SUMLON has found that cyclists use many wrong methods and ignore many important details when servicing and maintaining their bicycles. We hope to show you some important tips in preparation for bike maintenance to ensure that your maintenance is correct. We have two parts for this subject. Please check:

Bicycles maintenance：13 noticeable problems (I)

Bicycles maintenance：13 noticeable problems (II)

Do you know how much oil should be added to the drive system?

You do not need to add extra lubricant to gear sprockets and chain rings. You just need to grease the chains. Some cyclists mistakenly add too much lubricant to the chain or additionally grease the gear sprockets teeth and chain teeth to improve the lubrication of the drive system. This is also incorrect. Too much chain oil will mix with silt and attach on the chain, gear sprockets and chainring. These sludged lubricants accelerate the wear of gear sprockets and chaining teeth. Too much lubricating oil will attach more dust and turn into more oil stain. Conversely, too little chain oil can cause the bicycle chain to be elongated and rusted. The correct way to add and apply lubricating oil is to add lubricating oil to each joint of the chain. After the lubricating oil fully penetrates into each joint, wipe off the excessive lubricating oil with cotton cloth. You just need to make sure that the chain surface has a protective oil film.

Is there any uncleaned mater in the inter-layer between the inner and outer tubes?

Careful cleaning the matters between the inner and outer tires of bicycles is an important step to ensure riding safety, which can effectively reduce the risk of secondary tire burst after maintenance. These may include sharp stones, glass fragments, metal fragments, or small pieces of material puncturing the outer tube. Once they penetrate through the outer tube and insert the inner tube, they will cause a burst. These maters can be prevented from further damaging the tire by periodically checking the bicycle tires, particularly by carefully cleaning the interlayer between the inner and outer tires. The foreign matter cleaning process shall be detailed and comprehensive to ensure that all potential hazards are eliminated. In addition, timely replacement of aging or seriously worn tires is one of the important measures to reduce the risk of tire burst. Keeping bicycle tyres clean and in good condition will make your ride safer and more enjoyable. Remember that prevention is better than treatment, and periodic inspection and maintenance are the key to ensuring safe cycling.

How do I fit the screws correctly?

Excessive tightening of screws on bicycles is a common but easily overlooked problem. This behavior may lead to screw break, frame damage and even safety hazards. Dealing with this kind of accident is not only time expensive but also economical. Especially when using tools with long arms, it is difficult to accurately judge the tightening force, which increases the possibility of error. Carbon fibre fittings are particularly vulnerable and, if damaged, can be costly to repair. To avoid these problems, it is essential to tighten with a torque wrench according to the torque indication on the fitting. Torque wrenches ensure standard operation and avoid excessive force damage. In addition, be careful when tightening the screws. Excessive force will not only damage the screw mouth, but also cause the screw to break or the handle to deform. If you regularly debug your bike, it is a wise investment to purchase a torque wrench that is not only affordable but also safe to ride. Maintaining bicycles is more than just keeping them in good condition, but also for your own safety and riding experience.

Do you always choose the highest tire pressure?

For novice road cyclists, it is common practice to adjust the tire pressure to the maximum tire pressure marked on the outer tire label, and some even prefer to apply a higher tire pressure, thinking this will reduce rolling resistance. However, a high tyre pressure actually only increases the sense of jolt and consumes more energy unless the road surface is flat like a steel plate. SUMLON recommends that you control the tire pressure within the range of 90-100 PSI. A heavier rider can increase the tire pressure to 110 PSI appropriately. For lighter-weight cyclists, the tyre pressure can be reduced appropriately to improve ride comfort and efficiency. Excessively high tyre pressures increase the sense of jolt and cause more loss of strength, which is one of the reasons why more cyclists are selecting tyres 25c or wider as the road is rarely perfectly flat.

Have you correctly set the limit screws on the derailleur?

Proper adjustment of the stop screws of front and rear derailleur essential in bike maintenance. Their functions are to prevent the chain from falling off to the inside or outside of the frame and prevent the chain from being clamped between the wheel set and the flywheel. In particular, the limit screw on real derailleur ensures that the chain does not fall between the wheel set and the flywheel, which will not only damage the transmission system, but also lead to serious accidents. Some may neglect the role of these screws, but in reality they avoid potential hazards and repair costs. Before adjusting these screws, it is suggested to know their functions first. If you are unfamiliar with them, it is better to consult professionals or go to the nearby car shop for inspection. You should check and adjust these screws regularly to make sure they are set correctly.

Are you still using a low-quality Allen screwdriver?

Especially for those who prefer to retrofit and repair bicycles themselves, it is essential to replace a robust and standard set of hex tools. Poor Allen wrenches tend to be difficult to sustain, easily damaged, and sometimes broken, causing more trouble with maintenance. A better quality tool usually has a higher manufacturing accuracy that ensures a perfect match between the socket head screw and the wrench. This means that you can tighten or remove the screws more easily without having to worry about tools slipping or damaging the screw head. High-quality tools are usually made of durable materials, such as high quality steel or alloys. This makes the tool more durable, able to withstand prolonged use and repetitive stresses, reducing the need for damage and replacement. Use of better quality tool sets can reduce the risk of accidents. For example, using a bad wrench may break or slip at critical times, causing loss of control or injury.

Check the rest problems at Bicycles maintenance：13 noticeable problems (II)

By the way, SUMLON has been manufacturing bicycle parts for over 15 years. Contact us if you are looking for a bike parts factory or a one-stop wholesaler. Peace