YOUR EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT to us
Sometimes it is difficult to know when you need maintenance or repair. At Cycle-Logic we have prepared a short checklist to see if you should make an appointment with us.
Pinched Flats
Prevent pinch flats. Seating tubes and tires before inflating is an often neglected step. Push the valve halfway into the rim and inflate until the tube holds its shape. Tuck the tube into the tire, check that the valve stem is straight, and seat the bead of the tire all the way around the rim. Then, circling the entire wheel, push the tire away from the rim wall with your thumbs, and look at the gap to ensure the tube isn’t trapped between the bead and rim. Push the valve up into the tire and pull it back down. Inflate. Seems tricky or lack the tools? Make an appointment today.
Prevent pinch flats. Seating tubes and tires before inflating is an often neglected step. Push the valve halfway into the rim and inflate until the tube holds its shape. Tuck the tube into the tire, check that the valve stem is straight, and seat the bead of the tire all the way around the rim. Then, circling the entire wheel, push the tire away from the rim wall with your thumbs, and look at the gap to ensure the tube isn’t trapped between the bead and rim. Push the valve up into the tire and pull it back down. Inflate. Seems tricky or lack the tools? Make an appointment today.
Keep it dry
After a rainy ride, towel off your bike. If you have a steel frame, you must do this to prevent rust. If you don’t have steel and you’re pressed for time, at least dry the drivetrain, which is most susceptible to premature wear, then the rims–grit there can hurt your braking and wear your rims. If you haven’t been doing this, you may want to come in for a check up.
After a rainy ride, towel off your bike. If you have a steel frame, you must do this to prevent rust. If you don’t have steel and you’re pressed for time, at least dry the drivetrain, which is most susceptible to premature wear, then the rims–grit there can hurt your braking and wear your rims. If you haven’t been doing this, you may want to come in for a check up.
Grease anything with threads
Mechanics struggle with fasteners that weren’t greased–it either takes them longer to do the repair or they end up breaking the part. Help keep your bike tip-top by greasing threads or coming in for a tune-up regularly.
Mechanics struggle with fasteners that weren’t greased–it either takes them longer to do the repair or they end up breaking the part. Help keep your bike tip-top by greasing threads or coming in for a tune-up regularly.
Degrease the drivetrain
When your chain is gunky, spray degreaser on, hold a rag against it and backpedal to clean it. Spray and wipe until the chain runs clean against the rag. To finish, degrease chainrings, the cassette and derailleur pulleys to prevent buildup from finding its way onto the chain and speeding wear. Lube up after. Lack the tools, time or resources? Make an appointment at Cycle-Logic and we will take care of it for you.
When your chain is gunky, spray degreaser on, hold a rag against it and backpedal to clean it. Spray and wipe until the chain runs clean against the rag. To finish, degrease chainrings, the cassette and derailleur pulleys to prevent buildup from finding its way onto the chain and speeding wear. Lube up after. Lack the tools, time or resources? Make an appointment at Cycle-Logic and we will take care of it for you.
Change chains
Most riders don’t install new chains every 1,400 to 1,800 miles, or at least once a year. Ride long enough with an old chain, and it will wear your cassette and chainrings, so you have to shell out to replace everything, not just the chain. Come in for an assessment of your ride.
Most riders don’t install new chains every 1,400 to 1,800 miles, or at least once a year. Ride long enough with an old chain, and it will wear your cassette and chainrings, so you have to shell out to replace everything, not just the chain. Come in for an assessment of your ride.
Be aware of ghost shifting
It’s not just annoying, it’s a sign of serious drivetrain wear or that the derailleur needs adjusting. If you’re riding and this happens, avoid using your three largest sprockets in the back. Your derailleur may get thrown into the spokes. If you experience ghost shifting it is time to come in for a repair.
It’s not just annoying, it’s a sign of serious drivetrain wear or that the derailleur needs adjusting. If you’re riding and this happens, avoid using your three largest sprockets in the back. Your derailleur may get thrown into the spokes. If you experience ghost shifting it is time to come in for a repair.
Squeaky brakes
If your brakes are complaining, but not completely worn, it is time to clean your rims and file the brake pads with an emery board to remove surface glazing. If they are totally worn you will need replacements. Squeaky brakes means it is time to come visit us at Cycle-Logic.
If your brakes are complaining, but not completely worn, it is time to clean your rims and file the brake pads with an emery board to remove surface glazing. If they are totally worn you will need replacements. Squeaky brakes means it is time to come visit us at Cycle-Logic.
