I was recently coaching a group in Ratchaburi, when a client asked me to look at his bike as it had a mechanical problem; he kept hearing noises and was concerned that something might be broken. It took me just a few seconds to spot that the chain needed lubricating, probably because it had spent a lot of time being ridden in the rain over the last few weeks.
DIY bike maintenance doesn't have to be complicated or shouldn't require a whole workshop of expensive tools that you don't know how to use. There are a multitude of YouTube videos that make simple bike maintenance very easy to understand and follow.
Chain scrubber and cleaning products
A chain scrubber, degreaser, bucket and sponge and ideally a jet wash should be on the list of any aspiring home mechanic long before tools are added into the equation. The money-saving benefits of a clean and well-lubricated drivetrain cannot be stressed enough.
A full set of loose Allen keys
If the paint applied to your newly decorated walls has finished drying and you're looking for something of similar interest to occupy your time, you might try counting the Allen bolts on your bike. Stem steerer clamp and faceplate, seatbolts, cable tension bolts on brakes and mechs, brake shoes, bottle bosses -- the list is seemingly endless. Attempting all of the many and varied maintenance procedures they demand, armed only with a multi-tool, can be a frustrating experience.
Loose Allen keys -- those not secured in the housing of a multi-tool -- can offer greater leverage, extra reach and ball ends that offer a wider a variety of angles. Just go to any bike or DIY shop and ask for a full set of Allen Keys
What the squeaks and clicks are telling you
1. If you hear a metallic click during every crank revolution, grease the pedal threads (and tighten firmly when reinstalling).
2. A squeak is from a pedal rather than the chain if it occurs at the same place on each stroke. For conventional pedals, spray lubrication where the cage and body connect. For clipless pedals, clean all cleat contact points, then apply a silicone spray to these points and wipe off the excess. Also make sure the cleats are tight.
3. A chirp is almost always from the chain -- it is crying out for lubrication.
4. If a chain clicks, it has a tight link. Turn the crank backward by hand and watch the chain as it winds through the rear derailleur pulleys. The inflexible link will jump. Grasp the chain on either side of the stiff link, bend it laterally to loosen it and then apply lubricant.
5. If the handlebar or stem creaks during sprints or climbs, tighten the binder bolts (in front). If the noise persists, loosen the binder bolts and spray a light lubricant between the bars and stem, wipe it away to leave a thin film and then re-tighten firmly.
6. Buzzing occurs when a cage, frame pump, or some other add-on vibrates, or when a cable housing quivers against the frame. To find the culprit, touch these areas while riding, then tighten, shorten, reroute, or tape as necessary.
7. Rattles and jingles often come from a seat bag. Secure items with rubber bands or rags.
8. Thumping is usually felt as much as heard. Common causes: dented rims and bulging or improperly seated tires.
9. Clicks during out-of-saddle climbing and sprinting sometimes come from two spokes rubbing. Put a drop of oil on each spoke's intersection.
Never trust your ears when you hear noises coming from the bike, you might swear a sound is coming from your cranks, but it could be your saddle rails. Check all possible points.
I also recommend that every six months you take your bike to an experienced bike shop mechanic and ask for a full service to ensure your bike is safe and performing at its best.
Safe riding to you all!
Coach JJ is a sports scientist and lecturer on cycling biomechanics at Thammasat University. He can be reached via facebook.com/jj.koolstof or jjcyclingpa@gmail.com.
