Bike Maintenance

Maintaining your bike in good condition is a worth while exercise. Bikes are fairly simple to maintain and for a small amount of effort there are good rewards.

• Smoother, easier and more enjoyable to ride
• Easier to sell, maximizing your initial investment
• Safer and more reliable

Maintenance Suggestions

• Clean your bike (see Bike Cleaning).
• Check your tyre pressure before every ride, your tyre will have the recommend pressure printed on it.
• Lubricate your chain. This should be done every time your bike has been cleaned or been in the wet. At a minimum you should do it once a month. A light or teflon based oil is recommended as it collects less dirt and grime.
• Riding, do not use your bike for riding styles that it was not designed for. For example, riding a racer on bush tracks (see Choosing The Right Bike).
• Noise, be aware of the noises that your bike is making. Ugly noises are generally a good warning sign that your bike is not running exactly as it should be.
• Similar to your car, your bike should also have a regular service. Gear and brake cables do stretch and will need to be adjusted from time to time, especially if your bike is only a few months old. Your wheels may get slightly buckled which should also be fixed during a service. Your local bike shop will be able to service your bike for you. A service could cost anywhere between $30 and $150 depending on what needs to be done and what parts need to be replaced (see Bike Shop Directory).