In accordance with a post from a while back, today's topic is from a certain Brit Schlaybach: Simple bike care tips.
1. One of the simplest and easiest ways to keep your bike smoothly running is to keep it OUT of the elements. Yes, this means actually putting your bike inside after usage, or at least sheltering it from rain.
2. Don't use WD-40 on the chain... use a more specific chain lubrication.
3. Don't run over your bike with your car. This will insure that your wheels aren't bent beyond repair.
4. Don't skid the tires. It wasn't even cool when you were 7, and it's not cool when you are grown up.
5. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended psi.
6. Ride on the right side of the road. This may not be a bike care tip, but it's the way it's supposed to be done.
7. Lock your bike at public places. That way you'll be able to ride it home.
8. If you're feeling plucky enough to fix a problem on your bike, do it with the appropriate tools. Use of improper tools could be disastrous.
9. When making your own repairs, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Youtube and Google have lots of information...
10. As always, when you are baffled by problems on your bike, take it to your trusted local bike shop. :)
Glad to be an inspiration! :D I like #3 and #10 the BEST! :) (Especially #10!) #2 is good to keep in mind though too... I did not know! Any recommendations for good places in the area to ride? I typically follow a 4-mile "course" on the roads around my house, or go to Grings Mill and Blue Marsh. Where else would you recommend for good riding?
ReplyDeleteIf you have a mountain bike, which I think you do (right?), Blue Marsh is probably your best bet for a good ride close to home. However, if you have a free day with dry weather, and you are feeling adventurous, go south of the border to White Clay Creek, in DE. Just be sure to have a map of the place before you go into it. That trail is a fairly decent mountain biking trail, but if you've never done it, it could prove to be a challenge. Plus if you have OUR luck, your chain will break :P
ReplyDeleteIndeed I do have a mountain bike! I shall keep White Clay Creek in mind.......... ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!! Who wants to go?! :D
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