How to take care of your bike?

How often do we hear a mechanic tell us our bike is neglected or dirty after coming in for a service? What can we do to keep our bike in good working order and turn caring for it into a pleasure? Andrii will tell you how to care for your bike and what to keep in mind. Most people perceive a bicycle as a perfect, uncomplicated mechanism. As long as it's running, everything is fine, but is that really the case? It's worth remembering that every mechanism wears out over time, and the sooner we react, the less money we'll spend on repairs. Wear and tear on one component can lead to wear and tear on other components.

How to take care of your bike - drive

The first thing a mechanic looks for is the cleanliness of the drivetrain. A clean and lubricated drivetrain ensures quiet chain movement across the sprockets, smooth derailleur operation, and increases the lifespan of the entire system. There are a million and two hundred and four videos online on how to clean the drivetrain and how to properly lubricate it, but in my experience, the easiest way is to simply wipe the chain, sprockets, and derailleurs regularly with a dry cloth to avoid mudding the drivetrain. In the event that weather conditions or the chosen route have left the chain in terrible condition, I recommend arming yourself with a toothbrush, solvent, or gasoline. Then, gently cleaning the grime off the entire bike, using a cloth to wipe it down. You can always consult a service center. In addition to drivetrain cleanliness, it's worth monitoring its wear and tear. Your nearest bike repair shop will be able to help. Checking the drivetrain, which I believe should be free, takes no more than a minute and a half. Besides, every professional appreciates it when a user takes an interest in and cares about the condition of their equipment. Most chain gauges—the tools used to check chains—have two markings: 0.75 and 1. For clarity, I define these as 75% and 100% chain wear. To understand why a chain stretches and what the consequences are, let's take a look at its structure.

How is a bicycle chain constructed?

A chain consists of inner and outer links connected by plain bearings. As the bearing wears from operation (friction under load), which is increased by a lack of lubrication or the presence of dirt (an additional abrasive factor), the distance between the bearings increases. This occurs due to the play that develops between the outer part of the bearing (the roller) and the inner part on which it operates (the pin). As a result, the roller stops fitting perfectly into the notch between the sprocket teeth and begins to press against the tooth itself. This wears the tooth under the strain of our 500 kW of power. This process begins when a chain gauge shows 75% wear. More on when and how to replace your chain It's also worth remembering that the more teeth the chain is attached to, the easier it will adjust when stretched. The smaller the sprocket, the greater the force acting on it, so it wears out faster. What does this mean? Experience shows that if you replace the chain when it's 75% worn, you can keep the sprockets. If the chain is stretched to 100% or more, you need to replace the chain along with the cassette, rear sprocket, and possibly the chainrings. In short, a chain will last longer when it's clean and lubricated, which reduces bearing friction. It's best to replace the chain when it's 75% extended to protect the sprockets from wear. In my experience, a cassette can last about 3-4 chains, depending on riding style and quality, while a crankset can last for years. Proper chain care is fundamental to bike maintenance.

Bicycle tires - the basis of how to take care of your bike

Next, let's talk about tires. The first thing to remember is that the inflatable tire system was designed to increase ride comfort and reduce rolling resistance. However, it's important to remember... about inflation! Some tube manufacturers recommend checking tire pressure at least once a week. No tire is perfectly airtight, and no valve is either. The warmer the weather, the faster tires lose air. Therefore, when the recommended pressure is higher or when hot weather approaches, it's a good idea to check them more often. It's worth noting that most punctures that clients bring to me are caused by the wheel striking a curb or a sharp pothole. This happens because the tire isn't inflated enough, causing the rim to collide with the curb and cut the tube, or only in extreme cases, due to a powerful impact. To reduce the number of punctures, it's worth choosing tires with a better anti-puncture system and inflating them regularly.

Bicycle brakes and bearings

It's worth monitoring brake pad wear . This can lead to damage to the rim or disc. It's also important to ensure the braking surface is clean, which increases effectiveness and reduces pad wear. For rims, wiping them with a clean cloth is sufficient, while for discs, it's better to treat them with a degreaser. Once we've checked the pads, it's worth checking the bearings as well. Check the wheels, bottom bracket, and headset for play. This is very easy to do – grab the wheel and move it side to side – it should be securely attached. To check the bottom bracket, do the same, but grab the crank. To check the headset, apply the front brake and rock the bike back and forth. The bike rides quietly without play, so if your bike has started making strange noises, try to locate them. Quite often, the noise is caused by rickety or loose fenders and racks. It's worth finding the source of the sound, because the sooner you contact a repair shop, the less damage any play can cause. In the bearing where the play has developed, the balls begin to hit the roller tracks, causing dents and holes. If you react quickly, there's a good chance the play won't cause any problems and the problem will end with just tightening the play and a minor service charge. If you continue riding with the play, the play will increase and damage the bearing. This could result in replacing the entire component and significant costs.

Ropes and armor

To keep your bike in good condition, it's worth paying attention to the cables and housings. The cable is the component that, through tension, transmits power from the lever to the brake or controls the derailleur via the shifter. Housings act as guides for the cables. If you notice rust on the cables, it means they may break, which, in the case of the brake cable, can be dangerous and painful. Rusty or tarnished cables also exert greater resistance on the housings. This negatively affects the operation of the derailleurs and brakes, as do various types of kinks. To ensure your bike is in good working order, it's best to have it serviced regularly and ask a trusted mechanic how often to perform inspections. Every bike is built with varying quality components, and each user uses their bike more or less intensively. Knowing how to care for a bike isn't a secret. A little professional help is all it takes. In any case, it's best to bring your bike in for major repairs, inspections, or restorations in winter, when mechanics can dedicate more time to the job. This is also when the waiting lists for repairs are the shortest, so you won't have to wait weeks, wasting warm days. We—our most trusted team of mechanics—refuse to refuse repairs to our customers due to the busy season. We love messing around with repairs, adjustments, and the like, so we look forward to seeing you in winter, dozo! Text: Andrii Shchypanov Editor: Maciej Ataman