Basic of Bicycle care

By Jerry Goodwin

You bought a new bicycle, it rides great, looks sleek and goes much faster than you remember from your childhood. If you want to keep it looking sleek and riding well then there is a certain amount of simple maintenance tasks you will want to perform. I know some riders will actually set up a maintenance schedule for their new bike.

While there are numerous tasks you probably will want to leave to a shop or someone that is very familiar with bicycles there are many things that every rider needs to know. Things like how to change a flat, tell when your chain needs changed, put a chain back on or adjust your brakes.

Most riders will find it helpful to take some short courses offered by most local bike shops or sometimes by recreation departments. In this article I am going to give you a few basic things that you should do to keep your new 2 wheeled mechanical marvel running well.

I am sure you know that virtually any device that uses a chain and pedals will need some sort of lubrication. When I was a child growing up in Ohio that usually meant a couple shots with sewing machine oil or 3 in 1 Oil. Now days there are some really great products out by companies like Pedro's and Finish Line that will not only lubricate better but also keep your drivetrain much cleaner. The general rule is to use 1 drop of oil per chain link and to wipe off the excess with a clean rag. It is always best to clean the chain well before lubricating it.

A chain cleaner tool is really handy for cleaning the chain and there are kits from Pedro's and Finish Line that have all the chemicals and cleaners you will need to keep your bike clean and well lubed.

You will want to check your chain every so often to see if it has "stretched" and replace it when it does or before. The procedure to check a chain is pretty simple, take a 12 inch ruler and measure from the rivet to rivet, if the rivets are even slightly more than 12" apart, replace the chain.

It does not matter how careful or how good your tires and tubes unless you are using inserts or Nu-Tech tires you will at some time have a flat. Most riders that ride distance will carry an extra tube and patch kit on their bike and a small tube repair kit also. The tube repair kit is just in case you get two flat tires.

When you get a flat and you have the tire off and the tube out, be sure to check the inside of the tire carefully for any sharp objects that may be left may puncture the new tube. Also check the rim to make sure that none of the spokes are pushing through the liner or there are no sharp edges that might cut the tire or tube.

A good check of the rim and tire could very well save you walking home with your bike rather than riding it home. Personally I know walking is also exercise, but I prefer to ride.

You should check with your local bike shop and recreation department to see if they have any courses in bicycle maintenance or a similar workshop. You can also find a great deal of helpful information in various articles, forums and groups all over the web.