HOW TO SELF-SERVICE YOUR BIKE AT HOME

Your loyal ride requires regular care and attention to keep you tackling new ground and beating your personal best. That’s why the black ‘n’ red team have put their heads together to give you step-by-step instruction on how to self-service your bike at home, so you never have to take a break from cycling.

H2: Steps to follow on how to self-service your bike at home

1. Give your bike some elbow grease
   Remove the dirt with warm, soapy water and a sponge. This will highlight which parts are rusty, so you can tackle them with GT85 once its dry.
2. Check the brakes
   Turn the wheel then hold the brakes to see if it stops. If you notice it’s loose, unscrew the barrel adjustor to add tension to the cable and to tighten the brakes. Then, inspect the brake cable to make sure it’s not frayed, broken or rusty – if its frayed or broken, replace it and if there’s rust, you know what to do: blast it with your favourite lube.Next, check your brake pads, you’ll see there are grooves on them, and if they’ve disappeared, they’ll need to be replaced.

   If they seem OK, take off your wheel and inspect them thoroughly, scrape off any bits of rock or debris stuck on them as they can wear down the rim. And don’t forget that when you’re tweaking the brake pad’s position, make sure the front one hits a tad earlier than the rear – it’s called adjustment toe-in – but we know you know that. That way, you can put a stop to noisy brakes.

3. Check the tyres
   Go through your usual checks to make sure you’ve got tread, no obstructions in the tyres and zero damage. And if you’re rolling tubeless, it’s time to give some thought to that sealant. It tends to dry up over time, so clean it out. Slap in some fresh sealant while you’re at it. Next up, take a good hard look at your rims. They better have even wear and be as flat as a pancake. If they’re not, it’s time to fork over some cash and replace them.Don’t forget to check those spokes for tension. Look out for any damage or corrosion around the nipples. If you spot any, grab your trusty formula and give them a good spray. And obviously, make sure those wheels are true. No wobbling allowed.
4. Check the wheel hub
   Make sure those bearings spin freely, none of that annoying grinding noise. Tighten them up nice and snug. Grab hold of the fork and rim, give them a good shake from side to side. If you feel any play in the hub while it’s clamped into the wheel, you’ve got a problem. If you’re dealing with sealed bearings and they’re loose, it’s time for some replacements. But if you’re working with a cup and cone bearing wheel, you can either tighten them up or swap them out. Once you’re satisfied with the wheel hubs, get ready to grease them up. 
5. Check the headset
   Get your hands dirty and inspect those bearings by disassembling the headset. Give them a good cleaning and slather them up with fresh lube. If they’re completely shot and there’s no saving them, you should already know that the bearing size is usually marked on the side. Use that information to hunt down the right replacement.
6. Check the stem and handlebars
   Double-check that your stem bolts are tightened up evenly. If you start hearing weird noises while you’re cruising on your bike, it could be a sign that those bolts need a good cleaning and some fresh lube.

Now, onto your shifters. Give them a test run and make sure they move smoothly, shifting gears without a hitch. Don’t forget to give those brakes a pull too, ensuring they’re even and at the proper angle. Take a quick peek at your handlebar tape. If it’s worn out and looking like a dirty mess, it’s time to swap that out and get yourself some fresh grip.

7. Check the bottom bracket
   Don’t neglect those bottom bracket bearings! Give them a good spin test, both with and without the chain to see how smoothly they roll. Watch out for any play or stiffness in the bearings. If things aren’t looking good, it’s probably time for a bearing replacement.

Take a close look at each chainring, inspecting the tooth profile and ensuring they’re even. Don’t forget about those chain bolts either; if they feel loose, tighten them up.

Shift your attention to the pedals. Make sure they’re functioning properly and their mechanisms are in top-notch condition.

Now, onto the derailleurs. Check for any unwanted play that shouldn’t be there, and make sure they’re doing their job as well as they should.

Give your seat post and saddle some love too. Take that seat post out, give it a good lubing, and while you’re at it, check for any annoying noises your saddle might be making. Remove it, grease it up, and tighten it down nice and tight.

8. Check the rear axle
   Perform the same checks as you did with the front wheel. Give that rear wheel a spin and make sure it’s running true without any wobbling. Now, pay attention to the four hub bearings. Don’t overlook them.

Time to move that derailleur around by shifting gears and see if it’s doing its job properly. Feel for any annoying grinding in the cable. If you sense it, it’s probably time to ditch those cables and get some replacements.

Take a good look at those jockey pulley-wheels. Check the teeth on those bad boys and make sure they’re not too sharp for their own good.

Lastly, give your cassette a thorough inspection. Make sure the teeth aren’t worn out so you can keep that drivetrain in top shape!

9. Check the chain
   If you’re all worked up about your chain’s wear and tear, grab yourself a chain checker. Put that bad boy on top of the chain to gauge its level of wear. If the measurement falls between 0.5 and 0.25, it’s high time you replace that chain. Trust me, it’ll save the rest of your bike’s parts from taking unnecessary punishment and working overtime.

MORE ABOUT GT85
Now you know how to self-service your bike at home, all you need now is a can of your favourite formula to help you do a great job.

Find our Amazon shop to get yourself prepared.