7 Bike-Care Mistakes to Avoid
We all make mistakes, but SRAM mechanic Sara Jarrell says she frequently meets cyclists who make the same common errors when it comes to bike set up and maintenance. She has wrenched for World Cup racers, led skills clinics for riders of all abilities and taught beginner classes, so she’s experienced it all. Here are the most common mistakes she sees and her best advice to avoid them.
Too much tire pressure
Getting your tire pressure right can be the difference between a comfortable ride and a tooth-loosening bump fest. “If you just pump your tire up to the maximum pressure printed on the tire, it’s not going to be a good ride experience,” Jarrell says. Experiment with a range of pressures and adapt to the terrain. As a general rule, lighter riders will likely want to ride a lower tire pressure than heavier riders. “The most common error I see is people running way too much pressure and getting bounced around,” Jarrell says.
Dirty bikes
Your bike collects dirt every ride. Go long enough without washing it and your chain will wear, bearings will seize, and shifters can lock up. It’s always nice to keep the frame shiny and new-looking, but don’t forget to clean the moving parts, too. “People often don’t know how to clean their bikes,” says Jarrell. “Using bicycle-specific cleaners is a good idea. That’s why they’re made.” Scrub your chain and cogset with a degreaser made for bicycles and use a mild detergent, like Dawn, diluted in water on the rest of your parts.
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Too much chain lube
After you clean your bike, lube the chain. Add about one drop per link, aiming for the pins that hold them together. “Make sure to wipe off the excess; otherwise you’re spraying lube all over the place as you ride,” says Jarrell. As with cleaners, be sure to use lube made for bicycles. The same oil you use in your car will not work for your bike. “Motor oil is the worst!”
Irregular maintenance
“Some people think bikes are toys, but if you don’t maintain it, you’re going to create a safety hazard.” You might also end up stranded on the road when an old chain or shift cable breaks. Check your tires and brakes before every ride and bring your bike to a shop at least once a year for regular maintenance (more if you ride often). To save money, it’s worth learning some maintenance skills of your own. Bicycling’s online course, Quick & Easy Bike Maintenance, covers all the basics you need and allows you to learn from home. A neglected bike is a sad bike. Don’t let your bike be sad.
Unreachable brake levers
Can you comfortably wrap the tips of your fingers over your brake lever? If not, you can usually adjust them. Jarrell says she often sees riders with their levers set too far away from the bar. But it doesn’t have to be that way. “Almost every mountain bike brake manufacturer has a lever adjustment so you can move the lever in and out from the bars,” she says. Whether you brake with one finger or two, your finger should extend over the lever at least up to the first knuckle. You can also shift the lever angle to make your hands more comfortable. If you’re not sure how to do it, ask a mechanic at your local shop to help.
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Wrong suspension set-up
All the dials and valves on a modern mountain bike fork and shock can be intimidating. And that makes it tempting to get on the bike and just go ride without bothering to dial in the suspension. Jarrell sees it all the time in her clinics. Sometimes women will be on bikes set up for someone 50 pounds heavier and their forks won’t budge at all. “They say, ‘Oh, I’m riding my boyfriend’s bike,’” Jarrell says. Most suspension companies have detailed instructions for setting up your suspension on their web site. You’ll need a shock pump and some patience, but most riders can get it down in 30 minutes or less the first time. If you don’t have a pump, see if you can borrow one from a shop, or purchase your own—you’ll want to use it often. As a general rule, add enough air (or remove it) so that the suspension compresses about 25 percent under your body weight.
Handlebars that Are too Wide, or too Narrow
Handlebars come in a variety of widths to suit just about any riding style and body size. “Riding a bar that’s way too wide or way too narrow — it’s going to affect the handling,” Jarrell says. An overly narrow bar may make your bike feel twitchy and unpredictable, but if you are a smaller rider, you may find that the bars that came with your bike are too wide for comfort. “If your elbows are locked, your bars are too wide.” To improve your position on a mountain bike, you can also slide your shifters and brake levers in or out on your bars to find the most comfortable spot for your hands.
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