Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance
Regular bicycle maintenance is essential for safety, performance, and longevity of your bike. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles require more frequent but simpler maintenance that riders can often perform themselves. Proper maintenance prevents expensive repairs, ensures reliable operation, improves riding efficiency, and most importantly, keeps you safe on the road or trail. This cheatsheet provides a comprehensive guide to keeping your bicycle in optimal condition regardless of whether you ride a road bike, mountain bike, commuter, or any other type.
Essential Tools & Supplies
Basic Tool Kit
| Tool | Purpose | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Allen key set (2-8mm) | Adjust and tighten most bolts | $10-20 |
| Tire levers | Remove tires from rims | $5-10 |
| Floor pump with pressure gauge | Maintain proper tire pressure | $25-50 |
| Chain lubricant | Keep drivetrain running smoothly | $8-15 |
| Cleaning rags/brushes | Clean frame and components | $10-20 |
| Multi-tool | Roadside/trail repairs | $15-30 |
| Chain wear indicator | Check chain elongation | $10-15 |
Advanced Tools
- Torque wrench: For precise bolt tightening ($40-100)
- Cassette lockring tool: Remove rear cassette ($10-15)
- Crank puller: Remove cranks for bottom bracket service ($15-25)
- Cable cutters: Clean cuts on brake/derailleur cables ($20-30)
- Chain tool: Break and reconnect chains ($15-25)
- Workstand: Hold bike for easier maintenance ($70-200)
- Pedal wrench: Remove and install pedals ($15-25)
Essential Supplies
- Bike-specific degreaser
- Chain lubricant (dry, wet, or all-conditions)
- Grease for bearings and threads
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning brake surfaces
- Spare tubes in correct size
- Patch kit for tube repairs
- Frame protectant/polish
Routine Maintenance Schedule
Before Every Ride (2-5 minutes)
- Check tire pressure
- Inspect brake function
- Ensure quick releases/thru-axles are secure
- Verify that nothing is loose or damaged
- Check that lights and reflectors work (if equipped)
Weekly Maintenance (10-15 minutes)
- Clean frame and components
- Inspect chain for cleanliness and lubrication
- Check for loose bolts
- Inspect tires for cuts or embedded objects
- Verify brake pad wear
- Check wheel trueness
Monthly Maintenance (30-60 minutes)
- Thorough cleaning of drivetrain
- Lubricate chain and pivots
- Check chain wear
- Inspect cable condition
- Check tire wear
- Verify wheel bearing play
- Inspect frame for cracks or damage
Seasonal/Quarterly Service (1-3 hours)
- Inspect and grease/replace bearings as needed
- Check and replace brake pads if worn
- Replace shift/brake cables and housing if needed
- Check cleat wear (if using clipless pedals)
- Inspect suspension components (if applicable)
- Comprehensive frame inspection
Key Maintenance Procedures
Cleaning Your Bike
- Rinse bike with low-pressure water to remove dirt
- Apply bike cleaner to frame and components (avoid bearings)
- Scrub with brushes, working from top to bottom
- Use degreaser and special brushes for drivetrain
- Rinse thoroughly (avoid high-pressure water)
- Dry completely with clean cloth
- Apply lubricant to chain and pivots
- Wipe excess lubricant after 5 minutes
Proper Chain Lubrication
- Clean chain with degreaser and brush
- Wipe chain thoroughly with clean, dry rag
- Apply lubricant while rotating cranks backward
- Apply to inner rollers of chain, one drop per link
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes to penetrate
- Wipe off excess with clean rag (critical step!)
