How to Handle Common Bike Maintenance Issues on the Road

Owning a bike comes with the responsibility of keeping it in good condition, but with knowledge and tools at their disposal most cyclists can quickly make fixes on the go.

Understanding how to address common bike maintenance issues on the road will save time, money and safety hazards.

1. Flat Tire

Coach Darryl has a quick fix for a flat tire The first step to managing a flat is making sure the tube contains air; otherwise it could become flat again rapidly.

Before inflating the tire, inspect its exterior for anything that could have punctured the tube. If there is anything sharp like a thorn or glass that remains embedded within, remove it to avoid future flat tires.

Finally, wheel removal can be accomplished manually. Practice taking off both front and rear wheels at home to learn this method; typically the rear wheel is easier as it has more gears closer to the ground; using this approach does not necessitate taking off your derailleur or loosening its axle nut first.

2. Squeaky Brakes

Squeaky brakes on a road bike can be an extreme inconvenience when riding in groups, not to mention being an indicator that your brake pads need changing.

An oily surface on the wheel rim or brake pad often leads to squeaks; this may have come about through improper chain lubing or riding through muddy conditions where oil washes onto brake surfaces.

To repair it, start by giving the brakes and rim a thorough degreasing with degreaser. Remove your brake pads and rub away any worn spots with sandpaper or file before tightening all caliper bolts and cleaning caliper bolts as well as tightening caliper bolts as part of this process. If squeaking persists after this, try switching out for sintered metal particle pads (they tend to last longer but may produce noise), as opposed to organic or semi metallic types which might produce less noise overall.

3. Squeaky Pedals

Squeaking bike pedals can be extremely annoying and distracting. Squeaks usually indicate something is lacking the necessary lubrication; begin by checking around your pedals and cleats; make sure they spin freely with no binding; shake, move them side to side if there are any play in their bearings and bushings for signs of play or potential dust build-up; otherwise your bushings or bearings in pedals may need cleaning and relubricating as soon as possible.

If you own clipless pedals, ensure the cleats fit snugly on your shoes to prevent loud squeaks during rides. If this problem continues, use a good quality pedal wrench for leverage in lubing the area where pedal and cleat connect; this should temporarily eliminate the noise; however it could recur once its effect wears off.

4. Squeaky Chain

Squeaking chains are usually a telltale sign that the derailleur hanger has become misalign or bent; an easy solution lies within using a bent derailleur hanger alignment tool to correct it. This connecting piece connects your rear derailleur to your frame, and even minor bends can result in clicking sounds when pedaling and poor shifting performance.

Crackling noises could also come from loose bottom brackets or crank arms; both can be quickly resolved with some lubrication. To lubricate the chain, position it either in a stand or lean it against a wall with the drivetrain facing forward and pedals turning freely; add several drops of lubricant on each link while turning backwards with your hand until lubrication occurs on all of them.

Crying can also be a telltale sign that your headset needs servicing; to properly attend to it, unbolt the stem bolt, remove both components, clean out and re-grease all bearings inside, as well as tighten any nuts that may have come loose during removal, then reassemble your headset top cap.

5. Squeaky Wheels

Squeaks and strange noises on your bike may indicate something needs to be addressed quickly and with the right tools and knowledge they can quickly be addressed so you can return to riding your ride.

Rattling noises may come from derailleur housing slapping against your frame as you ride over bumps and rough roads, making rattling sounds. This is a common issue on road bikes and can be resolved by heat-shrinking together the housing.

Squeaks coming from wheel rims could be an indication of worn out brake pads. To address this, reposition them so they hit evenly against each rim before using solvents such as lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol to clean and then apply lubricants to keep things smooth.