With the sun out and the winter storms receding…it’s time to think about the new cycling seasons aheadsays Paul Clow of independent, Female Friendly Bike Shop, Eden-e-Motion in Hartley, Kirkby Stephen.
Preparing for Summer 2019
It doesn’t have to cost you much if anything to ride a ‘new bike’this spring.Lots you can do yourself… Did you clean your bike after it’s last outing?
That’s an easy mistake, it’s always easy to say “I’ll clean it next time, then put it away”, then the weather turns and it doesn’t go out again..
How to properly clean your bike
So first thing .. give it a clean Doing this alone will make it feel like a new bike! DON’T CHEAT AND USE THE JETWASH…Go to town with some proprietary bike cleaners for the frame and wheels (BUT avoid putting anything on the discs rims and pads…most proprietary cleaners contain silicone to make things shine but they reduce brake efficiency and make them howl!) If you get this wrong or your rims are ugly , use some dedicated brake cleaner or degreaser.
Don’t forget your toothbrush
Clean the oily bits with proprietary chain and gear cleaner using a chain brush or old toothbrush…you’ll be surprised how well the gears will change if you scrape the gunge from between the cassette rings and off the jockey wheels.
Using lubricants
Whilst there are as many lubricants as there are cleaners, some dry lube for the chain and a squirt of spray lube on the moving parts will work its way in and work wonders. (avoid the brakes obviously!)
Cycle DIY maintenance
If you want more of that ‘like new’feeling , there’s lots more you can do yourself, adjust or replace cables, pads, blocks, loose spokes, even worn chain and sprockets but make sure you are competent to do the job, we don’t want any nasty accidents!
To do or not to do?
If you just want to ride, visit your local bike shop and book a service and repair. Specialist tools and experience in diagnosis mean that the correct parts are used that work together in harmony so everything feels smooth and works efficiently. Often, well meaning or money saving owners buy cheap replacement parts that simply don’t work that way and you end up chasing the problem around in circles.
On word of advice though; bike shops can’t do a good job on a dirty bike …. You either pay for them to clean them or take them in reasonably clean.
Agree with the shop exactly what you want done and the expected outcome and avoid the dreaded ‘service menu’. The condition of your bike should be assessed and required work agreed.
Riding pleasure
Which ever way you do it, riding a bike that goes well and stops well is still one of the greatest pleasures there is. (well maybe not in the cold and rain!)
Of course you may be one of the many who are thinking about an e-bike as a way to do more cycling this year. That’s a great idea too and we can certainly help you get exactly the right one for you.
Fun exercise
Remember exercise is much easier when it’s fun and (because you go further and more often) an e-bike will keep you much fitter than (even a clean) normal bike left in the garage for another year!
Paul Clow
Eden-e-Motion
eembikes@gmail.com
www.eembikes.com
