Bike Shortages Will Likely Last … Bicycling Booms During Lockdown … Bike Market Skyrockets … these are some of the headlines in bicycle news that have appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those of us who have been around for a while know this is not the first time bicycling has been popular. In the early 1970s, sales of bicycles was so strong that, like this boom, bike shops had little or no inventory, and waiting lists for bicycles were common.
Part of the reason for the surge in sales during the pandemic has been the lack of access to gyms that had been relied on for regular exercise. Cycling is an activity that family members can do together, as well as friends looking to be social while still practicing social distancing. Plus, cycling is just fun!
Bicycle shops may have a backlog of customers needing maintenance and repair, so whatever we can do with a few common tools for basic maintenance at home can keep the wheels turning. There are some specialized tools that are needed for advanced maintenance, but you probably already own enough hand tools for most routine care and upkeep of your bike.
The first thing to consider is keeping your bicycle clean. High pressure spray like one would use on their car is not needed, and, in fact, should be avoided. One should not allow water to get inside the frame, so washing the bicycle with a bucket of water and some liquid soap with a sponge, soft brush or cloth is recommended. A water hose with just normal water pressure is fine for rinsing the bike, then be sure to dry the bicycle thoroughly.
There are very inexpensive chain cleaning tools that quickly and effectively clean the chain. Fill the chain cleaning tool with solvent available from your local bike shop, and rotate the bike pedals so the chain runs through the tool several times. Remove the solvent from the tool and repeat the process with soapy water. After the chain is thoroughly dry, lubricate it with an appropriate chain lube. Wipe the excess lube off with a clean, dry rag to prevent dirt from accumulating on the chain.
Next, clean the sprockets that the chain runs on. There are some narrow brushes made for this, but a lightly oiled shop rag tightly held between the sprockets and “sawed” back and forth is an inexpensive alternative.
Tire maintenance is important, and the No. 1 consideration is proper inflation. Properly inflated tires will ride much smoother and safer than tires that are either over-inflated or under-inflated. Just use the recommended pressure on the tire as your guide, and never use the electric compressor that you would air automobile tires with. The pressure is too great for the bicycle tube, and it is too easy to over-inflate before you know it. A manually operated bicycle pump is a tool every bike owner should have.
If a tube needs to be repaired or replaced, avoid using metal screwdrivers to pry the tire away from the rim, as
they can damage both the rim and the tire. Another very inexpensive tool every bicycle owner should have is a set of plastic tire levers. They are very effective and make the repair go smoothly.
If you have a multi-speed bike that is not shifting smoothly, the derailleur adjustments can certainly be intimidating and should be approached with caution. There is a barrel adjustment that can be manipulated by hand for minor adjustments, but adjusting the limiting screws in the derailleur probably should be left to the professional at your bike shop.
Check your brakes to make sure they are working properly, and replace the brake pads if necessary. Your bike may also have some barrel adjustments for minor tweaking of the brake pad tension on the wheel rims. If the barrel adjustment does not produce the desired result, an adjustment of the brake cable may be in order, but this is another adjustment best made by your bike shop professional.
Keeping the bike clean, properly lubricated and making sure tires are properly inflated will go a long way toward keeping your bicycle safely on the road. Beyond this, develop a good working relationship with a local bike shop. Happy pedaling!
Sources:
1. Forbes.com
2. DeLong’s Guide to Bicycles and Bicycling by Fred DeLong
3. Complete Bike Maintenance by Fred Milson
Written by Bill Smith
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