Get on Your Bike and Go! But First, a Few Things…
So it’s summertime. The bad weather has (for the most part) hidden its ugly face for another 4 months. The nicer weather makes us look through the garage and dust off all our toys we’ve been yearning to use all winter long.
There sits your bike. Flat tires, still covered in mud from the last ride of the year that you hoped would be nice but turned into a deluge. You’ll just pump up the tires and go, right? Probably not the best plan.
After sitting for six months, there are a few things to look over on your steed to make sure that you’re going to be able to ride safely and worry free.
You could take it to to a bike shop, which some of you may want to do (especially for those who do not have the time or interest). Regardless, some general bike maintenance knowledge is a good plan in case something goes awry on a ride.
First off, why are the tires flat? Has it just been sitting too long, or is there actually a puncture? Have a look at this video for a quick tutorial on how to change a tube:
Secondly, every moving piece on your bike requires some lubrication. Whether it’s a heavier grease for axles or forks or a light lube for your chain, every time metal contacts metal, there should be some buffer. While there is some more complicated maintenance required for the former, lubrication of the chain is a simple and effective way to make sure your drive-train (the gears) lasts longer and runs effectively. Here’s another tutorial video to help you out:
Lastly, and probably one of the most important, are the brakes. What kind of brakes do you have? Rim brakes or disc brakes? The former is a synthetic pad that pinches either side of the wheel (rim), while the latter is a metallic pad that pinches a metal disc attached to the hub of the wheel. Grab the brakes a few times while spinning the wheel or rolling the bike back and forth to check their stopping power. In unsure, take it to your local bike shop to have it looked over.
While this doesn’t cover everything, these are three of the most basic things to check on our bike to make sure it will get you from point A to point B safely. As mentioned previously, if you are experiencing other problems on your bike, it might be time to take it into the bike shop for a general tune up.
When we take our bikes to the shop most of us let the mechanics do their work, and pay for it when we pick it up. But don’t forget that these professionals, like us, love talking about their field! Go ahead and ask them questions. They want to tell you what they have done and what you can do, too! Simple knowledge goes a long way when you’re out on the trail or on your way out to Whytecliff and something goes wrong.
If you want to know and learn more, places like Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) offer varying levels of bike maintenance from beginner to advanced. Check out their upcoming clinics here: http://events.mec.ca/find-an-event
Now go dust off your valiant steed, perform the simple checks, and get it rolling!
Alexsander Saddlemeyer
Professional Training Coach
Innovative Fitness – Kitsilano
www.InnovativeFitness.com
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