If you have a road bike it is essential that you maintain it properly both for safety reasons and to ensure it lasts a long time. You do not want to be far from home and your bike lets you down so before you take your bike on the road make sure you check it for any problems and perform regular road bike maintenance.

Checking Your Bike

Every time you use your bike on the road you should make a quick check to ensure there are no cracks in the frame and that screws and bolts are tight. Carefully inspect the frame around any welds and do not use if there is any sign of cracking. Make sure the pedals are tightly fastened and that cables are in fgood condition and do not have signs of fraying.

Regular Road Bike Maintenance

Every two hundred miles or so the chain should be lubed with an oil specifically made for bikes and build up of dirt removed. This will extend the life of the chain. Check the pressure in the tires and inflate if necessary. Make sure the wheels are undamaged as nicks in the frame can allow air to be released and the tire pressure to decrease. Check that the gears are adjusted properly and that they can be changed smoothly.

Cleaning Your Road Bike

Things you will need 

1. Degreaser
2. Soapy water and clean water
3. Brush

Starting from the wheels use the brush and degreaser to clean the sprockets but be careful not to put too much degreaser on the bearings. Wash off the degreaser with clean, hot water then scrub the wheel spokes and brakes. You can also scrub the tires with soapy water to remove any dirt. Put the bike on a stand if you have one and then use the degreaser and brush to clean the chain, cranks etc. making sure not to get degreaser on the handlebars, seat or bearings. After allowing some time for the degreaser to work you can wash it off with hot water.

Now clean the around the brakes and fork, the seat and handlebars with soapy water making sure to clean under the seat then rinse with clean water. Allow the water to dry off then use a soft cloth to wipe it down. While cleaning the bike you can check for any cracks or damage. Brake cables need to be checked regularly and any frayed cables should be replaced immediately and you can also check brake blocks to make sure they aren't worn.

Conclusion

If you look after your road bike and maintain it properly it will last a long time and not let you down at the worse time!

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Every year there are accidents involving bikes and cars and many of them could have been avoided by the cyclist taking proper care and having more regard for safety. We have put together some road bike safety tips to help you avoid being the victim of these types of accidents. When you are riding a bike you have no protection as you would in a car and are more susceptible to serious injury.

Wearing good, protective gear, including helmets, can go a long way to minimising injury but it is still, of course, much better to avoid accidents by paying particular care to safe riding habits. Teaching our children how to be safe while riding their bikes is vital and we should always make sure their bikes are properly maintained and they are equipped with the correct safety gear.

One of the top causes of accidents is lack of attention to the road, other vehicles and pedestrians, in other words, negligence, but even if we are paying full attention accidents can still happen. Learn the general rules for keeping yourself and your children safe and always keep them in mind when riding bikes on the roads.

Bike Riding Safety Tips

1. You should always keep with the traffic flow and ride on the correct side of the road. make sure you know the traffic laws and follow them. Never jump the traffic lights, the rules apply to bikes as well as cars!
2. In the summer its a good idea to wear a pair of good quality sun glasses or goggles to prevent temporary blindness from the glare of the sun
3. Maintain a three foot gap between the curb and your bike and the same gap between you and other cars on the road. Swerving out of their way is not a good idea nor is being so close that an open car door can knock you off your bike!
4. Always have good lighting on your bike when riding in the dark and wear reflective strips on your clothes. You should have both a front and a rear light and check them regularly as you don't want to be riding along an unlit road at night and your lights suddenly fail.
5. Wear proper safety gear including an approved helmet made for bike riding. If you should be in an accident and your helmet receives a blow replace it. It may look fine but damage has been done and it could let you down disastrously just when its needed. Although riding in shorts may look tempting they won't be much protection if you fall off so its a good idea to wear long pants to protect your legs. Don't ride in flip flops or loose sandals, wear a pair of sneakers or closed shoes for adequate grip of the pedals.

Conclusion

Bike riding is fun for adults and kids but not without its dangers. Make sure you minimise the risk of accidents by being aware of these road bike safety tips and apply them always.

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