Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Do all parts fit all bikes?
#1
I have a cheap bike and want to order parts from internet sometimes. How can I find out if they will fit?
I bought pedals once and found out that there are 2 different thread sizes. I ordered gear switches today and don't know if they will fit.
  Reply
#2
Welcome to the forum.

It would greatly assist if you would tell us more about your current bike, and share a picture.

Regarding index shifters, the two most common are Shimano (and compatible) and SRAM. SRAM also offers shifters that work with Shimano. SRAM labels the Shimano compatible shifters as MRX and TRX. Indexed shifters have to be matched to the number of gears you have on the freewheel or cassette. SRAM derailluers have 1:1 cable to derailluer movement, Shimano are 2:1.

For more information:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html
http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/technologies/187

Browse Amazon to get an idea of what can be mixed and matched, and what cannot:
http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/technologies/187

Another biggie that cannot be is V-brakes and all other types of caliper brakes required different brake levers, though there are some levers that have two cable termination positions and will work with both.
http://sheldonbrown.com/rim-brakes.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/canti-direct.html
Nigel
  Reply
#3
(04-07-2011, 10:59 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  Welcome to the forum.

It would greatly assist if you would tell us more about your current bike, and share a picture.

Regarding index shifters, the two most common are Shimano (and compatible) and SRAM. SRAM also offers shifters that work with Shimano. SRAM labels the Shimano compatible shifters as MRX and TRX. Indexed shifters have to be matched to the number of gears you have on the freewheel or cassette. SRAM derailluers have 1:1 cable to derailluer movement, Shimano are 2:1.

For more information:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html
http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/technologies/187

Browse Amazon to get an idea of what can be mixed and matched, and what cannot:
http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/technologies/187

Another biggie that cannot be is V-brakes and all other types of caliper brakes required different brake levers, though there are some levers that have two cable termination positions and will work with both.
http://sheldonbrown.com/rim-brakes.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/canti-direct.html

I have Chinese made bike Roadmaster bought from Walmart for $39 about 4 years ago.
Pedals fell off, they didn't have bearings, it was just plastic rubbing metal.
Now shifter cracked. Yesterday I took apart rear hub, ball fell down, which means bearings didn't have grease. 2 bearings had very small balls about 3 mm. I didn't know how many ball to install to each (bearings had different diameter), so I installed by feel and forgot to install one.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
10,533
03-11-2017, 09:07 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
12,561
05-06-2012, 04:20 AM
Last Post: Bill
 
6,387
05-05-2012, 11:12 AM
Last Post: Bill
 
26,628
10-06-2011, 11:37 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
10,934
06-09-2011, 05:37 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
29,071
04-08-2011, 01:37 AM
Last Post: ARThriller
 
20,445
12-09-2010, 10:11 PM
Last Post: KC-Steve
 
21,463
04-13-2010, 01:36 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
27,444
03-01-2010, 09:15 AM
Last Post: Bill

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
POLL: Are non-recumbent riders looking a...
Yesterday 08:58 AM
Best Phone Mount and Best Headlight
Yesterday 07:11 AM
Rookie looking for a bike
Yesterday 07:08 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
Yesterday 07:05 AM
Grip Shifters
Yesterday 07:00 AM
Left a bike outside on the balcony for c...
Yesterday 06:58 AM
How often check or change mechanical dis...
Yesterday 06:55 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 06:52 AM
9 speed chain on 8 speed bike
Yesterday 06:49 AM
First Metric Century
06-14-2025 01:51 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Criminal
26 posts
no avatar 2. rydabent
19 posts
no avatar 3. Flowrider
15 posts
no avatar 4. GirishH
13 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
11 posts