The beautiful weather and the rising temperatures attract people from their homes, for example to do sports. For many, cycling is at the top. Regular maintenance is essential for long-term fun with the bike. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Samuel Kermann, owner of the Veloversum bike shop in Vienna, explains what you should pay special attention to when you look after your bike.
Proceed step by step
"When it comes to the technically necessary maintenance, an all-purpose cleaner, a bucket of water, a cleaning cloth and possibly a brush or toothbrush for details are often sufficient," says Kermann. The brush can be used in places that are difficult to access.
Kermann recommends cleaning the oily parts of the gearshift first and then the brakes, rims and frame. After cleaning, spray lubricant sparingly onto the moving parts of the circuit, such as the switch mechanism and derailleur. Rim brakes can also be easily cleaned with water and cleaning agents.
But with some parts, the hands of a professional are required, explains the bicycle expert. That concerns about bicycle chain and disc brakes. Caution should also be exercised with the ball bearings in the wheel hubs, because they are particularly at risk from too much moisture.
Be careful with the circuit
To keep the grease intact, the circuit must not come into contact with a lot of liquid. However, should this happen, the professional recommends: "You can use the well-known 'WD40' trick here. To do this, crank the crank backwards when the bike is stationary and hold the cleaning cloth with WD40 lubricant on the moving pulleys and chainrings. You should only do not spray the chain directly with it because the lubrication will also be lost. "
Especially those who have ridden in the wet beforehand should clean their bikes promptly. The moisture on old bikes causes rust, and in winter, road salt also clogs the material. Lubrication can also be lost. Therefore, the expert advises not to spray the wheel with a water hose or a high-pressure cleaner. He also warns: "Experience has shown that excessive oiling on the chain leads to dirt build-up in the long run rather than better chain running, especially if the oil mixes with dirt from the street."
To care and to tend
According to Kermann, it is difficult to say how often you should thoroughly clean your bike. That depends on the frequency of use and the weather conditions. "Wetness and salt on the streets in winter are the biggest problem for bicycles," emphasizes the expert. Therefore, damp basements are not suitable as storage locations. However, this is not a problem for bicycles used every day. Nevertheless, the apartment is better as a storage place, not least to prevent theft.