7 things not to do to your bike to extend its life
If you've started living with a true cyclist, you may be fuming about some of the things you (don't) do with your bike. I'm the same way. I argued with mine for a long time that it was bullshit, and damn it, why can't I do it my way. So I asked the experts at the dealership about some of those things. And you know what, the guy didn't make it up. So what do you have to watch out for? What does it say about you that you're an amateur and don't know much about bikes?
1. Leaning the bike
You get to the refreshments, get off the bike and lean it in good faith on the handlebars (it's the smallest contact surface) or on the saddle (it's usually leather). But the plaster gradually wears away the grips and the saddle. Both will fray and you'll have to buy new ones sooner. And how to do it right? I was advised that the bike should rest on the back wheel, but be careful not to get the wall around it dirty, property owners don't like that. Sure, you could add a kickstand to your bike and that would solve the dilemma, but...
Did you know that by law the handlebar tube must be securely sealed and free of sharp edges? It's for your safety.
2. Derailleur as a stand
Isn't there a place to park or lean your bike nearby? Put it on the ground. Just don't fiddle with it as much as you can think of. Always put the bike on your left side. The right rear wheel has a derailleur on it and could be damaged by rough handling and not work properly.
3. Washing the bike with a wapp
Have you got a dirty bike? Sure, the quickest way to clean it is to wipe it down with a wapp, but that's not exactly gentle. High-pressure water can get into the bearing housings, the pivots, the centre and the frame. And what causes metal to come into contact with water? Yes, it starts to corrode, you certainly don't want that. Much better to use a broom, a sponge and a bucket of water. Use a broom to wash off the coarsest dirt deposits, and then use a sponge to clean the details. For grease, use a special degreaser and rinse the bike gently with water again and leave to dry.
4. WD 40 for chain treatment
WD 40 will lubricate everything, but don't use it on the wheel chain. It's primarily a water repellent that dissolves dirt and degreases the surrounding area. It protects against corrosion, but it doesn't lubricate. So if you spray it on old grease, it dissolves it. It makes the chain feel lubricated, but that only works for a while. You'd better lubricate the chain with products designed for that purpose.
5. Misplaced gear
You've arrived home and you're looking forward to hanging your bike on the hooks again. Hold on. First, make sure you haven't switched to a bigger pinion. If so, take another lap around the house and gradually shift to the smallest disc. If you leave the wheel standing for a long time and have the swap wrong, you run the risk of the chain pulling out faster. This was a big AHA moment for me when a friend told me this.
6. Lubrication of pinions and brake discs
There is no need to put grease on all parts of the wheel. Be sure not to lubricate the cassette - then dust, dirt, sand and dirt stick to it. Then, by mixing dirt and lubricant on the pinions, an abrasive paste is formed, which gradually wears down the teeth and shortens the life of the drive. So clean the cassette regularly, but only lubricate the chain.
A squeaking or squealing brake does not mean it needs to be lubricated. On the contrary! Oil or just grease on your hands reduces the braking effect. Clean the discs with a paper towel and, if necessary, clean them with a special brake cleaner. Do the brakes continue to squeal? Worn or otherwise damaged brake pads need to be replaced. If you understand this, you can do the replacement yourself at home. If not, trust your bike to experienced mechanics.
7. Non-rubbing of the glider forks
Keep the fork and shock absorbers clean. Dirt left on them will gradually get inside and can clog the controls or rub the inner fork leg sliders. Wipe the sliders with a clean cloth, preferably after every ride. Periodically lubricate the fork and shock absorbers after several rides. Apply grease where the slider enters the fork. Then run the fork through several times and wipe off any grease residue from the sliders to prevent dirt from sticking to the fork. At least once a year, take your bike to a bike shop to have the fork and shock disassembled and cleaned.
