Chapter twelve of Bike Easy looks at basic cycle maintenance. It’s not a glamorous subject, is it? For many people it’s way off their radar: too tricky; too tedious. But maintenance is important. Bikes are not crude implements like garden rollers. They’re generally tough and reliable but they’re sophisticated machines with many hundreds of moving parts that need regular adjustment and lubrication, and periodic replacement.
Your favourite bike shop will be pleased to service your bike for you. Just book it in. A mechanic will check everything, looking for signs of wear and tear. He or she will adjust your gears and brakes, replace worn cables and brake blocks, and lubricate the parts that need it. You’ll also be informed about any underlying problems likely to need attention in the near future.
But it’s easy to learn a few simple maintenance skills yourself. You may find classes run by local cycling groups or by community-minded bike shops. Or you can teach yourself using books, YouTube tutorials and a bit of trial and error.
To start you off, this chapter provides a gentle initiation into bicycle maintenance. It’s all straightforward stuff and, with the exception of inflating your tyres (for which you’ll need a pump), no tools are required. More>>>
