Getting Better At Sports

Posted on: 11 July 2017

Bicycle riding is fun, it doesn't matter if you are riding for exercise, racing or taking your bike out for a quick ride around the block with the family. A breakdown of your bike can put a damper on that fun though, and if you aren't sure how to make the repair, it could leave you bike-less and miss out on the fun. See below for some common problems you could have with your bike and how to make the repair yourself.

Flat Tire

Flat tires happen for a number of reasons, but the most likely reason is the tube beneath the tire has a hole in it.

Here's What You Need:

• Tire levers
• Air pump
• New tire tube

Instructions:

1. First, you'll need to take the tire and rim off of your bike. Remove it using the lever holding it in place, or remove the nut/screw holding it to the frame.
2. Then, deflate the tire itself to get to the tube below. 
3. Once deflated, use the tire levers on either side of the tire to remove it from the rim.
4. Next, remove the old tube and replace it with the new one. 
5. Finally, replace the tire, inflate it and place the tire/rim back onto the bike.

Loud Gears

If your gears are clanking when you're riding or making loud noises, it could be a build up of grease and dirt. If your gears are stuck, or you have a broken chain, take your bike to a bicycle repair shop for help.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Degreaser
• Rags
• Chain lubricant

Instructions:

1. Take your degreaser and spray it onto a rag, then wipe down the chain. If you don't have degreaser, use a chain cleaner.
2. Next, add lubricant to your chain to keep it moving smoothly.

Squeaky Brakes

Squeaky brakes could mean your brakes are misaligned or are worn. This could result in brake failure along the way. 

Here's What You'll Need:

• New brake pads
• Rags

Instructions:

1. If the brake pads are worn out, they should be replaced. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the package to replace the pads.
2. Also be sure to clean the tire where the brake pads hit to remove the dirt and filthy built up residue.

These are common bicycle problems, which are usually simple to repair. To prevent a breakdown of your bike, it's important to keep your bike clean and properly lubricated. If you are having issues that you aren't able to repair, take your bike to a professional bicycle repair shop, like Sarasota Cyclery Inc, for help.