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Without taking care of your basic bike maintenance, you’ll soon be left without a bike to ride! Cycling is unique in that you really do depend on your equipment to keep you going, so taking care of it in a way that is streamlined, cost-effective, and easy-to-do is the key to success long-term. Let’s take a look at what you should do and how often you should do it in this simple guide.

Basic Bike Maintenance Checklist

Use this easy to follow checklist which has categorized the most common basic bike maintenance items into the time frames in which you should do them. For the purposes of this article, those categories are:

• Before every ride
• Weekly or bi-weekly
• Monthly
• Periodically (every few months or as-needed)

Before Every Ride

Prior to hitting the road or heading out on the trails, perform these tasks to make sure you’re good to go.

Check & Inflate Tires

There’s nothing worse than heading out and realizing your tires aren’t as firm as they should be. Under-inflated tires can lead to poor, exhaustive performance on the bike and increase the risk of flats. Good to use a pressure gauge and check the tires regularly, if not prior to every ride.

Pro Tip: Invest in a portable bike pump with a pressure gauge for on-the-go adjustments during rides.

Brake Inspection

There isn’t really anything more critical than the brakes on your bike, which means it’s important to inspect them before you blast off down a steep hill or into busy traffic. Look at your brake pads and cables to see how worn they are, and test the levers to ensure smooth, consistent braking. 

Pro Tip: Lightly sand your brake pads with sandpaper if you notice any glazing (hardened/smooth surface) to roughen them up and improve grip for better braking.

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Weekly or Bi-Weekly

Especially if you have a heavy cycling schedule, you’ll want to be sure you’re doing these basic bike maintenance tasks every 1-2 weeks.

Clean Your Bike

Regular cleaning is the bread and butter of basic bike maintenance. Just a simple wash with the hose or a light scrub with a dishcloth can make a huge difference when it comes to the wear and tear on your bike’s components. FYI, the drivetrain is particularly prone to collecting dirt/grit!

Pro Tip: Use a designated bike cleaning brush or an old toothbrush to reach tight spots and remove stubborn dirt. While it may be tedious, the long-term benefits are worth it.

Lubrication

There’s nothing soft and cuddly about a bike (maybe the saddle?), and that means there’s a lot of hard metal parts rubbing against each other. Applying lubricant to the chain, derailleur pivots, brake and shift cables, and any other moving parts regularly is key for long-lasting function.

Pro Tip: Use a chain cleaner tool to remove built-up grime before applying fresh lubricant for the best results and performance.

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Monthly

Monthly tasks on the basic bike maintenance checklist focus on the heavier-duty mechanical components of the bike and how they’re functioning.

Gear Check & Adjustment

Nobody likes a clunky gear system. Smooth shifting is essential for efficient, enjoyable cycling. Take the time every 4-5 weeks to address any skipping or hesitation between the gears while shifting. A small adjustment to the cable tension or derailleur alignment often does the trick.

Pro Tip: You can use barrel adjusters on shifters or derailleurs to make minor adjustments without having to carry around a suite of cumbersome tools.

Tighten Bolts & Fasteners

While riding, the vibrations that reverberate through your bike frame can cause all sorts of things to loosen up over time. Taking a moment to check that your bolts and fasteners are snug can help avoid disaster when you least expect it. Be sure to check the stem, handlebars, saddle, and pedals. 

Pro Tip: Start from the front of the bike and move to the back to ensure you don’t miss anything. Use a small amount of threadlocker as an extra guarantee to prevent the bolts from loosening.

(Credit: Adobe Stock)

Periodically (Every Few Months or As-Needed)

Finally, let’s take a look at some special considerations and basic bike maintenance tasks to do at least 3-4 times throughout the year.

Full Inspection

Take the time to do a close inspection over your whole bike. Cracks, dents, corrosion, loose spokes, worn bearings, and any unusual noises or vibrations while riding can all indicate underlying issues that need addressing.

Pro Tip: Track these inspections using a small notebook or mobile app to track how the condition of your bike fares over time + the maintenance you’ve done on it in the past.

Bike Fitting

If new aches and pains start to appear in your body and/or if the bike has been in any sort of accident, it might be a good idea to take it in for a new fitting. Things wear out and change over time, so it’s never a bad idea to make sure the bike is still fitted well and working for your needs.

Pro Tip: In your training journal, make note of when new sensations appear in the body; was it after an accident or a particular event? This info might be helpful to the technician doing your fit.

Ride-Pain Free | Dynamic Cyclist

Looking to take your cycling to the next level? Bike maintenance is one thing, but the maintenance of your body is something entirely different. We make it easy with follow-along routines led by world class coaches and programming; stretching, mobility, strength training and injury prevention. Sign up for a 7-day free trial with Dynamic Cyclist by clicking here.

Written by Eric Lister – Certified Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Specialist