Detailed Maintenance
Detailed Maintenance
Wheels and Tires
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Tire Inspection
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WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheel Inspection
It is most important that wheels are kept in top condition. Properly maintaining your bicycle’s wheels will help braking performance and
stability when riding. Be aware of the following potential problems:
Dirty or greasy rims:
Caution: These can render your brake ineffective. Do not clean them with oily or greasy materials. When cleaning, use a clean rag or
wash with soapy water, rinse and air dry. Don’t ride while they’re wet. When lubricating your bicycle, don’t get oil on the rim braking
surfaces.
Wheels not straight:
Lift each wheel off the ground and spin them to see if they are crooked or out of round. If wheels are not straight, they will need to be
adjusted. This is quite difficult and is best left to a bicycle specialist.
Broken or loose spokes:
Check that all spokes are tight and that none are missing or damaged.
Caution: Such damage can result in severe instability and possibly an accident if not corrected. Again, spoke repairs are best handled
by a specialist
Loose hub bearing:
Lift each wheel off the ground and try to move the wheel from side to side.
Caution: If there is movement between the axle and the hub, do not ride the bicycle. Adjustment is required.
Axle nuts:
Check that these are tight before each ride.
Quick release:
Check that these are set to the closed position and are properly tensioned before each ride.
Caution: Maintain the closed position and the correct adjustment. Failure to do so may result in serious injury.
Tire Inspection
Tire must be maintained properly to ensure road holding and stability. Check the following areas:
Inflation:
Ensure tires are inflated to the pressure indicated on the tire sidewalls. It is better to use a tire gauge and a hand
pump than a service station pump. Caution: If inflating tires with a service station pump, take care that sudden over
inflation does not cause tire to blow up.
Bead
Seating:
When inflating or refitting tire, make sure that the bead is properly seated in the rim.
Tread:
Check that the tread shows no signs of excessive wear or flat spots, and that there are no cuts or other damage.
Caution: Excessively worn or damaged tires should be replaced.
Valves:
Make sure valve caps are fitted ant that valves are free from dirt. A slow leak caused by the entry of the dirt can lead
to a flat tire, and possibly a dangerous situation.
Recommended Tire Pressures:
The recommended pressure molded on the sidewall of your bicycle tires should match the following chart. Use this as a general guide.
BMX 35 – 50 p.s.i
MTB 40 – 65 p.s.i
Road Touring 70 – 90 p.s.i
Road Racing 110 – 125 p.s.i
Hybrid/Crossbike 60 – 100 p.s.i
Summary of Contents for BMX BICYCLES
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