Common Bicycling Repairs You Can Master at Home
Time spent hauling your bike to the shop is time spent away from riding. Here’s how to solve some basic issues yourself.
When you have a trusted bike shop in your area, that usually means you also have a trusted bike mechanic to help you out when you need certain repairs.
Even with a good mechanic, the time your bike spends in the shop means less time riding it—plus, it costs you money. So learning some basic repair skills that you can do at home can save you time and money.
It’s okay to take your bike to the shop if you’re unsure you can perform the repair properly yourself. Here are some situations where you should go directly to the bike shop for service.
- You’ve recently had an unexpected accident while cycling. Your safety is the highest priority and ensuring your bike is top-notch before venturing on the road is a must!
- When you try to resolve the problem yourself, you run into an issue where you do not have the part or expertise to finish the job properly. Head over to the shop, they’ll love to see you..
We know, it’s no fun hauling your bike to the shop for something minor. That’s why we reached out to bike mechanics to see what questions they always face. Here’s how you can solve these basic repairs yourself.
Clean Your Chain
Problem: My chain is always dirty!
What Happened: You may be an uber luber and the excess sticky stuff is attracting grime to the chain and cassette.
Clean, rinse, and dry your chain and cassette (the gears in the back). You can buy bike-specific degreasers and chain-cleaning gizmos, but dish soap and a toothbrush work just as well. Next, carefully apply one drop (more is not better in this situation) of lube onto each roller as you turn the cranks backward for two or three rotations. Finally, take a clean rag and gently grip the chain’s outer plates as you spin the cranks for one more rotation. Keep going until you've wiped off all the excess lube—it should be mostly inside the chain on the rollers, not on the outside where it can attract dirt.
Lubing Your Chain
Problem: My chain is making a grinding noise. Can you make it quieter?
What Happened: You’re cross-chaining or not cleaning and lubing your chain often enough.
If your chain is grating or rasping when you’re in your big chainring in front and your biggest sprocket in the rear, you’re increasing wear and tear on your components. This costs you money in the long run. Try clicking down two or three gears in the back and/or shifting into a smaller size chainring.
If that isn’t the problem, it may be time to clean and lube your chain. Aim to do it at least every few weeks, and after any wet or muddy ride. If neither of these solutions works, you may want to consult a mechanic. Your chain may be worn (and you’ll need a new one) or your derailleurs need adjustment.
Inflating Your Tires
Problem: I keep getting flat tires. Are my tubes defective?
What Happened: You’re running tubeless tires, there’s debris stuck in the tire, or you’re not installing them correctly.
First, bicycle tires and tubes are porous, so some air loss is expected over time. For tubeless tires, when installed incorrectly, an improper seal with the rim can cause tire pressure to drop over time. Also, tubeless sealant can dry up over a few months' time. Check your tubeless sealant level or have a mechanic do it for you.
If you are continuously getting mysterious flats, you might have debris lodged in your tire. These can cause unexpected and unwanted flats to the inner tube (if you're running one). Even a tiny slither of glass or wire can cause this (and it happens to even the most skilled cyclists). Also, your tires might be past their lifespan if you see cracks developing in the tread or sidewalls, or if cords are showing.
Lastly, flats can occur when the tube gets caught between the tire and the rim. When installing tubes and tires (especially those with a tight fit), make sure the tube is fully inside the tire before airing it up to full pressure.
Quick Release Wheels
Problem: I fixed a flat. Now the tire is rubbing one of the brake pads.
What Happened: You did not center your wheel correctly when reinstalling.
If you slid the skewer all the way out to remove your wheel, you might have dropped one of the two skewer springs—which help keep your wheel centered—or reinstalled them backward. Check to be sure the narrow side of the spring is next to your hub; otherwise, it could increase the axle diameter and affect fit.
Tip: You don’t have to remove the skewer completely to take off a wheel. Just open the quick-release lever and spin the nut on the other side to loosen, then gently dislodge it from the dropouts (slots in the frame and fork where each skewer rests). When tightening, keep the bike on the ground to help the wheel sit properly.
Adjusting Your Shifter
Problem: My rear shifting performance has declined, Can you adjust my shifter?
What Happened: You need to adjust cable tension, align your derailleur hanger, or reset the derailleur's limit screws.
First, check that the derailleur hanger is straight. A bent hanger will cause gears to skip and can lead to the breaking of costly parts. If it looks bent, head to a shop to have this checked.
Next, check that the upper derailleur pulley wheel is aligned with the cog when in the largest and smallest gears. If it’s not, it might be shifting the chain too far. Use the screws on the derailleur (often marked H and L) to center the pulleys (L for the largest size cog, H for the smallest).
Lastly, check the gear indexing by shifting into the hardest gear. Then, shift up one gear. Use the barrel adjuster on the derailleur and/or shifter to adjust the chain's movement to the gear. It should shift smoothly and quietly. If not, add/remove cable tension as needed. Run through the full range of gears to ensure smooth shifting. If this doesn’t work, your cable or housing might need replacement. Head to your local mechanic to have this checked.
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