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Bike Friday Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance frequency depends on how much you ride and
under what conditions. Wet weather will hasten the need for
lubing your chain and greasing bearings, for instance.
Ongoing Maintenance:
•
Keep chain lubed.
•
Maintain recommended tire pressure (prevents flats and
provides the best ride feel).
•
A few drops of oil around the hinges—where the bikes move
when folding--will keep your fold smooth.
Every Time You Fold or Unfold:
•
Cable housing routing—ensure that there are no kinks, none
are pinched, or looped around a crank, etc.
•
Bolts and quick releases are secure.
•
Brake adjustment. Verify that the brake adjustment is
proper.
Areas Requiring the Occasional Application of Grease:
•
In the steerer tube, where the stem fits in. At least once a
year, ideally twice a year. A light film of grease on the out-
side unpainted and exposed part of the steerer tube is also
recommended.
•
Inside the Easy Pack seat tube.
•
Inside the seat mast, where the seatpost fits in.
•
Inside the tandem joints where the mid-tubes of the stoker
compartment are clamped.
•
Inside the stoker's adjustable stem, if you have one.
Overhauling the Bearings
The hubs and the headset are the last remaining components
on modern bicycles that can have their loose bearings replaced
with new ones and new grease. Most bottom brackets (and
many hubs and headsets) have cartridge bearings and have a
different procedure. For cartridge bearings, make sure they
are properly adjusted to ensure a long life. [CONTINUED ON
PAGE 53.]
52
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800-777-0258 • +1-541-687-0487
Bike Friday Maintenance
To increase their lifespan before replacement, cartridges cn
be serviced. Using a thin knife, you can peel back the rubber/
plastic (metal in the case of Chris King) seal, clean out the old
grease as much as possible, pack in new grease and reassemble.
Under wet riding conditions, overhauling loose ball bearings
should be done every month, otherwise:
•
Recommended at six months.
•
Once a year if only a moderate amount of time was spent
riding.
•
Every two years if bike is rarely ridden.
Cables and Housing
Replace the brake/shift cables and their housing every year.
Components That Wear Out
The following is a rough guide on when to replace those parts
on a bike that wear out with use.
Tires:
•
When a smooth/bald spot begins to appear on the riding
surface.
•
When you are getting consistent flats.
•
The sidewalls appear to no longer be structurally sounds
(dry rot, slashes, etc.).
Rims:
•
For bikes with rim brakes, when the braking surface of the
rim feels concave.
•
Some rims have a "trench" running on the braking surface—
this is the wear line. When this begins to disappear, it is
time to replace.
Chain:
•
Check at 1500-2500 miles, depending on riding conditions.
•
Should be replaced after 3,000 miles.
Gates Carbon Drive Belt:
•
Should be replaced after 10,000 miles.
Cassette:
•
10,000 miles if chain replaced frequently.
•
If a new chain "skips" on any of the cassette cogs while rid-
ing, cassette is worn.
•
Around 6,000 miles under hard use.
•
Brake Pads: Most brake pads have a "wear line". When the
pad is worn down to this line, it is time to replace.
800-777-0258 • +1-541-687-0487
53
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