Don?t panic, become a mechanic!
MOST of us believe bike maintenance should be done by the professionals. Rightfully so, but all of us have the ability to master basic maintenance, and even progress to fixing some of the so-called bigger problems. By doing so, you will get to know your bike, and that can bring rich rewards.
Fixing a broken spoke out in the ?gramadoelas,? means you can get back home. The same goes for a broken chain, and various other little niggles that can bog you down. Start off by learning how your bike functions. Pay attention to the drive-train, that is, after all, your ?engine room.?
Adjusting a derailleur is not half as tricky as it looks. Nor is it a mammoth task to quiet squealing brakes or creaking sounds from the seat post, the wheels or the pedals. We will regularly share information on how to bring out the mechanic in all of us.
For now, just try and learn something about your bike every time you clean it. One common mishap that is bound to happen to everyone, is a dropped chain. It?s either one that has fallen off outside of the large chain ring or inside of the small ring. In either of these scenarios, keep your feet still. If the chain is outside the large ring, hit the front derailleur?s release button to pull the cage back toward the small ring.
If you pedal gingerly, the chain will eventually catch onto a tooth or the backside of the crankarm, and this will help guide the chain back to the ring. Once this is done, stop pedaling and shift the derailleur back to the big ring. This will prevent the chain jamming between chainrings, and you?ll be on your way. If the chain lands up on the inside of the small ring, gently shift the front derailleur toward the big ring.
Again pedal softly until the chain catches back onto the small ring. You can backpedal if you need to undo the chain. Then shift the front derailleur back to the little ring. And off you go.
? A passive chainguard system is available for the ultimate protection against derailments. They attach to the seat tube or front derailleur mount and line up next to the inner chainring and prevent chain slips to the inside. Ask your bike shop about them. See you next time in the workshop!
Fixing a broken spoke out in the ?gramadoelas,? means you can get back home. The same goes for a broken chain, and various other little niggles that can bog you down. Start off by learning how your bike functions. Pay attention to the drive-train, that is, after all, your ?engine room.?
Adjusting a derailleur is not half as tricky as it looks. Nor is it a mammoth task to quiet squealing brakes or creaking sounds from the seat post, the wheels or the pedals. We will regularly share information on how to bring out the mechanic in all of us.
For now, just try and learn something about your bike every time you clean it. One common mishap that is bound to happen to everyone, is a dropped chain. It?s either one that has fallen off outside of the large chain ring or inside of the small ring. In either of these scenarios, keep your feet still. If the chain is outside the large ring, hit the front derailleur?s release button to pull the cage back toward the small ring.
If you pedal gingerly, the chain will eventually catch onto a tooth or the backside of the crankarm, and this will help guide the chain back to the ring. Once this is done, stop pedaling and shift the derailleur back to the big ring. This will prevent the chain jamming between chainrings, and you?ll be on your way. If the chain lands up on the inside of the small ring, gently shift the front derailleur toward the big ring.
Again pedal softly until the chain catches back onto the small ring. You can backpedal if you need to undo the chain. Then shift the front derailleur back to the little ring. And off you go.
? A passive chainguard system is available for the ultimate protection against derailments. They attach to the seat tube or front derailleur mount and line up next to the inner chainring and prevent chain slips to the inside. Ask your bike shop about them. See you next time in the workshop!
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