- Choose lubricant type based on conditions:
- Dry lube: Clean, dry conditions
- Wet lube: Wet, muddy conditions
- Wax-based: Clean running but needs frequent application
Checking Chain Wear
- Use chain wear indicator tool OR
- Measure 12 complete links (inner and outer)
- New chain: Exactly 12 inches (304.8mm)
- Replace at 0.5% stretch (12.06 inches/306.3mm) for most bikes
- Replace at 0.75% max (12.09 inches/307.1mm)
- Replacing chain early extends cassette and chainring life
Adjusting Derailleur Alignment
- Shift to smallest rear cog
- Check that upper jockey wheel aligns with smallest cog
- If not, adjust H-limit screw until aligned
- Shift to largest cog
- Adjust L-limit screw until jockey wheel aligns with largest cog
- Fine-tune cable tension with barrel adjuster:
- Turn counterclockwise if shifting to larger cogs is slow
- Turn clockwise if shifting to smaller cogs is slow
Component-Specific Maintenance
Brake Systems
Rim Brakes:
- Inspect pads for wear (replace when grooves disappear)
- Check that pads contact rim squarely
- Clean rims with alcohol to remove grime
- Adjust cable tension for 1-2mm pad clearance
- Test lever feel – should engage fully before hitting handlebar
Disc Brakes:
- Check pad thickness (replace at 1.5mm or less)
- Inspect rotors for wear, warping, or contamination
- Clean rotors with isopropyl alcohol only
- Adjust caliper alignment if rubbing
- Bleed hydraulic systems yearly or when spongy
Drivetrain Care
Chain:
- Clean and lubricate every 100-200 miles
- Replace at 0.5-0.75% elongation
- Match chain speed to your drivetrain (8/9/10/11/12-speed)
- Direction matters on some chains (follow manufacturer markings)
Cassette & Chainrings:
- Clean teeth regularly with brush and degreaser
- Inspect for shark-toothed wear pattern
- Replace when teeth become hooked or skipping occurs
- Replace cassette when replacing chain if worn
Derailleurs:
- Check jockey wheels for play and wear
- Clean pivots and lubricate lightly
- Inspect for bent derailleur hanger
- Check pulley alignment with cogs
Wheel Maintenance
Spoke Tension:
- Check for loose spokes by squeezing pairs
- Listen for consistent tone when plucked
- Tighten loose spokes ¼ turn at a time
- Check wheel trueness after adjustments
Hub Bearings:
- Check for play by rocking wheel side-to-side
- Adjust cup-and-cone bearings to remove play
- Sealed bearings should be replaced when rough
- Re-grease open bearings annually
Tires:
- Maintain proper pressure (check weekly)
- Inspect for cuts, embedded objects, and wear
- Replace when tread is worn or sidewalls crack
- Check recommended pressure range on sidewall
Tire Pressure Guidelines
| Bike Type | Rider Weight | Front Pressure | Rear Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road (23-25mm) | 120-150 lbs | 90-100 psi | 95-105 psi |
| Road (23-25mm) | 150-180 lbs | 95-105 psi | 100-110 psi |
| Road (23-25mm) | 180-210 lbs | 100-110 psi | 105-115 psi |
| Road (28-32mm) | 150-180 lbs | 75-85 psi | 80-90 psi |
| Gravel (35-40mm) | 150-180 lbs | 45-55 psi | 50-60 psi |
| MTB (2.1-2.4″) | 150-180 lbs | 25-35 psi | 28-38 psi |
| Fat Bike (4″+) | 150-180 lbs | 8-12 psi | 10-14 psi |
*Note: These are starting points. Adjust based on terrain, riding style, and preference.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Shifting Problems
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost shifting | Cable tension too high, bent derailleur hanger | Reduce cable tension, check hanger alignment |
| Chain skipping | Worn chain/cassette, improper indexing | Replace worn components, adjust indexing |
| Won’t shift to largest cog | L-limit screw too tight, cable tension too low | Adjust L-limit screw, increase cable tension |
| Won’t shift to smallest cog | H-limit screw too tight, cable tension too high | Adjust H-limit screw, decrease cable tension |
| Slow/hesitant shifting | Dirty cables, insufficient tension | Clean and lubricate cables, adjust tension |
Braking Issues
