How to Bike Maintenance for Beginners?

Are you looking to repair your bicycle but unsure how to do it? Not everyone has the necessary knowledge, equipment, or space to maintain their bike at home. In such cases, it is often best to seek assistance from a professional mechanic.

You can choose to take your bicycle to a traditional cycle repair shop or explore alternative solutions. If you’re looking for cost-effective ways to repair your bike, there are several options available.

In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of some great ideas to repair your bike easily and cost-effectively.

Have you fallen in love with a beautiful bike you found online, customized to your liking? If so, you’ll eventually need to have it serviced or repaired.

Some bicycle manufacturers like Origine or Canyon offer direct delivery, but if you want to maintain the warranty, it’s important to follow their specific repair process.

Typically, internet-based bike brands have their own process for repairing bicycles. We recommend checking their website for details on their original maintenance conditions or Canyon maintenance conditions. If you have any technical questions, reach out to their customer service team. They’ll direct you to an appropriate bicycle repairer or advise you to return the bike to the factory.

Don’t attempt any other repair options without their approval to avoid voiding the warranty.

Whether you have a road bike, mountain bike, or fat tire e-bike, the best option is to return to the store where you made the purchase or to an authorized dealer of the brand. These cycle shops typically have an in-house mechanic who can take care of all your bicycle repair needs.

These professionals are specifically trained to address the mechanical issues of each type of bicycle. They maintain contact with the factory for technical support and can overhaul or repair your bike according to industry best practices.

An affordable solution for repairing your racing bike, which is no longer covered by warranty, is to take it to a workshop or the Intersport maintenance service available at sports superstores. They can also service your other bikes, including the ones collecting dust in your garage or your electric bike.

One of the main benefits of using this type of service is the availability of a mechanic who can work on your equipment. However, keep in mind that repair times may vary.

As cycling continues to grow in popularity, many independent repair shops have opened to help restore bikes to their original condition. Some of these mechanics specialize in specific types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, or electric bikes.

To find a reliable professional, ask for recommendations from others who have had positive experiences. It can be difficult to trust a stranger with your beloved bike, so it’s important to do your research and find someone with expertise in the areas you need, such as hydraulic brakes, bottom brackets, or tubeless tires. With a bit of networking, you’ll likely find the perfect independent bicycle mechanic to get your bike back in top shape.

The latest trend in bike repair is having a bike mechanic come to your home or workplace. There are networks of independent mechanics affiliated with specific brands, such as Cyclofix.

In addition to larger services like Cyclofix, there are also independent repair services available locally. Finding a mechanic to come to your home is easy with recommendations from cycling friends and online research.

This option can be particularly convenient for those with busy schedules or for anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of transporting their bike to a shop. With a home repair service, you can have your bike repaired or maintained without ever having to leave your house.

For those who enjoy getting their hands dirty, consider taking your bike to a participatory and solidarity bike repair workshop.

These workshops provide all the necessary equipment for changing bike parts or refurbishing your dream bike. Members of the workshop can also assist with bike repairs if they feel qualified to do so.

These repair shops operate on the principle of solidarity and encourage cycling by putting old bicycles back into service. They are a great resource for advice and assistance, and often use recycled parts from old bikes to keep costs down.

Not only is this an affordable repair option, but it also promotes a sustainable approach to cycling by reusing and repurposing materials. Check online or ask around in your local cycling community to find a collaborative repair shop near you.

If you have some mechanical knowledge, you can save money by repairing your bike yourself. However, you need to be prepared for the repair job. If possible, schedule major repairs during times when your bike is not in use.

Repairing a bicycle takes up space. It is not recommended to make repairs in the living room. If you have a well-lit garage or basement, that’s ideal.

Don’t forget to protect your hands with gloves because some products can be harsh on the skin. Also, cover the floor of the room to avoid leaving marks. Stains on clothes are common, so wear your favorite DIY outfit.

A workshop stand or a bicycle stand will allow you to work easily and comfortably. The bike will be perfectly stabilized. The workshop stand is perfect for checking gear changes.

Before disassembling everything, take pictures of the assembly and disassembly process. Do not mix parts, nuts, and other small components.

Common sense advice, but important: always work with clean equipment, including your bike! The pressure washer, although effective, is not necessary and could damage your cycle. Take it easy!

If you want to start repairing and maintaining your bike, you need basic equipment to perform the interventions on your cycle. You can buy complete tool kits that include all the necessary repair tools.

Your basic equipment should include, among other things:

If you are more experienced, you can add more technical accessories such as:

Maintaining a bicycle also involves cleaning and lubricating the parts. In addition to the repair tools, you will need equipment such as:

Although you may be confident in your mechanical skills, always test your bike in your neighborhood after repairing it. Leave a few days between the repair and your first cycling outing to ensure that there are no leaks or other issues that could spoil your ride.

Regular maintenance of your bike is crucial to ensure its longevity and safe use. Some components are more prone to wear and tear than others and require frequent attention. Here are some common repairs to keep in mind:

Wheels are a critical part of your bike and are prone to issues such as punctures, warping, and broken spokes. Ensure the wheels are well-inflated, and the spokes are tight. Check the condition of the brake pads, and replace them with new ones when necessary. Check the brake cables and replace them if they are frayed.

Ball bearings located in the wheel hub, direction game, pedals, and bottom bracket must be checked regularly for wear and tear. Replace them if necessary.

Check all tightening points, screws, and nuts for loosening due to vibrations while riding.

Check the condition of the chain, teeth of the derailleur wheels, chainrings, and crankset. Replace them at the first indication of wear.

Cracked or damaged frames at the welds should be examined by a professional mechanic to ensure your safety while riding.

By staying on top of these common repairs, you can keep your bike in excellent condition for many years of enjoyable rides.

Are you passionate about cycling and handy with tools? Why not turn your hobby into a profession by becoming a bicycle repairer? With the surge in bicycle sales in 2020, the need for skilled mechanics is real. There are several types of training available to become a bicycle repairer.

If you want to learn about the fundamental mechanics of a bicycle without becoming a professional mechanic, several schools offer bicycle training for individuals. These educational teams specialize in bicycle repair and can provide you with an excellent learning experience. Alternatively, you can enroll in training at a bicycle repair shop that is a member of the Happy Cyclage scheme.

There are several levels of training available to become a professional cycle mechanic. From the third year, you can choose to specialize in a vehicle mechanic CAP option for cycles and motorcycles. After obtaining this diploma, you can pursue a master’s degree (BM) in cycle and motorcycle repair. Alternatively, you can train to obtain a professional qualification certification (CQF) as a cycle technician. This training is recognized by the state, and you must have a CAP/BEP to enroll. You can either attend continuing education courses for 3 to 4 months or complete the training on an apprenticeship basis, which can take 6 to 12 months, depending on the educational institution.

If you want to upgrade your skills, some establishments offer short courses on specific themes such as disc brakes or electrically assisted bicycles.

A cycling academy project is scheduled to launch in 2021 to train cycling professionals, including mechanics and trainers. The apprenticeship will be spread over 20 days and aims to train 500 cycle mechanics per year. The project is coordinated by two organizations, the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), and the National Institute of Cycle and Motorcycle (INCM), with the support of the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

There are numerous repair tutorials available on YouTube for maintaining different types of bicycles, including racing, all-terrain, and e-bikes. Following step-by-step guidance can be very helpful for common repairs.

With this knowledge, you can now either repair your bike or locate a suitable professional to handle the maintenance. In any event, it is recommended that a bike that is regularly used should be serviced annually, preferably towards the end of winter to avoid last-minute chaos. This will ensure peace of mind.