Whether you’ve recently purchased a brand-new bike or you have a trusty companion that’s racked up thousands of miles, it’s always important to keep on top of your bike maintenance.
Not only will this keep it looking shiny and sleek, but it will also prevent unnecessary wear and tear and keep everything running smoothly. Whether you’re prone to a wet, muddy ride in winter or a dry, dusty one in summer, giving your bike a little love and attention will always pay off in the long run.
However, knowing where to start can often be tricky, so we’ve put together a few top tips for inspecting and maintaining your bike so you can power through the rest of summer.
Keep it clean
If there’s one thing you can do to prolong your bike’s lifespan, it’s giving it a regular clean – tedious, but true. Dirt can cause serious wear and corrosion issues, especially if it gets into the gearing components, so a thorough clean will give your bike a new lease of life, as well as giving you the opportunity to check for any damage.
Standing the bike upright, start with the drivetrain, using a specialised chain cleaner or degreaser (more on that later). Next, target the brakes with Muc-Off Disc Brake Cleaner, and then rinse the bike of loose dirt using a cleaning agent such as this BikeRight bike wash. Using a toothbrush or a Fenwick’s flow through brush, give it a good brush to loosen the remaining dirt and then rinse and dry. A good polish and wax will give your bike a nice, shiny finish and make sure it is looking as good as new. Of course, when your bike is gleaming, it’ll also be easier to give it a proper inspection.
Check out our top tips for cleaning your bike here.
Check the tyres
Nobody wants to be left at the side of the road with a puncture – it’s every cyclist’s worst nightmare. However, this can be avoided if you check your tyres regularly. Run your fingers lightly over the rubber, looking out for any cuts or bulges while removing any small objects that have lodged themselves in. Try and do this immediately after you finish a ride, so you know you’re sorted for the next one.
Next, check the spokes – they should feel rigid and shouldn’t move or wobble by hand – and make sure the wheel is true. This means it should spin freely without any side-to-side movement.
Tyre pressure is also key to avoiding a flat. Forget flimsy hand pumps – you need a standing track pump with a pressure gauge to do the job. The pressure level is often highly dependent on your type of tyres, your body weight, the conditions you’re riding in and the road surface. However, as a general rule, look on the side of your tyre for a number followed by the letters PSI, as that tells you how much air to put in.
Take care of the bike chain
The drivetrain is the mechanical heart of your bike, and it needs proper care and attention. There are tools such as a chain checker to examine the links between each chain and will help confirm whether it’s time for a replacement, while our tool chain rivet extractor will help eliminate tight links in the chain in order to keep your bike running as smoothly as possible.
Of course, it’s also vital to keep it clean. Not only will this make it run more efficiently, but it will prevent any excessive wear. If you have a specialised chain cleaning product, like Fenwick's chain cleaner, use it to clean the chain. If not, you can simply apply degreaser and use a brush. However, it’s important that you have a specific brush for your drivetrain – avoid using it on any other parts of the bike, especially the brakes, as contaminating your braking surface with chain grime can diminish performance and may even result in needing a brake pad replacement.
When it is sparkling clean, rinse away with water and dry using a clean cloth. Then apply a high-quality lubricant and you can hit the road knowing you have a clean, free-running drivetrain!
Test your brakes
Testing your brakes is of the utmost importance, and you’ll definitely be rewarded for your due diligence. You can easily test these by spinning the wheels and pulling the brake lever. If the wheel doesn’t stop instantly or makes scuffing noises, the brake will need adjusting.
As a general rule, brake pads should have wear indicators, so regularly check these to make sure they has not gone below the acceptable line. What’s more, to avoid damage to your braking, remember to keep your rotators clean with a specific disc cleaner like this Muc-Off disc brake cleaner.
Tighten everything up
One of your final jobs should be to make sure everything is nice and tight – this includes your saddle, handlebar and any saggy brakes. Make sure all the key bolts are in good condition, as, if they’re damaged, they may need replacing.
But remember, don’t overdo it. An overly tight saddle can cause damage to the frame and if your handlebar is locked in too tightly, it won’t turn freely, which could easily damage bearings and other internal components. A torque wrench is a worthwhile investment to keep yourself right.
Keeping safe on the road
Of course, after that, you’re ready to hit the road. But unfortunately, maintenance issues can crop up at the most inconvenient of times and, if you’re not prepared, you and your bike could end up stranded.
With that in mind, there are a few small accessories you can carry with you to help you out in such situations. For example, we’d recommend carrying spare inner tubes in case you’re unlucky enough to experience a puncture.
Having a pump to hand is always useful if you find yourself deflating, while this puncture repair kit is very handy as a back-up option. With self-sealing patches, chalk, crayon, an abrasive pad and a fast-drying formula, it provides a safe and efficient method of repairing a puncture.
Meanwhile, if there’s a mechanical issue, this compact and lightweight bicycle tool kit includes a range of general and tyre-specific tools – easy to carry and ideal for any trip. After all, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
To conclude, you can’t underestimate the importance of keeping on top of your bike maintenance. If you’re ready to get started, head over to Arnold Clark Autoparts where you’ll find all the maintenance and cleaning products you need.
We also have an extensive range of bikes to choose from – make sure you know how to choose the right size of bike for you.
If you enjoyed this blog, you might also enjoy reading:
- How to clean your bike
- Top tips for better bike care
- What is an electric bike? Everything you need to know.
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