For a cyclist enthusiast, maintaining a bicycle is one of the most important elements of riding a bicycle. So all the cyclists out there, master the art of maintaining your bike – yourself. It is a particularly useful skill to acquire whether you are a serious, hardcore bike rider or a struggling junkie. Because, all the skills you learn in the cycling circuit, regardless of how simple or complex it might be, will help you to keep your bike running smooth and safely. And that’s not it. It will help you to save money that you could be spending on parts and repairs. And let’s face it; you will know the difference between riding your bike and pushing it all the way home. Technically speaking, it will also, enhance the performance and longevity of your bike owing to a fairly reduced risk of breakage and breakdowns. However, your repair, replacement, and maintenance schedule largely depends on how it is used, the road’s surface, the weather conditions under which you ride it and its weekly mileage. If this is done, then your bike will last for decades to come.
There are various businesses in the market providing repairs, replacement and maintenance services for the bikes. For instance, bikesorbicycles.com in Dublin, Ireland aids in repairs and servicing especially for the bicycles. It not only provides simple repairs like a puncture, cable change, gear adjustment, brakes adjustment and chain servicing but also gives a basic all-encompassing service, namely, Junior Service Package. The package includes brake adjustment, gear indexing, lube cables and chain, bolt check, tire pressure and headset check for as reasonable as 30 Euros. The service can further be advanced with Full Service that has add-ons including the above mentioned Junior Service Package plus a complete cable change or brake pads along with bottom bracket check for 60 Euros only.
It will be helpful for you to know that bicycle inspection and maintenance can be primarily divided into four categories. Within each category, there are elements of cleaning, inspecting, adjusting, lubricating and repairing as necessary. The four categories are as follows:
1. Pre-ride
2. Post-ride
3. Tune-up
4. Overhaul
Nowadays, the bikes produced have standardized, interchangeable parts. As opposed to many modern commodities, the technology involved in bicycles is quite simple for riders to repair his bicycle with minimal effort. And these repairs will let you ride farther, faster and with more confidence when you know that your brakes will work before an intersection, and the wheels won’t explode at the first pothole we hit.
It is important to have the right tools for bicycle repairs or your acquired skill set for repairing a bike is pointless. Always carry spare inner tubes for a flat tire, lubricating oil, chain checker, combination wrenches, tire levers, cable cutter, compact scissors, hex keys, Vise-Whip and Cassette Lockring Tool with Guide Pins and Handle, Four-Way Screwdriver, Sharpened Spoke, multi-tool kit and a mini pump. Keep these bike repair essentials while riding and you are good to ride!