Bike maintenance made easy

So you’ve got the bike, but now what? Basic bike maintenance isn’t tough, it’s just something you have to learn. Here are a few tips to help you keep your bike looking shiny and new.   

First off, keep it inside or in a garage. You want to keep it away from rain, snow and dust.

Keep your bike clean. This is not just something clean freaks do, it is something you should do if you want to keep your bike in good shape and preserve your chains. Frequency depends on how much you use your bike and under what conditions you are riding it. If you have very dirty or muddy rides, you will want to clean it after each ride, otherwise you can probably get away with once a month. To

keep it clean you will just need a simple cleaner, a degreaser, a rag and an old toothbrush.

Things to do before each ride:

·         Check tire pressure-  if you ride with soft tires, there’s a risk of rim and tube damage.

·         Check your brakes- squeeze your rear and front brake just to be sure they are working properly.

·         Check your chains- keep your chain clean and oiled.

Continuous bike care will result in cheaper maintenance in the long run. Doing these simple checks can keep you from having to make constant repairs, and you can stick to bi-annual overhauls at the mechanic. You will want to use your local bike shop for other resources, not just because your bike is in need of repair.