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Bike Repair - Common Sense Approach To Maintaining Your Bike

By: Vin DeWolfe

Remember when you were a kid and your parents shouted at you to put your cycle away? Your mom and dad might have just wanted their yard to stay clean, but there is more to the tale. They were actually giving you top-notch bike maintenance advice.

Cycles, like all stuff made of metal, can corrode. Leaving a bicycle open to rain, snow and other moisture hurries up the action. Rust can harm your bike frame, incapacitate your steering or stop up your chain and gearing.

Like your parents told you, put your bike away when you are finished riding it. Maintain it in a place protected from the weather such as a garage or bike shed. Even a car port will do, just get it out of the elements the best you can.

At least, cover it with a waterproof tarp. Hold the tarp down with bungees or rope, or throw some rocks over the edges. The secret is to fix the tarpaulin so that the wind will not rip it away, leaving your cycle in the weather.

Cycle tires are the easiest components of the bicycle to maintain. They are also one of the most cruial parts of the bike. Before & after each ride, they should be scrutinized and filled to the proper pressure. Invariably comply with the manufacturers suggestion printed on the side of the tire.

The tire rubber ought be free of any abrasions, bumps or tears. These forms of imperfections in the tire make acquiring a flat more likely. The tread of the tire should not be overly worn. If there's any indication that the tire loses air or has soft areas, it's more than probable, time for a new set.

Use the manufacturers advise for tire size on your cycle. An ill-fitted wheel could rub on the framework or chain. The bike will be nearly inconceivable to pedal and turning will be adversly affected. A correctly fitted tire will spin freely in its mount, reducing friction and ensuring a comfortable ride.

Keep your brakes tuned to optimal performance. Inspect cables and keep nuts and screws tightened down. Regularly test and align and adjust your brakes so you can stop easily and quickly when you need to. Make sure the brake pads are adjusted so they don't interfere with the rotation of the tire. Replace the pads of your brakes if they show signs of wear.

The chain on your bicycle, is in reality, the only thing between you walking or riding. Keep the gears and chain clean and ensure it has ample oil. If you turn your bike over, the gears and chain is exposed making it easily cleaned and oiled.

Merely spray or drip some lubricant on the chain and gears and pedal the bike with your hand. You will use your other hand to hold the chain with a rag. The dirt will come off on the rag, leaving the chain lubricated and clean. Depending on how grimey the gears and chain are, it may take several times to get it completely clean. A bicycle chain with rust on it should be replaced. Measure the original chain and get one exactly the same to replace it with.

While you're inspecting at the chain, scrutinize it for anything out of the ordinary. Tighten up the chain if it's too loose. A lax chain has a tendency to fall off in the middle of a pedal stroke. That can be a dangerous situation at worst and a small irritation at the least. There should be some slack in the chain, but it should not fall off easy.

Inspect the rest of your cycle and look for screws, bolts and other fastenings. Tighten up any loose parts and replace worn, broken or missing parts. One small screw or nut that is worked its way out and you could have major bicycle trouble.

Even if you maintain your bicycle well, there might be times when you need to do a repair on the road. It is not hard to get a flat tire or for some mechanical part to fail. Be prepared with some basic bicycle repair tools in a kit. It could make the difference between walking your bike home or riding it.

A little tire pump, extra tube and repair kit are the bare minimums for cycle tire repair on the road. A kit that also has a multi-tool set including wrenches, screwdrivers, a spoke wrench and a chain main link is more in order.

Bikes, like all machines require steady upkeep and periodic repair in order to continue to function. A cycle that's been neglected can literally leave you marooned on the street. But, a well-maintained bicycle can last for many years of riding.

Article Source: http://www.articlekingpro.com

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