Getting Around Cambridge | 3 Four Easy Bike Maintenance Tips THE BOSTON CYCLISTS UNION is a non-profit organization dedi- cated to making the Boston area safer for people to ride bikes. In addition to teaching bike repair in neighborhoods that don’t have bike shops, we also advocate for better street designs that provide a safer and more com- fortable riding experience for people of all ages and abilities. BostonCyclistsUnion.org THE BOSTON CYCLISTS UNION is a non-profit organization dedi- cated to making the Boston area safer for people to ride bikes. In addition to teaching bike repair in neighborhoods that don’t have bike shops, we also advocate for better street designs that provide a safer and more com- fortable riding experience for people of all ages and abilities. BostonCyclistsUnion.org KEEP IT CLEAN! Dirt, salt and other grit can wear out parts. After wet rides, wipe down your bike with a wet cloth, diluted dish soap or a bike cleaner. You can hose off your bike, but be careful not to spray water into the hubs, headset or bottom bracket. Then dry your bike to prevent rust. During the winter, clean your chain, chain-rings, cassette and derailleur once a week if you ride every day. Road salt can cause your drivetrain to rust if it’s not washed off. Wipe the parts clean with a rag and/or toothbrush soaked in bike cleaner, then rinse with water. For a deeper clean, use a specialized brush or a chain-cleaning tool, or remove the chain and soak it in a container of solvent. Cleaning your bike helps you see any problems that you might otherwise miss, such as loose bolts, a crack in the frame or rust. 1 KEEP IT LUBRICATED! After cleaning your bike, apply lubricant to the chain and any joints on your front and rear derailleurs. Turn the pedals while shifting through the gears to lubricate all of the moving parts of your drivetrain. Let the lubricant sit for a few minutes, then wipe away any excess lubricant that could attract dirt and grit. It’s also good to remove and grease bolts, adjustment barrels, seat posts and other non-moving parts every few months to prevent them from seizing in place. 2 MAINTAIN YOUR STOPPING POWER! Brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced. If the brake pad wears away too much, you may end up destroying the rim, which can be expensive. Ensure that the surface of the brake pad and the rim are parallel and close to each other, but not touching (otherwise you should adjust the brake pads). Inspect the brake cable, espe- cially where it meets the brake caliper. If this section of cable is frayed, it should be replaced as it could fail while you are braking. 3 FINAL STEPS! Check your tire pressure at least once a week before you ride. Tires lose air over time and need to be re-inflated. Keeping your tires pumped up helps prevent pinch flats. Check the recommended tire pressure printed on the side of the tire before inflating. Also inspect the condition of your tires. Tires wear out and may wear through com- pletely, causing a flat. Making sure your tires are in good shape helps prevents flats or crashes from tires suddenly losing pressure. 4 N O W Y O U ’ R E R E A D Y T O R I D E ! Maintenance Tips cambridge S2017 SWFIN.indd 3 5/20/17 9:26 PM