Team Green Britain Bike Week (18-26th June) this year is focussed on cycle maintenance
As the former head mechanic for the GB cycling team and now co-owner of Pro Tool School, a company providing cycle maintenance courses to the public in partnership with British Cycling, I take bike maintenance very seriously. My company provides race service to Rapha Condor Sharp Pro Team, winners of the Halfords Tour Series. We also work alongside the GB Wheelchair Rugby Team. Fixing bikes is my life and I aim to empower people to be able to repair and maintain their own bikes.
While travelling the globe for the past 12 years fixing bikes I have been put into many strange situations. I got some funny looks once when I arrived at Heathrow on my own with o103 pieces of luggage to check on to a flight to Beijing. As a professional mechanic you have to take on many jobs. The first job when you arrive at a hotel is normally to find power and water for the race truck. In the Czech Republic I couldn't find any at ground level so ended up with cables and hoses connected in my hotel room. They looked pretty funny dangling over my 7th floor balcony.
Team Green Britain Bike Week (18-26th June) this year is focussed on cycle maintenance and trying to get all those people that have a broken and unloved bike stuck in the shed or garage to dust it off and go for a ride.
It is important to maintain your bike for many reasons but to me the main ones are safety and the fact that if your bike is working correctly you enjoy riding it much more. With that in mind here are a few top tips to get you back on the road:
? Check your tyres are fully inflated. If the bikes been sat for months since it last use they will probably have gone down.
? Give the wheel a spin. Check it spins freely and the brake pads don't rub on the rim or tyre.
? Check all the bolts on the bike are tight, particularly things like wheels, handlebars and saddle. If these are loose they could cause injury.
? Check the brakes work correctly and can actually stop you. The cables could be damaged or the brake pads may be worn out.
? Put some bike-specific lubricant on the chain, chances are it is dried out and in need of lubrication.
? Give the pedals a spin and check they are attached correctly.
For more maintenance tips why not look at the top ten bike maintenance tips or download the Dr Bike checklist.
During Bike Week why not get yourself along to your nearest event where Britain's Biggest Bike Fix is going on and have your bike checked by a trained mechanic ? or take it to your local bike shop for a service.
This might be enough to jumpstart your interest in cycling which is a great way to socialise with friends and family, meet new people and get fitter. Maybe you could reduce your carbon footprint and commute to work by bike. Save the planet and save money at the same time.
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge about cycle maintenance book on a course and learn from the professionals.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/jun/23/top-tips-bike-roadworthy
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