Bicycles are wonderfully efficient and elegant machines designed to propel a rider over roads and trails with ease. What you may not realize is that a bicycle is designed to function best when it is clean, tuned and lubricated. This is especially true for high-end road bikes. However, unlike your car, a bike drivetrain has little protection from dirt and weather.
When enough dirt or grime accumulates on your chain, crank, cassette and derailleurs, it will negatively affect the performance of your bike. While a regular cleaning and tune-up is a must for serious riders, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your bicycle running smoothly until it's time for a trip to the shop.
Here are five tips to get rid of the gunk and keep your bike performing as it should.
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One of the most common reasons for poor shifting is a dirty chain. Dirt and grease buildup on your chain robs you of power, and it contributes to premature chain wear. The black gunk packed in between the chain links interferes with the cogs and inhibits smooth chain transition during shifting.
A seriously dirty chain may require removal and soaking in a cleaning solution. But if you pay regular attention to your chain, you can clean it right on the bike. My favorite method is to use a spray solvent/lube such as WD-40 that cuts the grease and dissolves the grime while leaving a light coating of oil behind. You can use a terry cloth rag to wipe off any excess still on the chain.
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How:
1. Spray the entire chain with a heavy coat of solvent/lube while protecting the frame from overspray.
2. Use your right hand to turn the crank backwards. Pull the chain through the rag that's in your left hand.
3. Do this for at least 20 complete rotations of the chain. It takes a little practice to keep the rag out of the chain ring and to avoid derailing the chain.
4. After a minute or two, the chain should appear clean and shiny. Most of the gunk should be gone. If you make this a weekly ritual, your chain will last longer and your shifts will be crisp and quick.
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This is not as thorough as a full wash, but it does allow you to inspect the frame and the components for wear, damage and necessary adjustments. A good stash of old rags will come in handy.
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How:
1. Use a spray bottle filled with water and a light detergent such as Simple Green to help get smudges and dirt off the frame.
2. Wipe down all tubes focusing on areas that collect dirt, such as the underside of the down tube. Look for dried and sticky spots where your sports drink might have leaked out of your water bottle.
3. After cleaning the frame tubes, use your rag to clean the brake calipers. Use a flossing action in between the brake arms to clean out any caked dirt or grime.
4. Check the action of the calipers by actuating the brake levers to make sure the pads contact each side of the rim evenly.
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If you ride every day, you should inspect your tires for damage once per week. Even when they're relatively new, tires can harbor glass slivers and small metal bits or wires in the tread. These can eventually work into the tire and cause a flat.
How:
1. If you notice an object, pull it out with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Listen for any leaks after the object is removed.
2. Check both the tread and sidewall for wear, damage, exposed threads or any bulges. Most of the time, a tire will exhibit signs of wear well before failure.
3. Look for large cuts or slits in your tire more than a quarter inch long. This is an indicator that your tire should be replaced. If the cut hasn't damaged the integrity of the internal cords, you can repair the slit with a few drops of super glue or tire patch glue.
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Before you take off on your next ride, take a moment to inspect the rotation, alignment and trueness of each wheel.
How:
1. Rotate the wheel to determine if your there are any wobbles or deviations side-to-side.
2. Slight wobbles are annoying but not serious. If you're not handy with a spoke wrench, have a shop check it out during your next tune-up.
3. Next, check the bearings of each wheel to ensure they spin freely. With a swift flick of the wrist, a wheel should continue to spin for several minutes.
4. If you have a wheel removed for any reason, (such as mounting on a roof rack) take a moment to spin the wheel while holding the axle in your hands. The bearings should spin easily and should not make any noise.
5. While many wheels make use of sealed bearings these days, not all are serviceable. If you're riding wheels with ball bearings and the axle feels rough, you should schedule a bearing re-pack soon to avoid permanent damage to the hubs or bearing cones.
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After riding your bike for a several months, cables can stretch and brake pads may wear. Be sure you have adequate action with the brake levers. Too much travel will mean poor stopping power.
How:
1. Use the barrel adjusters on the brake calipers to take up any unnecessary slack.
2. Severely worn brake pads can lead to a dangerous situation on a steep downhill. Be sure your pads are properly aligned with the rim and that there's adequate pad material left in the shoe. You should replace pads when there's more than 50-percent wear.
These simple maintenance tips can help you avoid common bike malfunctions out on the road and may even save you serious time in the shop. The work is done so let's ride!
More: 10 Essential Bike Checks Before You Ride
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