What Weekly Bike Checks to do?

[chrisb1357]

hi all,

Just wanted to know what weekley checks i should be doing on my Giant CSR4 Hyrbrid. Only been cycyling 1 week so any tips till be great.

Just gave the bike a clean today ready for another week but a bit 50/50 on this snow forcast

Chris

 

[gaz]

At least weekly you should be checking your brakes and tyres.
Both for wear and tare. you should adjust your brakes if they have worn and are no longer effective. and check your tyres for stones and glass which are stuck in, remove these to help prevent punctures. Also check them for ware.

Obviously this is all dependent on how much you cycle, if you only do 5 miles a week then it's not as important to do it weekly.

 

[chrisb1357]

I only 30 to 40 miles a week via a bake lane to work. Had a punture last week which has managed to hold on for now.

Should i have to oil the chain and gears can anyone tell me

Chris

 

[gaz]

I only 30 to 40 miles a week via a bake lane to work. Had a punture last week which has managed to hold on for now.

Should i have to oil the chain and gears can anyone tell me

Chris

You should oil your chain and pivot points on the gears. But this isn't something you have to do weekly. maybe every 2 to 3 weeks. or a quick wipe down with a rag and more lube if it rains.

There are many videos and techniques on how to oil and lube your chainset on youtube.

 

[chrisb1357]

Cheers will take a look on YT

Chris

 

[Mark_Robson]

Youtube has a lot of useful video's covering basic bike maintenance.

 

[RedBike]

I'm really lazy when it comes to checking the commuter bike. Most of the time the bike doesn't get cleaned or checked. Parts just get changed when / if I happen to notice. Needless to say I often don't notice things are worn out until they break.

The best road bike get cleaned after every ride and if anything is looking worn it gets changed there and then. Every year it gets pulled to bits completely and everything is serviced

 

[Paulwakefield]

I'm really lazy when it comes to checking the commuter bike. Most of the time the bike doesn't get cleaned or checked. Parts just get changed when / if I happen to notice. Needless to say I often don't notice things are worn out until they break.

The best road bike get cleaned after every ride and if anything is looking worn it gets changed there and then. Every year it gets pulled to bits completely and everything is serviced

Hehe thats totally me. The hybrid just gets run into the ground, yet the road bike is practically overhauled after every ride.
Also the hybrid lives in the shed, the road bike is in my spare room, much to the wife's disaproval!!!

 

[Chrisc]

Bicycletutor.com is useful as well. Very clear explanations about the basics.
Seems to be a pattern here, hybrid is mistreated, road bike lovingly cleaned and checked over...

Daily I check my tyres are up and my brakes work, oh and today my saddle was loose, been adjusting and forgotten to do the final tighten I reckon so maybe listening to me for maintenance advice is a bad idea? I'll get me coat...

 

[Banjo]

If your wheels have quick release skewers make sure they are adjusted to the right tension at least once a week or even before every ride. probabl;y every few weeks check the tightness of seatpost and handlebar bolts. The bars suddenly moving at speed could be interesting.

 

[summerdays]

Once you get used to the noises on your bike ... if you hear a different one ... stop and investigate.

If its a brand new bike then remember to take it back to the shop for a 6 week check up - cables stretch at first that sort of thing.

 

[swee'pea99]

Keep an eye on the chain, particularly if it's been raining a lot, and lube it if it gets brown. Apart from that, you really don't *need* to do anything weekly. Checking for bits stuck in your tyres can help keep punctures at bay, but it's not essential.

 

[BigSteev]

In addition to checking tyres for stones, bits of glass etc, check their pressures regularly as, even without a puncture, they will deflate over time and your bike will handle better and be more puncture resistant if they are at the right pressure.

 

[swee'pea99]

Good point. In fact, that's probably the single most important thing. In which vein, even as a paid up cheapskate, I'd recommend strongly that you get yourself one of these or similar - there's really no other way to get - and keep - your tyres at the right pressure (which is to say, at or around the 'max' embossed on the sidewall of the tyre).

 

[Arch]

A handy way to cover everything and do a comprehensive check over is an M check (or W if you turn the bike over).

Think of the M starting at the middle of the front wheel. Check it's firmly attached and the tyre is pumped up, and not showing any signs of wear (bald patches, bulges etc). Any loose spokes? (squeeze them in pairs between thumb and forefinger) Are the brake pads still up to scratch? Is the rim damaged at all?

Up to the handlebars - are they tight, is everything attached firmly, do the brake and gear levers work ok?

Down to the pedals and bottom bracket, any side to side play? Do they spin well, do the front gears (if you have them) work ok.

Up to the saddle - fixed securely?

Down to rear hub, same checks as for front wheel, but also are rear gears working ok, does chain need lube?

Now, a lot of those you don't need to do every week, hell, some of them I do once a year, if that. But it's a handy way to remember to cover all the vital areas.