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Right here’s my BMX bike upkeep how-to after driving 20+ years.
In the event you don’t care of your bike, I imply, that’s simply not OK.
There, I stated it.
I at all times had a factor for having a clear bike.
Hey, the bike makes me really feel good simply sitting on it and holding the grips. So it at all times made good sense to me to maintain it as a result of it’ll maintain me.
Certain, there have been events when my bike was dusty – however solely as a result of I couldn’t trip for longer durations.
And it’s possible you’ll say, “However Trey Jones has his bike all rusty; he doesn’t care about his bike!”
That’s NOT true.
His bike is likely to be rusty (as a result of he likes the look of it), however it’s nonetheless WELL-maintained.
This publish covers:
Keep in mind, you’ll be able to preserve your bike at residence, which I extremely encourage everybody to do. (There’s no have to pay for skilled servicing.)
Plus, you’ll know your bike higher when you maintain it your self.
Okay, let’s get proper into it!
Why You Want To Preserve Your BMX Bike
The three core causes for sustaining your BMX bike are: 1) longevity, 2) optimum efficiency and three) security.
However right here’s some extra:
- Longevity: Caring for your BMX bike prolongs its lifespan. Effectively-maintained parts last more and require fewer replacements, saving you cash in the long term. BMX bikes and elements aren’t low cost, so you’ll be able to trip them for a really very long time with good upkeep.
- Optimum efficiency: A well-maintained BMX bike performs higher. Easily operating parts just like the chain and bearings assist you to trip extra flawlessly, maneuver extra successfully and execute methods with nice precision. Plus, you don’t have to fret about whether or not one thing will break as a result of your bike properly. Which brings us to:
- Higher driving expertise: A well-tuned bike in good situation gives a extra pleasurable driving expertise. You’ll have extra enjoyable driving your BMX when it feels clean, responsive and dependable.
- Security: Common upkeep ensures that each one parts of your BMX bike are functioning accurately. This reduces the danger of accidents and accidents brought on by malfunctioning elements, akin to brakes, chains, cracked bars (and different elements), or tires.
- Price-effectiveness: Common upkeep can stop minor points from turning into main issues. Addressing small repairs early on can prevent from expensive repairs or part replacements down the road.
- Resale worth: In the event you ever plan to promote or commerce your BMX bike or elements, common upkeep will assist preserve the resale worth.
Tools You Want
You might say, “Okay, Rok, you satisfied me to take extra care of my bike. However the place do I begin?”
With the appropriate set of kit, which incorporates:
- Allen keys
- 17mm deep socket
- 10mm & 15mm wrenches
- Spoke wrench
- Air pump
- Lubricant
- Fabric
You may also want a chain breaker tool in case your chain wants fixing.
One of many issues I exploit on a regular basis is a BMX multi-tool.
As an alternative of getting all these separate instruments, a multi-tool retains all of it organized to your comfort.
I like to recommend The Shadow Conspiracy Multi-Tool. (It even features a hammer, tire levers and a bottle opener!)
How To Preserve Your BMX Bike
Are you able to learn to maintain your bike so it stays crisp for so long as doable?
Study in regards to the BMX bike upkeep steps, and also you’ll thank your self later.
(However you don’t should observe these precise order.)
Step 1: Tighten All Bolts & Nuts
It occurred only recently to me that I felt this bizarre “popping” when pulling my bar to do a bunnyhop.
This went on for a couple of classes once I lastly determined to tighten the stem bolts.
Boy, have been they free! I felt just like the luckiest particular person alive as a result of who is aware of what would occur the subsequent session.
That’s why it’s best to often test all of your bolts and nuts and tighten them if obligatory – your hubs, stem, cranks, pedals, and even seat publish!
Frequency: Weekly
Step 2: Verify Tire Stress
Each inner tube leaks some air over time. And the extra abuse you set your tires and tubes by means of, the extra air will leak.
By guaranteeing the proper BMX tire pressure, you’ll additionally lengthen the lifespan of your tires, tubes and rims. You may additionally be fascinated by my article about how long BMX tires last.
