Your bike has been sitting alone all winter but, now that it’s warming up, you want to participate in Bike North’s Activ8 in September. But is your bike up to it?
The easiest, and often most cost-effective, way to be sure your bike is ready to get going again is to book it in at your local bike shop and get it properly serviced. A basic service may cost as little as $95, plus parts, but it’s still cheaper than a taxi home if your bike breaks down. There are a few things you can do to check your bike out first.
Wheels
Wheels that are out of “true” can cause issues in braking, especially on a rim-brake bike. A simple test is to raise the wheel off the ground and spin it. If it rubs on your brakes, there could be a problem needing attention.
Wheels Tightly Locked
Check your wheels are firmly fitted using the cam lock system. When tight, the lever should be either against the frame, or pointing to the rear so that it cannot accidently catch on something and release whilst riding.
Tyres
Yes, tyres do wear out but also, if they’ve been sitting, unused, they can perish and crack. Have a good look at the side walls for cracking and the tread, to ensure there is no canvass coming through. If in doubt, a new tyre can cost as little as $50, and it’s a worthwhile investment.
Tyre Pressure
If your tyres are looking good, pump them up to the recommended pressure shown on the side of the tyre. A good floor pump, with a pressure gauge is essential for all riders.
Check the pressure the following day to ensure there are no leaks. Just as new tyres are a great investment, so are new tubes, if there is a leak. For as little as $15 you can gain the reassurance of tubes that will see you through a ride. If you are not confident fitting a new tube, have a look at YouTube. Every Bike North rider should be able to replace a tube, should they get a puncture out on a ride.
Brakes
When you are riding as part of a Bike North group, you will be travelling closer to other riders than if you are doing a solo ride. Good brakes are essential. If you have a rim brake bike, remember that the rubber brake blocks can harden with age and so may not be as efficient as they could be. It only takes a few minutes to change brake blocks and they are relatively inexpensive, at around $10 a set.
Small adjustments can be made to rim brakes by simply turning the cable adjuster, then locking it in place.
Checking disc brake pads is a little more difficult, but definitely a skill worth developing. Again, YouTube is a great resource, and it only takes a few minutes to check if you have a decent amount of brake pad wear left. Check that your discs are not thin and needing replacement.
Before finishing with your brakes, check their operation by pulling in the brake handle. The brakes should be fully on before the handle touches the handlebar. Adjusting the brake at the brake handle is simply a matter of turning two cable adjusters.
Cables
There are many different set ups on modern bikes. Some have done away with brake gear cables all together through the application of hydraulics and electronics whilst others have cables connecting gears and brakes. Check that cables are not worn or frayed. If so, get them replaced as they are candidates for failure, and a long walk home. It may be necessary to lift the hoods to do this.
Drive Train
The drive train is comprised of front chain rings, connected to your pedals, a gear “cassette” on the rear wheel, and a chain connecting them. A chain that is dirty or rusty will not change as smoothly as one that is properly maintained. There are a number of different lubricants that can be used but, if you are unsure, talk to your local bike shop and buy the one that suits your riding.
Test how your gears are changing. You can put your bike on a work stand, if you have one, mount it on a bike rack, or turn the bike upside down, however this can make it difficult to change the gears. With the pedals turning, change gears and observe if the chain moves smoothly across the chain rings, then the cassette. If it skips, jumps or is hard to move, it may need attention. A bike shop is often the best option if you are not experienced in this area.
Frame
Frames can crack, no matter what they are made of. Have a good look over every part of the frame, especially in joints to ensure there is no cracking. If so, it’s off to the bike shop. Most manufacturers of quality bikes warrant their frames for a significant period of time so any issues may not be costly. Still, you don’t want the frame to fall apart when you are enjoying your favourite descent.
There are various mounting bolts that can come loose over time. Things like bottle cages and even handlebars need to checked. If you have a torque wrench, you can do these, ensuring the maximum torque is not exceeded, but otherwise, it’s a job for the bike shop.
Cameras, Lights, Action
Just because you can see a car, or another bike, doesn’t mean they can see you. It is a legal requirement to have working lights around dusk and beyond, but even during the day, front and rear flashing lights can improve your visibility and, if they save you once, the cost was worth it.
Some Bike North members operate combined video camera/ light but they are quite expensive. Check that you have lights and they are working. If not, head to your local bike shop and specify that you want lights to increase your visibility.
Brian Lynne