Simple Bike Care Habits That Keep You Rolling

Four habits that take a minute each and prevent almost every roadside problem we get called out to.

Check the Tyres Before You Ride

Squeeze them. If your thumb sinks in easily, pump them up. Under-inflated tyres are the single most common cause of a puncture and they make every ride feel harder than it is.

Keep the Chain Clean, Not Drowned

A wiped chain with a drop of oil on each link outlasts a soaked one by months. Too much oil collects grit and turns into a grinding paste. Wipe the excess off; that step is the whole trick.

Listen for New Noises

Bikes are quiet. A click that appears today and is still there tomorrow is telling you something, usually that a bolt is loose. Bring it in before it becomes a part you have to replace.

Test the Brakes at Walking Pace

Roll forward and pull each lever separately. If either goes near the bar, the pads or the cable need attention. Thirty seconds at the start of a ride, and it is the check that matters most.

Every bike we rent has all four of these done before it goes out. On a bike of your own they are yours to keep up.