Bicycle maintenance, are you doing it right?

Welcome to a new blog following the success of the previous one. Properly maintaining a road bike or mountain bike is often greatly underestimated. What a shame! Your bike surely cost you a good amount and deserves proper upkeep. In this blog, I’ll give you some tips on bicycle maintenance.

Before every ride do your bicycle maintenance

Before each ride, check if your tire pressure is okay. Also, make sure your wheels are securely fastened, and your brakes and cables are in good condition. Lastly, it’s wise to inspect your gears and bottom bracket and test their functionality. This takes little time but prevents disappointments during your ride!

After every ride

We recommend checking the tires afterward for glass and splinters. Don’t forget to inspect the sides of the tires. Additionally, it’s handy to lubricate your chain after every 300 kilometers with “dry lube” for dry conditions and “wet lube” for wet and muddy conditions. If your chain starts squeaking, don’t wait—lubricate it immediately. Also, ensure to clean your chain right after each ride with a garden hose or an old cloth. REALLY DO THIS! Chains wear out quickly and are highly susceptible to rust. Keeping your bike clean will positively impact the lifespan of your chain.

Once a month

We advise giving your bike a thorough cleaning every month. Also, closely inspect the chain. Are there any worn-out teeth or links? Don’t hesitate—replace them! Always check the derailleurs, cables, and brakes as well. It’s wise to lubricate all these parts too. Furthermore, make sure to inspect and lubricate your pedals and cleats. Check if the following parts are still secure: Stem, handlebar bolt, seat post, pedals, gears, bottle cage, brake cables, derailleur, brake bolts, brake calipers, and wheels.

Every year

Check your frame carefully every year for any damage and repair it if necessary. Inspect for bent parts and replace them. After more than 10,000 kilometers, we recommend replacing your brake and shift cables. Additionally, it’s advisable to replace your bearings (if possible) at this point. If you frequently ride in the rain and mud or use a mountain bike, do these maintenance tasks more frequently.

In conclusion

The bicycle maintenance tips provided are general guidelines, assuming you ride on a weekly basis. If you’re not handy with maintenance, take your bike to a specialized bike shop for servicing.

Do you want to get more tips and tricks, check out this link.