For all cyclists, ensuring your bike is in good working order is imperative. Whether you just pop down to the shops once a week or cycle miles every day, it’s important to make sure you’re safe and you know what to do if something on your bike goes wrong. There’s nothing worse than getting a puncture at the furthest point from home, but just a few simple tools and a couple tips will help you get back on the saddle in no time. Featuring: Basic tools and repairs - Learn all those quick essentials Transmission - Get your gears up and running Suspension - Smooth out your journey Glossary - Become savvy of all those technical terms
Welcome to Bike Maintenance • Tips&Tricks&Techniques
Basic tools and repairs • One great thing about modern bicycles is that a large proportion of the fitting, adjusting and replacing of components can be done with a fairly small selection of tools. You don’t need to spend a fortune to go a long way towards being self-sufficient. The ability to carry out basic repairs will also go a long way towards the same aim. This chapter takes you through some of the more common tools, explaining what they’re for, when you need them and what the basic repairs you should get to know are.
The language of bicycle parts • People who talk about bikes can sometimes sound like they’re speaking a language all of their own. Some of the words they keep using are completely unfathomable and bizarre, and some sound familiar but often mean something completely different than expected. The language of bikes isn’t just a way of keeping in the clique though – it’s vital to be able to identify specific parts.
Tools and equipment • Of course, everyone starts off with very basic equipment. Then gradually, as you get more confident fixing your bike, you find you need various other pieces of kit. Your toolkit grows and grows, until it reaches the happy point where you can tackle complicated tasks without investing in any more tools.
Potions and lotions • A supply of cleaning and lubricating products is essential for routine maintenance. Your bike shop will usually have a choice. Ask for their recommendations, since they’ll know what works well for your local environment. As you tackle more advanced jobs, you’ll need some more specialized items.
Your biscuit box • One of the most irritating parts of bike repair is being thwarted in a task because you need a simple but very specific part. Bike shop workshops always have racks of plastic drawers full of tiny little parts, many of which are essential for just one job.
Torque • In order to measure how firmly we are tightening bolts, we use torque. There are two methods of doing this: the instinctive, common-sense version and the scientific version. Both have their advantages. Traditionally, the manufacturer of a part indicated to the mechanic how firmly things should be tightened by fitting an appropriate bolt.
Rescue repairs: how to be self-sufficient on a bike • This section deals with the repairs you may need to make while out riding – and for these you need a toolkit. Do carry your own, even if you ride with other people who are well equipped. No one wants to be in a group standing around saying, ‘But I thought you’d have your pump.’ Also, ensure you can use everything in your toolkit, and immediately replace items that you run out of, like spare tubes.
Punctures • Punctures are inevitable. The pressure inside the tyre is higher than the pressure outside, and the world is full of sharp things. Don’t worry if you’ve never fixed a flat before though; it’s not as difficult as people make out. And, like learning to tie your shoelaces, it gets easier with practice.
Refitting a new tube • It’s vital to work out what caused the puncture before you fit a new tube. If the problem’s still there when you fit a new tube, you’ll puncture again...