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Five pre-ride checks every cyclist should learn during National Bike Month
Former elite racer says small issues can result in big problems when left unattended
Champaign, ILMay is National Bike Month. A month celebrated with bike-to-work weeks, bike-walk weeks and activities to encourage people to start cycling. But of the over 44.7 million people in the United States who participate in cycling, very few know how to maintain their bicycles. According to Daimeon Shanks, a former elite-level racer and mechanic for Garmin-Transitions ProTour cycling team and the U.S. national cycling team, cyclists should follow the lead of successful bicycle mechanics by properly maintaining their bikes before and after each ride to prevent major problems from occurring.
Small, easily addressed issues can develop into dangerous and expensive failures if left unattended, says Daimeon Shanks. In about the time it takes to down a postride espresso at your local coffee shop, you can give your bike the same attention that the pros bikes receive after each race.
In his forthcoming book, Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair (Human Kinetics, June 2012), Shanks explains five preride checks that every cyclist should perform:
- Check the wheels. Make sure the quick-release skewers are tightened correctly. Spin the wheels to check that they are true and dont rub on the brake pads or anywhere on the frame or fork. If there is a wobble in the rim, go ahead and true it before the ride, Shanks says. He also advises checking that the wheels turn freely and there are no grinding noises coming from the hub. If the wheel stops turning after only a few revolutions or if there is a grinding sound from the wheel, then youll need to adjust the hubs, Shanks adds.
- Inspect the tires. Check for adequate air pressure in the tires. Most tires will have the proper tire-pressure range printed on the sidewall, Shanks says. For the majority of road tires, a pressure of 110 to 120 pounds per square inch is best, depending on your size and riding style. Check for any cuts or nicks in the sidewall or tread of the tires where the inner tube can bulge through and cause a flat. Also check for adequate tread on both tires. A tire needs to be replaced when the tires cross section is no longer round; it will take on a square shape, Shanks explains. Replace the tire if it is severely worn or has cuts.
- Test the brakes. Spin the wheels and apply the front and rear brakes independently of each other. Check that the brakes engage before the brake lever reaches the handlebars and that there is enough stopping power to be safe. It is also important to ensure the brake pads are not worn, Shanks says. Inspect where the brake pads hit the rim; they should contact the rim evenly on both sides and not rub the tire in any way because this will cause a flat.
- Lube the chain. There are many styles of lube available, and each works differently in different conditions, Shanks says. If youre unsure what to use or if you like to keep only one type around for all conditions, then use a light oil, such as Tri-Flow. Apply a small amount to the inside of the chain as you pedal backward so the entire chain gets an even coat. Its important to note that you should always apply lube to the inside of the chain so that, as you pedal, centrifugal force will push the lube into the chain parts, Shanks explains. If you apply the lube to the top of the chain, the centrifugal force will simply fling the lube off the chain before it does any good.
- Check the shifting. Check that the rear derailleur shifts evenly and smoothly between all the gears on the cassette. Also check that the chain doesnt fall off the front chainrings when performing front derailleur shifts and that it shifts smoothly between the small and large chainrings, Shanks adds.
A quick run-through of your bikes most important working parts is all thats necessary, Shanks says. With proper maintenance, your bike should last as long as you care to take care of it.
Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair takes a straightforward approach to cyclings most common repairs. Information on choosing the best frame, selecting tires, and discerning types of brakes is presented along with instructions on installing caliper, cantilever, and V-brakes. Readers also have access to a quick reference that lists the most common problems, including troubleshooting shifting and derailleurs, and suggests the appropriate repairs.
For more information on Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair or any other sports resource, contact Human Kinetics at 800-747-4457 800-747-4457 or visit www.HumanKinetics.com.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair
Daimeon Shanks
Available June 2012 · Paperback · 256 pp ISBN 978-1-4504-0707-6 · $19.95
eBook ISBN 978-1-4504-2950-4 · $19.95
In Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair, Daimeon Shanks takes a straightforward approach to repair and creates the go-to resource for cyclists.
–Tom Danielson Professional Cyclist, Team Garmin-Cervelo
Daimeon Shanks belongs to an elite stratum of bicycle mechanics. Seasoned by the triage nature of top professional cycling on the road, trail, and track, Shanks experience and ability to eloquently advise show through in Essential Bicycle Maintenance & Repair.
–Nicholas Legan, World and Olympic Champion Mechanic, Tech Editor for Velo/VeloNews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Daimeon Shanks has two decades of experience in cycling and has worked as a professional mechanic in every discipline of the sport, including mountain, track, road, and cyclocross. His work experience includes stints with the Mavic Neutral Support Program, as the head track mechanic for the U.S. national team, and as the resident mechanic at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He also spent five years as a mechanic with the Garmin Transitions ProTour cycling team, working events such as the Grand Tours of Europe, the pinnacle of road cyclings hierarchy.Shanks graduated from the University of Oregon, where he raced for the university team and later became director and president of the cycling program. He is currently the co-owner of The Service Course, a high-end bike repair shop in Boulder, Colorado.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 The Modern Road Bike
Chapter 2 Basic Maintenance
Chapter 3 Frame and Fork
Chapter 4 Handlebars and Stem
Chapter 5 Saddles and Seatposts
Chapter 6 Wheels
Chapter 7 Tires
Chapter 8 Brakes
Chapter 9 Cranks and Chainrings
Chapter 10 Shifters and Derailleurs
Chapter 11 Chains and Cogsets
Chapter 12 Pedals and Cleats
Chapter 13 Customizing Your Fit
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