The Fundamentals of Bicycle Maintenance
Bicycles are some of the most reliable and sturdy forms of transportation you can have. However, to keep them in the best shape, you need to give them proper care and regular, routine bicycle maintenance. Of course, some bike failures are to be expected, you can prevent most of this trouble when you are dedicated to regular and proper bicycle maintenance.
Bicycles today are made of special lightweight materials that have high tech components. These deserve checkups in the same way that a car may require. However, you can learn to be your own bike technician and mechanic. This is more or less required because if you bicycle breaks down most often there is no one around to fix the problem but you. Therefore, knowing basic bicycle maintenance is essential.
Start your Bicycle Maintenance with an Inspection
How to clean and inspect your bike is the first thing on this list. You need to do this daily when you spend a lot of time riding your bike. If you only ride your bike occasionally, you can get by with weekly or monthly cleaning and inspections.
Even if you are only keeping your bike in storage, a monthly checkup and bicycle maintenance routine is still the best way to make sure that there are no problems. Just give the bike a cleaning with a soft cloth, small brush and a mild soap solution. While you are rinsing away the dust and grime you can inspect the frame, seat, lights and tires and see if there are any splits or cracks that need attention.
Tighten Bolts for the Sake of Safety
The bolts on a bike frame need to be checked and tightened on occasion, especially the ones known as stem bolts. However if you over tighten any of these bolts then you can easily damage or break them. There are specific instructions that tell you how to tighten the bolts so that you meet the torque ratings for each one. The best way to do perform this type of bicycle maintenance is with a tool known as a torque wrench.
Tires are Essential
Inspect your tires to make sure that they have adequate pressure. Properly inflated tires are safer for the rider, and they are less easily damaged or punctured. If you notice a small leak in the tire, then go ahead and patch it so that it does not create a bigger problem in the future.
Visually check your tires while giving each of them a spin to make sure there is not anything lodged in the treads. Many individuals forget about this easy bike maintenance checklist, step. Remove any grit or debris that may be stuck in the treads. You can do this by using a tire brush. You should also make sure that your tires are not wobbling or misaligned. Fixing this takes a quick adjustment.
Check your Chain
Your bicycle chain has to be periodically tightened as well. This should occur after each ride; and to be safe you should check it prior to taking it out on the road. Check the chain to see if it is loose and also be diligent about oiling the bicycle chain.
Bicycle chain oil is specially designed for the chain; it is a thin, non-greasy type of solution. You only need to apply a few drops as needed. In order to work properly, chains, gears and other movable bike parts need a particular amount of lubrication. You will find that when it comes to the various safety features of your bike as well as knowing basic bicycle maintenance will come in handy to keep your bicycle in the best riding shape.
Bryan Mancoyn suggests you do a thorough bicycle price comparison so you get the best deal on bicycles you can find.
