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When do I need to tune up my bike?
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If your bike has been sitting all winter, or if you just purchased a used bicycle, a tune-up is in order. This article will help identify the areas of your bike you need to attend to when performing a tune-up.
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The best way to start a tune up is by cleaning your bicycle. This will help you to identify any areas of concern, and who knows – you might even get a chance to see what is under all that dirt. To clean your bike, use a degreaser and some old rags. A toothbrush is good for getting into the small crevices on your bike. Don’t just sponge your bike and hose it off. It’s not a dog!
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What kind of brakes do I have?
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The easiest way to differentiate between a cantilever brake and its counterpart, the caliper brake, is to look where the brake is attached to the frame or fork of your bicycle. If the brake is attached by a single, centered bolt, you have a caliper brake. If the brake is attached at two points, you have a cantilever brake. This article will discuss adjustments of the cantilever brake.
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When do I need to replace my chain?
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A chain “stretches” through regular use. This does not mean the metal literally stretches, but over time the bushings between the plates of the chain wear down, and the chain becomes a little longer. “Stretch” is the main reason avid cyclists replace their chains, but if your chain is rusty or just plain ol’ grimy, it’s not a bad idea to replace it.
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What kind of valve do I have?
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The Schrader valve is the type you will find on an automobile. Schrader valves are still used in some bicycle applications, but have become less popular because their size requires the drilling of a larger hole which significantly weakens narrow rims. The spring mechanism that keeps air inside a Schrader valve is also problematic for riders using compact pumps. A Presta valve can be identified by its smaller diameter and the locknut that is permanently attached to the tip of the valve.
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When do I need to overhaul the loose bearings in my wheel?
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If your wheel has side-to-side play even when the skewer or axle nuts are tight, or after a hub has seen its fair share of use, it is time to overhaul the bearings and adjust the hubs.
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- Cone wrenches (usually 13mm for the front and 15mm for the rear)
- Open-ended wrench (usually 17mm)
- Plenty of grease
- Replacement bearings (usually twenty 3/16” bearings for the front, eighteen 1/4 “ bearings for the rear)
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What does the front derailleur do?
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The front derailleur pushes the chain from one chainring to another. It works very similarly to the rear derailleur by shifting the chain so that it falls onto a smaller chainring, or so that is pushes against a larger chainring and eventually catches the teeth. A properly adjusted front derailleur will shift between chainrings without allowing the chain to slip off in either direction.
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The first step to fixing a flat or truing a wheel is, of course, to remove the wheel! Wheel removal and reinstallation can also be helpful when you need to transport your bike. Installing and removing wheels is really quite easy, but there are a few tips you should know:
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If you’ve been thinking about replacing the pedals on your bike, fear not. It’s actually a really easy task. There is a specialized tool for pedal replacement known as a “pedal wrench,” but it’s not always necessary. Pedal wrenches are advantageous because they are longer, so you get more leverage, and thinner to fit on the thin flat surfaces of the pedal’s spindle. If you can manage with a cone-wrench or a regular open-ended wrench, go ahead. Just remember to grease the threads on the spindles of your new pedals before you install them.
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Breaking a spoke can be a pain, but replacement is relatively simple.
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When do I have to replace my sealed cartridge bottom bracket?
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If your cranks are bent, or if you’ve decided to make an upgrade, replacing the cranks on square taper bottom brackets is pretty easy. It requires a special tool called a “crank puller,” but the process can be done by anyone with a little mechanical inclination.
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San Francisco, CA
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Temp:
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20°C
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Wind Chill:
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20°C
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Humidity:
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61%
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Speed:
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34 km/h
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Direct.:
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300°
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Barom.:
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1013.5 mb
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WNW
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Weather Details
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Provided by:
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