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Ever since we were kids, we relied heavily on our bikes either for exercise, entertainment, or even for transportation. For those who are still struggling with riding a bike, today is never the late time to start learning! Especially during the lockdown because of the pandemic, we saw how important bikes are for some places where there used to be public transportation.
But whether you are now an expert in riding bikes or whether you are still starting to balance yourself on those wheels, you will never know if you do the right things to maintain your bike. Here are some of the tips for keeping your bike correctly.
Store your bike properly
Bikes usually wear out and break if you no longer use them anymore just as often. Another thing that will allow it to break is if you do not store it properly. Keeping your bike in a location where they get wet allows it to corrode, thereby affecting its gears and chains. For this, an indoor bike rack can help you. Just go online and type, “bike rack indoor”. That should do the trick!
Having a rack to store your bikes indoors will help you keep them properly, away from the conditions that may cause them to corrode. On top of this, bike racks are also an efficient storage space solution in case you find your bike a bit bulky for your yard or garage. Here are samples of different bike racks that not only take care of your bike and solves your storage problem but can also serve as decoration for your home:
Ibera Horizontal Bike Wall Hanger
This is the best bike rack for those who want something simple and minimalist. The Ibiza Horizontal Bike Wall Hanger displays your bike efficiently and aesthetically. You can adjust this rack for bikes of different shapes and sizes.
Pureboo Wood Wall Mount Bike Rack
If you are looking for a bike rack that will suit the Scandinavian design of your home, this will be the best one for you. This one is made from bamboo and ensures your eco-friendly lifestyle.
Clean and lubricate your drivetrain regularly
You may notice the annoying squeaking and rattling sounds that you hear when you ride your bike. It means that you do not clean and apply oil on your bike enough. These sounds come from the chain of your bike and its sprockets. Your bike makes this sound because metal rubs against metal, along with mud and grime. If this and your maintenance routine with your bike go on, you can now bid your bicycle goodbye because it will soon break.
Clean and lubricate your bike drivetrain regularly. Use disposable rags, your trusty bike oil, and some reliable degreaser. You can also use an old toothbrush and a screwdriver with a flat head for prying off the gunk from your bike. Using these materials, you should regularly clean and apply oil on your bike. Here are some of the parts that you need to lubricate:
- Chain
- Brake and shifter levers
- Pedals
- Brake assemblies
- Derailleur assemblies
- Brake and derailleur cables
Inflate your tires
You need to inflate your tiles, so you can take care of them better. In the first place, you cannot ride your bike better if your tires have no air. To avoid being stuck in the middle of the road with deflated tires, always check your tires. Be careful with pumping air in your tires, because they might get easily punctured. Make sure that the pump is the right one for your bike’s valve type.
Fasten your bike’s nuts and bolts right
Aside from checking your tires regularly, check out your bike’s bolts and nuts, too, and make sure that they are still all in place. It can get inconvenient once you lose screws along the way because they are loose. Once you hear banging and rattling sounds from your bike, best believe that those might be the loose screws that you overlooked. If you are going to buy a new bike, ask for spare bolts and buts. You can get them for free. Once you see a loose bolt and nut, avoid over-tightening them, too.
Check your breaks
Make it a routine to check your brakes once in a while. Just as breaks are important for cars, these are also necessary for you to be safe while biking. First, check your brake pads and make sure that they are in good shape and not worn out. Check your brake cables, too. You will know that they are in perfect condition if you can properly squeeze the brake handles. The clamp of your brake handle should not be loose either. To adjust this, tighten the brake lever’s barrel. Of course, do not forget to clean your breaks regularly. Replace your brake pads if they are already worn out.
Check wheel bearings and tires
You might have already checked if your tires are properly inflated, but have you checked if your tires are still up for another ride? These are also part of the things you need to maintain. Great wheel bearings will ensure you a smooth ride. With a bike stand or anything that will take your bike off the ground, check out if your wheels are still spinning smoothly. You will know that something is wrong if your tires are coarse or gritty. Bike experts or mechanics might need to true or straighten your tires.
By inspecting and cleaning your bike regularly, you immediately see if your bike has problems and prevent it from further damage. Of course, this ensures your safety as well.
Take your bike for a spin once in a while
They say that bikes usually get broken easily when they are left in your yard to rust and wear down. If you are not busy or if you need some air, why not take out your bicycle for a while and enjoy the air?
Ensure safety precautions
Here are just some of the things you need to remember when taking good care of your bike. Aside from this, you also need to take care of yourself. Do not forget to bike safely and wear the right safety gear when going out to ride your bike.
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