Basic Bicycle Maintenance

I’ve been trying to learn how to perform the basic bike maintenance procedures. I want to keep my bike in good condition and make it last as long as I can. So far I’ve come up with the following routine for maintaining my bike.

Weekly


Tires

• Check tires for damage
• Check tire pressure

I do a visual of the tires making sure there are no signs of damage. I use a Planet Bike Dial Air gauge. I use the recommended setting on the tire for PSI.

Chain

• Degrease
• Clean
• Lube

I use Park Tool’s Chain Cleaner with a diluted mixture of Simple Green and water to degrease and clean. I do two passes through the chain cleaner. The first pass is to remove all of the built up gunk and the second to give it a good cleaning. I then lube the chain with Finish Line’s Dry Lube. I use the dry lube as I only ride when it’s dry and it can get quite dusty where I ride.

Clean Bike

• Wipe off dirt with a rag
• Spray bike with diluted washing soap and water (avoiding moving parts)
• Clean the rims of the wheels
• Dry off with a rag

Fortnightly

In addition to my weekly routine, every other week I will also do the following:

Front Derailleur

• Brush off any dirt/particles
• Lube pivots & springs with a little dry lube

Rear Derailleur

• Brush off any dirt/particles
• Lube pivots & springs with a little dry lube

Monthly
This is my main maintenance routine. Once I month I will do all of the above plus:

Brake & Shift Levers

• Squirt some dry lube into the levers as I open and close the brakes
• Squirt some dry lube into the levers as I change the gears

Brake Pads

• Inspect them for wear and/or damage

Feel free to let me know how you maintain your bicycle or any tips you have for keeping it it good condition!