The 3 Rules Of Bike Ownership!
“I’m finally the proud owner of a bicycle! So now what.. Is there anything I need to be doing on a regular basis?🤔”
Welcome to bicycle parenthood & owning your very own ride! It’s funny, but we do actually get this question quite a bit, so you’re in good company. Unlike cars, bicycles are relatively simple & inexpensive to maintain, so don’t worry it’s not too complicated.
Follow these ‘3 Rules of Bike Ownership’ so you can worry less about future repair costs & do more riding with those you love!
Rule I: Check Your Tire Pressure Before each ride
Tire Pressure: Just like your vehicle, tires naturally lose air pressure over time.
This is actually a problem!
Why? Well, low air pressure increases what’s called ‘rolling resistance’. Ever tried pedaling on a flat? It’s like fighting quicksand.
This can be really sneaky for many newer cyclists, as it’s subtle. They might not even realize they’re riding on slightly lower air pressure! Who wants to pedal extra hard & get nothing out of it? Not us!
In addition to being a less enjoyable ride, this can also pose a safety issue if the pressure is low enough. Tires with low pressure are prone to pinch flats or issues turning corners.
So what should you do?
Well, a good Floor Pump with a gauge is a must-have at home.
The recommended PSI for your bike will be stamped along the sidewall of the tire, so it’s a good idea to always do a quick tire pressure check before you ride.
And if need be, quickly top your bike off so you’re good to go!
Do You Have A Pump At Home?
It’s always recommended to be able to quickly test your tire pressure & top off your air before every ride!
Rule II: Lubricate Your Chain Once a month
Chain Lubrication: This is actually a lot less complicated than it sounds.
As you pedal & your bike moves forward, a metal chain drags across a series of metal gears, which together form a ‘drivetrain’.
Hold on, but metal on metal = bad.. right?
Yup! But, that’s where Chain Lubricant comes in! It’s the ‘oil’ or ‘grease’ that allows all the moving parts to work together fluidly. It plays a critical role in reducing wear & tear on your drivetrain (your system of chain & gears).
So what does this mean for you?
It means that cleaning & re-lubricating your chain significantly increases the longevity of your bike! (Did we mention that it also makes for a quieter ride?) This means less time repairing & more time riding!
Okay, but who has time for all that? Well, the good news is that it only takes 2 minutes to do :)
Grab a warm damp cloth that you preferably don’t need anymore & lean your bike against a wall.
Wrap the cloth around the chain using your left hand (grasp the lower part of the chain, away from any moving parts).
Now, using your right hand, rotate the pedals backward 5-10 times. Lightly grip the chain through the cloth & keep your left hand steadily in place so the chain is still able to pass through the cloth, which will begin to absorb all of the grime & grit. You’ll know you’re doing this right if you become reluctant to ever use this cloth again.
Finally, once the chain is cleaned, apply a dropper lubricant such as Finish Line Dry Lube directly onto the chain, again while turning the pedals backward 5-10 revolutions with your other hand.
That’s it for Rule II!
For casual riders, doing this once a month (or after riding in the rain) during the cycling season will put you ahead further than most & save you a ton of money in the long run.
For more serious cyclists, it’s recommended to clean & lubricate your chain once every 300-400 miles.
Rule III: Get A Basic Tune-Up Once Per Year (Or Every 1500 Miles)
Are you a casual rider? Awesome!
The best way to support your two-wheeled friend & ensure you’re always riding safely & smoothly is to visit your local bike mechanic for a once-a-year check-up. Often, we find that a quick Basic Tune-Up is usually enough to get most casual riders road-ready for the Spring & Summer seasons—sometimes even less, if the bike has been maintained well during the year (consistently following Rules I & II can impact this).
However, we find that with bikes, we never really know for sure without looking at it first. Why? Well, various factors will often come into play in determining what your ride specifically needs (e.g., the type of bike, the bike brand, the individual rider’s style of riding, amount of miles put on the bike, how the bike was stored over the winter, its general upkeep, etc.)
That’s why it’s a good idea to always have a bike shop like us look at your ride & give it an annual Safety Inspection.
This way, you can feel at ease knowing you’re safe on the road & that your ride will live its longest & best life possible before it ever needs any serious repair down the road. Prevention & regular upkeep are always the best medicine!
What if you’re a moderate rider?
1500 miles may seem like a massive distance to travel via bike, but if you ride 30 miles a week (1 casual ride, 2 commutes to work & a trip to the grocery store), you’ll find that you cover this distance in about one year. This means that if you want your ride to last for multiple years to come, getting at least some sort of Basic Tune-Up maintenance for your two-wheeled friend is a must.
What happens if you wait?
Well, most bicycle chains begin to stretch out over time & need to be replaced every 1500-1800 miles. If they aren’t replaced, chains will begin to cause havoc on your drivetrain(remember the metal-on-metal?). This will start wearing down the teeth on both your cassette & front chain rings.
In addition to this, brake pads will begin wearing out; not to mention cable stretch & spoke tension, which will begin to occur after this mileage, so it's advised not to wait too long.
The longer a bike is neglected & goes without maintenance often means more cost to get it running again. Sometimes, if it’s bad enough, this can cause the bike to become “totaled,” similar to a car, where the price to revive it would outweigh the cost of scrapping it & looking for a new bike.
Lucky for you, you have this guide, though… so that won’t happen on our watch :)
Prevention Is Key
When it comes to bikes, it’s best to remember the old adage, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’!
Bonus Rule: Advanced Tune-Up Every 5-10 Years
After 5-10 years of use, your bike is likely not rolling as efficiently as it used to. Chances are, it will likely need a higher-level tune-up, regardless of who you are or what you're riding.
While Basic Tune-Up packages cover adjustments for gears, brakes, rims, & cleaning, higher-level Tune-Ups address issues such as dried-out bearings that need adjustment/regreasing as well as doing a comprehensive degreasing & relubrication of the drivetrain.
That’s it! You’re a ‘Gear Genius’ now :)