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Basic Bike Maintenance (lemmy.ca)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've been biking for a number of years, primarily single track XC or gravel riding. I do adventure racing, which is incredibly tough on the bikes, but am hoping to improve my bike life.

What are some of the important bike maintenance things that you all do?

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (4 children)

Regularly: Clean and lube chain, Wash down frame, check brake pads, make sure all necessary tools and supplies are in seat bag for fixing flats

Longer Interval: Check brake/shifter cables, clean cassette, check/true wheels, replace handlebar tape, clean and grease bottom bracket

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

These. Basic Bike these days just don't need as much daily maintenance. 😿

Biggest outside case I am always paranoid about is a loosening headset or bottom bracket. If you ever notice any knocking up front fix immediately. Chris King headsets seem to have also removed this small piece of bicycle maintenance tho.

Do not pressure wash your bike! You will end up degreasing all those fancy sealed bearings.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

Add for bikes with suspension...

Regularly: Gently wipe dirt off the stanchions, main seals, and levers.

Longer interval: Disassemble fork and/or shock to clean seals and rebuild with fresh grease and oil.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Pretty much this.

But even more obviously, check tire pressure (use a tire pressure calculator), replenish sealant every few months (if using tubeless tires), and visually inspect tires.

Monitor chain wear once in a while using a chain checker gauge. (The Park Tool CC-4 and Pedro's Chain Checker Plus Ⅱ are examples of pretty good ones.) Replace the chain before it exceeds the recommended wear limit so that it won't cause your cassette to wear out prematurely.

[–] Lorenz_These_Curves 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What is handlebar tape? Forgive the ignoreance, but just never Hever heard of it.

[–] Betty_Boopie 1 points 2 years ago

It's for road/gravel bikes with drop bars. The curve is too tight for grips, so instead they use cork/foam tape to wrap the handlebars.