Bicycle Chain Maintenance

!±8± Bicycle Chain Maintenance

A bicycle chain is known for failing at the worst time. This problem of a jumpy or jerky chain can be removed entirely, though, if you simply do some chain maintenance on it regularly. This means that you check your chain at least two times per month or after you ride it about 10 hours if you ride quite a bit. You also want to be sure to do a chain check if you have been riding in bad weather.

You should replace your chain if it is rusted, tight, worn out, or you have ridden more than 1000 miles on it. A new chain with 24 links should measure 12 inches and if it is too long even by 1/16 of an inch, then you want to replace it so that it does not damage the chain ring or sprocket. If you are replacing the chain rings or sprocket, then you need to go ahead and replace the chain so that you do not damage the new chain rings and sprocket.

The metal parts of the chain do not really stretch, but the chain does get longer because of the sleeves and pins wear and tear. Lubricating the chain regularly will help the chain to last longer. If you want to lubricate correctly, then you will want to put just a lubricant drop into each chain pin. This may take you a little time, but it will be well worth it when you increase the life of your chain.

Leave the lubricant on the chain for about 15 minutes and then wipe the excess off with a clean cloth. This will help to keep the chain from catching dirt and grime while riding. It will also keep your chain in tip-top condition.

If you need to clean your bicycle chain, then you can use a degreaser or dish soap. This is a great way to remove lubricant, grime, and grease to help your chain to work better. After you clean it, remember to lubricate it again. You should put the cleaner on the center of the cleaning cloth or sponge and then place it around the chain. By backpedaling, you should clean the chain sufficiently. Make sure that you rinse the rag each turn until you do not get any more dirt on it.

Leave the chain on the bicycle when you are cleaning it to keep it from becoming weaker. While you are getting the chain clean, then you can inspect it for any links that may be too tight. A tight chain can cause the chain to jump and jerk. If you find a link that is tight, then you can loosen it by flexing it between two points that are located at about give links away from the tight link. If you cannot loosen it, then you will have to replace the chain. Keeping your bike chain lubricated and clean will help it to last much longer and work much better.

If your chain seems to be making some noise and cleaning does not stop the noise, then you will have to replace it. If pedaling becomes difficult, then it will be time for a chain change as well. By paying attention to detail and maintenance, then you will have a bike chain that you can use for a long time.

Bicycle Chain Maintenance

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How to Choose the Right Bicycle

!±8± How to Choose the Right Bicycle

Bicycles have come a long way since the Penny Farthing, though the general concept is not so much changed from 19 Century. The main difference now will be pleased to hear that the bike is much more comfortable than they were then, I am! Now it's hard to imagine a bicycle made of wood or solid tires, although I'm sure then bike manufacturers would never have dreamed a bicycle would have its own suspension either!

One thing that is mostdifficult today than it was in the 19 Century is to choose the right bike. Motorcycle designs are really developed, and instead of a bicycle for everyone (as is the case then), there are a variety of different bikes, suitable for different purposes.

So how do you know what kind of bike is best for you? Now, you must first decide what you want to start.

If it is a casual ride down the road, there is no sense to buy a mountain full suspensionMotorcycles! Similarly, a road bike would be useless for you! So maybe we should look at exactly what is available on the market ...

Selling to the four main types of bicycle popular today are racing bicycles, mountain biking, mountaineering, and hybrids. Road bikes are designed for speed and aerodynamics, and as such are the handlebars, narrow tires on the left, and little in the way of extras to keep the weight low. These are for cyclists who want to show distances to the highest goodspeeds, but would be no good for extended cycling trips if all you're relying on is a bike.

Mountain bikes have really risen to popularity in the last decade or so. Buying a full mountain bike is probably pointless unless you're intending to go tearing up and down mountains! Mountain bikes have very sturdy and chunky frames, chunky tyres, and most these days also have dual suspension. Importantly they also have very low gear ratios so that riders are able to get up hills effectively. But on the downside, full mountain bikes aren't really very good for cycling on roads because the chunky tyres cause a lot of drag.

If you're not into hurtling down a mountain, but perhaps want to cycle on a few forest trails, and some roads, a hybrid bicycle is probably better for you. These are really a cross between a mountain bike and the old fashioned utility bikes. It's built to be more practical for a variety of uses - the chunky tyres aren't so chunky that you get loads of drag, so they're ok on roads, yet they're chunky enough to handle tracks and light off-roading. Many of the hybrids now come with front suspension forks, easing the shocks your wrists take if you're cycling on uneven ground.

Tourers, or touring bicycles, are very popular too. These are closest in design to a racing bicycle, but the frames are a little bulkier and heavier because they're designed to be able to handle heavier loads. Tourers come with either straight handlebars or dropped handlebars, depending on your preference, plus an extensive gear range so that you can make it up hills, but also get a good speed going down hills too. The main feature of touring bicycles is their pannier racks. These can be front or rear, or both, mounted, and carry specially designed bicycle pannier bags. As the name of this bike suggests, it's designed for touring i.e. going long distances.

So those are the big four, and probably the most popular around the world for people who want a bicycle for leisure purposes. Alternatives include BMX bicycles, Cruiser bicycles, Tandems, Choppers, and fold-up bikes.

How to Choose the Right Bicycle

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