Last month, Cape Cod Bike Fit hosted a “Basic Bike Maintenance and Roadside Repair Workshop”. It was so nice to see a mix of new and familiar faces--all excited to learn about their bike! Here’s an overview of the workshop, stay tuned for future workshops by following Cape Cod Bike Fit on Facebook.
Maintenance Checklists:
-Every Ride:
-Tire pressure (target pressure should be on the sidewall of your tire)
-Brakes:
-Squeeze one lever and try to push the bike forward, repeat with the other brake
-Spin wheels individually to ensure brakes are not dragging
-Quick release/skewer, check for tightness
-Chain lubrication: a lubed chain is a happy chain and will increase the life of your components
-Monthly:
-Check tightness of bolts: saddle, headset, CLEATS!
-Tire wear: cracks, etc
-Brake wear: pads have grooves to indicate wear, if no grooves time to replace
Chain Care
Remove excess grit/dirt with towel, use chain cleaning tool with degreaser, apply lube 3-4 full rotations, allow lube to sit on chain 1-2 min. and then remove excess with cloth
Fixing a Flat
-Flat kit items: 2 tire levers, pump or CO2, tube
-Steps:
-Release brakes
-Remove wheel
-Quick look for puncture
-Release remaining air from tube
-Using tire levers, starting opposite the valve, remove tire from rim
-Unscrew valve nut and remove tube
-Carefully inspect the tire for puncture or debris
-If safe to ride on the tire, slightly inflate the replacement tube
-Place valve in the rim, starting opposite the valve begin to reseat tire on rim making sure the tube is not pinched between the tire and the rim
-Gently inflate the tube, check that the tube is not protruding from tire
-Fully inflate, re-install the wheel on your bike, engage your brakes
*These are notes from the full workshop and not intended
to be a comprehensive guide*