Cycle Safety: Bicycle Maintenance

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Bicycles work better and last longer when properly maintained.

By carrying out simple maintenance jobs on a regular basis you can avoid expensive repairs, and increase the pleasure of your cycling.

Do it yourself: It is advisable to take your bike to an experienced mechanic once a year for a thorough service.

However, with a little investment in tools and time, the majority of repair and maintenance jobs can be carried out at home.

For more information please contact Kingston Council’s Cyclist Training Coordinator on 020 8547 5865 or email cycling@rbk.kingston.gov.uk.

Maintenance Tips

What you need

There is a range of bicycle tools available, however all you need to start with are screwdrivers, Allen keys, spanners, a pump, tyre levers, cleaning rags, an old toothbrush, lubricants and a puncture repair kit.

Daily maintenance

Each day you use your bike, give it a quick once-over. In particular, check the condition of your tyres and their pressure.

Weekly maintenance

Lubricate exposed moving parts of the bike, such as the chain and gear mechanisms taking care not to get any on wheel rims or brake blocks.

Monthly maintenance

• Wheels
  Check tyre pressures and condition, and ensure wheels are properly fastened and in line with the frame.
   
• Brakes
  Check brake blocks for wear and ensure they contact squarely with the rim, not the tyre. Replace worn or frayed brake cables and adjust brakes levers so that they do not contact the handlebars when braking hard.
   
• Gears
  Check gears work correctly and cables move freely. It is best to eave gear repairs to a cycle mechanic. Clean the chain with a rag soaked in degreaser then re-oil.
   
• Steering
  Check for looseness in the handlebar and stem and tighten when necessary.
   
• Pedals
  Pedals should spin freely so check the pedal axles for looseness and tighten.
   
• Frame
  Regularly inspect the frame for any damage. Ensure the seat height is correct and that the seat post bolt is tight.

Puncture repairs

Punctures do not happen very often but remain the most common form of breakdown. It is worth learning how to mend them:

1. Release brake callipers and remove the wheel.
2. Use tyre levers, available from bike shops, to remove the tyre.
3. Carefully run your fingers around the inside of the tyre to check for sharp objects, such as nails, splinters of glass or thorns. Remove the cause of the puncture and check that there are no more spikes in the tyre.
4. Find the hole in the tube, either by pumping it up and holding it underwater to look for bubbles, or by feeling for escaping air.
5. Mark the hole with pen or chalk. Use sandpaper or the scratcher from the puncture repair kit to scuff the area around the hole to help secure the glue to the tube.
6. Spread glue thinly around the hole and wait for the glue to dry until it feels tacky to touch. Place a patch above the marked hole and apply pressure.
7. Lightly pump up the tube. Place one edge of the tyre around the wheel rim and push the tube's valve into the rim's hole. Starting from the valve, push the rest of the tube into the tyre. Ensure the valve system is perpendicular to the rim and that the tube is not twisted. Once the tube is inside the tyre, begin to place the second edge of the tyre onto the rim. Take care not to pinch and damage the tube. When complete pump a little more air into the tube and check that the tube isn't caught between the rim and the tyre.
8. Slide the wheel back into place on the bike and tighten the bolts gradually, ensuring that the wheel remains aligned straight to the frame. Reconnect the brakes.
9. Fully pump up the tyre. Take the bike on a short ride and check that the brakes are still set up correctly.

Tip: Save time on journeys and carry a spare inner tube with you, so that you can mend punctures when you get home.

Maintenance courses

The Road Safety and Travel Awareness Unit runs monthly maintenance courses.

During the four hour course, a great emphasis is be placed on practical tuition. Participants will carry out the tasks, on their own bikes where appropriate, with tutorial guidance.

Topics:

• Roadworthiness — general checking of bike and introduction to its parts
• Cables — checking and adjustment
• Brakes — checking, adjustment, replacing of blocks
• Tyres — checking, care, replacement punctures (mending) — including instruction in the removal and replacement of wheels
• Cleaning
• Tools

Course dates for 2008

• 21 June
• 19 July
• 16 August
• 13 September

Courses are held from 9am to 1pm in St John's church hall, Kingston Road, New Malden KT3 3RU (opposite Homebase). Light refreshments are provided.

Courses are free but booking is a firm commitment and you must cancel as soon as possible if you find yourself unable to attend.

For more information and to book a place, call the Road Safety and Travel Awareness unit on 020 8547 5865 or email cycling@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Other Courses

The Kingston Cycling Campaign runs a longer bicycle maintenance course in conjunction with Kingston Council's Adult Education services. To find out when the next course is taking place, email mail@kingstoncycling.org.uk