim Brakes - Sidepull Brakes. This is a common problem for lots of roadies with rim brakes. So it was nice to see some helpful … [Read more...] about More on Centering Rim Brakes (Sidepull Brakes)

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley A few Tech Talks back, we showed a cool new tool from Hayes for dealing with disc brake rubbing and included some tips. And even before that we went over truing bent rotors - another cause of rubbing. Here are links in case your discs are dragging: Cool Tool for Fixing Rubbing Disc Brakes and How to Straighten Bent Disc Road or Mountain Bike … [Read more...] about Fix for Larry’s Off-Center Rim Brakes (Sidepull Brakes)

Jim’s Tech Talk by Jim Langley I’m joking with this week’s title, but only a little. I’m poking fun at the bicycle industry, which in my opinion - and many other two-wheeler trade pundits’ views - took an ill-conceived detour about 12 to 14 years ago. That’s when most of the major bike makers started to adopt new designs for frame bottom brackets. … [Read more...] about T47 Bottom Bracket to the Rescue

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Once set up well, road bike disc brakes usually just work. But, as with rim brakes, some discs can occasionally develop a rub. The usual cause is that a brake pad, or more than one, inside the brake caliper rubs on the rotor (the metal discs attached to the wheels). If you're lucky, the rub is so minor that you don't even notice it. … [Read more...] about A Cool Tool for Fixing Rubbing Disc Brakes

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley This week I’m sharing a small adjustment that makes a world of difference in the shifting of Shimano Di2 electric rear derailleurs. Recently I ran into and fixed this issue for a couple of roadie friends. Which makes me think that not everyone understands this critical adjustment. … [Read more...] about A Quick Tip for Shimano Di2 (Electronic) Rear Derailleurs

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Last Sunday I pedaled to the top of Mount Diablo on the South Gate Road, which, in about 11 miles rises to 3,249 feet above the San Francisco Bay. It’s near the town of Danville, California and is a popular destination every weekend for roadies thanks to moderate grades of mostly 5 to 7 percent, decent pavement, sweeping turns and lovely … [Read more...] about Hitting the Hills

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Since tires are the biggest trouble-makers for roadies, let’s follow last week’s story on tire seating, with another for putting them on in the first place. Even complete beginners can get tires most of the way on, but getting the last tight section on can seem impossible. … [Read more...] about Jim’s Technique for Putting on that Last Tight Section of Tire

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley For anyone who doesn’t know what it means to “seat” a tire, let’s start with an explanation. To “seat” or “seating” a tire is one of the final steps taken when installing most tires on bicycles and motor vehicles, too.  Seating is important because it ensures that the inflated tire is fully and properly installed. If tires are … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Seat Stubborn Bike Tires