Basics About Bicycle Tune Up

By Daphne Bowen


The purposes for which modern-day bicycles can be used for are ever increasing and getting more complex. In most developing countries, people use them for transportation as well as a source of employment. In more developed states, they get used in competitions, fitness training, and recreational purposes. All the aforementioned uses require proper bicycle tune up for them to be achieved easily and more effectively.

Injury can be caused to riders and other people if one takes a poorly maintained bike to the road. Besides sustaining and causing injuries to others, one can also damage property and be required to pay expensively for them. In addition to that, components of a bike that is not well maintained also wear fast. If one is daring enough, they can do most of the steps involved in a tune up because they are pretty simple and take a short time.

Some people do not like jobs that involve manual work like this one. If that is the case, it is advisable to take the bike to any bike shop. Cincinnati has several of such shops open most of the day. Experts working those shops charge reasonably and offer excellent services. A typical job will usually last about thirty minutes to one hour. Tips presented in the paragraphs below can be useful for those who decide to get the job done on their own.

The first factor to be considered needs to be cleanliness. A well-cleaned bike is already maintained half-way. When buying cleaning products to use, one should choose ones that do not have effect on people, animals, and the environment. The market now has several biodegradable cleaners to choose from. As one cleans, the have to give more attention to cassettes, derailleurs, pedals, frames, brakes, chains, and chain rings.

Dismounting may be necessary for some parts during the cleaning process. This should be done carefully. Once properly cleaned, the dismounted components should be greased and then remounted correctly. Oil should not be used to lubricate dismounted components because it is not durable. Instead bicycle grease should be used always.

Another part to pay attention to is the brake system. When checking the brake system, one should press the brake levers while the rear wheel is spinning and observe how long it take for the wheels to stop rotating. An effective brake system should stop the wheels instantly. Next, the brake pads should be checked for uneven wearing and other damages. They must be replaced if they got used up.

Efficiency of the drivetrain must also be checked. The drivetrain is the system that transmits the force generated by pedaling to the rear wheel. As such, it needs proper servicing and greasing. Wherever necessary, any components that are loose should be tightened up. After that, wheels must be investigated for proper rotation and any misalignment caused by damaged by brake pads.

Finally, to make sure everything is set, a test ride should be conducted. All cannot be okay without a test ride. Problems are likely to be realized during the test ride and they should be solved before one ventures out.




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