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Beginner bike maintenance and essential repair skills

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Beginner bike maintenance and essential repair skills

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flag geoshermz
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Posted: Jun 3, 2020 at 6:32 Quote
Just getting into biking. A few questions:

What is recommended in terms of basic bike maintenance skills?

What are some essential repair skills and the gear necessary to do it at home/on a ride?

What are good sources for purchasing tools and other essentials (e.g. chain lube, bike stand, degreaser)?
flag Reaperactual
Posted: Jun 3, 2020 at 23:34 Quote
Learn how to fix a puncture if you have innertubes. Carry a spare tube, pump, tyre levers and puncture repair kit in case of unlikely possibility of more than one.

Check the wheels, cranks, seat, handlebars, controls aren't loose regularly for your safety and possible issues.

Buy a cycling multi tool which will have mostly Allen keys which is what modern bikes use for trail side repairs. A re useable 'missing link' if your chain breaks and a chain splitter tool unless the multi tool has one.

A more professional set of Allan keys and standard tools for home.

A regular cleaning and lubing regime for drivetrain etc. Chain lube is available anywhere so buy local or online. YouTube is your best friend when starting out and there is tutorials for anything you would need to know.

Enjoy riding but when an issue arises deal with it then and purchase relevant tools for the issue. Build up your tool collection as you go although a good investment would be a bike stand for repairs/maintenance and will make life much easier.
flag Ilovedirtjumpingnotherstuff
Posted: Jul 14, 2020 at 1:44 Quote
Basic bike maintenance skills I would say are
Fixing flats, changing tires, changing chain and checking chain wear, basic knowledge of tuning a derailleur. If you really wanna go farther knowing how to service a fork or shock (not full rebuild just the 50 hour service) will keep your suspension running good for years.
flag chawski
O+
Posted: Aug 3, 2020 at 16:16 Quote
Similar to with my car, I buy tools as I need them. With youtube and the internet, theres really no excuse for not being able to fix most things. Derailleur adjustments can be very tricky if you dont fully understand them, so no biggy dropping by the LBS for anything you cant do or dont want to do

If you plan on doing a lot of your own work, id find yourself a bike stand. best $200 Ive spent on the bike. so much nicer working on things standing up straight instead of slouching or bent over with the bike upside down
flag haji1974
Posted: Aug 6, 2020 at 15:12 Quote
One thing I didn’t know is your chain will creak like a rocking chair if you don’t lube it.
Also- California has “goat heads” which ear tubes up, go tubeless as soon as you can.

Lots of things you can figure out how to fix and adjust yourself which I think makes sense because then when it’s a Sunday or you’re out on the trail and there’s a problem you might be able to fix it.
flag mopahls
Posted: Dec 5, 2020 at 3:51 Quote
Get a torque wrench so you can check on things. Keeping every tightly will pay off and also teach you things you didn't know.
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