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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEVADA CYCLING ASSOCIATION Try all of your gears, shifting each gear lever from high to low.
You have a problem if the lever sticks, you can't shift to all gears, the chain rubs, the derailleur, or the chain jumps off the gears. These are usually caused by worn or dirty cables, or a derailleur that needs cleaning or adjustment.
Tires lose a little air everyday. If your gauge says a tire is more than five pounds under the needed pressure (printed on the side of the tire), add air.
No gauge? Push each tire hard against the curb. If you can flatten it, add air. |
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Bicycle Maintenance |
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Safety starts with your bike. Whether you use your bike a lot or you're dusting off an old bike, this page gives you a few simple things to check for a safe ride.
Turn each wheel very slowly and look for big cuts, bulges, bubbles, or places you can see the inner casing. If you spot any, replace the tire. Remove glass or other debris. If the valve stem doesn't point straight at the middle of the wheel, the rim might cut it; let the air out and straighten the valve.
Pick up the bike and shake it hard. Check and fix anything that rattles. |
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While these bike checks will help you find problems, we don't have room to tell you how to fix them all. If you need help, go to your owner's manual, a maintenance book, or a bike shop.
Chain A dry chain can lock up or break suddenly. If your chain squeaks when you pedal or it hangs up when you pedal backward, it's time to lubricate: Grab the bottom of the chain loosely with a lint-free rag. With the other hand, turn the pedals backward, sliding the chain through the rag. Pedal the chain around twice to remove surface grime.With one hand, squeeze or spray lubricant onto the chain, and with the other hand, pedal the chain backward so it goes completely around once. Repeat the first step to get the excess lubricant off the chain. Extra lube can attract dirt. Wheel Spin Lift each wheel up and give it a slow spin. Spin the back wheel forward so the pedals don't move. If the wheel won't spin by itself or stops suddenly, see whether it's rubbing against the brake pads, frame, or something else. If the wheel's not rubbing, the problem might be inside the axle. Handlebars Hold the front tire between your legs and try to turn the handlebars. If there're loose, tighten the stem bolt. Brakes You should adjust or replace the brake cable or pads if you have any of these problems:
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This site is brought to you by the Merced County Association of Governments
