6 Bike Maintenance Tips

By Author: Nita Dewi
Total Articles: 1
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Your bicycle doesn’t run on leg power alone. This collection of mostly timeless advice will guide you through the role of primary caregiver—so you can leave the tough stuff to the professionals.
1. Never loan tools to friends.
2. If it’s threaded, grease it.
3. Check tire pressure before every ride, especially if you’re running tubeless.
4. Periodically check for bearing play in your headset, hubs, and cranks. To check your headset, squeeze the front brake and rock your bike fore and aft. For wheel and crank bearings, pull the wheel or crank side to side.
5. After you box your bike for travel but before you seal it, give it a side-to-side shake to note any loose or rattling parts.
6. Loctite Threadlocker¬ Blue 242 is a must-have¬ accessory for bolts that assemble using standard hand tools.

Riding Tips

Riding a bike in New York City has never been better. In NYC, cyclists must:
1. Yield to pedestrians.
2. Stay off the sidewalk.
3. Obey traffic lights.
4. Ride with traffic.

You must be at least 16 years old to ride Citi Bike. Bicycle ...
... riders should use available bike lanes whenever possible, except when making turns or if hazardous conditions make it unsafe to continue in the bike lane.

Wear a helmet and never ever text while riding! New York City’s streets and parks offer a wide variety of bicycle lanes and paths, from shared traffic lanes to car-free greenways.

There are many ways to plot a route that makes sense for you:
1. NYC Cycling Map - Download the NYC Cycling Map, published annually by NYC DOT, for a detailed look at bike lanes throughout the five boroughs.
2. Citi Bike App - The official Citi Bike app is the perfect copilot for your biking adventures around the city.
3. Ride the City - Ride the City offers an interactive route planning service for New York City bicyclists, which allows you to save locations and routes if you create a profile.

Don't ride distracted. Wear a helmet when you ride. Need a helmet? Buy a helmet from a local bike shop. NYC DOT fits and gives away the official New York City bicycle helmet at events throughout the city.

Bike Smart: The Official Guide to Cycling in New York City, is a helpful handbook with information on making your cycling safer and easier, including tips on using newer bike facilities such as protected lanes and bike boxes.