Caring for Your Bicycle: Your expert guide to keeping your bicycle in tip-top condition Book

Introduction & acknowledgements 6

1 Bike basics 8

What everything does 9

2 Tools 10

Basic kit 11

Workshop kit 11

3 Maintenance schedule 12

Before every ride 12

Every week 12

Bikes with suspension only 12

Every month 12

Disc brakes only 13

Bikes with suspension only 13

Every six months 13

Bikes with suspension only 13

4 Troubleshooting 14

Chain & gears 14

Brakes 15

Tyres, wheels & steering 15

Suspension 16

5 Adjusting the bike to fit you 17

6 Cleaning 20

7 Safety checks 23

8 Lubrication 28

9 Adjusting the gears 31

Adjusting the front mech 31

Adjusting the rear mech 33

Adjusting hub gears 35

10 Adjusting the brakes, replacing pads 37

Calliper brake 38

V-brake 39

Cantilever brake 40

Disc brake 42

11 Removing/replacing wheels 43

Removing the front wheel 43

Removing the rear wheel 44

12 Punctures 46

13 Accessories 50

Mudguards 50

Luggage 51

Lights 52

Bar ends 52

Bell 53

Speedometer 53

14 Electric bikes 55

Tips 56

15 More advanced maintenance 57

Replacing brake/gear cables 58

Replacing chain 58

Greasing wheel hubs 58

Servicing bottom bracket 58

Servicing headset 58

Suspension adjustment 58

Index 64