A DIN A4 sheet of paper fits in every printer and every stapler - you can rely on that, and has done since 1922, when the paper industry specified the size of the sheet and anchored the definition in a standard. There are also standards in the bicycle industry, but only for the safety of the bike. In contrast, there are no binding guidelines for the assembly of individual components and connecting elements - manufacturers like to do their own thing here. Advantage: As the manufacturers harmonise the individual components visually and functionally, many new bikes roll out of the shop as if they had been cast from a single mould. Disadvantage: Beware if you want to fit older components to a new frame or upgrade older frames with new add-on parts!
The multitude of installation and mounting dimensions available on the market is like a thousand-piece puzzle. It becomes particularly complicated when products from different suppliers come together. One example: over the past few years, particularly bizarre outgrowths have emerged on the bottom bracket - the interface between the frame and crank. The background: Mountain bikers want a narrow distance between the crank arms (Q-factor), the bearing manufacturers prefer a wide support, and the crank manufacturers like to vary the axle diameter. Over the past few years, this has resulted in an impenetrable jungle - even experienced mechanics quickly lose track of things.
A number of mostly smaller companies offer a remedy for many problems: adapter and special solutions bring together components that at first glance are not made for each other. One company has devoted its full attention and even its company name to this topic: Problem Solvers. The Americans look for detailed solutions where bikers despair. For example, they created conversion kits that allow "old" wheels to fit into new Boost frames. German manufacturers have also heard the cries for help from mechanics. Reset from Hanover fulfils requests for headsets and bottom brackets. The Munich-based manufacturer Bike-Yoke offers solutions to replace the special shocks in Specialized bikes with standard shocks. And Trickstuff from Freiburg produces a range of handlebar clamps to combine brake and gear levers from different manufacturers.
Lots of clever little helpers, and yet screwdrivers still get lost again and again in the maze of the many standards.
We will guide you through this labyrinth with this information - you will find the entire article on these topics in the download area below:
1 suspension fork
What doesn't fit is made to fit. With our tricks, every stem slips willingly into the head tube.
2 BOOST STANDARD
The existing wheels are still in top condition, but are slobbering on the axle. Boost kits provide a remedy.
3 COCKPIT
Forced marriage: With these adapters, you can even combine Sram and Shimano models on the handlebars.
4 REMOTE SUPPORT
The post and frame do not share the same diameter. It works with shims from the accessories - although not always.
5 SWITCHING
Was your bike born before the 1x12 revolution? No problem, retrofitting works without any problems - and is now even relatively cheap.
You can find this article in BIKE 12/2019. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
