Keeping your bike in tip top condition will make riding a much more pleasant experience. You’ll likely save money in the long run and get many more good years out of your bike!
Here’s our top recommendation for prolonging the life and performance of your bike.
Regular Servicing
- Replacing of Parts with Wear and Tear.
- Regular maintenance ensures that all critical components like brakes, gears, and wheels are functioning properly.
- Reduce the risk of accidents caused by equipment failure.
Keep your bike CLEAN!
- Regular cleaning helps prevent the build-up of dirt, grime, and other substances that can cause wear and tear on your bike’s components. Even just a quick wipe down and re-lube of the drivetrain is better than nothing after a wet or mucky ride.
- Treating your bike to a Spa Day will ensure everything is in tip top condition and at no risk of rust or seizing up. Check out this swanky Ultimate Bicycle Spa Box Set from Silca!
- Grit and dirt can act like an abrasive, wearing down parts over time. Cleaning off this debris helps protect the surfaces of your bike’s components.
- When you clean your bike, you get a chance to inspect it closely. This makes it easier to spot potential problems like cracks, rust, or wear that might need attention.
- A well-maintained and clean bike will retain its value better over time, which is important if you decide to sell it in the future.
Frame and Chainstay Protectors
- The primary purpose of frame and chainstay protectors is to shield these parts of the bicycle from scratches, dings, and other forms of damage.
- This is especially important for mountain bikes or other bicycles used in rough terrain, where the risk of hitting rocks, branches, and other debris is higher.
- Using these protectors can be a cost-effective way to maintain your bike. It’s generally cheaper to replace a protector than to repair or repaint a frame or chainstay.
- Bike lube ensures moving parts like chains, gears, and cables are functioning smoothly. This reduces friction and wear, extending the life of these components.
- Protection sprays protect metal parts from rust and corrosion, which can be caused by exposure to moisture, salt (especially in coastal areas or on salted roads).
- Peaty’s PT17 Maintenance Spray leaves a light lubrication and a long-lasting, thin, corrosion-resistant coating on chainrings and other moving metal parts.
- Sprays can create a protective layer on the bike’s surface that repels water and dirt. This makes it easier to keep the bike clean and ensures that dirt and grit don’t stick to components and cause abrasion or hinder movement.
Muc-Off Silicone Shine helps by:
- Protecting and leaving a sparkling shine on metal, plastic & rubber parts.
- Reducing friction on fork stanchions and rear shocks.
- Silicon formula prevents grime build up on treated surfaces.
Disc Brake Covers (when cleaning and servicing your bike)
Finally, the solution to protecting your disc brakes during maintenance or transit is here.
Muc-Off’s Patent pending design makes life easy, they are fast and easy to use and help to ensure you won’t have protectant or lube overspray on your discs. The end is now for loss of braking power from protectant overspray.
Storing Your bike
Keeping your bike out of the way of harm whilst stored is essential. You can do this by securing the bike so there is no risk of falls or scrapes by using a bike storage rack or hanger!
- Indoors: Storing your bike indoors, such as in your house, apartment, or a garage, is the best option. This protects it from weather elements like rain, snow, and excessive sun, which can cause rust, paint fading, and degradation of plastic and rubber parts.
- Dry and Cool Area: Choose a place that is dry and cool. Humidity can lead to rust and corrosion, while extreme temperatures (either hot or cold) can damage the bike’s components.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may fade paint and damage plastic and rubber parts. If you store your bike in a place that gets sunlight, try to keep it out of the direct path of the sun’s rays.
- Covered Area: If indoor storage is not possible, try to store it in a shed or under a protective cover. This will offer some protection from the weather. Ensure that the cover is breathable to prevent moisture build up.
- Secure Location: To prevent theft, store your bike in a secure location. If it’s stored outside, use a high-quality lock and secure it to an immovable object.
- Away from Chemicals and Heat Sources: Store the bike away from chemicals, such as those in a workshop, which could cause corrosion or damage. Also, avoid storing it near heat sources, which can warp or damage parts of the bike.
- Clean Before Storing: If you’re storing the bike for a prolonged period, clean it first. Dirt and grime can cause corrosion over time.
- Regular Checks: Even when in storage, periodically check your bike for any issues like loss in tyre pressure, rust, and maintain it as needed. You don’t want to get all your kit on for a ride and realise you had a flat or forgot to lube your chain.
- Transporting: When transporting your bike, invest in a sturdy and protective bike bag to ensure your bike does not suffer damage.
That rounds up our top tips for protecting your bike for longevity. Let us know if you have any other recommendations!
