Updated on August 18, 2022
Table of Contents
What Does A Bicycle Tune-Up Consist Of
A bike that has been laying around in the garage for a while may need some TLC to start riding again. You might want to make sure you take care of it by checking out what needs done and doing your own tune-up if needed. A mechanic is best placed when needing someone else, but with these tips from us, you can do one yourself!
A bicycle tune-up is a critical part of caring for your bike.
Fittingly, the first step in any great bicycle tune up is to give it an oil change and replace all its worn out parts with brand new ones! After that though you should tighten everything down so nothing slips or moves around while riding on bumpy roads like concrete sidewalks. Filters need regular replacement at least every two weeks as well because they collect dirt particles and grime from the road which can harm engine performance over time risking breakdowns too early than expected. In order to keep things running smoothly during rides after this point we recommend checking tire pressure monthly, making sure brakes are working properly before each ride by pumping them using one hand only until they stop rubbing against
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The best way to make sure your bike runs like new is by getting a tune-up. It takes careful attention and thorough examination of all the parts that can wear down over time due to heavy usage, such as cables, gears and brake pads. Tune up’s also include inspection for any loose or worn components so they don’t pose safety risks when you’re riding on them later!
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The bicycle is drained of any oil and dirt. The gears, derailleurs, chainring assembly, brakes as well as the tires are inspected for damage before finally being tightened to their appropriate specifications. Alignments on both wheel truing and frame alignment were also performed at this time in order to ensure a smooth ride ahead
In the final phase of bike maintenance, spokes and nuts are tightened to ensure stability while riding. Appropriate lubricants are applied where needed for smooth operation.
A bike tune-up is a process that makes your bicycle in perfect condition for you to ride. There are many levels of the service and it could range from basic tuning up, all the way to getting an overhaul on every piece.
With the many different types of tune-ups for bikes, it can be confusing to decide which is right for you. Tune-ups vary in terms of how long they last and what kind of work will be done on your bike or bicycle. If you are a casual cyclist who rides year round, then an annual service would suffice; however if commuting by bike means risking life and limb every day because roads have no shoulders or protected lanes where cyclists feel safe from cars cutting them off – even just being honked at while going uphill with hands frozen near their brakes – that’s something else entirely!
The type of tune up needed depends largely upon one’s use case – whether riding casually as part time hobbyist during all seasons (ann
Your bike won’t be ready for its next adventure if it’s not taken care of. Learn how to keep your bicycle in top shape with these simple steps!
Tools Required: You’ll need a good set of hex wrenches, some degreaser and an oil canister that works well on bicycles. Protect yourself from dirt by wearing work gloves when cleaning the bike as well as safety glasses or goggles depending on what chemicals you’re using. Make sure to disconnect all cables before starting any maintenance so they don’t get caught up during disassembling parts like wheels and brakes – this is particularly important because brake levers actuate cable-actuated disc brakes which release gas under pressure when disconnected even slightly plus braking power will decrease significantly after
Cleaning the Bike
Why is it important to clean your bike before tuning up? Cleaning the frame ensures you see any defects or scratches. The more dirt there is on a bicycle, the easier it will be for something like rust to begin forming and potentially damage pieces of equipment that are vital in maintaining good transmission.
Clean your bike like it’s a baby. You wouldn’t let that little guy get dirty for hours on end, right? So don’t neglect to clean up after yourself when you’re done with the bicycle as well. Keep in mind all of those moving parts and make sure they are spotless too!
Tools required
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just casually riding on weekends, a bicycle tune-up is always good idea. To carry out the task successfully, all it takes are the right tools and some basic knowledge of what to look for in your bike parts. Make sure that before starting a tune up job, one has these basics:
A Phillips head screwdriver A hex wrench set (for tightening bolts) An adjustable socket wrench Set of Allen wrenches A torque meter Presta valve core remover Valve stem removal tool Spoke key Chain whip Brake lever adjustment spanner Replacement brake cable lengths Ball end chain link pliers Wire cutters Cable ties Zip ties Bicycle lubricant Wrench grease Threaded barrel adjuster Oil pump Oscillating sp
Need to change a flat tire on your bike? Here’s what you’ll need: A mini-pump, screwdrivers, tyre levers, pliers for removing the wheel nuts and chain tool. Wrenches in two sizes will be handy too – as well as a bike stand or some other way of lifting up the rear wheel off the ground so that it is easier to turn over. For lubrication we recommend grease with an oil base which can then be wiped clean after use (just don’t forget gloves!). Lastly there are many multi-tools available now but look out for ones containing all these essential tools together!
