Recall when you were a kid and your parents hollered at you to put your bicycle away? Your mom and father might have just wanted their yard to stay clear, but there's more to the story. They were actually imparting super bike maintenance advice.
Bicycles, like all stuff made of metal, can rust. Leaving a bike exposed to rain, snow and other moisture hurries up the process. Corrosion can damage your bicycle frame, incapacitate your steering or stop up your chain and gearing.
Like your parents assured you, put your cycle away when you're done riding it. Keep it in a place protected from the weather such as a garage or bike shed. Even a carport will do, just get it out of the weather the best you can.
At the very least, cover it with a water resistant tarp. Hold the tarp down with bungees or rope, or toss a few stones over the edges. The key is to secure the tarpaulin so that the wind will not tear it off, leaving your bike in the weather.
Bicycle tires are the easiest components of the bicycle to maintain. They're also one of the most important parts of the cycle. Before and after each ride, they should be inspected and filled to the correct air pressure. Always follow the manufacturers suggestion printed on the side of the rubber.
The tire rubber ought be free of any abrasions, bumps or tears. These types of defects in the tire make acquiring a flat more likely. The tread of the tire should not be overly worn. If there is any indication that the wheel loses air or has weak spots, it's more than probable, about time for a new set.
Use the manufacturers suggestions for tire sizing on your cycle. An ill-fitted tire could scrape on the framework or chain. The bike will be almost inconceivable to pedal and turning will be adversly affected. A properly sized wheel will roll free in its place, cutting down on friction and assuring a comfortable ride.
Keep your brakes tuned to optimal performance. Inspect cables and keep screws and nuts fastened down. Regularly check and align and adjust your brakes so you can stop easily and quickly when you need to. Make sure the brake pads are adjusted so they don't interfere with the rotation of the tire. Replace the pads of your brakes if they show signs of wear.
The chain on your bicycle, is actually, the only thing between you walking or riding. Keep the gears and chain free of debri and make sure it has ample lubrication. If you flip your bicycle over, the gears and chain is exposed making it easy to clean and oiled.
Merely drip or spray some lubricant on the chain and gears and pedal the bicycle with your hand. You'll use your other hand to hold the chain with a rag. The dirt will come off on the rag, leaving the chain lubricated and clean. Depending on how grimey the chain and gears are, it may take several times to get it altogether clean. A cycle chain with rust on it should be replaced. Measure the original chain and get one precisely the same to replace it with.
While you're looking at the chain, scrutinize it for anything out of the ordinary. Tighten up the chain if it's too lax. A loose chain has a tendency to fall off in the middle of a pedal stroke. That can be a unsafe situation at worst and a minor annoyance at the least. There should be some play in the chain, but it shouldn't fall off easily.
Check over the remainder of your cycle and look for screws, bolts and other fastenings. Tighten any loose parts and exchange worn, broken or missing parts. One tiny nut or screw that is worked its way out and you could have major bike trouble.
Even if you maintain your bicycle good, there might be times when you need to do a repair on the road. It is not difficult to get a flat tire or for some mechanical component to fail. Be prepared with some elementary bicycle repair tools in a kit. It may make the difference between walking your cycle home or riding it.
A little tire pump, spare tube and repair kit are the absolute minimums for bike tire fixing on the road. A kit that also has a multi-tool set including wrenches, screwdrivers, a spoke wrench and a chain master link is more complete.
bikes, like all simple machines need steady upkeep and occasional repair in order to continue to function. A bicycle that's been neglected can literally leave you stranded on the street. But, a well-maintained bicycle can last for many years.
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