Tips: Bicycle maintenance
Your bicycle doesn’t run on leg power alone. It needs love, lube and yes, you also need to listen when it speaks! For your bike to live a long life, keep it in tip-top shape and out of the shop. So even if you are not an expert at repairing bicycles, you can maintain your bike with some simple easy-to-implement tips.
Every ride is an experience whose memories stay with you forever. So, better the experience, nicer the memories! For enjoying your ride, your bike definitely needs to be healthy.
To begin, clean your bike regularly. If you are a 'weekend only' rider, you should clean your bike immediately after the ride. If you let the dust and dirt remain until the next week, the dirt-deposit can slowly cause corrosion. To give your bike a simple bath, soapy water, a sponge and a cleaning brush will suffice. However, if you want to use a heavy-duty alternative, you may replace the soapy water with a degreaser (to remove old and stagnating grime and grease).
The next step is lubrication. Your bike has quite a few 'in motion' metal parts that are vulnerable to dirt and moisture. To keep your bike happy and functioning well, these parts should be freshly greased (lubricated) regularly with a with a suitable lubricant (commonly known as 'lube'). There is no point oiling the bike's chain unless you have cleaned it properly first - So take care of that and then, lubricate it.
Once your bicycle is cleaned and lubricated, check if the tires are inflated. Poorly inflated tyres are prone to punctures - This has to be checked for as well. Check if the Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) has been satisfied. Take a look at your tire's side for a number followed by the letters PSI, which indicates how much air is required. Usually the number is given. If not, the PSI can vary anywhere between 90-130, depending on your (the rider's) comfort. Once you have cleaned, lubricated and inspected the tires, check if the bike's wheels are 'true'.
Turn your bike upside down and spin your wheels. Do they wobble a little from side to side? If so, they need 'truing'. This is a quick fix but not one for an amateur because you need special equipment - The wheel has to be tightened and this can be done at the service station nearest to you.
Get your saddle perfect. If you are prone to Sore Bum Syndrome (SBS), experiment a little with your saddle, raising or tilting it slightly to suit your riding style. The saddle can be tilt downward or upward as per your convenience. If you get sore knees while cycling, this may be because your saddle is too low. When sitting in the saddle and pedaling, your leg should be stretched at the lowest pedaling motion (cycling position). Saddle adjustment is a pre-requisite for safe biking. If this is ensured, the saddle position can be treated as final. Remember, a bike should be tailored to match the body, and not the other way around. This rule applies to any type of bike, be it mountain, hybrid or road.
The most important tip is this - The best way to maintain your bicycle is to ride it of course, and regularly!