Here are some tips that the pros use to keep their bikes in good condition.
You should pump your bike’s tires often. The number one reason bikes fall apart is because people ignore the tires; bicycle tires have very little air in them and the bicycle tubes, which are made of butyl rubber, are porous enough to allow air to seep out.
Tires soften over a period of a week for road bikes and a month for mountain bikes if kept unmaintained. People decide to stop riding the bike because they think they have flat tires and they put off getting the flat tire fixed because it means loading the bike in the car and dragging it down to the bike shop. Others don’t realize that the tires have softened and ride the bike anyway.
Unfortunately, if you ride with soft tires, there’s a risk of rim and tube or tire damage if you roll over a pothole or run over a rock. The impact damages the tire and allows the object to smack into the rim bending the rim and puncturing the tube.
Road bikes are recommended to be checked before every ride and mountain bikes are recommended to be checked at least once a week. Use a good pump that has a built-in gauge and follow the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, which is written on the tire’s sidewalls.
About once a year, your bike’s mechanisms should be dismantled, checked and re-greased because there are a lot of moving metal parts that are always interlocking and colliding with one another. Because special tools are needed and the work is required only occasionally, you may prefer to leave this job to a bike shop mechanic.
Use Triflow to lubricate the chain and pivot points on the brakes and derailleur but be careful not to apply too much because that will only collect dirt and grit that can actually speed parts wear.
A chain will need lube when the links appear bright and shiny, and when pedaling you hear squeaking. Apply enough lube to put a light coat on the chain. Any more than that and grime and gunk will build up.
For derailleurs apply the lube where the body of the derailleur moves. Here too, be sure to wipe off the excess.
Clipless pedals often develop creaking noises. Sometimes this comes from the shoes rubbing on the pedals and dabbing a bit of grease on the cleats will quiet the noise.
If the racket is coming from the pedals, apply a few drops on the jaws and spring. Just be sure not to walk into your house in your cycling shoes or you’ll leave greasy prints on your carpets.
