Keeping Your Bicycle Working Properly And Efficiently
Bicycles have a lot of moving parts that need maintenance in order to keep the bike running properly. Set aside a little time to look things over and address the things you need to so that next time you want to ride your bike, it will be ready to go.
Check the Tires
Take the time to check the tires and the wheels on your bike regularly. The tread can wear quickly and as it starts to get thin, the chances of getting a flat also increase. While you are checking the tires, take a look at the valve stems where you put the air in the inner tube. If they are bent on a sharp angle, the wheel can cut them and cause the tube to leak. If they are on an angle, let the air out of the tire and straighten them out, then reinflate the tire. It is a good idea to look over the rim as well to make sure there are no missing spokes or damage to them.
Oil the Chain and Derailers
On a bike that is a single speed, you only have to worry about keeping the chain lubricated so it does not rust. Chain oil is available in the bicycle section of most sporting goods stores and is a thin, light oil that comes in a small can. Apply a light coat to the chain and rotate the chain around the sprockets until the entire chain is coated. You do not need to apply so much oil that it sprays off the chain as you pedal the bike.
If you have a bicycle with gears, you will have a derailer on the chain that moves the chain through several sprockets. For these bikes, you need to oil the chain and shift through the gears so that all the sprockets get a coat of oil and the derailers get oiled as well.
Wash Your Bicycle Regularly
Another thing that you can do to keep the bike in good shape it to wash it. Dirt and sand are not good for the moving parts on your bike, but washing it once in a while will keep the dirt out of places it does not belong. You do not have to do a detailed washing every time you ride it, but hosing off the sand and dirt can make a difference, especially if the bike is going to sit for a while, maybe over the winter.
Bicycles have a lot of moving parts that need maintenance in order to keep the bike running properly. Set aside a little time to look things over and address the things you need to so that next time you want to ride your bike, it will be ready to go.
If you need help getting your bike ready, contact a bicycle repair shop in your area.
