5 Bike Care Tips Every Cyclist Should Know

If you want your bike to perform at its very best, then you need to ensure that you look after it properly. You get out of your bike, what you put into it when it comes to effort and the same principle applies to keeping it running in tip-top condition.

Whether your bike is a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, it’s important that you put a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule in place.

Setting aside an hour or two each week to work on your bike will not only ensure that your bike runs as smoothly as possible but it will also help you to learn more about exactly what makes your bike tick.

Taking good care of your bike will not only help it to perform better but will also help to ensure that it stands the test of time.

Failing to clean your mountain bike after a day on the trails, for example, could result in rust developing over time or different components of the bike becoming clogged or damaged. Your bike needs more than just leg power alone to operate.

It also needs a little love and plenty of attention. If you take care of your bike, you can be sure that it will be there for you when you need it whether you’re competing on the roads, riding the trails, or commuting around town with the family.

Let’s take a look at some basic bike care tips that every cyclist should know so they can take proper care of their ride.

Keep Your Drivetrain Clean and Lubed

Cleaning your drivetrain regularly and lubing your chain will ensure that your gear shifts are smoother, it will extend their lifespan and ensure that your bike riding experience is more enjoyable than ever before.

How often you clean and lube the drivetrain will depend on the type of riding you do. For example, a mountain-biker riding off-road trails should do this every time that they come in from the road.

A cyclist that rides paved roads in dry conditions exclusively will get away with cleaning and lubing much less often.

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    Check Your Tyre Pressure Regularly

    Once you start checking your tire pressure regularly you will wonder how you ever lived without doing it. Most cyclists are surprised to learn just how much air pressure bike tires can lose in just a few short days.

    To keep your bike running in tip-top condition, you should check your pressure every three to four days or so. Buy yourself a decent floor pump and keep your tires at your desired psi with ease.

    Most riders inflate to somewhere between 80 and 120 psi, depending on their riding style. Be sure to do some research so you can find the ideal pressure for your needs.

    Keep It Clean

    One of the most important yet most basic maintenance tasks you need to complete regularly is simply cleaning your bike, especially if you ride in off-road conditions. Cleaning your bike not only ensures that it looks great but it can help to prevent wear and tear over time too.

    Bike-specific cleaning products will do a better job, however, a bucket of warm soapy water and some elbow grease will also do the trick. Take some pride in your ride and give it a thorough clean as often as it needs to keep it running smooth and looking great.

    Inspect the Nuts and Bolts

    Your bike is held together by loads of different nuts and bolts and you need to ensure that these are always secure. If the nuts and bolts on your bike become loose for any reason, it could mean disaster for you out on the road, the trail, or wherever you might be riding.

    Conduct a weekly inspection of your nuts and bolts to ensure that they are all tight and that your bike is safe to ride. Forming this habit will help to keep you safe when you are in the saddle and ensure your bike continues to perform at its best.

    Take a Look at Your Brakes

    Regardless of what type of riding you do, every cyclist knows just how important their brakes are and how much they rely on them. Every cyclist out there has a story about how their brakes get them out of a sticky situation.

    Keeping your brakes in proper working order is easier than you might think and there’s no better way to learn than by grabbing your tools and getting stuck in.

    Look for tutorials online on how to test your brakes, how to inspect for wear on your brake pads, and how to tighten or loosen your brakes as needed. Having the ability to calibrate your brakes to your liking will help to improve your riding significantly moving forward.

    Ensure Your Bike Is Always Running as Smoothly as Possible

    Knowing that your bike is working as it is meant to, that the brakes are in proper working order and the nuts and bolts are tightened will give you more peace of mind when you’re out on the road or the trails.

    Learning how to take care of your bike will allow you to enjoy your time in the saddle more as you will have more confidence in your bicycle, knowing it’s in the best condition possible.

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