Weather
The Pine Tree, News for Calaveras County and Beyond Weather
Amador Angels Camp Arnold Bear Valley Copperopolis Murphys San Andreas Valley Springs Moke Hill/West Point Tuolumne
News
Business Directory
Weather & Roads
Sports
Real Estate
Search
Weekly & Grocery Ads
Entertainment
Life & Style
Government
Law Enforcement
Business
Wine News
Health & Fitness
Home & Garden
Food & Dining
Religion & Faith
Frogtown USA
Calendar
Polls
Columns
Free Classifieds
Letters to the Editor
Obituaries
About Us


Log In
Username

Password

Remember Me



Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/22/2009 11:44 PM Updated by: thepinetree on 03/23/2009 06:38 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
:

Get Ready to Ride On!~By the PineTree Pedaler ~By Brett Loring


Arnold, CA...Sun’s in and out, roads are almost clear! Stumble over that pile of stuff in the garage, make your way to the wall where you laid your bicycle to rest last summer. Dust ‘er off, tune ‘er up and get ready to hop on! It’s that transitional time of year that we have the double blessing of going up the hill to enjoy some slide and glide time on skis or staying closer to home to do a ride on the side on two wheels. Whether you’re into a fat-tire ride in the mud and dirt or you’ve got “white line fever” on skinny tires, now’s the time to start “Spring Training.” Many event ride registrations begin to open up now and recreational and fitness riding opportunities abound just around the corner......



Being that we just got a good dose of snow from Murphys on up within days of Spring’s start up, now’s a good time to take care of some essential maintenance on your bicycle so that you’ll be ready to ride safely and comfortably next time the sun peeks out and melts off some of the snow. Here are some basics that the average bicycle owner can do now at home…

Wheel Start Here:
If your ride has been stored for a season or more, and especially if the tires are flat, it’s important to examine the tires for checks and cracks. If you spot a pattern of cracks or the tire seems at all brittle, it’s time to replace it. Check the tube also for excessive patching or other signs of potential blowout. Make sure you use a rim strip between the rim and the tube to prevent spoke ends from poking into the tube. You can also use a liner which is a puncture-resistant strip that goes between the tire and tube, but adds slight weight and may affect the feel of your ride. Before you reinstall the tube, carefully run your fingers a full revolution along the inside of the tire to feel for and remove thorns, metal, glass or other sharp objects that will give you a flat. Ensure that the valve is tight in the stem, check that the tire beads (edges of the tire) are properly seated in the rim, and slowly inflate to the pressure recommended on the sidewall of the tire. Once the wheel is mounted back on the forks of the bike, give it a spin to listen and feel for any grinding or binding of the bearings in the hub. You can tighten or loosen slightly the hub nuts, but don’t overdo it either way. If you are bold enough to significantly adjust spokes make sure you know how to true a wheel. A tire tool, spoke wrench, valve tightener, crescent wrench, and a quality floor pump with gauge are essential items for this operation.


Gear Up for the Ride:
A clean chain and lubricated gears are critical for smooth cranking and for sparing expensive repairs down the road. An easy-to-use chain cleaning box filled with chain cleaning fluid along with a gear brush between the gear cassette will remove most of the gunky stuff. I like to use a dry lube which is a liquid that dries as a wax and flakes off the accumulated grime. It can also be used on most other components of the bike including cable guides, gears, and pivot points. Visually inspect for bent, broken, or missing gear teeth which can really foul up your ride. Also check for weeds, stray string, or even rocks that may have wound around or wedged themselves in between gear rings. Remember to check and lubricate the rear derailleur as appropriate. Check the bottom bracket and crank-set for “wobbliness.” If at all loose, tighten up carefully so that the crank-set spins evenly and makes no grinding noises. Useful items to keep on hand are a chain-cleaning kit with cleaning fluid and brush, dry lube, bottom bracket wrench, and a small long-shafted slotted screwdriver.

Take a Brake:
More important than going is the ability to stop on the bike. First, make sure that front and rear brake cables are in good shape, in their guides, and that they function within their full range of operation. On most bicycles there are adjustment screws on the brake lever housing on the handlebar. Whenever you move any adjustment screws anywhere on the bike, keep track of the starting point or number of turns you make so that you can return to the default position if you need to. Check the brake pads for excessive or uneven wear. If they don’t grip and stop the wheel from spinning, adjust or replace the pads. Make sure the rim where the pads grab is free of dirt and grease. It will be helpful to have handy a small adjustable wrench, small slotted screwdriver

Keep in mind that these are basic adjustments and repairs to get you up and running safely before the season begins, and that greasing of bearings and more complex repairs and maintenance should be done by a bicycle mechanic if you are not familiar with those components and their maintenance.

Now that you’ve completed the most important safety maintenance items on your bike, stay tuned to my column on Mondays and I will occasionally highlight some area rides that afford some fun, fitness and a from-the-saddle perspective of local views and venues.


by Columnist, ThePineTree Pedaler, Brett Loring
If you have ride thoughts, suggestions, ideas, feel free to e-mail me at brett@thepinetree.net




What's Related
These might interest you as well
Local News


Mark Twain Medical Center
Meadowmont Pharmacy
Angels & San Andreas Memorial Chapels
Bear Valley Real Estate
Gerard Insurance
Bank of Stockton
Fox Security
Bistro Espresso
Chatom Winery
Middleton's Furniture
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Cave, Mine & Zip Lines
High Country Spa & Stove
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Sierra Logging Museum Calaveras Mentoriing
Jenny's Kitchen

Copyright © The Pine Tree 2005-2023