Basic Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Basic bicycle maintenance can be done right at your backyard or at your garage. By doing the tasks of bicycle repair and bicycle maintenance you will not only save money and time, but you will also enjoy a relaxing activity, and, not less important, you will get to know your bicycle. Bicycle Rim Manufacturers
Keep the Chain Clean and Lubricated Always remember that the bicycle chain and sprockets of the bike play an important role in ensuring a smooth transition for your feet when pedaling. Therefore you should always keep it clean because a dirty chain will slow your bike down and will also wear it down faster. Also make sure you carry all the required tools with you as you ride. I am using lightweight oil as a lubricant because motor oils prove to be heavier for my bike.
It is wise to replace the bicycle chain every 1000 miles or so. New bicycle chain is not that expensive and by doing that you can save the need to replace other more expensive parts.
Have a Regular Brake Pad Inspection Brake pads are those rubber objects that clamp down the bike rims when you hit your bicycle brakes. By inspecting them, you can easily avoid a potential problem that would require extensive bicycle repair. This basic bicycle maintenance task could help you get smooth bike rides. Just place your bike on a bicycle repair stand and check your bike. Check for any foreign objects that may be embedded in the brake pads. This is another important aspect of bicycle maintenance that you should never forget. I usually use a knife to scrape off any dust and dirt that I would find in the brake pads. Inspecting this allows me to prevent faster wear and tear of my brake pads. It is also safer for me because it gives the brakes better functioning. Proper alignment of brake pads You have to make sure that they completely hit the rims, and do not touch the tires or any other part of the bike. See if the pads are toed in This means that the edge of the pads should touch the rim of the brake first. The rims should squish a little before fully making contact with the brakes. This makes for a smooth riding performance of your bike.
Check the Air Pressure of the Tires This is the easiest and yet most overlooked bicycle maintenance & repair task that a person can do. I always make sure to check my tire air pressure because of the following reasons. Rim protection Longer tire life Easier pedaling
Lower chances of having a flat tire Lubricate Brakes and the Derailleur It is also very important that you lubricate other metal parts of your bike such as the bicycle brakes and derailleur. If you do this basic bicycle maintenance task, your bike would be less susceptible to dust and other foreign objects that might slow down your bike. It is also important that you keep an eye out for the smaller metal parts that are usually called pivot points. These metal parts allow smooth functioning of pedals as well as brakes of your bike. You will be able to figure out these pivot points by watching your bike in action. By lubricating these parts, you will be able to keep the bicycle functioning well. Then you would not have to go to any repair shop and spend a lot of money on maintenance. These are just some of the most helpful tips that I can give you when it comes to maintaining the proper functioning of your bicycle. Basic bicycle maintenance is easy to do and should not give you many problems. As a last piece of advice, you should follow this bicycle repair manual and do bicycle maintenance and repair every other day to keep your bicycle in good condition