Basic At-Home Bike Maintenance
It's easy to get home from a bike ride and put your bike away, forgetting all about it until the next time you go out. If you want to be able to hop on and head out easily the next time you ride, your bike would benefit from some basic at-home attention between rides. Below are a few tips for quick, regular activities you can do to keep your bike in tip-top shape.
Keep Your Tires Inflated
Check the tire pressure before every ride or once a week, whichever is less frequent. Road bikes with skinny tires intended to be ridden at higher pressure should be checked before every ride.
Lubricate Your Chain
Don’t forget the most important part of lubricating your chain - wipe off the excess lubricant on the chain so lubricant is only left inside. Excess lube will attract dirt and accelerate wear on the chain.
Keep Your Bike Clean
Your bike lasts longer and runs more smoothly when clean. We recommend cleaning your bike monthly, more often if you ride off-road or commute through the winter. Between complete washes, you can simply use a dry brush or rag to wipe dirt off the frame. For a more intense clean, use degreasers for drivetrain and keep rags and brushes meant for different areas of the bike separate. On the frame, use frame cleaning products, work from top to bottom, dry when done, and most importantly - re-lubricate the chain when done!
If you are having an issue, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Yearly tune-ups are recommended but if you are riding your bike daily you might need two tune-ups a year. Annual or bi-annual tune ups are recommended. It’s all about how much you ride. Repair estimates are always free.