Here at 99 Bikes, we offer servicing and repairs to all makes and types of bikes, keeping bikes in great shape for as long as possible. After all, a bike is a big investment, and you don’t want it to fall apart on you after a short period of time. While we recommend that people come in for checks and/or services at least twice a year depending on your riding conditions and time in the saddle, you may be wondering what you can do in between to keep your bike in tip-top shape.
A clean bike is a healthy bike, and regular at-home bike maintenance is a core component of keeping your bike happy and healthy. Here are the three basic things every cyclist should know about caring for bikes at home!
Clean and Lubricate
Regular cleaning and lubrication prevent accelerated wear and tear of your bike’s drivetrain. We recommend getting in a maintenance session once a week, and possibly more if you’re a mountain biker tackling tougher conditions.
Cleaning the drivetrain, i.e. the system of gears and chains attached to the bike’s pedals, should be a priority. Since these components are so low to the ground, they tend to pick up a lot of dirt, so it pays to keep them dirt-free. You want to keep your drivetrain dirt free, but you also need to make sure your chain has got chain lube on. There are loads of different types of chain lube depending on riding conditions, soit would be best to come into one of our stores and chat with our friendly staff to find out which one would suit your riding.
For this stage, you’ll need a lubricant (wet lube for wet conditions, dry lube for dry), some paper towels, a couple of brushes, a bike degreaser, and some clean rags. Use the degreaser (be careful, it’s a solvent) to clean up the difficult parts around the bike chain, and scrub the rest of the bike using a gentle or bike-specific cleanser.
Use the lubricant on the clean chain to keep it running smoothly, and make sure to wipe off the excess as too much can attract dirt.
Check your tyres
Like car tyres, bicycle tyres also get punctured, deflate, or simply flatten over time. Riding on a flat tyre is unsafe and can cause an accident or even a puncture. Every tyre has a recommended pressure on the side of the tyre. The tyre should be inflated and ridden within these pressures to prolong tyre wear and avoid unnecessary breakdowns.
Pre-Ride Inspections: Remember Your ABCs
No matter what, you should always give your bike a once-over before departing on a ride. But don’t worry, you won’t need an entire hour every single time. Everything is quick and easy to get through and will become routine over time.
The key to a bike maintenance checklist to recite your ABCs: Air, Brakes, and Chain. After checking ABC, you can head out knowing that your bike will stay safely under you for the length of the ride.
Air
Always check your tyre pressure before you leave by squeezing your tyres. If they’re feeling flat, pump them up.
Brakes
Conduct a brake check by trying to roll your bike forward while the brakes are engaged. If you can push through it, then you need to take a closer look. On the other hand, if you’re stopped in your tracks, your brakes are in tip-top shape. Make sure to use this method to check the front and back brakes individually.
Chain
Finally, check that your chain is clean, well-greased, and running smoothly through the cassette and derailleurs. Mount it on a bike stand and turn the pedal by hand to watch the chain run; any catches or jams will be obvious to the eye.
That’s it! With these basics, you’ll be a bike-care aficionado in no time.
Keep up to date with your bike maintenance at 99 Bikes.
We’re one of New Zealand’s largest supplier of bike accessories, including everything you need to maintain your steed at home. Pick up lubricants, degreasers, bike stands—whatever you need to populate your garage. And if it’s come to the six-month mark since you’ve last had a service, bring your bike into any one of of our stores today!
