You might not think it with the wind and rain that we have been having recently, but spring is in the air, the birds are singing, and finally daylight saving time is here! Now that it is warming up outside it is time to get your bike ready for spring.
There can be a great sense of satisfaction that comes from maintaining your own bike. If you are not comfortable with the checks listed below then contact the professionals – your local bike shop.
Of course the priority with any bike is safety and we can begin with brakes and steering
Wheels - Clean the rims with a cloth and rubbing alcohol, beer won't work! Check the rim for pits or grooves in the sidewall of the rim. Spin the wheels. Do they go around straight or do they wobble? If the wheels wobble, this will affect your brakes. For tweaking take it to a shop or use a truing stand and get it back in true.
Brake System - The biggest problem facing cyclists, particularly if they haven’t used their bike recently and even more so if it has been left outside, are sticky cables. The recent frost and ice has affected nearly every bicycle in Ireland. If the brakes are sticky, then brake cables and the perhaps the outer cables may need to be replaced. Check the brake blocks. They may have worn unevenly due to blocks not striking the wheel rim at the same time. Unfasten the brake cable and look at the brake pads closely. You can adjust the brake arm tension screw that is usually on one of the brake arms so the brakes are unequal. Remember old brake blocks tend to harden.
Tyres - If the brake pads were out of alignment they may have damaged the tires. Check the tyres for splits, cracks, or tears in the sidewall. Check the tread of the tyres for worn knobs, uneven tread wear, or excessive wear. Replace the tyres if needed. My pet hate is that I cannot understand people who use mountain bike tyres. Smooth tyres are much easier to cycle.
Steering – Check the headset for looseness. In many cases, steering on bikes can be loose. Check this by dropping the bike from the handlebars. If there is a dead sounding “clunk” then the headset may be loose.
Gear Cables - The gear cables will also be affected by frost and ice. Some people use their gears less than others , particularly the front derailleur. I came across one bike recently where the brake cables were totally seized. The owner thought that the problem was in the gear shifter.
Cleaning - It is important to start with a clean bike. Keeping your bike clean will extend the life of your components. As you clean the bike take the time to inspect everything. Look for cracks or other signs of wear that could cause future breakdowns or part failures. Clean the chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs, etc. with a biodegradable cleaner. Apply lubrication to the chain. It should be applied so there is an even coat on the inside and outside of each link and between the pins and rollers. Leave it one for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess lube with a rag. Use an old tooth brush and clean everything. Use as little water as possible. Clean the pedals, the brakes, tires, rims, and the frame. Remove the seatpost from the frame and wipe off any dirt. Wipe the inside of the frame where the seatpost slides into. Apply a very small amount of good grease to the post and reinstall.
Safe Cycling.
Written by The Spokesman, Mobile Bike Repairs.
Contact Cathal@086-8545654,cathal@thespokesman.ie, www.thespokesman.ie
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