6 things to check when resurrecting your bike for riding
Americans are rediscovering a love of bicycles to cope with COVID-19, ignited by a desire to get outside and move while forgetting – but still maintaining – social distancing.To get more news about mtb bike rims, you can visit zpebicycle.com official website.
That newfound passion has led to buying sprees at local bike shops and mass merchant stores. «Retailers are selling out of almost all kinds of bikes,» Stephen Frothingham, editor in chief for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, told USA TODAY.
Bike shop mechanics are also busy. «We probably have about 60 bikes out back waiting to be repaired,» says Mike Hulett, owner of Broadway Cyclery in Bedford, Ohio. «Some are in rough shape, but most are in for tune-ups.» He estimates a waiting period of about two weeks.
But what if you already have a bike that’s gathering dust in the basement and you want to get it roadworthy? Barring serious problems, a few simple tools and some care could have you back on two wheels in no time. Start here:»Safety is your first consideration,» says Matthew Bracken, a partner with Pedros, a manufacturer of bicycle tools and cleaning products. He’s also a bike mechanic and frame builder himself. «When I’m working on a bike, I have a responsibility to make it work safely. If I can’t, it’ll go to a shop.»
If you haven’t used the bike in a while, wash off the dust by giving it a thorough but gentle rinse. Never use water under high pressure; it can wash out bearing grease in pedals and hubs.
First, check for worn tread or sidewall cracks and replace tires that have them. Make sure the tires are properly and uniformly seated in the wheel rim.
Get a trustworthy air gauge and make sure your tires are properly inflated. The tire should have a recommended PSI range (pounds per square inch) on its sidewall. Lower pressure gives a more comfortable ride while higher pressure provides less rolling resistance. Some manufacturers recommend higher pressure for heavier riders.
While tire pressure is a matter of personal preference, it’s essential to stay within the PSI range. Don’t over- or under-inflate your tires.
Hand pumps are best for bicycle tire inflation. You can use gas station air pumps, but many tend to put out air fast, increasing the risk of blowing out the tire. And gas station pumps can be used only on Schrader valves, like the ones on your car tires. They won’t work on Presta valves, which are found on higher-priced road and mountain bikes.
Make sure the wheels are secured to the frame. Hold one end of the bike off the ground and spin the wheel. Look for side-to-side wobbles – does the rim move smoothly or does it twitch over and bump a brake pad in spots?
Check the shape of the rim. Is it round or slightly egg-shaped? Are the spokes evenly tight?
Rims that are out of alignment can be fixed by carefully adjusting spokes, but that requires time, a spoke wrench and patience. Rims that are severely out of true may need a professional fix, or replacement.
Check that wheel hubs spin smoothly without sideway movement.
Squeeze the brake levers. They should apply the brakes without the levers touching the handlebars. The brake pads should clamp firmly to the wheel rims (or to the rotors, if you have disc brakes).
The pads should be clean and correctly positioned at point of full contact. Worn pads should be replaced; pad surfaces that are glazed can be scuffed with sandpaper.
Brake rotors should be straight and free of rust. Disc brakes with hydraulic systems should be checked for leaks.