Thinking about getting into cycling? Whether you are using a road bike or mountain bike, you need to know the ins and outs of keeping them on the trail or road. That means learning bike maintenance, whether it be road bike maintenance or mountain bike maintenance.
While it starts with finding hybrid bikes under $500, you should know things like bike oiling or what a bike maintenance stand is. Here is all that you need to know about bike maintenance.
Bike Maintenance Tips Every Cyclist Should Know
There are 7 tips in particular that anyone serious about cycling should know. Because if your bike is not in peak shape, it can greatly impact your riding experience. Not only that but there is the potential that one of the critical safety components could become compromised, leaving you in a position where an accident becomes more common.
Use these 7 maintenance tips to keep on top of your bike maintenance.
Cleaning a Bike
First and foremost, you should know how to clean a bike. That means knowing how to clean a bike chain, too. Those who ride a bike who care about its maintenance also wind up getting more use out of their bike.
You may be able to find a bike cleaning kit locally. If not, you can find one online that will help you keep your bike properly clean despite frequent use. When debris builds up within the components of your bike, it wears them down faster. That means replacing parts or even having to get a whole new bike before long.
Bike Lubrication
The bike chain is one of the most important components of the entire thing. Bike servicing, including bike chain maintenance, means properly lubricating the chain to ensure that it moves freely during use.
That also means finding bike lubricants that are appropriate for the chain. The wrong lubricant can actually do damage, potentially rusting the chain. When you have a rusty chain, there is a chance that it could bind or jam up. And when that happens during use, it can mean an accident more often than not. Keep your bike chain lubed and protected.
Check Bike Brakes
Another important thing you should know is how to check brakes. A brake check can save you from a nasty accident or worse. If you have new brakes, you should still check them every so often to ensure that they are working properly.
That goes for bike hand brakes as well. You want to learn how to fix brakes so that in a pinch, you are able to at least get home and not worry about how to stop.
Check the Bike Tire Pressure
Mountain bike tire pressure is often ignored until it’s too late. And there is a difference between that and, say, dirt bike tire pressure. Low tire pressure might not seem like a big deal but it can greatly impact the performance of your bike.
Putting air in tires is relatively simple and you should check your tire pressure fairly often. Atmospheric conditions can impact your tire pressure, which isn’t a big deal. But checking your tire pressure can also reveal any potential leaks that could be slowly siphoning air out of your tires. Give it a once over before you go out for a ride.
Index Cycle Gear
The gears on your bike may seem complicated, but bike safety gears and road bike gears are somewhat easily manageable. When your bike gears are slipping, it can really impact the overall quality of the ride for the worse.
Learn how to adjust bike gears. Like your chain, they can bind up and rust, making it difficult to change gears as you ride. This will not only impact the overall quality of the riding experience, but could led to a potential accident. Safety is paramount when riding, and your gears are another important factor in being safe.
Ensure Bike Bolts and Nuts are Tight
For the most part, wheel nuts, bike nuts, chainring bolts, and bike bolts are secure when you get the bike. That said, it doesn’t hurt to do a wheel check. There are more than a few stories out there where someone was riding and the tire popped off unexpectedly.
Doing a quick once-over can ensure that nothing of the sort happens to you. There are only a few nuts and bolts to tighten down. Doing so can give you peace of mind in knowing that your tire won’t just come flying off when you are racing along a path or down the road.
Fix a Flat Tire
Most importantly, learn how to fix a flat tire. If the tire is ruined, learn what to do with a flat tire. Tire changes can and will happen, and you may not have a flat tire service nearby. A flat tire kit can be a lifesaver when you are in a jam.
Conclusion
If you are new to the world of cycling, it may surprise you to see just how much goes into bike maintenance. But ensuring that your bike works optimally is of the utmost importance. That means caring for it throughout its life.
You can do yourself a great service by simply cleaning and oiling the bike on a regular basis. That will prevent a lot of the most common issues from occurring and can even help to extend the life of your bike substantially.
Author name – Liam Mills
Bio – Liam Mills is a Supplier Quality Assurance Manager, expert, and founder of ValueHunta.
