A bicycle will last for many years, as long as you treat it well. Like your car, it needs occasional cleaning and regular maintenance to keep it performing its best, but you only need a few basic tools and supplies on hand to take care of these tasks yourself. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your bike in top condition.

3 Bike Maintenance Suggestions

1. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Your bike’s tires should flatten only a little while you have your full weight on them. For road bike tires, start at about 110 pounds per square inch (psi) and add or release a pound for every 10 pounds you are over the average weight for a bike, which is about 170 pounds. However, do not exceed the manufacturer's maximum weight rating, found on the tire’s sidewall. Do the same for mountain bike tires, except use 30 psi as the baseline. It’s useful to keep basic bike tools—like a tire pressure gauge and manual air pump—on hand, so you can check and fill the pressure every two weeks or so.

2. Clean & Lubricate Chain

The chain and gears constitute a bike's drive train. These need to be clean and free of debris to work properly. Use a clean rag, degreaser, and an old toothbrush to clean all of the nooks and crannies of the chain and gears. Then, squirt some bike oil along the length of the chain and turn the pedal a few times until the oil has worked its way along the entire drive train. This will prevent problems with the chain snagging on a gear tooth and falling off. 

3.  Inspect Brake Pads

The brakes are perhaps a bike's most important safety system. You want them to respond well if you need to stop quickly. Make sure you can see the grooves in the pads and that the calipers close completely when you squeeze the brake levers. If the pads are worn, you can loosen them with an Allen wrench, and replace them without much difficulty. Keep the rims and brakes clean to prevent squeaking during use. 

For all of the bike parts and accessories—as well as repair tools—you need to maintain your bicycle, stop by Atlas Bolt & Supply in Chattanooga, TN. They have been serving customers in and around Hamilton County for more than 50 years. They also carry bolts; fasteners; and construction, industrial, and plumbing supplies to help you complete nearly any project. Visit their website or call (423) 265-2341 to learn more about their company.