Maintenance – with Feedback Sports
It’s Time for Bike Love
We want to point you in the right direction for good advice, and will be working closely with Feedback Sports from Colorado in the USA to bring you awesome kit and tips. Click the logo above to visit the Feedback Sports website.
Best of all guys, it’s free! Now we like that… lots.
Added to this, we want to increase our bike routes in the USA, and we’ll be using the in-depth knowledge of our USA partners such as Feedback Sports, bringing you the ultimate ride locations for tarmac and trail Stateside.
Joining us is Rich from York based Fulford Cycles, giving expert technical advice too.
Whether you’re a fair-weather rider whose bike has been hibernating all winter, or a winter-riding die-hard, now is the time to inspect your bike and give it a little TLC. Feedback Sports has some user-friendly tips to help!
Start with a full-bike inspection. In order to do this, it’s obviously best if the bike is clean (insert groan here). We know, we know.
Cleaning your bike is not always at the top of everyone’s list of fun ways to pass the time, but in the end, you and your bike will appreciate it!! A clean bike is a happy bike. And happy bikes are fast, reliable bikes.
Follow the 5 steps below and you can’t go wrong.
1. Give your bike a nice bath. Not sure how best to do this? Check out this video from our friends at wearebutter.com.
2. Remember, if you de-grease components, you must re-grease them. Not sure which type of lube is best or how to apply it? Ask your local bike shop! That’s what they are for–to help you help yourself. Don’t be embarrassed. There are no stupid questions if it’s the right type of shop.
3. While your bike is still clean, don’t forget to inspect your components for wear to prevent further damage. Tire tread, chain wear, worn cables, and brake pads all need to be checked/ maintained. If you HAVE been sticking it out this winter, remember that snow, rain, road grit and de-icer are all things that expedite wear and tear on your bike and components.
4. If applicable, check your sealant! Most sealants have a time-period (climate dependent) that they will last in your tire. It may be time to add more.
5. If there’s an issue that comes up during this inspection and you don’t know how to fix it…(guess. C’mon, guess). That’s RIGHT!! ASK YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!! They will be happy to help and might even offer maintenance clinics so you can feel more confident maintaining your bike in the future.
And that’s pretty much it. Follow those 5 steps and you too can be standing there, admiring your clean, fast, SAFE bike. You’ll show up to that next group ride guilt-free and all smug-like when you look around and see all those other filthy, sad bikes. Feels good, right? Sure it does.
Feedback Sports App
Like all Feedback Sports products, the Maintenance App was designed to simplify your cycling. Consolidate your bicycle maintenance and component lists with our user-friendly app. Rid your workbench of unorganized notes and make your service schedule as dialed as your work space.
• Apple/Android compatible
• Syncs to multiple devices
• Have your bicycle maintenance log at your fingertips
• Keep track of all your bike components
• Store information for multiple bikes
BUILDING A ROAD BIKE – PART 1
With Rich from Fulford Cycles and our friends in Italy, we give some useful advice on building your own perfect road bike.
BIKE BUILD 2 – HANDLEBARS & CABLES
With Rich from Fulford Cycles and our friends in Italy, it’s time to fit the stem, bars and handle some internal cable routing.
BIKE BUILD 3 – BOTTOM BRACKET & GROUPSET
Time for the most technical apsect of the build, fitting the groupset and setting things up to ride.
BIKE BUILD 4 – HYDRAULIC BRAKES
Let’s get those new brakes fitted and set up properly. Then you’ll be super safe whizzing along the road and down the hills.
BIKE BUILD 5 – HANDLEBARS TAPE & BIKE SETUP
Time to wrap the handlebars and to set the bike up properly for you to ride in comfort. Wrapping bars can be daunting, but if you take your time, it’s really straightforward.