Maintenance

A bit of simple maintenance on your bike can help keep it running smoothly and reduce running costs and ensure safety. Here are some basics that everyone can and should do regardless of ability:

Keep your tyres well pumped up. This will make it easier to cycle and reduce the chance of you getting a puncture.
Lubricate your chain. This increases the life of the chain and makes your cycling more efficient by reducing friction.
Ensure your brakes are working properly and check the brake blocks are not worn out.
Check your seat is the right height for you. When sitting on the seat you should be able to touch the floor with the balls of your feet.
Check your handlebars are secure. If you can turn the handlebars independently of the wheel then they need tightening

For more information about cycle maintenance checks, please see the document below.

If you find a problem that you are not confident fixing, then take your bike to a professional bike mechanic or consider a maintenance training course.

If you are interested in learning more maintenance skills then Islington Council offers basic maintenance courses covering the following topics: