Have you ever been riding your bike out on a nice, sunny day, but seemed like you were peddling maybe a little bit more than usual? What about a tire that wobbled? I know it's not everyday you get asked this but, when was the last time you gave your bike a checkup? Silly as it may sound, your personal bikes need tender loving care too. Let's talk about some of the things you should keep in mind before you take your next bike ride.
Before you begin maintenance on your bike it's always best to make sure your have the proper tools which could include tire pumps, chain tools, chain lubricant, tire repair kits, rags, screw drivers and allen wrenches to start with. Another handy piece of paper that could come in handy is the owners manual, if you still have it. For some reason many consumers tend to throw the instructions out with the bike packing. Yes i know pride could get in the way and you would rather do it yourself, at least keep the instructions near by.
Your bike tires need to be checked to make sure you get a more efficient ride. If your bike comes with a manual check to see what the pressure is supposed to be set at. It should also be labeled on the tire itself. Some other things you should check include:
Rim – Always check your rim for dents and twists
Tire tread – Make sure there's traction, better to have your tire stick to the road pushing you further up the road.
Spokes – If your spoke are loose you're going to have to tighten or replace your rim
Brakes – If these don't work, this could mean a ugly ride aka you crashing
Chain – Make sure it's lubricated and clean and free of debris. This doesn't mean you have to make sure that there is no dirt on the chain, but the main thing is to makes sure that the chain moves smoothly.
Finally for a more enjoyable ride it is always better to get a seat with a nice cushion.
I like the gel cushion seat more myself. Keep in mind that your local bike shops can repair your bike if the damage is more than expected. If you keep these things in mind, I'm sure your future bike rides will not only be safe but provide a smoother ride.