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Squeaking brakes | Contaminated pads/rotors, incorrect toe-in | Clean with alcohol, adjust pad angle |
| Poor stopping power | Worn pads, glazed surfaces, contamination | Replace pads, sand surfaces, clean thoroughly |
| Lever hits handlebar | Air in hydraulic lines, worn pads, cable stretch | Bleed system, replace pads, adjust cable |
| Brake rub | Misaligned caliper, warped rotor, loose hub | Center caliper, true rotor, check hub adjustment |
| Pulsing/grabbing | Warped rotor, uneven pad wear | True or replace rotor, replace pads |
Drivetrain Noise
| Noise | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Clicking | Bottom bracket wear, pedal bearings, loose cassette | Check/replace BB, service pedals, tighten cassette |
| Grinding | Dirty drivetrain, misaligned derailleur | Clean thoroughly, adjust derailleur |
| Creaking | Loose crank, dry pedal threads, loose chainring bolts | Tighten cranks, grease threads, check all bolts |
| Popping | Chain stiffness, worn cassette, loose hub | Lubricate chain, check cassette wear, adjust hub |
Maintenance Best Practices
Torque Specifications
| Component | Recommended Torque Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stem faceplate | 5-8 Nm | Tighten in X-pattern |
| Handlebar controls | 3-5 Nm | Avoid overtightening carbon bars |
| Seat post clamp | 4-6 Nm | Less for carbon (check manufacturer) |
| Saddle rails | 12-14 Nm | Grease steel rails, no grease for carbon |
| Crank arm bolts | 35-45 Nm | Use manufacturer’s spec |
| Pedals | 35-40 Nm | Right pedal: clockwise; Left: counter-clockwise |
| Disc brake rotors | 5-7 Nm | Tighten in star pattern |
| Water bottle cage | 2-3 Nm | Easy to strip these threads |
Winter/Wet Weather Maintenance
- Clean bike more frequently (ideally after every wet ride)
- Use wet lubricant on chain
- Apply frame protectant to prevent corrosion
- Check and clean fenders regularly
- Consider sealed bearings for wet conditions
- Use full cable housing to prevent water ingress
- Apply anti-seize compound to threaded components
Tool & Part Organization
- Keep small parts in magnetic trays during disassembly
- Take photos before disassembling complex components
- Label cables and housing when replacing
- Store spare parts by category
- Keep special tools with their matching components
- Document torque values for your specific bike
- Create maintenance log to track service intervals
Resources for Further Learning
Recommended Books
- “Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance” by Lennard Zinn
- “Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance” by Lennard Zinn
- “Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair” by Calvin Jones
- “Bicycle Repair Manual” by Chris Sidwells
Online Resources
- Park Tool website and YouTube channel
- GCN Tech YouTube channel
- Sheldon Brown’s bicycle technical info
- RJ The Bike Guy YouTube channel
- Manufacturer-specific technical documentation
- BikeRadar maintenance guides
Mobile Apps
- Bike Fast Fix Guide
- Bike Repair
- Strava (for tracking mileage for maintenance intervals)
- MyBikeInfo (component tracking)
Local Resources
- Bike co-ops and community workshops
- Manufacturer/shop maintenance clinics
- Community college bicycle maintenance courses
- Bike shop mechanics for professional service
Emergency Trail/Road Repairs
- Flat tire: Remove wheel, use tire levers to remove tire, replace/patch tube, reinstall
- Broken chain: Use chain tool to remove broken link, reconnect with quick link or pin
- Bent derailleur hanger: Temporarily straighten with adjustable wrench
- Loose bolts: Tighten with multi-tool
- Broken spoke: If rear drive-side, remove cassette; otherwise, twist around adjacent spoke
- Brake issues: Adjust cable tension with barrel adjuster or quick release mechanism
Remember that preventative maintenance is always less expensive and less stressful than emergency repairs. A few minutes of regular maintenance can save hours of repair time and prevent being stranded on the road or trail.