BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE A guide for fixing common bike problems easily at home and on the road.
Written and edited by Shruti Meshram
Text copyright Š 2014 by Shruti Meshram Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a reteival system or transmitted in any form or by any ameans, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,recording or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher Published by Lulu.com ISBN 978-1-312-38398-2
The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine – John K. Howard
INTRODUCTION We often go to a bike shop for a routine servicing of our bike. But what if you could do the same at home? The purpose of this book is to provide basic information regarding maintenance of bikes. Instructions in the form of steps will make you aware where you are in the process. This book is designed to provide simple instructions which are aimed to educate you on basics and DIY skills, required for maintenance of bikes. You don’t have to rush to a bike shop every now and then for fixing small problems. You can learn and Do It Yourself, and develop your own techniques over time. If you like riding bikes and tinkering with them, this book is for you. If you love your bike, this book is for you. If you want to call yourself a certified bike mechanic, this book is not for you. If you want to fix things other than bikes, this book is not for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I 7
Introduction to parts of a road bike
9
Introduction to tools
PART II 12
How to pump your bicycle tires
16
Removing the front wheel of the bike
20
Removing the back wheel of the bike
24
Checking the tube for punctures
28
Drive chain maintenance
31
Acknowledgements
PART I
INTRODUCTION TO PARTS OF A BIKE INTRODUCTION TO TOOLS
INTRODUCTION TO PARTS OF A ROAD BIKE
chain wheel chain crank derailleur
drive chain system * Axiom S model by Seven cycles has been used as an example throughout the book 7
INTRODUCTION TO PARTS OF A ROAD BIKE brake arms tube (inside) tire quick release lever
front wheel of a road bike * Axiom S model by Seven cycles has been used as an example throughout the book 8
INTRODUCTION TO TOOLS
Tire Lever
Three-way Hex Wrench Set
9
How long will it take to change a at tire when you are on the road? It could take you 5 minutes or half an hour, depends on how frustrated you are.
PART II
HOW TO PUMP YOUR BICYCLE TIRES REMOVING THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE BIKE REMOVING THE BACK WHEEL OF THE BIKE CHECKING THE TUBE FOR PUNCTURES DRIVE CHAIN MAINTENANCE
HOW TO PUMP YOUR BICYCLE TIRES
Step 1 :
Step 2:
Check for the valve on Remove any dust caps the tire. on the valve in order to attach the pump nozzle. Position the tire in such a way that the valve is See to it that the pump closer to the ground. nozzle is fixed on the valve tightly. Loose This position of the fitting of the nozzle can valve makes it easier to cause leaks and makes attach the air pump. the process inefficient.
Step 3:
Each tire has different requirement of pressure that it should be inflated to. You must know the pressure requirement of your tire. For eg: If the maximum pressure your tire can withold is 120 PSI, you should air up to 110 PSI. Squeeze the tire with your hand to check the air pressure in the tube. Continue pumping air if required.
12
While on the road: When on road, it is not possible to always carry an air pump, in that case carry a CO2 cartridge. A CO2 cartridge comes with an adapter to engage it , puncturing the seal and causing the CO2 to rush out with high pressure, which can be used to fill the tube. You have to be ready with the dust caps off the valve before engaging the CO2 cartridge. A cartridge can give up to 100-90 PSIs, enough to get you back home. 13
REMOVING THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE BIKE
Step 1:
On a road bike there is a traditional style brake. Take the tension off by pressing the brake lever to release the tension between the brake arms. You can use the wrench to do the same.
Step 3:
Unscrew the quick release skewer and the bike wheel can be easily pulled out.
Step 2:
Release the quick release. Loosen the quick release skewer/ cap and then flip the quick release lever. Both sides of the quick release (the lever and the cap) are held together by a spring. 16
PUTTING IT BACK - FRONT WHEEL
Step 1:
Step 3:
Position the wheel with Flip in the quick release quick release fitting lever and tighten the between the grooves of quick release skewer. the frame. Check the alignment of brakes after this step.
Step 2:
Turn the quick release lever clockwise. When you go to flip up your quick release it should be snug and it should not make you grunt while you press the wheel up. Turn the lever once more, in case you have difficulty in pressing the wheel up.
17
REMOVING THE BACK WHEEL OF THE BIKE
Step 1:
Loosen the tension off the brakes and shift the gear setting to the lowest gear to get the least amount of tension on the chain.
Step 3:
Take the derailleur arm and pull it back to create additional space for the wheel to come out and loosen the tension on the chain.
Step 2:
Release the quick release. Unlike the front wheel, you don’t have to unscrew the skewer. The wheel will slide out of place because it has lost enough tension.
20
PUTTING IT BACK - BACK WHEEL
Step 1:
Pull the derailleur arm and the chain back to create room for the tire to go back.
Step 2:
Guide the wheel in such a way that the chain is caught on the top of the smallest gear on the cassette. It is like putting a puzzle back together
Step 3:
Slide the quick release in the grooves and adjust the quick release skewer so that the wheel fits perfectly and the chain fits on the cassette.
21
CHECKING THE TUBE FOR PUNCTURES
The inner tube holds all of the air and the tire is just like a shell on the tube. A puncture mostly affects the tube and sometimes the tire.
Step 2:
Take the tire lever. Use the side which looks like a scoop. Insert the scoop under the bead of the tire in between the wheel. Start by the valve stem Step 1: Pump in air to check in removing the tire for any leaks. If your because it acts like a tube doesn’t hold air guide. Push the tool all after pumping, then it the way around the tire is a sign of possible to remove that bead of aluminum, back to the puncture. valve.
Step 3:
Pull out the tube under the tire and examine it for punctures/holes. Slip the tire back in the wheel when the tube is examined/replaced.
24
While on the road: If you had a flat tire on the road, you must check the tire for punctures. Also it is not a good idea to put the same tube back on. Carry an extra tube and CO2 cartridge to avoid inconvenience due to punctures. Run your hand on the inside of the tire to check for debris or anything sticking through the tire that can puncture if you put another tube. Blow some air in the new tube with your mouth to allow the tube to take some shape. That protects the tube from getting pinched in the tire while installation.
25
DRIVE CHAIN MAINTENANCE
Step 1:
Take a lubricant bottle in your preferred hand. Turn the crank with the other hand. Slow movement of the chain causes the lubricant to coat on the chain. Do 2-3 rounds until the chain is well lubricated. If the chain is very dirty, use a degreaser.
Step 2:
Change the gears continuously. This allows the lubricant to coat the derailleur when you run the chain through all the gearing. 28
DRIVE CHAIN MAINTENANCE
Step 3:
Take a rag and cup the chain in the rag. Do not apply too much pressure, as it can hinder the movement of the chain. This not only helps to get the excess lubricant off, but also cleans the old dirt that has built up on the outside of the drive chain. Do this for the top and bottom of the chain.
Step 4:
After cleaning the chain, it time to apply lubricant again. Repeat Step 1 through 3, but cup the chain with very little pressure in step 3, as we are only getting the excess lubricant off in this step. 29
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS _ I am really thankful to Tom Mangia, the General Manager of Revolution Bike and Bean. The content of this book comes from the bike clinic conducted by him at the shop. I am really thankful to him for conducting an interactive clinic, with hands-on activities and also allowing me to video record the clinic. The videos and activities were of great help in writing the content of this book and also resonated with the core principles of this instructional book - first hand information from an expert. I am really thankful to Professor Elizabeth Boling for giving us the great opportunity of making this book as a project in the Instructional Graphic Design class. I am really thankful to all colleagues who contributed to this book through their suggestions and critique.
31