Looking to dust off your bicycle and get it back on the road for summer? Even for those who prefer riding to wrenching, it's not that difficult, bike mechanics say.
Assuming you don't have serious mechanical problems that a bike shop should handle, a few simple tools and some care will have you on two wheels in no time.
And if you're one of many Americans who rediscovered bicycles during COVID-19, you'll find things have changed since the pandemic-related supply shortages of a few years ago. While parts are much easier to find, the bicycle industry has taken a hit as demand slowed.
Bike shop mechanics are still swamped. "We're very busy, we've got over a week's backlog," says Mike Hulett, owner of Broadway Cyclery in Bedford, Ohio. But that's not unusual.
"During the winter, we're hoping someone walks in the door," Hulett says. "In the summer, it's like a wave crashing on the beach."
If you're looking for a new bicycle, you can probably find one at a nearby dealer. But if you have a bike you want to repair or maintain yourself, you can do it!
Start here:
1. Safety first
"Safety is your first consideration," says Matthew Bracken, a partner with Pedros, a manufacturer of bicycle tools and cleaning products. He's also a bike mechanic and frame builder himself. "When I'm working on a bike, I have a responsibility to make it work safely. If I can't, it'll go to a shop."
Be aware that much of the work you'll have to do depends on the bike's condition, and when and where you stored it.
Humidity and water leaks can accelerate rust. Dust can gum up chains. And "if the stem was loose when you put it away, it'll still be loose now," says Calvin Jones, director of education at Park Tool, a manufacturer of bicycle tools.
Give the entire bike a good going-over before you get on. Wheels, forks, handlebars, the seat and pedals should be secure. Loose components can cause you to fall.
Bicycles are simple machines, Jones says, "but they can also hurt you." So you have some work to do before you pedal away.
2. Give it a wash
If you haven’t used the bike in a while, wash off the dust by giving it a thorough but gentle rinse. Never use water under high pressure; it can wash out bearing grease in pedals and hubs.
◾ Fill a bucket with warm water and biodegradable detergent – some bike mechanics use a dish soap such as Dawn for its ability to cut grease on chains and chainrings.
◾ Use lots of suds and a soft bristle brush to clean the frame, handlebars, wheels and saddle.
◾ Use an old sponge and toothbrush on the chain, chainrings and derailleurs.
◾ Thoroughly (and gently) rinse off the bike with water and dry it with old towels or T-shirts. When the chain is clean and dry, it’s a good idea to oil it with a bike-specific lubricant.
Trek Bikes has a how-to video here.
3. Examine the tires
◾ First, check for worn tread or sidewall cracks and replace tires that have them. Make sure the tires are properly and uniformly seated in the wheel rim.
◾ Get a trustworthy air gauge and make sure your tires are properly inflated. The tire should have a recommended PSI range (pounds per square inch) on its sidewall. Lower pressure gives a more comfortable ride, while higher pressure provides less rolling resistance. Some manufacturers recommend higher pressure for heavier riders.
◾ Though tire pressure is a matter of personal preference, it’s essential to stay within the PSI range. Don’t over- or under-inflate your tires.
◾ Hand pumps are best for bicycle tire inflation. You can use gas station air pumps, but many tend to put out air fast, which increases the risk of blowing out the tire. And gas station pumps can be used only on Schrader valves, like the ones on your car tires. They won’t work on Presta valves, which are found on higher-priced road and mountain bikes.
Bicycle-guider.com has this comparison of Schrader and Presta valves.
4. Spin the wheels
◾ Make sure the wheels are secured to the frame. Hold one end of the bike off the ground and spin the wheel. Look for side-to-side wobbles – does the rim move smoothly, or does it twitch over and bump a brake pad in spots?
◾ Check the shape of the rim. Is it round or slightly egg-shaped? Are the spokes evenly tight?
◾ Rims that are out of alignment can be fixed by carefully adjusting spokes, but that requires time, a spoke wrench and patience. Rims that are severely out of true may need a professional repair or replacement.
◾ Check that wheel hubs spin smoothly without sideway movement.
This Park Tool video can help.
5. Test the brakes
◾ Squeeze the brake levers. They should apply the brakes without the levers touching the handlebars. The brake pads should clamp firmly to the wheel rims (or to the rotors if you have disc brakes).
◾ The pads should be clean and correctly positioned at the point of full contact. Worn pads should be replaced; pad surfaces that are glazed can be scuffed with sandpaper.
◾ Brake rotors should be straight and free of rust. Disc brakes with hydraulic systems should be checked for leaks.
These Park Tool videos show you how.
6. Shift the derailleurs
With the rear wheel off the ground, spin the pedals and shift through the gears. The derailleurs should move the chain easily between sprockets – the front between the chainrings, and the rear across the gear cluster or cassette.
Everything else
Depending on how long the bike has been sitting, you'll want to eyeball everything, looking for:
◾ Cracks in the frame.
◾ Loose pedals, seat post, or headset.
◾ Fraying brake or derailleur cables.
◾ Loose bolts, nuts, or other fasteners.
You may need assistance or special tools if you find problems here.
Of course, if you're uncomfortable with working on your own bicycle, it's best to bring it to your local bike shop but call ahead before you go. You may have to schedule an appointment.
However, bicycles are relatively uncomplicated, and some folks find great satisfaction in maintaining them. You may find that true for yourself.
While shops offer tools and cleaning products that make work easier, you can ease into bicycle maintenance yourself with items you already have.
Parts supply is back to normal
Bicycle parts are much easier to find now than during the pandemic.
"There are some little pockets of things that are hard to find, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason," Hulett says. "For the most part, things are much easier to get."
Try how-to videos, books if you get stuck
When working on a bicycle after a long hiatus, you may be surprised to discover what you don't know. "You'll learn you've forgotten some things," Jones says. "You should expect to have to do some research."
How-to books are useful, along with knowledgeable friends you can consult. Explanatory YouTube videos can be invaluable.
Whichever method you use, Jones says, "learn to enjoy the learning process again."
And remember ...
It's important to know your limits when working on a bicycle, especially if you're buying one online.
"We do see online sales are becoming more common," Hulett says. "I think a lot of people just assume they know how to put a bike together.
"We get a lot of people who buy a bike online," he says. "It shows up in a box and they try to put it together.
"They get about halfway through or they "finish it," but it's always pretty wrong. And then we have to jump in and fix it."
When your bicycle is ready and you start riding again for exercise or commuting to work instead of public transportation, it's essential to ride sensibly and wear a helmet.
Be mindful of the heat when you're riding and stay well hydrated.
Illustrations: Karl Gelles and Janet Loehrke
Source: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; bicycleretailer.com; Park Tool; Bicycling magazine; Trek Bicycles; Pedros; REI; BikeRadar; flatbike.com; Global Mountain Bike Network; bicycle-guider.com