Categories: General
      Date: Mar 31, 2014
     Title: You’re Ready for Spring, But Is Your Bike Ready?

Bike Wheel and wrench

Spring has sprung and you are just itching to get out there for a ride on your bike.

A good tune-up will reduce your risk of having unsuspected breakdowns or worse an accident caused by faulty equipment on the trail or road.



Tools You will need are

Overall cleaning


I’m assuming you have taken the time to clean your bike up after that last mucky fall ride before you put your bike away, but if that isn’t the case you have some work ahead of you.

Heavy Cleaning method

I Don’t recommend using a hose, but in this case it’s a necessary evil.  Direct the water from a hose down over the bike, avoiding all bearings.  You will find the bearings in any area that has spinning parts (i.e. Wheels, or pedals). Never use a pressure washer.  Use a soft sponge or cloth and mild biodegradable cleaner to touch up the other heavy areas until your bike is clean overall.

Light Cleaning method

Taking the time to keep your bike clean all the time is a better way of course.  For light cleaning use a cloth to wipe down your bike.  A mild biodegradable cleaner should work fine.  Use as little water as possible when cleaning.

Where you have moving parts that use lubricant. you’re going to be faced with the black mess, which is a combination of dust from the road and the lubricant.  I would advise using as little water here as possible or you will end up with more work for yourself.

To clean the chain, moving parts, and places that do not come clean easily, use an old toothbrush and a lubricant with a solvent additive.  There are specially made products you can purchase from a bike shop or WD40 can also be used to clean.

For the chain, you could also remove the chain and shake it in a plastic bottle with a bit of degreaser, then wipe it down with a rag.  Whatever you do, don’t spray directly onto your bike, all the overspray will gunk your bike up.

Inspection Checklist

Frame

Look for cracks and dents that could be trouble later.  A dent could cause an accident on the trail the same way a crack could if it is in the right place.

Headset

The headset is where the handlebars and forks meet.


Bottom Bracket

Your bottom bracket is the cross section where your pedals and crank join.  The bottom bracket contains an axle with a fixed cup on one side, 2 bearings, and an adjustable cup and locking ring.  This area of operation is critical for you to direct energy into the bike.


Wheels

Rims and tires are a huge safety factor and not given enough attention by most.  Every time you ride they take a pounding from the roads and your braking system.  They are in contact with all the dangers of the road.


Chain and Rails

This is like the transmission of your bike.  It’s what takes your power and converts it into forward movement.  There is nothing more annoying than a chain slipping when you shift or worse your chain falling off when you are getting ready to take off from a stop.  Can anyone say pain?  A bike stand is helpful for this step but if not you will need a way to hold the back wheel off the ground


Brakes


Lights, Seat and Bars


Get Yourself Ready for Spring


Now get out there and enjoy your spring riding.

-Laurel Jorundson

Tags: Bike  Tune-up  Tuneup  Spring  Maintenance  cycling  Bicycle