To keep your bike up to date, you have first to maintain your bike and its components for ensuring that you prolong their lifespan and performance. Here are some tips to maintain your bike in perfect conditions for your routes.
Firstly, clean your bike regularly. Regular cleaning of your bike will prevent you dirt and dust to build up in your bike, which can cause damage over time. Use a moderate cleaning soap and water to clean your bike, and keep away from the usage of high-pressure water that can damage the various components of your bike.
Secondly, you have to apply lubricant to your bike components specially for the moving parts such us: the derailleur, the brake levers and the chain brake. This moving parts will need a lighter lubricant made up of silicone or light oil. However, the lubricant for the fixed parts has to be thicker. In both cases, the excess of lubricants has to be wiped off, as the lubricant can absorb dirt and mud.
Thirdly, inspect for any broken or worn out pieces early on to prevent worn out brake pads, loose bolts or screws which can lead to you to fall or breaking problem. To inspect your bike, it is recommendable to give a deep look at your bike after each ride looking for rust, corrosion, cracks, kinking or fraying cables or any other damage. If you notice any significant damage, it is best to replace those components as soon as possible.
Fourthly, make adjustments to keep your bike up to date and feet for your personal needs, most common needs may include.
- Adjusting the derailleur, if the gears are moving arduously and making a lot of noise, you may need to adjust the derailleur. To do this, you will have to tweak the cable tension or adjust the high and low screws.
- Brake alignment, Misaligned brake pads can cause poor braking performance or rub against the wheel rim. You can adjust the brakes by adjusting the brake pads or by changing the position of the calipers.
- Tighten loose bolts and screws, Over time, the bolts, and screws that hold bike parts in place can loosen and rattle or deteriorate. Look after your bike regularly and tighten any loose bolts or screws you find.
- Replacing worn parts, If you notice significant wear or damage to a part of your bike, such as a worn chain or bent derailleur hanger, it may be time to replace the damaged part. You can do it at home with the right tools, or take your bike to a professional bike mechanic.
Fifthly, upgrading your bike components, this will improve your riding experience and also expand the life span of your bike. For example, the most common components to improve to keep your bike up to date.
- Transmission, otherwise known as drivetrain, which includes components such as chains, cassettes, and derailleurs. Upgrading to a better transmission will give more precise shifts and smoother shifts, so you can drive more efficiently.
- Brakes, upgrading your bike’s brakes can improve stopping power and handling, especially on wet roads. Consider switching to disc brakes, which provide better stopping power than traditional rim brakes and require less maintenance.
- Wheels, upgrading your bike’s wheels can lighten the overall weight of your bike for that, improving the speed and handling. Consider upgrading to lightweight carbon fiber wheels to make sharp turns easier, and climb hills faster.
- Suspension, whether you’re riding off-road or over bumpy terrain, upgrading your bike’s suspension will give you a smoother, more comfortable ride. Consider replacing the suspension fork or rear shock to absorb shock and reduce fatigue.
- Handlebars, consider upgrading to a carbon fiber handlebar that can dampen vibrations and provide a more comfortable grip. Upgrading your bike’s handlebars can improve comfort and control while riding.
