A bike or electric bicycle is a considerable investment, and it is essential to keep it in tip-top condition. Proper maintenance ensures your bike maintains its optimum performance and also ensures safety. A well-cared for wheelset is essential to a well-maintained bike and electric bicycle. After all, its wheels are what connect you and your bike to the earth’s terrain. Your wheels should be durable, precise, and lightweight.
Below are some basic maintenance tips for your wheels and how often you need to check them.
CHECK THE SPOKE TENSION AND WHEEL TRUING
Correct tension and truing are essential to determine the wheel’s strength and durability. You should have the wheels and spokes trued and tensioned about once a year (if your ride often).
Bicycle spoke rings can be plucked just like any other stringed instrument such as a guitar or a harp. Listen to the pitch created by the plucking. If the pitch is higher, the spoke is tighter. Remember that the optimum pitch does not depend on the spoke’s thickness. Plucking of strings is recommended to do to every other ride – a quick check of all spokes to make sure they all have nice high notes.
Loose, broken, or damaged spokes can affect the tension of the rest of the spokes, resulting in an untrue wheel. The wheel’s tension is affected by the type of terrain being ridden on, the weight of the rider, outside forces received by the rims, the type of tires, and the pressure of the tires.
Once you start experiencing any of the signs, immediately bring in your bike or electric bicycle at The ReCYCLIST Bicycle Services in West Los Angeles and our bike mechanics will be happy to assist you.
CHECK THE BEARINGS AND FREEHUBS
Bearings are the next most vital part of your wheelset. These need to be checked regularly by professional bike mechanics. Checking the wheel bearing adjustments every month is highly recommended to have smooth ride while on the road.
If you ride only on flawless dry roads and in perfect weather conditions, it is recommended that you still check your bearings at least every 8 weeks.
While the wheel is attached to the bike, try to move the wheel from side to side, if you feel it’s loose, adjust accordingly. Clean and re-grease the wheel’s bearings. Remove the adaptors and washers. Clean them with a dry rag and a degreaser. Removing the hub isn’t necessary.
CHECK THE RIMS AND BREAK SURFACE
Rims should be checked four times a year or quarterly by professionals, both internally and externally. Check for hairline cracks and for signs of damage that might affect the seating of the tires. Check for loss of sealant, correct placement of the rim strip, and make sure there are no loose metal shards on the rim.
Again, if these problems are present in your bike or electric bicycle along with thru axles and tire issues, call West Los Angeles The ReCYCLIST Bicycle Services at 310-694-5934 to Schedule an Appointment.
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