Quick Tip: Fix Today’s Bike Problems Before Tomorrow’s Ride
A brake starts rubbing or a gear refuses to shift cleanly during your ride. You make a mental note to check it when you get home. Then you put the bike away and forget — until the same problem is waiting there to greet you on your next ride. Ugh.
Before you park the bike, make it a habit to take a minute to recall anything that needed attention. Was there a new noise? A loose bottle cage? A tire that needed air again?
Handle the repairs you know how to make while the problem is fresh in your mind, like a slow tire leak or a noisy chain that needs oil. If something needs a mechanic, put the bike in your car and take it to the shop instead of hoping it will go away. If it’s a problem that comes and goes, record when it happens: while pedaling, coasting, braking, or turning. Details like that can help the mechanic find the cause.
If you can’t deal with it immediately, leave a visible reminder on the bike. You definitely don’t want to ride the bike again if it’s a problem that affects your safety.
You don’t need to perform a complete service after every ride (although some riders do enjoy taking care of their bikes this way). Just avoid putting away a known problem and leaving it to rediscover the next time you want to ride.
