| You bought a new bicycle, it rides great, looks sleek | | | | chain and there are kits from Pedro's and Finish Line |
| and goes much faster than you remember from your | | | | that have all the chemicals and cleaners you will need |
| childhood. If you want to keep it looking sleek and riding | | | | to keep your bike clean and well lubed. |
| well then there is a certain amount of simple | | | | You will want to check your chain every so often to |
| maintenance tasks you will want to perform. I know | | | | see if it has "stretched" and replace it when it does or |
| some riders will actually set up a maintenance | | | | before. The procedure to check a chain is pretty |
| schedule for their new bike. | | | | simple, take a 12 inch ruler and measure from the rivet |
| While there are numerous tasks you probably will want | | | | to rivet, if the rivets are even slightly more than 12" |
| to leave to a shop or someone that is very familiar | | | | apart, replace the chain. |
| with bicycles there are many things that every rider | | | | It does not matter how careful or how good your tires |
| needs to know. Things like how to change a flat, tell | | | | and tubes unless you are using inserts or Nu-Tech tires |
| when your chain needs changed, put a chain back on | | | | you will at some time have a flat. Most riders that ride |
| or adjust your brakes. | | | | distance will carry an extra tube and patch kit on their |
| Most riders will find it helpful to take some short | | | | bike and a small tube repair kit also. The tube repair kit |
| courses offered by most local bike shops or | | | | is just in case you get two flat tires. |
| sometimes by recreation departments. In this article I | | | | When you get a flat and you have the tire off and the |
| am going to give you a few basic things that you | | | | tube out, be sure to check the inside of the tire |
| should do to keep your new 2 wheeled mechanical | | | | carefully for any sharp objects that may be left may |
| marvel running well. | | | | puncture the new tube. Also check the rim to make |
| I am sure you know that virtually any device that uses | | | | sure that none of the spokes are pushing through the |
| a chain and pedals will need some sort of lubrication. | | | | liner or there are no sharp edges that might cut the tire |
| When I was a child growing up in Ohio that usually | | | | or tube. |
| meant a couple shots with sewing machine oil or 3 in 1 | | | | A good check of the rim and tire could very well save |
| Oil. Now days there are some really great products | | | | you walking home with your bike rather than riding it |
| out by companies like Pedro's and Finish Line that will | | | | home. Personally I know walking is also exercise, but I |
| not only lubricate better but also keep your drivetrain | | | | prefer to ride. |
| much cleaner. The general rule is to use 1 drop of oil | | | | You should check with your local bike shop and |
| per chain link and to wipe off the excess with a clean | | | | recreation department to see if they have any |
| rag. It is always best to clean the chain well before | | | | courses in bicycle maintenance or a similar workshop. |
| lubricating it. | | | | You can also find a great deal of helpful information in |
| A chain cleaner tool is really handy for cleaning the | | | | various articles, forums and groups all over the web. |