| Bike Repairs-The Chain and Drive-Train. Last time we | | | | chain to come off also, though that is not usually a |
| talked about the tires, how to repair a flat and how to | | | | problem. Dirt, grime and build up of grease or even rust |
| find out if your wheels are running true. This is the | | | | can throw a chain off a bicycle and can cause |
| second in a set of articles I plan to do on bike | | | | considerable problems. Here are a few tips on keeping |
| maintenance. These articles are not in any way | | | | the chain on the bike. |
| intended to make you a bike mechanic. They are | | | | The main one is too check the chain before you go on |
| simply some tips to help you along and to do some | | | | any long rides, if it is loose tighten it up, make it snug. If |
| quick repairs when a good wrench is unavailable. | | | | it is dirty, clean it. You can do this with a rag soaked in |
| Next to the wheels and tires this is probably the place | | | | degreaser or you can actually buy a chain cleaner. |
| where the most problems can and do occur. | | | | The Chain Cleaner is a little box with brushes inside |
| Everyone gets flat tires and at some point everyone | | | | that fits over the chain. Most of these you fill with |
| has a problem with a gear not shifting, chain slap, or | | | | degreaser and run the chain through them backwards. |
| even a chain coming off while riding. I was riding down | | | | They do an excellent job on the chain. Now if the |
| the bike trail with my two grandchildren a couple | | | | gears are gummed up, some degreaser and a rag or |
| weeks back. Jason 9 was on his brand new SE | | | | hose works well, an old toothbrush can be a real help |
| Ripper and Kevin 7 was riding the little Jeff Gordon | | | | to get into tight spots. The derailleur's can get gummed |
| Bike. We saw a young rider up ahead who had come | | | | up too. I will often get a can of Liquid Wrench or |
| from across the highway. He went through the grass | | | | WD-40 and spray on them to help clean out the gunk |
| to the trail and rode quickly away from us. We were | | | | and also lubricate them. Gunk Engine Degreaser in the |
| not going that fast. About 100 yards down the trail I | | | | Orange spray can works great to clean spots you |
| saw him take off his back pack and throw it down in | | | | cannot get any other way. If you use it though make |
| anger. His bike was lying there near the trail. We | | | | sure to wipe it off any painted surfaces and make |
| stopped to offer assistance and noted that his chain | | | | sure to use a good quality lube afterward. Once you |
| had come loose and off. I put it back on for him, but | | | | have cleaned and lubed the chain and made sure the |
| without any wrenches with me I could not tighten it up | | | | tension is correct, spin the wheels using the various |
| real well. I pulled the rear wheel back as far as it would | | | | gears. I put the bike on the bike rack that is on the |
| go and told him to ride it slow and get it someplace | | | | back of my van and will run the bike back and forth |
| where they could tighten the bolts, as well as showed | | | | through all the gears numerous times, making sure that |
| him how to make sure the chain was snug and how | | | | every gear and every spot on the chain gets cleaned |
| to tighten it up. | | | | and lubed as well as every spot on the gear itself. |
| He thanked me and the grandchildren and I rode on to | | | | Chains also do wear out, so check the chain for wear |
| the Dollar Store where we got an Ice Cream Bar for | | | | and replace it with a good quality chain if needed. |
| each of us, then headed home. I have had to tighten | | | | While cleaning and lubing the chain I add a few drops |
| many a chain, and several have been right there on | | | | of oil to the pedals and to the wheels, just as a little |
| that bike trail in Moultrie Georgia. Chains come off for | | | | precaution. |
| various reasons, the most common of which is simply | | | | The little extra care you take now may be the |
| being too loose, like the young man above. They can | | | | difference in finishing a ride or walking the bike home. |
| also come off because of a bent gear on the front or | | | | Watch for future articles on Bike Maintenance, |
| the rear. A poorly adjusted derailleur can cause the | | | | hopefully we will soon have some videos up too. |