Another guest post; this time from Kelly Holmes, from Australia. Kelly offers some good tips here on taking care of your machine. I’m loving the different perspective that these guest posts bring and hope you are too. Learn more about Jamie at the end of the article. Enjoy.
If you have a bicycle that you depend on regularly for exercise or transportation, it is important for you to take good care of your bike so that it will last. There are plenty of things that you can do in order to maintain your bicycle, and taking this time can help improve your bike’s performance and ensure that it will last you for many years. In fact, you might be surprised by just how well your bicycle will work and just how long you can keep it in good condition by performing this regular maintenance, and it only takes a few minutes every once in a while in order to maintain your bike. In fact, these three maintenance tips can work wonders for your bike, and you can perform all of them at home.
Take Care of Your Bicycle’s Chain
Your bicycle’s chain is an essential part of your bicycle, and a rusty or dirty chain can make it difficult for you to ride it. Fortunately, it is easy to take care of your bicycle’s chain. Every now and then, clean any dirt and grime that has accumulated on your chain off, and make sure the chain is well-lubricated. This is one of the most essential parts of keeping your bicycle in top-notch condition.
Check Tire Pressure
Keeping your tires well-inflated can make a world of difference in how easy it is to ride your bicycle. Along with making it easier to pedal, it can also protect your bike’s rims and can make your tires last longer. Over-inflated tires can also cause problems. Fortunately, it is easy to check your bicycle’s tire pressure. The recommended air pressure of your bike’s tires should be printed on the side of the tire, and a simple tire gauge will make it easy for you to check the pressure. Once you have determined how much air is in your tires, you can inflate your tire to the proper pressure. Doing so on a regular basis can make a major difference in your bicycle riding experience and can help prevent damage to your tires.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Because your bicycle has several moving parts, it is essential for you to keep them clean and lubricated. These parts are susceptible to dirt, grime and moisture, which could cause rust or other issues with your bike. Therefore, it is important for you to take care of these parts.
First of all, you will need to carefully clean any dirt or moisture from each moving part. This can be easily achieved with a cleansing cloth; while doing so, be careful not to pinch your fingers.
Once you have cleaned your moving parts, you should use a lubricant to make sure that each moving part is well-lubricated. There are plenty of products out there that are made specifically for this purpose, and they are typically very affordable.
Although it might be difficult to get in the habit of performing this routine maintenance on your bicycle, you will be glad that you did when you see how well your bicycle functions and how much longer is can last.