Staying on top of your bike’s wear level is always advantageous but especially right now when we’re experiencing a major supply issue with components and hardware – with little sign of it improving in the near future.
We are seeing bikes come through our workshop with completely worn transmissions and brakes, and often it can be a wait of many weeks or months before the correct components become available. This may result in your bike being out of action – frustrating, especially if you need it as a daily commuter, part of a training plan or you have a weekend uplift booked at a bike park.
Most of the new bikes we sell are equipped with disc brakes, giving efficient control and stopping power in all weather conditions. They’re great – we’re sold on them – but they’re not maintenance free! We live in a hilly part of the country and as such see brake pads and rotors wearing at a quicker rate than normal. We must stress here that it’s the disc rotors as well as the pads that we’re replacing, and with the different sizes and fitting standards we are often running into availability issues. Check your pads frequently, replace them before they’re through to the metal backing plate and you’ll help reduce wear on your rotors – as well as keeping you safe!
Correct operating pressures will vary depending on the type of bike, the tyre’s size and the rider’s weight. Keeping the optimum pressure in your tyres will give better control as well as a longer lifespan. Speak to us if you need advice on what pressure will work best for your bike. When you clean your bike it’s worth checking your tyres for damage or glass/thorns/metal that may be lodged in the tread.
A floor pump such as the Bontrager Charger can make a huge difference and is a great investment.
A worn chain can cause more than just poor gear shifting – it can accelerate the wear of the rear sprockets (cassette) and chainrings, resulting in the need for a complete drivetrain replacement. We see this frequently - it can be expensive and bump up the total service cost considerably. A Park Tool CCP-3.2 chain checker is a handy tool, quick to use and can save you money in the long run. Pick one up in store and we’ll show you how to use it correctly.
We see as many over lubricated chains (black, greasy and gritty) as we do rusty ones. Chains need cleaning as well as lubricating, and it helps if the lube you choose is appropriate for your bike and the weather conditions. A road bike used mostly in the summer weather will perform efficiently with the use of a DRY lube, whereas a long mid-winter mountain bike ride will need a WET lube to fend off the constant spray of water and mud. Ask us about what suits your bike and type of riding best.
Last but not least… give your bike a wash, wipe down and inspection. As well as clearing your bike of mud and grime, a quick wash is a useful way of spotting any damage to the tyres, components and frame. A split in a tyre or a damaged chain link can ruin a ride, so giving your bike a quick visual inspection once it’s clean is very beneficial.
Bontrager’s Degreaser and Bike Wash are great additions to you maintenance kit.
Check out the Bay Cycles workshop service menu and price list HERE
