How to Tune up your Bicycle

Bicycles are one of mankinds greatest inventions, a source of convenient travel powered on your own body's energy, and they dont create air pollution. But like with anything else in life it will eventually break down. so here are a few measures you can take to keep your bicycle running smoothly and safely. At least once a year you should run your bicycle through a tune up here are some tips to get you started.

Tires

The first thing to check on the bicycle is the tires, with Canadian winters as cold as they are the air will usually condense in the tire tube and seem deflated (commonly fixed with pumping the tire up again, but if you have old inner tubes they may need to be replaced. another common problem is cracking of the rubber on the sidewall of the bike tire, if this happens you will want to replace the tire

Truing Rims

Before tuning the breaks you will want to check the rims to see if they are warped at all. If the rims are fine proceed with testing the breaks. If the rims are warped you can either true them with a spoke wrench (found at your local bike shop for a few dollars) or your bike shop will usually offer a flat fee service for truing rims)

Cables

In Order for your brakes and shifter to work properly the cables must be working smoothly a good trick is to put some common 3-in-1 house hold oil in the top of the cable and let gravity work the oil all the way down the cable.

Brake Pads

Take the brake pads off the bike and use a piece of sand paper to take that shiny rubber layer off the side that presses against the rim. You can also take a hacksaw and cut channels in the brake pads so that there is room for the worn rubber to go as you are using your brakes.

Brakes

Now its time to adjust the brakes loosen the bolt on the cable and clamp the brake pads close to the rim. Then tighten the bolt and test the leverage on the brake lever you may need to re adjust and experiment a little to get the brakes exactly how you want them.

Chain

After time a chain will seize up if its not kept oiled, but many cyclist complain about getting grease on there pants every time they ride their bicycle so they run there bike with a dry chain, If you choose to go this route I suggest replacing your chain every 2-3 years.

The Finishing Touches

Give your bike a really good wipe down and check all bolts to make sure they are tightened securely. Also flip your bike upside down and record the serial number from your bike and if you can write down the colour make and model this information is useful for insurance purposes or for reporting your bike if it gets stolen. Take your bike out for a test ride to make sure everything is functioning properly and you'll be ready the next time you want to ride.