Whether we like it or not, the passage of kilometers contributes to the deterioration of our bicycle. Even with exquisite care, wear and tear will eventually come, the need to replace parts, and the corresponding economic expense. Whether you enjoy road routes
, mountain rides
, or prefer a refurbished bicycle
, having a well-maintained bike is key to enjoying every ride. How can you achieve this? Here are some useful tips and strategies.
Keep your bicycle clean
Frequent cleaning is one of the most basic and cost-effective maintenance routines to prolong the lifespan of your bicycle. Especially if you ride in muddy or wet conditions. In addition to looking great, cleaning also protects the parts from wear and helps keep corrosion and rust at bay. Ultimately, it ensures that the entire mechanism works as expected. For best results, it is recommended to use a specific bicycle cleaner. One of these spray products can work wonders. Spray the cleaner on the bike and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off. It is important not to use high pressure, as it can remove the essential grease from the most delicate joints of your machine. 2017/12/lavar-bicicleta.jpg"> Here are some bicycle cleaning accessories that can make the job easier:
- A clean rag. Keep a few on hand for each of the most routine tasks: cleaning, drying, greasing, etc.
- Cleaning brushes. Use different shapes and sizes so you can reach the most hidden parts of your bicycle and remove all traces of dirt. A toothbrush can also be very useful.
- Chain degreaser. Use a degreaser specifically for bicycles and avoid substances like turpentine or kerosene, as they can corrode your machine's paint.
- Bicycle cleaner or soap. Ideally, a specific bicycle cleaner would be preferable; but diluted dishwashing detergent is also a good option.
Alternatively, you can buy a specific bicycle cleaning kit with different types of brushes, cleaner, degreaser, and even rags.
Clean and lubricate the drivetrain thoroughly
To draw a parallel, we could say that keeping the drivetrain clean is like changing the oil in a car engine. In any case, lubricating the chain
and cleaning the drivetrain prolongs the life of the bicycle, ensures frictionless gear shifting, and allows for a smoother ride. How often you should perform this task will depend on your route conditions, the weather, the performance of the products you use, etc... If you are a fair-weather cyclist and prefer road cycling
, you might get away with less frequent cleaning. But if your routes are constantly humid and muddy, it is essential to clean and lubricate the drivetrain after every ride. Never forget to reapply chain lubricant after this task. Cleaning the drivetrain can be a somewhat tedious process. There are specific tools that can make the job easier, such as the popular Park Tool chain cleaner or similar. This tool allows you to trap the chain in a sealed compartment filled with liquid. Alternatively, if you've only ridden a few kilometers, you can use a rag to quickly clean the chain. Wrap it around the chain and turn the pedals backward. That's certainly better than nothing.
Check your tire pressure
Check your bicycle's tire pressure every three or four days. You'll be surprised how much air some tires can lose in just a few days, whether they use tubes or tubeless sealant. Riding with inadequate pressure affects grip, braking ability, and tire wear. A common mistake is inflating the tires by feel until the wheel feels hard to the touch. Use a pressure gauge
to make sure you are inflating the tires to the correct pressure. Ideally, you should have a floor pump with a reliable gauge. It's one of the best investments you can make. Tire pressure depends on many factors, such as riding conditions, terrain conditions, tire size and type, body weight, etc. The wider the tires, the lower the air pressure needed for them to function perfectly. Likewise, a slight difference in tire pressure can drastically affect handling and comfort on the bike. When in doubt, keep your pressures within the numbers recommended by the tire manufacturer, which are usually included on the tire sidewalls.
Make sure nuts and bolts are tight
The parts of your bike are held together by dozens of bolts and nuts. It’s obvious. That’s why there’s nothing worse than a bicycle falling apart while you’re riding. Keeping a bike tightly fastened is crucial, as loose or poorly tightened nuts and bolts can cause severe wear, reduce performance, and create a hazard on the road. The easiest way to keep your bike’s parts intact is to do a quick weekly check. You can lightly bounce the bike on the ground and listen for any loose or poorly tightened joints. When tightening these elements, consult the manufacturer’s manual for the correct torque specifications (the force applied to make something turn). Insufficient tightening could cause squeaks while pedaling, while overtightening could damage the bike. If you have a carbon model, always remember to use a torque wrench and set it to the correct torque levels.
Check the brakes
Making sure your brakes work as expected is important for your own safety and that of the cyclists around you. It’s even more important if your route has many descents. You don’t want your brakes to fail when you’re flying downhill at 70 km/h. To avoid problems, we invite you to follow some recommendations, which are especially important if you have disc brakes on your bike:
- Test the brakes. Squeeze the levers and make sure the brakes work properly.
- Watch for brake pad wear. Most of them have a wear indicator. Make sure not to go past the indicated line.
- Check the alignment of the brake pads with the disc.
- If you use disc brakes, avoid contaminating them. That is, make sure to keep the discs clean so that braking performance is not diminished. You can use disc brake cleaners like those from Muc-Off, but never conventional multi-purpose products.
Replace worn and damaged components
Is your bike making strange noises? Is the drivetrain not running as smoothly as before? Do you feel that braking is less effective over time? Here are four bike components you should check and replace immediately if you confirm they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Your safety and comfort are at stake, don’t forget it.
Chain
It could be said that the chain is the most common bicycle component that needs to be replaced
. A typical bicycle chain is designed to last between 3,500 and 7,000 km. Yes, we know that's a very wide range, but it really depends on the terrain, the cyclist's pedaling style, the weather... There are too many factors to consider. But what is clear is that it must be replaced when it has suffered significant stretching or wear. Regularly cleaning the chain will allow you to get more kilometers out of it before needing a replacement. You can quickly check the chain's wear with a simple metal wear gauge. This tool accurately measures the distance between two links. If the chain stretch is superior at 0.75%, it's time to change it. And a worn chain will in turn wear out the cassette and chainrings, which could lead to much more expensive replacements.
Cassette
The cassette is another standard bicycle component that suffers wear. As a general rule, you will usually need a new cassette for each chain replacement. In other words, a cassette will last you two chains. Sometimes, with proper care and maintenance of the drivetrain, the cassette can last up to 3 chains. If you feel the gears skip after switching to a new chain, it's a sign that the sprockets are worn. The downside is that even if only one sprocket is worn out, you will have to replace the whole cassette, since manufacturers do not sell sprockets separately.
Tires
Tires are direct victims of wear. Depending on the type of tires, they may wear out faster than the chain and cassette. This is especially true for racing tires, which offer a soft compound, great grip but little durability. Generally, they last between 1,500 and 3,000 km at most. High-end tires have a wear indicator that is very useful. In other cases, you will have to keep track and/or inspect them visually.
Brake pads
It is not necessary to change brake pads frequently. Precisely for this reason, many cyclists overlook their wear and do not worry until the system starts to squeal. You can find wear indicators on most brands of brake pads. Be sure to replace them before they reach their maximum wear.