Check the Cables
Cables are the backbone of a bike. Made out of tightly coiled metal wires, they connect brakes and gear shifters to brake pads and derailleurs for smooth operation. Those that go from handles to brakes stop your ride while those on gears move them between speeds with ease–but their function depends largely on how well kept they are! Check these cables for any crimps, cracks or rust before replacing worn-down ones; then adjust accordingly by shortening or tightening as needed.
If you need to replace your cables, here is a quick and easy way. You will first want to find the cable that needs replacing. They are typically black in color with plastic covering them on both sides like insulation around electrical wire. One person should hold one side of each caliper while another tightens it using a small wrench or pliers so they do not have any slack left after fully tightened down by hand or vice grips before finishing up by squeezing the lever for safety purposes as new ones may stretch slightly during use but readjusting as needed can save time when trying work out if something else might be wrong such
If you’re looking at repairing your bike’s braking system then this article could be helpful! If there isn’t enough space
Check the Wheels
With a quick release lever, you can easily remove your bike wheel and check the bearings. You’ll want to spin it with no signs of wobbling or contact with brake pads – any sideways play is likely due to an adjustment needed on external tensioning for the bearing system. Run your fingers across spokes for loose ones that need tightening and replace broken ones if necessary!
Have you ever had a flat tire on your bike and thought to yourself, “Where the heck is my pump?” Well it’s time for you to buy one. I don’t know about all of you but when I get home from work or school with tired legs – there are only two things that make me want to go outside again: an ice cold beer followed by some good food (preferably something spicy).
Don’t forget inspect the tires for cracks, tears, or flat spots; replace them if worn. If they have low pressure use your bike pump at home so that way those wheels will be rolling smoothly without any problems in no time!
Check the Gears and Brakes
This is not a job for the amateur. It takes patience and expertise to coax gears into working smoothly together, make sure there’s no squeaks from contact with your bike rims due to worn out brake pads or other components of protection (or lack thereof), you should always replace any parts that are showing signs of wear as they can lead to more expensive repairs in the future such as chain breakage if left too long!
Gears and brakes play an important role during tune-ups because it will be necessary spend time getting them adjusted so everything moves smoothly – ensuring all chains move on their tracks without incident while simultaneously checking steering bearings which need lubricating before moving onto aligning tire pressure gauges. Make sure also that both brake pads are
Pull the brake levers to see if they stop both wheels. If not, adjust your cables or brake arms so that each wheel is stopped equally by one of them. The brakes might make a grinding noise after adjustment; try sanding down with fine steel wool or sandpaper in order to solve this issue and ensure you’re braking at just the right point on contact.
Inspect, Clean and Lubricate the Drivechain
No amount of lube can save a worn out chain. This part on the bike is essential to transferring power from your legs all the way up to turning wheels, but it’s impossible for this process to happen when there are gaps in between links that have stretched and lost their elasticity due to wear or improper care. There’s no better example than what happens with cheap components because they don’t last as long as more expensive parts which means you need replacements much sooner!
Inspect the drivechain for any damage; dents, scrapes, dirt. Clean off smudges with a rag and lubricate it with grease to eliminate friction during movement. Apply your lube evenly on the chain while rotating pedals in an anticlockwise direction
If you want to ensure the longevity of your bike, make sure that this is done at least once a year. Lubricating all these parts will not only keep them running smoothly but also protect against corrosion and rust buildup on metal components
If the gears are not shifting smoothly, it might be time to take your bicycle in for adjustments.
Tighten Everything Up
Be sure that all the nuts and bolts are tightened, or else you might end up with a bike that won’t stand on its own. Tighten every bolt to make your bicycle secure–pay attention not only to pedal threads but also seat post, handlebars and more for any loose parts. Make sure they’re in good shape before going off-road!
If you’re the type of person who likes to tinker with your ride, it may be worth considering upgrading to a torque wrench. This eliminates any guesswork during tuning and is also more accurate than going by feel alone!

Hey, all I am Joe Marino I love to ride bikes and teach others how to ride them. Most of my articles are about which bike is best for others. I am passionate about cycling and it shows, whether I am writing about a $25 bicycle from any random website or a $5000 Santa Cruz.
I have always been the guy who gets calls from friends while at work asking which bike they should buy. I have written about the best city bike for commuting, the best folding bike for use on public transit, and even what to keep in mind when shopping for kids’ bikes.
You can follow my blog and read all of my other articles on my website.