However the very best PSI is a really private desire – some choose it excessive and a few choose it low. Some riders even trip greater PSI within the again and decrease PSI within the entrance.
Frequency: Earlier than each session (however not less than as soon as per week)
Step 3: Wash & Re-Grease Transferring Components
Washing, cleansing and greasing all of your transferring elements totally is critical each on occasion. This goes for all of your bearings and axle and bolt threads.
Sure, chain, too!
Keep in mind, in case your bike has sealed bearings, they virtually don’t want upkeep. Nonetheless, when you trip on a number of grime or rain catches you, clear them with a fabric.
Quite the opposite, unsealed bearings want extra frequent upkeep (weekly) as a result of they’re far more fragile and not likely dust- and water resistant like sealed ones are.
I exploit the identical grease for all transferring elements.
Word: You don’t really want chain lubricant for a freestyle BMX bike. I by no means did, and I change my chain each few years.
Frequency: Month-to-month
Step 4: True Your Wheels
Whether or not your driving model is clean or burly, ultimately, you’ll need to true your wheels.
Pleasant tip: In the event you get full wheels, it’s at all times good to check spoke tightness first earlier than your first session.
Verify for all of the free nipples and tighten them. And if it’s essential to true them, both do it your self with the spoke wrench (I extremely advocate you learn to do it as a result of it’s very simple) or search skilled service.
Normally, when truing the wheel, you at all times wish to tighten the nipples of the spokes which can be on the opposite aspect of the place the rim wobbles to – to “pull” the rim again to the middle.
But when your rim is semi-centered and you discover a couple of free nipples, tighten them, however not too tightly, as a result of it’s possible you’ll trigger the rim to wobble.
Frequency: Each two weeks or month-to-month (relying in your driving model)
Want new wheels?
Step 5: Verify Handlebar Alignment
If, for no matter motive, your bike doesn’t really feel proper anymore, it would simply be that your bar’s place modified – it moved ahead or backward.
Nonetheless, it will possibly additionally occur (much less probably) that your stem moved to the left or the appropriate as a result of the bolts that make it clamp across the steerer tube loosened.
Most riders have their bars in keeping with the forks – the commonest apply. However some (me included) have it barely ahead. In reality, some have it Chicago-style, like Dan Kruk and Charlie Crumlish.
Preserve your stem bolts tight!
Frequency: Month-to-month
Step 6: Examine Brakes
Regardless that increasingly riders resolve to trip brakeless, many nonetheless use them, both each or not less than the rear one.
I’ve seen riders who preserve their brakes each session, however doing it weekly or each two weeks is ample.
Verify cable tightness, the leaver, brake pads and different {hardware}, so all the things is tight and on level.
While you do a fufanu or an abubaca, you need your brakes to STOP the wheel!
Frequency: Weekly or not less than each two weeks
Step 7: Verify For Cracks & Dents
Routinely examine your BMX bike for any indicators of wear and tear, injury or corrosion. For example, when you see a crack on a weld, whatever the half, it’s time to interchange it.
You higher be secure than sorry.
Frequency: Month-to-month
Step 8: CLEAN Your Bike (!)
I believe too few riders clear their bike often. I can not stand a dusty and soiled bike.
However cleansing your bike isn’t solely about retaining it clear; it’ll additionally allow you to discover indicators of wear and tear, cracks and even free bolts.
Not solely that, however it additionally exhibits that you simply’re grateful for the bike you will have.
Frequency: Each two weeks to a month
(Frequency will depend on whether or not you trip solely trails, solely road, solely park, a mix of all three, and many others.)
Conclusion: Preserve Your BMX Bike Dialed!
By following these BMX bike upkeep suggestions and addressing any points promptly, you’ll be able to preserve your BMX bike in top-notch situation and ENJOY a secure and thrilling driving expertise.
Additionally, don’t throw your bike round (it hurts my eyes seeing riders throw their bike) – you’ll injury it a lot faster, even break stuff.
A cleaner and well-maintained bike rides a lot smoother and exhibits a stage of respect you will have for it.
Your bike is your pal, so deal with it like that!
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