A freewheel makes it possible to coast on a bike. When you are pedaling, the freewheel engages the sprockets, but it allows the rear wheel to turn when the pedals are at rest.

- A bicycle stand is always recommended
- A special tool designed specifically for your particular freewheel, known as a “freewheel puller”
- An adjustable wrench compatible with the hexagonal section of your freewheel puller
- You may need a bench-mounted vice for particularly stubborn freewheels

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

- 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)