GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND PERIODICAL CHECKS
9
Take care of your bicycle, and you will
enjoy it for a longer time. Also take
some time to periodically inspect the
bicycle in more detail - this is important
for your safety. Here is some basic
information.
Caring for steel frames
Steel frames are prone to corrosion if
not taken care of properly. If you have a
steel frame a good rust inhibitor should
be applied to it’s inner surface by
spraying it through the head tube, seat
tube and bottom bracket at least once a
year. Regular cleaning will remove salt
and other chemicals from the surface
of your bicycle minimising the likelihood
of external corrosion. It is very impor-
tant that paint chips and scratches get
touched up as soon as possible with
factory touch-up paint or nail polish.
Prior to painting, make sure that the
surface is free of rust, clean
and dry. The frame does not require
any lubrication with the exception of the
seat clamp bolt area (if it is integrated
with the frame).
Periodical checks
A brief inspection of the frame, fork and
bars for any signs of damage should be
done prior to every ride. If you suspect
it may be broken, bent, cracked, do
not use it. Inspect if the steer tube and
fork blades are straight and dropouts
for cracks or damage. Do not ride on
the damaged fork - it may cause serious
injury or death.
A good time to give your bike a thorough
check for cracks or other defects is when
you are washing it since the problems will
become easier to see. When inspecting
your bicycle make sure the lighting is
good (eg. outdoors). Check the bike on
it’s wheels, and then turn it upside-down
and check it again.
WARNING:
The handlebars should be
replaced at least once a year as they are
submitted to fatigue.
Check the cranks for play (hold the bike
with one hand, and the pedals with the
other and look for play by trying to push
the pedals from one side of the bike to
the other). If any play is found, contact
your local bike shop. Periodically check
hubs for play and have the bearings
adjusted if necessary by a professional
bicycle mechanic. The bearings should
be lubricated about once a year. Keep
your chain cleaned and lubed. This is
especially important if you ride often in
wet conditions. Use proper bicycle chain
lubricants.
WARNING:
As for all mechanical compo-
nents, the bicycle is subject to wear and
tear as well as high stresses. Nothing
lasts forever! The reaction of various ma-
terials and components to wear or stress
fatigue may differ. Having exceeded the
life expectancy of a component may re-
sult in its sudden failure, possibly causing
injuries to the rider. Any forms of breaks,
cracks, scratches or changes of colouring
in highly stressed areas indicate that the
life of the component has been reached
and it should be replaced.
Cleaning your bicycle
Good maintenance will increase the life
of your bike and its components. Clean
and maintain your bike regularly.
WARNING:
Corrosion can damage com-
ponents of your bike which are important
for safety so that they are no longer se-
cure. These components may then brake
during riding and thus result in serious
falls. Corrosion is caused, amongst other
things, by salt (e.g. due to salt spread-
ing in winter), salty air (e.g in coastal or
industrial areas), perspiration.
For wet cleaning, use a gentle water jet
or a bucket of water and a sponge or
brush. Only use clean fresh water or de-
salinated water. There are many ways of
washing a bike. A proven cleaning recom-
mendation for a dirty bike is as follows:
1/ With a gentle water jet, remove large
items of debris such as soil, stones and
sand etc. 2/ Let the bike dry off to a cer-
tain extent. 3/ Spray your entire bike with
a suitable detergent.
4/ Rinse the entire bike with a gentle
water jet and allow it to dry. 5/ Clean the
chain (see below for details).
NOTE:
If there is only a low level of soil-
ing, simply spraying on a detergent and
rinsing it off after the specified time for
them to work is sufficient.
NOTE:
Stubborn dirt which usually
accumulates in the drivetrain area can be
removed with a stronger degreaser and
brush.
WARNING:
Cleaning, lubrication and
preserving agents are chemical products.
Incorrect use can damage your bike. Only
use products expressly suitable for bikes.
Ensure that these products do not attack
either paint, rubber, plastic or metal parts
etc. Consult your dealer and follow the
respective manufacturer‘s instructions.
Cleaning and lubricating the chain
NOTE:
Your chain should be cleaned and
lubricated periodically - approximately
once every 10 rides, after every ride in
wet conditions, and every time you wash
your bike.
Drip a suitable chain cleaner into a clean,
spirit-free cotton cloth and wipe the chain
down. When doing so, slowly operate the
crank against the direction of drive. Re-
peat this process a few times with a clean
area of the cloth until the chain is clean.
Sparingly apply
a lubricant suitable for bicycle chains to
each chain link.
NOTE:
Only use lubricants expressly ap-
proved for use with bike chains. Greases
for motor cycle chains will gum up your
bike chain and the drive chain compo-
nents.
NOTE:
If cleaner remains between the
chain links, the new grease will be imme-
diately broken down and will be totally
ineffective.
