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Imagine your ideal weekend. While the sun peeks through the leaves of the neighborhood trees, you’re gliding along the avenue. A soft breeze tickles the back of your neck. You’re humming your favorite song and you feel a childlike excitement and curiosity about the possibilities lying before you. This moment makes you feel 10 years younger, and you suddenly remember why you invested so much time and care into your bicycle …

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a weekend cruiser, you probably want to keep your bike in the best possible shape. We’ve created this guide for our weekend warriors, but anyone who’s passionate about bikes should read on. There are tips here for everyone!

Storage

The first step to keeping your bicycle in good shape is to make sure that you properly store it. Anything from a garage to a storage unit or a shed is necessary for proper bike care. Your other option is to build a standalone utility shed for your bicycle and other belongings. We offer VersaTube Utility Shed Building Kits in addition to our VersaTube Garage Building Kits for your storage needs.

Tires

Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Badly inflated tires can be easily damaged, especially by sharp objects. We recommend using a standing track pump that comes with a pressure gauge. On the side if your tire, you should find a number that will tell you approximately how much air your tires require.

Brakes

Are your breaks loud and squeaky? Nobody likes the irksome sound of brakes screeching to a halt. If your brakes are squeaky, they (or your wheel rims) are most likely dirty. Clean your brakes (and your wheel rims), drying them thoroughly after, and the noise should go away. If it doesn’t, you probably need to adjust your brakes.

Always check whether your brake pads are worn. If they seem to lack any grooves or if the grooves are barely there, it’s time to fix them. You can take them into your local cycling shop or you may be able to do the job yourself. There are several YouTube videos available offer clear instruction on bike maintenance and repair.

Finally, if your brakes seem slow and weak, it’s time to tighten them back up. You can find out how to tighten your brakes with a simple internet search.

Wheel Alignment

If your wheels are out of alignment, take your bike to a repair specialist. If you want to test the alignment, put your bike upside down and watch your wheels spin. If they seem to move from side to side, that’s a clear sign an alignment is needed.

Lubrication

A very simple and easy way to keep your bike in great condition is to purchase special bicycle lubricant. You should use it conservatively on any of the sections of your bike where metal comes into contact with metal. Also, remember to clean your chain thoroughly before you oil it.

Cleanliness

The most important step to keeping and maintaining a gorgeous bike is to clean it regularly! A mixture of water and mild soap will do for the cleaning agent, followed by a sponge and scrub brush. Degreaser works wonders for stubborn oil and debris. While cleaning, remember to wear latex gloves or you could get bicycle oil on your hands and in your nails.

Happy cycling!