June 8, 2018, 9:15 am | Read time: 7 minutes
When the sun shines, motivation to hop back on the bike increases. However, for the ride to be enjoyable, the bicycle must be in good working order. We’ll show you how to get it back in shape.
By SVENJA SCHRADE
Many people are hesitant to perform simple repairs. The fear of breaking something is too great. However, these concerns are usually unfounded. Bicycles are much simpler than often assumed. It’s time to not only grab a cloth but also to tackle the technology!
Step 1: Check the Chain
One of the most important parts of the bicycle is the chain, which transfers power to the rear wheel and is thus responsible for propulsion. However, it stretches over time and eventually threatens to break. A broken chain is disastrous. It not only poses a high risk of injury but sometimes also damages the frame and attachments. Not to mention, a clean, oiled chain is more effective than a dirty, heavily stretched one. Moreover, the cassette and chainrings wear out more slowly when the chain is intact. This is good for your wallet–after all, replacing the drivetrain is expensive.
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So how do you determine when a chain should be replaced?
The easiest way is with a chain wear gauge. These can be purchased for just a few euros. If it sinks completely between the chain links, the chain is worn and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Want to remove the chain? This can be done with a chain breaker, which pushes out the connecting pin between the individual chain links.
Step 2: Cleaning
Cleaning the bike with a dirty chain only to find out later that it was already destined for the trash is frustrating. Therefore, check the chain first, then start cleaning.
A clean bike not only looks better, it rides better and makes maintenance easier.
For cleaning, a cloth and mild detergent are sufficient. A garden hose is handy, but a bucket of water will do as well. Avoid using a pressure washer, as it can force water and dirt into the bearings and seals.
The drivetrain is often difficult to clean. If you want the chain and cassette to shine again, special chain cleaning agents are recommended. With a bicycle cleaning brush–or even an old dish brush–dirt can be removed from between the sprockets and chain links.
Step 3: Oil the Cleaned Chain or Install a New One
Have you just cleaned the chain? Then quickly apply some chain oil! Otherwise, it will start to rust.
Does the bike currently have no chain? Then try installing a new one. First, you need a suitable model. Count the sprockets on your cassette! Depending on how many there are, you will need a 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, or 12-speed chain. Brands like Sram, KMC, or Wippermann provide a chain lock–Shimano uses a pin. The chain must be shortened to the correct length with a chain breaker–if in doubt, count the links of the old chain and adjust the new one accordingly. Then it can be installed. With a chain lock, this is easy without tools–with a pin, you will need the chain breaker again to close the chain, and a pair of pliers to break off the protruding piece of metal.
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Step 4: Inspect Bicycle Tires and Tubes
Most common models have a tube inside the tire, which presses against the casing when inflated. Does the bicycle tube still hold air? If not, it should be replaced.
Without air, it doesn’t roll well at all. The tires should not be porous or have many deep cuts. Some models even have a wear indicator to show how worn they are.
To change the tube and/or tire, the wheel must be removed. This can be done easily without tools using a quick release or with wrenches.
Tire levers can be used to lift the tire off the rim.
The hole in the tube is usually easy to find after disassembly by inflating it. Either the cut can be sealed with a patch kit, or a new tube can be used. When purchasing, make sure you know the wheel size (usually 26 or 28 inches for adult bikes) and the tire width, which is indicated on the tire. Before the new or repaired tube is reinstalled, the casing should be thoroughly checked for shards, thorns, or sharp stones that have pierced the carcass from the outside in. If these are not found, the tire will be flat again immediately after inflation–which would be annoying.
It’s also important to check the air pressure. If the tire is underinflated, the casing can be damaged. Additionally, the risk of a flat increases. Besides, if there’s too little air, you’re significantly slower. Almost all floor pumps and some hand pumps indicate how much bar (or PSI) is in the tube. The recommended pressure is indicated on the tire.
Step 5: Check the Brakes
If the brakes don’t work properly, it can be dangerous. Enjoying the great downhill ride? Hardly possible.
Check if the pads are already worn down to the wear limit.
Rim brake blocks can usually be loosened and reattached with an Allen screw. Make sure the pads rest on the braking surface–and are not positioned too high or low.
The pads still look good, but braking isn’t working properly? Then the distance to the rim should be checked. If it’s too large, the brake can’t grip strongly enough. To reduce the distance, the cable clamp screw must be loosened, the brakes squeezed together, and the wire clamped tighter. Is the wheel rubbing on one side? Then the brake should be centered. This can be done with V-brakes using a small adjustment screw that adjusts the spring tension. Road bike brakes are simply rotated at their mounting.
However, be careful: If there’s an oil film on the rim, even the best brake will fail miserably. Clean the braking surface with a degreasing cleaner–or professional brake cleaner.
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Step 6: Adjust the Gears
Skipping gears is no fun. Fixing this problem is easier than often thought. Usually, you just need to turn a screw. BOC explains how to perfectly adjust the gears:
Step 7: Consider Optimizations
Is your bike just the way you want it? Then hop on the saddle. If not, consider optimizations. How about a new luggage rack, a stylish bike basket, puncture-proof tires, brighter lights, or a more comfortable saddle?
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Step 8: Seek Help
On platforms like YouTube, many people have uploaded videos explaining almost everything in detail. Unfortunately, we can’t cover all the different systems or problems in this short text–that would require hundreds of pages in a book.
If you’re unsure, consider attending a repair workshop or a self-help workshop. Here, you’ll meet like-minded people and learn something for life. This way, small mishaps won’t scare you even on longer tours.
As a last resort, there’s always your trusted bike dealer, who will surely get the bike rolling again.