How to Do Basic Bike Maintenance Yourself
Whether it’s rising fuel prices or an adventurous mind that has you staring at a bike that’s been sitting in the back of your garage for too long, knowing the basics of regular maintenance can save you time and frustration. Keeping your bike in good working order will save you money on repairs and make your ride more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself to keep your bike in top shape.
Check the “abc” of your bike
With daily maintenance, starting with a general inspection of your bike, sometimes referred to as “ABC” (or air, brakes, chains), you should be able to resolve any minor maintenance needs your bike may have. As for tire pressure, look at the sidewall of your bike’s tire to determine your ideal air pressure, and use a pressure gauge to make sure it’s within the recommended range. Then check the brakes to make sure they engage and disengage easily. Lastly, take a look at the chain and make sure it is clean and well lubricated and aligned with the gears. If needed, you can use a clean rag to wipe down the chain and some bike chain lubricant to keep it well lubricated.
Maintain your bike in season and after big rides
For seasonal or post-activity maintenance, it is important to keep all parts of your bike clean and well lubricated. When using a bike stand or stand to keep your bike upright, start by wiping down all parts with a clean rag. If the bike has dirt or buildup on it, you can use a solution of water and hard-bristled dishwashing detergent to clean up the dirt. Use a small brush and some bicycle degreaser to clean the bike’s transmission or gears that connect to the chain and pedals with wheels of accumulated grease and dirt. Once your gears and chain are clean, you will need to lubricate and check them to make sure they are in good working order. This step can be repeated more often if necessary to keep the bike gliding smoothly.
Tighten the bolts on the bike if necessary.
To make sure all your parts are secure and not loose, monthly or bi-monthly check that all bolts are properly tightened. Using the tools recommended in your bike’s owner’s manual (or, in the case of an older, non-hand-operated model, appropriately sized wrenches), tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s torque specifications. If you don’t know the specs, you should follow the rule of thumb that any structural parts should be tightened with a torque wrench designed for bike parts. This ensures that your parts are tight enough to hold, but not so tight that they can break or put too much pressure on the parts.
Keep these essential bike repair tools close at hand
It’s also a good idea to have a few spare tools and parts on hand so that basic repairs can be done if necessary, such as changing a tire. The presence of a spare tube and pressure gauge in the repair kit will allow you to replace the tire in case of a puncture. It’s also important to have a bicycle pump in your kit so you can inflate the new tube. You should also have a travel wrench set or multi- tool for any emergency bolt tightening that needs to happen while on the road. You may also want to consider a travel tool kit that includes a basic tool kit.