5 Useful Tips To Help You Maintain Your Bike in Good Working Order

A good bike is among the most useful tools you can invest in. It will allow you to easily commute to work should public transport be unavailable. Moreover, it will give you a perfectly healthy way to unwind on weekends by making any sort of short-distance trips fun and more engaging. But no matter how versatile, bikes are still mechanical devices.

That means it can suddenly break down and force you to pay large sums for repairs. To help you avoid such situations, you should follow a number of tips concerning the maintenance of your two-wheeler.

First of all, if you store your bike in a garage, make sure the conditions there aren’t extreme. Remember to regularly lubricate various parts to protect them from wear. It’s also important to always check the tire pressure before using your bike. Finally, try to replace the brake pads as soon as they get worn and wash your bike after every “dirty” trip. Read on and learn what to focus on to make your bicycle last a lot longer!

Your Garage’s Conditions Matter

As you know, your garage is not a place where you should store your bike in the winter. Indeed, if the conditions there are too cold, it can seriously damage your two-wheeler. Make sure the temperature stays well above zero degrees Celsius and that humidity levels are low. You can do that by periodically turning on the heater in your garage or insulating it properly.

Consider putting your bike on a wall bike rack for garage use so that any dirt or grime brought in by your car has no contact with the bike frame.

Remember to Lubricate Your Bike

The purpose of a lubricant is to reduce friction between moving parts. Basically, it allows parts to move and rotate freely, allowing you to use your bike for a long time without having to do major repairs. You should regularly lubricate your chain, but you also have to pay attention to other moving parts like the pedals and hubs.

Also, make sure you never forget to clean all these parts before lubricating them. Don’t forget that lubricant may be washed off by water, so it’s best to clean your bike of any mud or dirt after every trip!

Check the Tire Pressure Regularly

Without maintaining tire pressure, even high-end bikes are prone to sudden flat tires. That’s why it’s crucial you don’t forget to check the pressure of your tires regularly. This can be done by using a pressure gauge, which you can get at any bike shop or large department store. If there are any cracks or holes in the rubber, try to repair them as soon as possible.

New tires can be bought from anywhere, including online shops. However, you should always check their quality and make sure the tire pressure remains correctly set even after multiple uses. Remember, low tire pressure can cause serious accidents!

Brake Pads Should Be Replaced Regularly

You don’t want to end up with a damaged wheel because you didn’t bother replacing a few cheap brake pads! That’s why it’s recommended you change them as soon as they get thin enough to no longer provide sufficient braking power. Apart from being unsafe on the road, worn brake pads can also cause damage to your wheel rim.

Although they probably won’t break it completely, they can ruin the wheel’s finish. That’s why it’s best to replace your brake pads just before you go on a big trip.

Don’t Forget to Wash Your Bike After Every Trip

To maintain good hygiene and eliminate any chances of rust developing on your bike, it’s recommended you wash it after every trip. If you want to avoid getting your hands dirty, try using a pressure washer instead of a hose. That way, you can wash your bike faster and easier. Pay special attention to wheels and chain covers as they’re the most likely to accumulate dirt.

Dirt and mud can easily get into the moving parts of your bike and cause it to get rusty or damage the chain and brakes. Cleaning your bike regularly can help you significantly increase its lifespan. Keep in mind that you should also lubricate the chain whenever you clean it as a lot of dirt can stick to it, and even cleaning only with water may wash the grease off.

In Conclusion

To sum up, bike maintenance doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just make sure you remember to check the tire pressure regularly, clean your bike after every trip, change the brake pads as soon as they get worn out and wash your bike after every use. Moreover, if you store it in the garage, make sure the conditions there aren’t extreme.

By following these tips, your maintenance routine will be much easier, and the lifespan of your bike will be increased. Good luck!

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