1. The most important thing about buying a new
bike is to make sure it fits. The only way you'll know if the bike is right
for you is to size up the bike and make sure that the bike's geometry matches
your body's geometry. Ask questions and do some research.
2. If possible, try to find a shop that will
let you demo the bike on real dirt. Five minutes in a parking lot won't cut
it. You wouldn't buy a car without a real world test drive, and a bike should
be no different.
3. Don't belive the hype. Just because
your favorite rider or best friend rides a certain bike, that doesn't mean
that's the best one for you. Have an open mind and be realistic about your
needs and ability.
Absolutely write a book, and include your own photography. In fact, just send what you've got there to a book agent or publisher and see if their interested in having you write the whole book first because they'll guide you through the process and probably pay you some amount in advance.
Virtually every book on bicycle maintainence I've ever picked up had horrible photography, where you really couldn't tell what the technician was doing--typically too close-up--but yours are very clear.
Thanks very much Sprocketeer. The Basic Cleaning and Maintenance is currently being, well, cleaned and maintained, so at some point in the next week or so it will have been considerably revised and updated. There'll be more pictures, many of which will be linked to a larger version for even clearer viewing, and also more detail in the text.
I actually enjoyed this. I am trying to make sure I get everything done right to maintain my bike as long as possible. Just bought my first bike on friday and it has been a pleasurable two days.
A man can be destroyed but not defeated. Ernest Hemingway
this is all great information for everbody. I just purchased the bike and on the second or third ride, I rode in some very extreme conditions with my last bike, crossed several deep streams and afterwords merely washed the bike with water. I witnessed my bike age one year overnight, all because I didn't maintain it properly after the ride. the bike did not shift as well, the brake pads dissolved during the ride. The water trapped in the calipers caused the pistons to fuse by electrolisis into the caliper body.
I had to take the bike in the the shop twice to correct the brakes and get the shifting corrected. They did a complete overhaul, taking out all moving parts to clean and lube them. I hope I learned my lesson.
Great work. This must've took some time Thanks for the effort.
P.S. "I could have gone into much more detail but felt that I needed to strike a balance of information and keep coverage simple." Are you kidding??? This is the most detailed bike maintenance guide I've ever seen!
Here's a good tip: Kerosene works great as a chain cleaner.
I've been using it for years to clean motorcycle and bicycle chains.
Safe for all bicycle chains and all motorcycle standard roller, o-ring and x-ring chains.
Simply take the chain off of the bicycle, drop it in a container with kerosene, let it soak, swish it around a bit, take it out to inspect it, use a brush on it if needed for any stubborn build up, grab the air compressor hose and blast the chain dry before lubing and reinstalling on the bicycle.
Quick and easy
Chainsaw bar & chain oil or motorcycle standard roller chain spray foam works great on bicycle chains.
Last edited by KevinBicycle; 04-05-2008 at 12:09 PM.
very informative i'd say.
just let me add this, for cleaning the engine externally, brush it with kerosene and wipe it dry with a clean rag.
Keep it up,more and more of us are learning from these tips
Just bought my GF Big Sur. Like every other bike I buy or find, I clean and tune, clean and tune! I will check out the link, as I'm sure there is something that will be learned.
well, tires should be worn out before any type of "sun damage" gets to them. and armor all on your seat? er.. no.. methinks that would be a wee bit too slickery.
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Originally Posted by BlueTrain
