Coronavirus: Top tips to keep your bike healthy during lockdown
Looking after your bicycle has never been more important. The Coronvirus outbreak has led the Government to classify bicycle shops as essential, and remain open so that Keyworkers, including NHS staff are still able to travel to work while avoiding public transport.
Julie Harrington, British Cycling Chief Executive, wrote to Matt Hancock in March to include cycling as a recommended activity during lockdown. Harrington advised the health secretary that cycling helps solve issues such as how to keep the required social distancing guidance, whilst helping us improve our fitness and look after our mental health.
Whether you are using your bicycle for;
your recommended daily allowance of exercise
an alternative mode of transport to travel to work
delivering essentials for dependants or those self-isolating
Or keeping your bike healthy ready for when lockdown is over, here are some helpful tips.
INFLATE YOUR TYRES
One of the simplest ways you can make sure your bicycle runs smoothly is by inflating your tyres to the correct PSI. As a rule of thumb 26" Mountain bike tyres should be at 30PSI, 700c Hybrid tyres should be 60PSI and 700c Road tyres should be 80PSI. If your tyres are particularly old or not been used for a long time, we recommend inflating 10-15% less than the above amounts. You should be able to find the minimum/maximum PSI on the side of your tyres.
LUBRICATE YOUR CHAIN
Maintaining your bicycle chain is not as complicated as it looks. Regularly cleaning it with warm soapy water (or better bicycle chain specific degreaser) to remove unwanted dirt and grease, followed by drying and then relubricating will ensure you get the most miles out of it. You must use chain specific lubricant on your chain, do NOT use WD40, axle grease or chainsaw oil. Bicycle chain specific lube helps your chain run smoothly and reduces the need for expensive drivetrain replacements. If you cycle regularly, you will need to replace your chain every 8-12 months.
CHECK YOUR BRAKES
Safe cycling requires you to be able to stop. Making sure your brakes work is a simple yet essential pre-ride check. Lift your front wheel and spin it, pulling the right-hand brake lever to test that it brings your wheel to a stop, repeat this with the rear wheel and the left-hand brake lever. You may also notice that your wheel rubs on the brake pads causing the wheel to slow or even stop without pulling a brake lever. If your wheel does not stop when you pull the relevant brake, or it rubs while spinning, we would recommend having your brakes serviced.
The COVID pandemic has shocked the nation - it's important that we take the time to look after ourselves, others and the things that bring social value to our lives. We (Velo Domestique) love our bicycles, and by looking after them, they, in turn, look after us. We hope these useful tips on how to maintain your bike will help you.
If you have any questions or advice you would like to share with others, please get in touch - we thank you for your continued support.
The Velo Domestique bike workshop is open 9 am - 5 pm, five days a week (closed Tuesday & Sunday). We will only take service bookings via telephone 01202 432265 or email info@velodomestique.co.uk, no walk-ins. You can find our bike workshop guidelines here.