Rich’s Tech Tips

Credit: Courtesy of Bicycling Magazine

• If it’s threaded, grease it
• You can’t properly adjust a bicycle that is dirty and not lubricated
• Check tire pressure before every ride, especially if you’re running tubeless.
• The three most important tools to have on a ride: a multitool with a chain breaker, a pump or CO2, and a patch kit or tube
• If your bike makes a noise, it’s trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore it.
• Never roll your bike into the shop and expect an on-the-spot repair. You don’t know what your mechanic is up against on any given day.
• It doesn’t matter how you broke it. Just don’t lie to your bike mechanic.
• Don’t touch disc-brake pads with your fingers. The oil from your skin can decrease their braking power.
• Do not use a solvent to lube your chain.
• Install quick-release skewers so the levers are on the non-driveside. Do not tighten the lever down right onto the fork.
• A few drops of Teflon oil in cable housings can fix sticky braking or slow shifting.
• Use rubbing alcohol to remove black grime from your rims.
• When your chainring teeth start to look like shark fins, it’s time to replace your chainrings
• Chains and cogs wear together
• Get and know how to use a torque wrench. It’s the only way to properly tighten bolts.
• Not all chain lubricants are the same. Choose the one that best suits your riding conditions.
• Apply lube to the chain’s rollers, not its side plates.
• Use both hands when operating a floor pump.