Saturday, January 19, 2013

Time for a Tune Up


HOW OFTEN SHOULD I MAINTAIN MY BICYCLE????

A common and legit question!  The most accurate answer is that it depends on where you ride, what conditions you ride in and how much you ride!  A bicycle is a machine...all machines need some form of continuous care.  Here is a small list of things to do before and after every ride at a minimum...and a guide to how often your bike needs to visit the shop!

BEFORE EVERY RIDE
-Check Tire Pressure
-Check Shock Pressure
-Check Fork Pressure
-Inspect Tires For Cracks or Peeling
-Check and Make Sure Brakes Are Operational
-Check Critical Stem/Braking System Hardware/Bolts for Proper Torque
-Check For Loose Parts and Make Sure Bike Does Not RATTLE
-Check Chain for Tight Links or Potential Failure Points

AFTER EVERY RIDE
-Inspect Tires Again
-Clean Drivetrain of Sand and Grime
-Clean Frame and Painted Areas of Sand, Grime, and SWEAT!
-Re-lube chain properly and wipe off excess chain lube
-Hang Bike In SAFE PLACE!

TUNE UPS
We recommend a tune up once a year on every bike at a MINIMUM...if you ride more you might need more than one tune up a year!  A tune up on a bike is a lot like an OIL Change in a car...it needs to be done after a certain amount of mileage, but should always be considered every 6 months or so on a bike that is used and needs to be considered safe and reliable!


Planet Bike Men's A.R.S. Anatomic Relief Bicycle Saddle (Black/Black)
Shimano SM-SH56 SPD Cleat Sets
Shimano PD-M324 Clipless/Clip Pedals
SRAM PC 971 P-Link Bicycle Chain (9-Speed, Grey)