5 Expert Bicycle Maintenance Basics Every Rider Should Know to Avoid Costly Repairs
Just like a car or a motorcycle, a bike needs regular maintenance. Our tips remove the mystery and pain from the chore.
The thought of hopping on your bike and hitting the great outdoors with the wind in your face is invigorating (provided you’re wearing a helmet tested by Consumer Reports’ experts). Beyond the endorphin rush, casual cycling is a highly effective form of low-intensity, steady-state exercise. This makes it an ideal solution for those who prefer outdoor exercise over the confines of a crowded gym, and it can be easier on your body than running or weightlifting.
Cycling also offers a practical and sustainable way to commute. Choosing a bike over a car for just one trip a day can reduce an individual’s carbon emissions from transportation by about 67 percent, according to UCLA transportation. As more cities invest in protected bike lanes and urban infrastructure, the bicycle has evolved from a recreational tool into a mainstream mobility solution. Whether you’re using a traditional road bike or a pedal-assist e-bike, the dual benefit of staying in shape while lowering your environmental footprint makes cycling one of the most efficient ways to navigate your daily life.
Considering an Electric Bike?
See our e-bike ratings and buying guide, and check our reviews of the best electric bikes and the top lower-priced e-bikes.
5 Bicycle Maintenance Tips
1. Pump up the tires. Bicycle tires naturally lose air over time. Your tires are likely to be completely flat if you haven’t ridden in a year or longer. Inflate the tires within the range listed on the tire’s sidewall. Be sure to put air in slowly, checking to make sure the bead of the tire (the sidewall) stays properly “seated” inside the rim of the wheel. “Airing the tire up too quickly, or if the tire isn’t properly seated onto the rim, can cause the tube to burst as you’re pumping air in,” says Gary Nicol, co-owner of the Pedal Power bike shops in Connecticut. Then be prepared to add a small amount of air to the tires every few days, because air naturally escapes through pores in the tubes.
2. Give the tires a visual inspection. Once you inflate the tires, look them over thoroughly for cracking or dry rot. Nicol says it’s easy for a tire to develop dry rot with age, especially if it’s been sitting unused for a couple of years on a concrete floor.
3. Secure the quick-release wheel skewers. Many bicycle wheels use quick-release skewers to attach the wheel to the bicycle, making it easy to remove the wheel without tools. But Nicol says he often sees bicycles come into the shop with the skewers on incorrectly. “The skewers indicate on them which position is open and which is closed, but often people don’t have them locked properly,” he says. This can be dangerous because the wheel could come loose while riding. Clamp the skewers into the position that allows you to read the word “closed.”
4. Check the brakes. Inspect the front and rear brake assemblies to make sure they’re working properly. The left and right brake pads on each wheel should come into contact with the rim of the wheel when you pull back on the brake levers. “Make sure there is a strong braking force before the point where the brake lever comes in contact with the handlebar,” Nicol says. If there isn’t, you’ll need to adjust it so that you can get full stopping power in the case of an emergency maneuver.
5. Lubricate the chain. Your chain really is the “link” that makes your bike’s drivetrain function, so it’s important to keep it properly lubricated and free of gunk, grime, and dirt. It’s best to use bicycle-specific chain lube, but Nicol says a multipurpose lubricant, such as 3-in-One oil or WD-40, is better than nothing. Apply only a thin coat because an excessive amount will attract dirt onto the chain as you ride. Shift the bike through all its gears, then wipe the chain down with a rag. “Wiping the chain down before adding lube will accomplish almost nothing if the chain is completely gummed up with old crud,” Nicol says.
6. Charge that e-bike battery. Electric bikes should be stored with the battery partly charged, and manufacturers vary on the recommended state of charge. No matter what, if your e-bike has been in storage all winter, don’t forget to charge it a day or two before you plan to ride. It’s hard enough getting back home on a conventional bike with a mechanical problem. But for some people, a heavy e-bike can be a challenge to pedal without electric assistance, and pushing it can be even harder. The lightest model in our current e-bike ratings weighs 34 pounds, while the heaviest is 65 pounds. Read more about how to make your electric bike last longer.
Do This Before You Ride
After your bike is ready to hit the road, don’t forget to grab your helmet. Keep in mind, however, that bike helmets don’t last forever. CR’s bike helmet testing experts say the protective foam liner can deteriorate in just a few years, which means it might not provide sufficient protection in an impact or a crash.
Be sure to check CR’s bike helmet ratings to find out which helmets provide the best protection, ventilation, fit adjustments, and ease of use. Moreover, consult our bike helmet buying guide for smart shopping tips.
CR’s Fisher recommends taking a spare tire tube and small plastic tire tools when you ride in case you get a flat tire (make sure you know how to change it; there are plenty of how-to videos online), along with a mini-pump, or a CO₂ inflator and cartridge, to add air. And don’t forget to take your cell phone in case of an emergency.
