Post by imnav8r on Dec 13, 2009 12:10:45 GMT -5
This weekend's weather has put a big fat sock on our trail riding plans around here but it has provided the perfect weather for performing some perhaps, much needed bike maintenance on your bike.
If you haven't lately, you might want to:
1. Give your bike a good cleaning with soap and water. A clean bike is a happy bike and it's a good way to spot potential trouble spots. If you can, take off your bike computer or cover it up with a plastic baggy before applying water. And remember to not use a high pressure hose when applying the water. Dry it thoroughly after washing.
2. Check the air pressure in your tires. With the cooler temps, you're tire air pressure will decrease a little.
3. Check the sag on your fork and shock. You may need to add a little air to these as well. Check your fork/shock brand web site for sag setting procedures.
4. Give that chain a good cleaning and lube. Just remember to wipe off the excess. Give it a good inspection while you're at it. Look for twisted, damaged, and/or frozen links. Both of which could lead to breakage.
5. Check your spoke tension to make sure you don't have some that are real loose and others super tight. You want even tension on all the spokes while maintaining a true wheel.
6. Stop and check those brakes! For the mechanical types, check your cable tension. For the hydraulic types, check the feel of the brake levers to make sure you have a solid pull as opposed to a spongy feel. When was the last time you changed the brake fluid? For disk types, check your rotors and pads. For rim types, check your pads for clearance and wear. Give the wheel a good spin to make sure the brakes aren't rubbing when not applied.
7. It's a good idea to add a drop of lube to all pivot points on the bike including brake levers and derailleurs.
8. Check your ride adjustments such as seat height and handlebar reach. Sometimes a good hard landing can alter your settings without you knowing.
9. Clean and lube your clipless pedals. It can be frustrating to try to clip into a dried mud clogged pedal. And our mud is like concrete when dried.
10. Check that cassette! If you haven't flossed your rear gears lately, pull the rear wheel off and use a shop rag to put between the cogs and floss. It's real easy to do and you will be amazed at the crud that you'll pull out of there. A clean chain loves a clean cassette!
11. If you use Stan's, have you replaced it lately? Stan's recommends replacing the sealant every three months. So if you haven't done so since August, you're due.
12. Check your derailleurs for proper shifting. Is your bike throwing the chain when you shift? Is it over shifting or not shifting at all when you move your shift lever? If so, it may need some adjustment to the shifter cables and/or High and Low shift limit screws.
While this weather may not be perfect for riding, put it to good use and perform a little maintenance on your bike. Some of our bikes can be expensive, so we might as well get our money's worth by doing all we can to make them last and be reliable at the same time. If making adjustments to your bike makes you nervous, just stop by one of our local bike shops for an annual tune-up. It's well worth it and your bike will thank you for it!
Be safe!
If you haven't lately, you might want to:
1. Give your bike a good cleaning with soap and water. A clean bike is a happy bike and it's a good way to spot potential trouble spots. If you can, take off your bike computer or cover it up with a plastic baggy before applying water. And remember to not use a high pressure hose when applying the water. Dry it thoroughly after washing.
2. Check the air pressure in your tires. With the cooler temps, you're tire air pressure will decrease a little.
3. Check the sag on your fork and shock. You may need to add a little air to these as well. Check your fork/shock brand web site for sag setting procedures.
4. Give that chain a good cleaning and lube. Just remember to wipe off the excess. Give it a good inspection while you're at it. Look for twisted, damaged, and/or frozen links. Both of which could lead to breakage.
5. Check your spoke tension to make sure you don't have some that are real loose and others super tight. You want even tension on all the spokes while maintaining a true wheel.
6. Stop and check those brakes! For the mechanical types, check your cable tension. For the hydraulic types, check the feel of the brake levers to make sure you have a solid pull as opposed to a spongy feel. When was the last time you changed the brake fluid? For disk types, check your rotors and pads. For rim types, check your pads for clearance and wear. Give the wheel a good spin to make sure the brakes aren't rubbing when not applied.
7. It's a good idea to add a drop of lube to all pivot points on the bike including brake levers and derailleurs.
8. Check your ride adjustments such as seat height and handlebar reach. Sometimes a good hard landing can alter your settings without you knowing.
9. Clean and lube your clipless pedals. It can be frustrating to try to clip into a dried mud clogged pedal. And our mud is like concrete when dried.
10. Check that cassette! If you haven't flossed your rear gears lately, pull the rear wheel off and use a shop rag to put between the cogs and floss. It's real easy to do and you will be amazed at the crud that you'll pull out of there. A clean chain loves a clean cassette!
11. If you use Stan's, have you replaced it lately? Stan's recommends replacing the sealant every three months. So if you haven't done so since August, you're due.
12. Check your derailleurs for proper shifting. Is your bike throwing the chain when you shift? Is it over shifting or not shifting at all when you move your shift lever? If so, it may need some adjustment to the shifter cables and/or High and Low shift limit screws.
While this weather may not be perfect for riding, put it to good use and perform a little maintenance on your bike. Some of our bikes can be expensive, so we might as well get our money's worth by doing all we can to make them last and be reliable at the same time. If making adjustments to your bike makes you nervous, just stop by one of our local bike shops for an annual tune-up. It's well worth it and your bike will thank you for it!
Be safe!