Essential Bike Maintenance Tips Every Cyclist Should Know

As with any mechanical device, bikes require regular upkeep in order to function optimally. With some basic tips in mind, maintenance shouldn’t be such an arduous or time-consuming endeavor.

Water, biodegradable soap, sponges, old toothbrushes for brushing teeth (if available) and clean rags or towels will all be required to thoroughly wash and dry a bike prior to riding it.

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Check Your Tires

As you ride more miles, your tires naturally wear down over time, losing their grip as the miles add up. To stay safe while on your ride, ensure at least 2/32 inch tread depth on all tires.

Proper tire inflation can help prevent flats. Take steps such as removing the valve cap and pressing an accurate tire pressure gauge evenly against the valve stem until a hissing sound stops, giving a reading on your gauge which should align with what was recommended by your tire manufacturer.

As part of your air check routine, also jiggle the tire to make sure it’s secure on its wheel and feel for any sharp objects or thorns that might need to be removed. Clean wheels and front chain rings regularly with earth-friendly degreaser to maintain good condition; additionally apply chain and derailleur lever lube as necessary.

Check Your Brakes

Your brakes are essential to keeping you safe when riding, which makes regular inspections essential. Without regular care and attention, worn brake pads could damage rotors and calipers leading to costly repair bills down the line.

An inspection before each ride can also help identify problems before they escalate into more serious ones, for instance if your tire has lost pressure (you should feel for a squishy sidewall) then fill it back up to its appropriate PSI before continuing your journey.

Clean and lubricate the brake lever pivots and barrel adjusters regularly, as these parts are essential to their proper functioning. Apply a few drops of lube regularly so they remain functionally sound.

Check Your Chain

Chains are essential components that enable forward propulsion and require constant care and maintenance to maintain forward momentum. A routine cleaning and lubrication routine is the best way to extend its lifespan and ensure continued forward momentum.

Dirty chains accelerate wear. Dirt can adhere to the lubricant and act like sandpaper on cassette cogs and chainrings. A good practice would be to clean off your chain after every ride with a clean rag coated with light coating of lube for better performance.

As well as checking your chain regularly, it is also advisable to regularly inspect for bearing play in your headset, hubs and cranks (No. 81). Even minor amounts of bearing wiggle indicate they may need adjustment soon or their issue could worsen and become more expensive in time. Checking these components is simple – simply squeeze the front brake to feel for any loose bearings as you rock back and forth or use a torque wrench for accurate measurements of loose bearings.

Check Your Wheels

Careful monitoring of your wheels can detect issues early and save both money and safety by catching any damage, misalignments or replacement needs quickly. Improper functioning wheels may compromise both ride quality and safety, potentially endangering both.

Look out for any damage to the rims, such as cracks or bends; worn-down rims can lead to incorrect seating of tires or air leakage, leading to additional costs and inconvenient air leakage issues. Also examine wheel bearing condition; damage could cause noise as well as steering instability.

Before every ride, perform an ABC Safety Check that ensures your bike is in top-shape. This quick process only takes a few minutes and could save you money in repairs in the future. Start with checking tire pressure (and that you have spare tube/patches in case they become deflated); clean chain/cassette cogs using an eco-friendly degreaser; lube derailleur where needed; inspect brake and gear cables for fraying/breakage before lubing accordingly.