As with all vehicles, bicycles need regular maintenance to remain in optimal condition.
Depending on the type of use given to them, the reviews should be more or less recurring. For example, in disciplines such as enduro or MTB, components suffer great wear, while urban bicycles usually face much less severe conditions.
Taking this factor into account, we will explain how to do basic maintenance on a bicycle.
Checking tire pressure and tire wear is essential. If they are not in optimal condition, we will have a much higher chance of suffering a puncture or fall due to lack of grip.
The entire transmission assembly must be adjusted and lubricated. Otherwise, it will cause annoying noises, inaccuracies and unnecessary friction, which will lead to further deterioration of all the components involved.
Special attention should be paid to the chain. Over time, it stretches due to the stress and wear and tear of everyday life. Of course, the moment the chain exceeds the marked limits, it can begin to cause damage to other components, such as the sprocket or chainrings.
There is no set number of hours or kilometers for each chain change, since it depends a lot on the cyclist’s pedaling style, their strength and cadence, as well as the abruptness or smoothness with which they usually change gears.
The braking system is the most important safety element of bicycles. The condition of the pads and discs should be checked regularly. Along these lines, the feel of the brake levers must be soft and progressive, to be able to adapt braking to different situations.
In this case, noises due to disc friction are common, and are not always a symptom of brakes in poor condition.
In general, washing the bicycle is one of the actions that will most extend the useful life of the components. Of course, pressurized water should never be applied at close range, as it could damage internal elements, such as ratchets or wiring.
When finished, it is always advisable to dry the most delicate areas, in order to avoid the accumulation or persistence of water and humidity.
Beyond periodic checkups at home, it is important to visit a trusted workshop at least a couple or three times a year.
Shimano Service Centers offer all kinds of solutions and advice to take care of your bicycle. Deep down, we are all bicycle lovers, and we never like to see a copy with broken components or in poor condition.
Shimano Service Centers offer all kinds of solutions and advice to take care of your bicycle. Deep down, we are all bicycle lovers, and we never like to see a copy with broken components or in poor condition.