Performing maintenance on your bicycle as routinely as possible should be a top priority as a rider. Despite this, many bike owners refrain from inspecting and taking care of their bicycles, leading to significant problems while riding. You need to maintain your bicycle to avoid a broken bike and an injured person. Here is everything you should do before riding your bike!
Cleaning Your Bike
Cleaning your bike is a quick and easy activity that significantly increases lifespan. As dirt and grease accumulate on your bicycle, its mechanical parts will start to wear. This deterioration will leave the bike unusable if given enough time. You must use water and soap to scrub down the frame and gears on your bike. To clean the tough-to-reach areas, you should use an old toothbrush. Cleaning your bike does not just leave it looking great; it improves its functionality.
Lubricate Your Roller Chain
Lubricating your bike’s chain will increase the smoothness of your ride. For this reason, many bicyclists choose to put lubrication on their roller chains before every ride. If you are currently doing this, then consider changing your strategy! Lubricating your roller chain right before you go on a ride has its benefits; however, the fresh lube invites dirt and grime to stick to your chain. Instead, it would help if you put the lube on your chain after every ride. This will give it time to set, allowing it to properly work itself into the chain. Of course, this strategy is only viable if you are not taking extended breaks between rides.
Tightening Your Bolts, Nuts, and Screws
You should routinely check your bike’s bolts, nuts, and screws. Overlooking a loose part of your vehicle can cause significant problems on a ride. If something comes undone on your bike while you are from home, it will be a problem. Chances are, you need to ride with tools on your person. As such, you will not have a way to repair your bike once this happens. This makes getting home a hassle as your only means of transportation is no longer viable.
Inspecting Your Tires
Inspecting your tires takes hardly any effort, but its importance must be recognized. You should review your tires’ surface and check their pressure before every ride. Should your tires go flat during your ride, you will not have a fun ride back home.
Check Your Brakes
Brakes are an essential aspect of any vehicle. They are required to maneuver turns and go down hills safely. Should your brakes fail on you, then you are in danger of hurting yourself. Make sure that your brake line is not wearing down, and get your brake pads checked every time you are at the shop. Doing so will put your mind at ease and ensure your ride will not go wrong.
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