Follow tips from the League of American Bicyclists to keep you and your bike riding smoothly on the road.
A well-maintained bike will keep you safe, save you money, and ensure smooth riding. Don’t wait for something to break down mid-ride, just a little regular maintenance can prevent you from injury and keep you from having to make costly repairs later on.
Follow these tips from the League of American Bicyclists to keep you and your bike riding smoothly on the road:
BASIC BIKE CHECK (JUST REMEMBER: ABC QUICK CHECK)
A is for Air
- Inflate tires to the pressure listed on the side of the tire
- Use a pressure gauge to ensure proper pressure
- Check for damage on tired and replace if damaged
B is for Brakes
- Inspect pads for wear; replace is there is less than ¼” of pad left
- Check pad adjustment; make sure they do not rub the tire
- Look to see that you can fit your thumb between the brake lever handlebar when the brakes are squeezed all the way
C is for cranks and chain
- Pull your cranks away from the bike – if they are loose, tighten the bolt
- Check your that your chain is free of rust and gunk
Quick is for quick releases
- Make sure your quick releases are all closed
- They should all be pointing to the back of the bike, so that they don’t get caught on anything
Check is for check it over
- Take a quick ride to check that it is working properly
For more useful info on bicycle upkeep, visit The League of American Bicyclists’ tips on Bike Maintenance.