How to Take Care of Your Bike

I dropped my bike off at the shop last spring for what I thought was a minor tune-up. The mechanic took one look at the drivetrain and said, “When’s the last time you cleaned this thing?” Honestly, I couldn’t remember. That little visit cost me a new chain, cassette, and a healthy dose of embarrassment. Since then I’ve been pretty religious about bike care, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned so you don’t end up in the same boat.

Regular Cleaning

Clean your bike regularly — and I mean actually clean it, not just wipe the seat off. Dirt and grime build up on moving parts and grind them down over time. You don’t need anything fancy. A gentle bike cleaner or a mix of water and mild soap does the trick. Stay away from high-pressure water though, because it forces grit into spots it shouldn’t be.

• Rinse off loose dirt with a hose — gentle stream, not a power washer.
• Scrub the frame, wheels, and components with a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse thoroughly to get all the soap residue off.
• Dry with a clean cloth so nothing rusts on you.

Lubrication

Lubricate your bike’s moving parts to cut down on friction and keep rust at bay. The chain is the big one, but don’t forget the derailleurs, brake levers, and cables.

• Clean the chain with a degreaser before you put fresh lubricant on. Layering new lube on old gunk doesn’t help anybody.
• Apply a good bike lubricant sparingly to each chain link.
• Wipe off excess lubricant — seriously, too much just collects dirt.
• Hit the pivot points on derailleurs and brake levers with a drop or two.

Tire Maintenance

Probably should have led with this because it’s the easiest thing to check and the most common thing people neglect. Proper tire pressure keeps your bike rolling smoothly and cuts your flat risk way down. Check pressure before each ride if you can — it takes 30 seconds.

• Inflate tires to the pressure range listed on the sidewall.
• Look the tires over for cuts, embedded glass, or thorns.
• Replace tires when the tread is worn down or you can see cords showing through.

Brake Checks

Your brakes are kind of important. Kind of very important. Check them regularly and don’t put off adjustments.

• Inspect brake pads for wear — if they’re thinner than about 1/4 inch, swap them out.
• Make sure the pads contact the rim squarely and aren’t touching the tire.
• Check brake cables for fraying or damage. Replace anything that looks sketchy.
• Test the levers. They should feel firm, not squishy. If you can pull them all the way to the bar, something’s off.

Gear Inspection

Smooth shifting makes riding so much more enjoyable. Gears that skip, grind, or refuse to change are annoying at best and can damage your drivetrain at worst.

• Shift through every gear and listen. Skipping or grinding means something’s out of whack.
• Adjust the derailleur limit screws if shifts aren’t landing where they should.
• Check gear cables for proper tension and replace them if they’re stretched or frayed.

Wheel Alignment

That’s what makes a properly trued wheel endearing to riders who care about their bike — it just feels right. A true wheel rolls smoothly, wears tires evenly, and keeps your brakes from rubbing.

• Lift the bike and spin each wheel to check for side-to-side wobble.
• Tighten any loose spokes with a spoke wrench — small adjustments only.
• If wheels are really out of true, take them to a shop. This is one of those jobs that’s easy to make worse if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Check Bolts and Screws

Loose hardware is a safety problem waiting to happen. Make it part of your routine to check the important ones.

• Tighten stem bolts, handlebar bolts, and seat post bolts.
• Make sure crank arms and pedals are snug.
• Use a torque wrench for bolts that have specific torque specs. Guessing usually ends badly.

Saddle and Handlebar Position

A poorly positioned saddle or handlebar can make even a short ride miserable. Take the time to get this right — your back, neck, and sit bones will thank you.

• Set saddle height so your leg is almost fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Not locked out, just nearly straight.
• Keep the saddle mostly level to properly support your weight.
• Position handlebars so they’re within easy reach and at a height that doesn’t strain your neck or shoulders.

Suspension Maintenance

If your bike has suspension, it needs some extra love to keep working properly. Don’t skip this — neglected suspension gets expensive fast.

• Clean the suspension seals and stanchions after dirty rides.
• Check for and tighten any loose bolts around suspension components.
• Use suspension-specific lubricants on pivot points.
• Get the forks and shocks professionally serviced at the intervals the manufacturer recommends.

Basic Tools to Have

You don’t need a full bike shop in your garage, but having a few key tools means you can handle most basic stuff at home without making a trip to the shop every time something needs attention.

• Set of Allen wrenches.
• Tire levers.
• Chain lubricant and degreaser.
• Floor pump with pressure gauge.
• Spoke wrench.
• Torque wrench.
• Multitool with various bits.

Storage Tips

Where and how you store your bike matters more than most people think. Treat it right and it’ll last years longer.

• Store your bike in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight.
• Use a bike rack or stand to keep it upright and minimize stress on components.
• If storing for an extended period, keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure to prevent flat spots.
• Cover the bike to protect it from dust and debris.

Riding Habits

How you ride affects how often you need to wrench on things. A few good habits go a long way toward reducing wear and tear.

• Shift gears smoothly and avoid cross-chaining — your chain and derailleurs will last longer.
• Brake gradually instead of grabbing a fistful of lever at the last second.
• Try to avoid riding through deep puddles, mud, or heavy debris when you can.
• Clean and lube the chain after rides in wet conditions. Water washes lube right off.

Professional Tune-ups

Even if you’re doing everything right at home, get a professional tune-up at least once a year. A good mechanic catches stuff that’s easy to miss during home maintenance.

• Schedule a full tune-up annually — more often if you ride a lot.
• Experienced mechanics can spot wear patterns and emerging issues before they become real problems.
• Professional services usually include wheel truing, brake adjustments, and a thorough drivetrain cleaning.

Keep a Maintenance Log

This might sound like overkill, but keeping a simple log of what you’ve done and when really helps. You’ll know exactly when you last changed your chain, replaced brake pads, or got a tune-up. No more guessing.

• Note tire replacements, chain lubrication dates, and brake pad changes.
• Record professional tune-ups and any special work that was done.
• Use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app — whatever you’ll actually use.