Road Bike Maintenance for Beginners
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It’s that time of year again… as we head into the fall and winter in the northern hemisphere it’s time to give our trusty steeds some bike maintenance love before we are relegated to indoor trainers and group Zwift rides.
I remember buying my first road bike and knowing absolutely nothing about the subject. I had decided that I wanted to start training for triathlons so I had no choice but to buy a bike. Of the three disciplines, the bike part scared me the most. This was a new adventure for me and there was actually too much information on the internet, so I chose to go to a Specialized mega store near me. Obviously, I had heard of the brand, but also since I would most likely have questions it would be a convenient place to go and bug the staff if I had doubts or concerns. And oh how I had questions! Let’s just say, even now, the entire staff knows me by name.
During that first visit, I told the salesman, Bruno, what my objectives were and he sold me a good bike at a very good price. I took it and off I went… except I really wasn’t aware that real maintenance would be involved once you start riding. My main concerns were riding the bike, not falling, and how to clip in and out, again, without falling. That was more than enough to think about.
It wasn’t until I had trouble changing gears that I was informed that I needed to oil my chain. I took that to heart and oiled it regularly only to find out that too much oil is also bad and really one must clean the chain first then, oil it. “Oh, okay…” It was at that point that I started asking myself, “What else do I need to know? This bike thing is getting more complicated than I thought.”
The good news is if you’ve purchased a good quality bike, it only requires a small amount of regular maintenance and some care when riding to ensure that it lasts a long time. You’ve spent real money on your sexy new bike so take the time to protect your investment. Follow these tips and your bike will give you years of riding joy.
General Bike Maintenance
Regular Maintenance Checks
A yearly routine maintenance check and tune-up at your local bike shop (LBS) is essential to the long life of your bike. If you ride a lot, you may need to increase these visits, and also, if you follow my checklist below that will help you determine when you may need to see your friends at the LBS outside of the annual visits.
Regularly Cleaning Your Bike
While it’s not my saying, it’s definitely true, “A clean bike is a fast bike.” The second defense but just as important is you must clean your bike regularly. Yes, there are people who clean their bikes after every ride. Don’t worry I am not one of those people. However, plan to clean your bike after every few rides. And definitely clean it immediately after you’ve ridden in the rain. With the rain, too much road salt, dirt, and debris can get trapped in the small crevices of your bike and eat away at it.
If you are like I was, you may be asking yourself, “What exactly is entailed when cleaning my bike? Should I just wipe off the dust and be done?” The answer is no, that is not enough. You should lightly hose down the bike and, with a bike cleaning solution, clean off all the dirt and grime. However, do not turbo spray the bike with a high-pressure hose. Just fill a bucket with cleanser and water and start from there. Water is the bike’s number one enemy so after cleaning and rinsing, you must dry it thoroughly. Pay special attention to the chain and the cassette by cleaning off all of the grease with a good degreaser.
Lubricating Your Bike
Once clean, then you can lightly lubricate. In general, you lubricate wherever metal parts move against each other. Too much oil, as I mentioned above, can damage the moving components by attracting dirt, and other particles and making the surfaces sticky thereby slowing them down.
The chain is the primary moving part of the bike and needs the most attention. If you don’t have a bike stand, lift the bike up a little by the seat post (just under the saddle) and while backpedaling add a few drops of oil. Next lube the front and rear derailleur assemblies including their pivot points. Again, you’d have to lift the rear wheel off the ground in order to backpedal the bike and add oil while the chain is moving. These are the components that you should check regularly. Some other parts that will need occasional lubrication include the brake and shifter levers, brake assemblies, and pedals.For details on the bike parts mentioned and how to lubricate them, have a look at Intown Bikes “How to Lube a Bicycle”
Keep Your Bike Inside
So this is one of the things the bike shop folks will tell you. If you are not riding it, keep your bike inside always. No exceptions. You want to keep your two-wheeled friend safe, dry, and away from the elements when you are not using it. And keep it somewhere where it is completely out of the way from being run into, banged, or just overall jostled and manhandled.
Handle with Care When Traveling
While in 2020 this may not be the most pressing issue, we are all dreaming of the day when we can pack up our bikes and head somewhere foreign and beautiful for a long cycling trip with friends. Hopefully somewhere with delicious coffee pastries.
If you must take apart your bike in order to put it into a bike bag, take care when disassembling and assembling. If someone else will be doing it for you, I say be present and learn how to do it yourself. It’s not difficult, seriously, and then you no longer have to rely on someone else (bonus!). A bike bag will come with ties or some sort of structure to fasten in your bike, but don’t assume that is enough. Have plenty of foam to insulate your bike against shock. This is your bike we’re talking about – it needs extra love!
Even if it’s just a journey in the trunk of the car and removing the wheels is all that’s necessary, be careful with the parts. Don’t shove, smash and mash everything in there until everything is in tight. You can’t treat your baby like that. Use care, and have foam or soft material to cover and protect your bike.
While Riding Your Bike
Use Caution When Riding
I know there are those who would absolutely disagree with me on this, but, it’s called a road bike. Keep it on the road where it belongs. Yes, there’s no doubt that a good-quality road bike is durable and can take a little battering. If we watch races like Paris- Roubaix or many others that are similar, we see the pros speed across old rough cobblestones on road bikes and they manage to finish just fine. I’m not saying it’s not possible. I’m saying it’s not a life extender for your bike. Avoid potholes, rough roads, dirt roads, and anything that looks like it requires a dirt bike or a 4×4 vehicle. (This is also all the more reason to invest in that gravel bike you’ve been eyeing up!)
The Checklist
Here is a suggested checklist of things you should do at certain intervals of time. It’s also at these times when you can determine if you need to see your mechanic for repair or more thorough maintenance. For more detail on getting to know your bike parts, check out these helpful videos. GCN’s “Anatomy of a Bicycle” or Bicycle Lab “Basic Road Bike Maintenance”
“So just how long is all of this supposed to take? Don’t you know I’ve got training to do!” Well, that’s what I would ask. Just 10 to 15 minutes, possibly less, before and after a ride and you will keep your machine running smoothly with very little drama. And isn’t that what we really want in the end?
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Bike Maintenance Checklist
Before You Ride
Correctly inflate tires to the appropriate air pressure before each ride.
Check brakes and brake levers
Make sure the chain is clean and lightly oiled
Check wheels and wheel spokes for tightness
Check shift- levers and derailleurs Post- Ride
Clean and inspect tires for any embedded debris or tears
Check tires for straightness
Wipe down bike frame
Clean bike with soap and water
Wipe down bike chain
Weekly
Wipe down chain rings, cassette and derailleur pulleys
Check brake pads
Check brake and gear cables for rust or fraying
Check pedals and crank to make sure they are tight
Listen to your chain turning through the gears when you lube it. It should be
silent and shift gears easily
Monthly
Degrease and lube drivetrain
Check chain wear
Check that wheels are true and straight
Lubricate brake levers, derailleurs and cables
Check and lubricate bike cleats (if needed)
Check the bolts such as those in the seat post, handlebars, brakes and gears
Annually
Take it in for a professional tune up