If you’ve been cycling long enough, you’ve probably heard many variously convincing mechanical myths from scorned riders and tinfoil-hatted mechanics.
While often disguised as good advice, saving you time and money, extending the life of your components or improving your performance, there are very few that hold up to the light of scrutiny.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest myths we still hear today.
Let us know if we missed anything in the comments below.
You should store your derailleurs in the small sprocket
This one is perhaps as old as the derailleur itself.
Some riders believe if you’re planning to store your bike, you should leave it in the smallest cog because it will reduce the tension on the spring, increasing the longevity of the derailleur.
The thought extends to the gear cable, which will be under more tension if left in a bigger cog.
However, that’s not how modern derailleurs or cables work. The main spring in a derailleur is under constant tension and will cycle through innumerable compressions and releases throughout its life without losing strength.
Likewise, gear cables don’t stretch – any slack that develops is more likely the result of the housing bedding in, or the cable wearing small grooves in the housing.
This myth likely stems from the need to wind off torque wrenches to prevent long-term damage to the internal spring.
Black spokes are weaker than silver ones
There was a time when all spokes were silver, with black spokes only becoming commonplace over the past two decades.
We're not exactly sure where this one started, but some riders still believe they are not as strong as their silver counterparts.
The myth is rooted in a widespread misunderstanding about how black spokes get that way.
Many assume black spokes are anodised, and that the process hardens the outer surface of the spoke, making it more prone to cracking under stress.
In reality, black spokes are often coloured by a black oxide coating, which does not affect their strength.
Even for anodised spokes, such as those made by Industry Nine, the sacrificial surface needed for the process is often micrometres deep, making no impact on the overall strength.
Inner tubes are filled with crushed fish bones
If you’ve ever let air out of an inner tube, you’ll have wondered what that fishy smell is, accompanied by white dust.
For a long time, many believed inner tube manufacturers were taking an often-overlooked byproduct – fish bones – crushing them up and lathering the powder inside their rubber to prevent bonding.
However, after a serious investigation by our in-house myth buster, Jack Luke, this rumour was put to bed when four of the largest inner tube manufacturers confirmed the story to be a fishwives' tale.
The white dust is indeed talc, and not an aquatic alternative.
- Read more: Revealed – why inner tubes smell of fish
Ageing tubs makes them faster
While tubs (tubular tyres) appear to be in decline, they’re still revered by many – perhaps because they’re shrouded in mystery and lore.
Many still claim there’s no feeling like riding on tubs, while reminiscing about time spent in the workshop, glueing, sewing and patching.
However, one myth that endures is the need to age tubs in order to eke out performance gains.
The need to age tubs is rooted in reality, focusing on hardening the new rubber and reducing the stickiness of its tread, in a bid to decrease rolling resistance.
The process is also claimed to increase puncture resistance.
While many may have hung tubs stretched out over old wheels to achieve peak efficiency, this is likely to decrease performance.
As the rubber ages and hardens, it loses grip – meaning you’ll have less control and can carry less speed around corners.
Higher pressures are faster
Thanks to the introduction of wider tyres, this myth seems to be on the way out – but many still believe a harder tyre is a faster tyre.
If you were riding on a mirror-flat surface, then yes, it’s likely that a higher tyre pressure would reduce rolling resistance.
However, in the real world, a tyre that deforms to rough surfaces is more efficient than one that bounces on top of them.
Never wash your bike with a pressure washer
Many will warn against pressure washing your bike, and while there is reason to be cautious, it's not something you should avoid altogether.
The worry is that, however you wash your bike, the high-powered water jet will find its way into delicate bearings, pushing through seals and washing out essential lubricating grease.
While this is a risk, you can pressure wash your bike safely without risking premature bearing wear.
- Read more: How to clean your bike in 7 simple steps
