1. AnnieD
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   For the second time this month, despite having taken it in to have it fixed a couple of weeks ago, my rear brake has frozen in place - the first time I couldn't brake, this time I can't "un"brake. I suppose I can just have it fixed a second time and then take my time choosing a new bike, but I worry about having this happen when I'm so far from home that I end up stuck in the middle of nowhere. I don't want to buy a beater - this bike *is* a beater and that seems to be the source of my problems.

   Urbane's is closed for the holiday season. I checked out both Urbane's website and Sweet Pete's but am a bit overwhelmed by all the choices. I don't want something heavy, and I don't like to sit upright when riding. I don't need a ton of gears. A chainguard would be nice, but isn't a dealbreaker (is it possible to *add* a chainguard to an existing bike?). I'd love to have good brakes for a change. Gears that don't go clickety clack when changed would be nice too, but I tend to use only one speed so it's not as high a priority.

   Does something jump out as a good option at either Urbane's or Sweet Pete's, or should I just try to get the brake fixed again and wait until the spring to get a new bike?

   Annie

2. unclegill
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   MEC and Duke's Cycle would be two more options, although I haven't tried either for new bikes. You can add a chain guard to an existing bike. You could also try this ;)

   Get the Video Plugin

3. toddtyrtle
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I'd get the brake fixed - even if you said "Take the entire rear brake, handle, and cable off and replace it" it wouldn't cost anywhere *near* what a new bike would cost. I'm guessing you've got some moisture in your brake cable housing. A quick way to check would be to bring it indoors for a few hours if you can. If it is fixed then you've found your problem. I don't know if a new cable/housing would fix that but that's a place to start. If it *won't* fix it then you're likely to have the same problem with a new bike.

   That said, I bought my last bike from Urbane - very good service, good bike, and zero pressure. The salesperson totally *down*sold me. I ended up with a Dahon Cadenza - full size bike that folds so I can bring it with me on business trips and the like.

   When looking, one thing you didn't mention but that I am definitely looking for in my next bike (and possibly retrofitting my current bike) is an internal hub. All the gears are actually *inside* the wheel with one cog on the outside. Less maintenance than a derailleur and much less subject to weather (and the occasional idiot kicking your derailleur when it's parked somewhere). They're a little more expensive, a tiny bit heavier, but otherwise quite good.

   Good luck either way!

4. AnnieD
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   That chainguard is soooooo cool! I've got to try that - I wonder if it works just as well on a non single gear bike? There's a Canadian Tire just a few blocks from my work, I'll go check it out at lunch. So darned easy even a non-mechy like me could do it in a minute. Also eyeing his setup for bike storage. I thought we had the best arrangement possible but it involved my bike not being protected from the elements, which I suspect led to my brake problems, so now I'm thinking wall hangers on the side of the porch and some kind of overhang might be a better option. So little space - argh!

   Todd, you were right - after bringing the bike in the brake was released and whatever moisture was in there must have evaporated because it behaved fine last night and even in the much colder weather this morning. Still, I worry it will happen again, especially since my bike is out in the open both at home and everywhere that I park it during the day. But I'm going to try holding off buying anything until the spring and will continue to research the different options. Disc brakes are appealing (my rim brakes keep wearing out). Let me know what you learn about the internal hub. My main concern is maintenance - if something goes wrong it must be a lot harder to fix. Then again, if things go wrong more infrequently, it can be well worth it. I also wish I knew more about the relative merits of different materials for the frame and for wheels. I'd really rather not own two bikes (no space), so whatever I get has to be tough enough for winters and I ride everywhere which means I park everywhere, so I don't want to get an obvious target for theft or something so expensive that if it does get stolen it will kill me to replace it. Which always ticks me off - the fact that I don't feel I can get the best bike I can afford because I know that it would get stolen, so I settle for something more ordinary.

5. toddtyrtle
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I'm probably naïve but my solution is to put decent components on a not so nice looking frame. My bike's covered with stickers, paint is chipped off in places, and I don't keep it particularly clean. Not completely uglified but enough that it doesn't stand out like my nicer bike might.

   As for the freezing brake lines. You *might* be able to get some WD40 down in the cable (and up the other side) and with any luck that'll displace the water. If worse comes to worst, you could have the cable replaced.

   My reasons for considering an internal hub are maintenance centred as well. Because all the gears and gear-changing mechanism are inside the exposure to the elements is minimal and hopefully that means that there aren't many problems. I have to admit I also like the idea that I can shift down at a dead stop - you don't need to be moving to change gears. Definitely not a selling point on its own but combined with the other points it's a nice perk.

   Let me know how the chain guard works out for you. I'm looking towards doing the same thing. As long as the roads stay relatively decent I think I'll be commuting to work up at Dufferin and Steeles and a chain guard would help me arrive as presentable as possible...

6. AnnieD
   Member
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I checked the automotive, plumbing, and electrical sections at Canadian Tire and couldn't find anything resembling the sheathing shown in the video. Then I looked at my bike and realized it wouldn't work on it anyway - presumably only works on a single speed bike. That's too bad - it looks really cool.

   I've considered converting my bike to a single speed and changing the brakes completely, which might involve changing the wheels if I decided to go for disc brakes, but at that point it probably wouldn't cost that much more to just get a lighter frame. Kinda think it would be cool to do a "build your own" from parts, like what you can do with computers. Anyone here ever do that?

7. toddtyrtle
   Moderator
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   I've been looking at these at Urbane - I may try one in the new year. They will work on multi-speed bikes.

8. joe
   Admin
   Posted 3 years ago #
   

   Awesome helpful discussion. Wish I could add some tips to help Annie, but these guys have you covered. :)

   Good to know Urbane sells those covers... I think I'll buy one for myself and my wife. :)

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   Member
   Posted 11 months ago #
   

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