HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BIKE WITH WD-40?

In this day & age, when people have left physical pursuits for indoor games & activities, there are still some who love the thrill of riding a bike. Because it not only offers a great way to keep yourself in shape but also allows you to enjoy fresh air & nature. However, like any other machine, you need to maintain your bike regularly. So that you can enjoy your rides for a long, long time. Let us guide you on some key points regarding bike maintenance.

Things you will need

Step 1

Regular Cleaning

First & foremost step in the maintenance of bike is to ensure that you clean it on a regular basis. Cleaning regularly may sound like a hectic task but it will keep your bike in tip-top shape for many years. Now you may be thinking that why is cleaning so important.

Let us explain. If you don’t clean your bike regularly, dirt & gunk will form permanent deposits on its surface. This will not only tarnish the appearance of your bike, but over the course of time, impact its performance as well. Secondly, dirt & gunk buildup in bike will lead to corrosion.

You don’t need an elaborate or expensive cleaning kit for your bike. A sponge and a bucket of soapy water will help you get the job done in no time. If you encounter stubborn mud deposits, regular foamy water will not be of any use. In such cases, we recommend using WD-40 Fast Acting Degreaser. After washing your bike with water, spray the WD-40 Fast Acting Degreaser to tackle the dirt & gunk deposits. Then rinse it again with water.

Use WD-40 Multiuse Product on the metal parts of your bike to prevent them from rusting. A coating of WD-40 MUP will help keep the rust away!

Step 2

Inflate Your Tires

The 2nd step of bike maintenance includes checking if your tires are inflated or not. Poorly inflated tires increase the risk of punctures manifold. You wouldn’t want that to happen, right? There are a number of options available in the market which help you inflate your tires easily. But the best tool is a standing track pump with a pressure gauge.

The reason we say that the standing track pump is perfect for inflating tires is that it helps you put in the exact amount of air that is recommended for your tire—nothing more and nothing less. You can get these quite easily from bicycle shops & store them in your home for use. Making sure that your bike’s tires are inflated sufficiently at all times will not only help to keep the tires in good condition for an extended period but also prevent the probability of minor accidents.

Step 3

Don't forget about your brakes!

If you love speeding your bike, then brakes are your best friend. Because they will help you control the speed when the times comes. During your maintenance regime, a thorough check of the brake & its parts is super important.

We recommend checking the brake pads first. If they are loose, tighten them up by making sure that they are parallel to the breaking surface. If they are worn out, replace them immediately. As worn out brake pads will likely cause accidents.

Then test the brake levers to see if they are functioning properly. If you hear squealing when the brake lever is pressed, it means the brake pads are too tight. Loosen them up just a tiny bit to remove the squealing sound. Fix the alignment of the caliper, ensure that the brake pads are at the same distance from the rim.

These checks will help you maintain the brakes of your bicycle properly.

Step 4

The Bike Chain

The performance of your bike depends on the bike chain primarily. Therefore, it is an important part whose maintenance needs to be done regularly. If your bike chain is dirty & greasy, then it will not do its job properly. Degrease your bike chain using WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Degreaser. The best way to do it is to first soak the bike chain in WD-40 Fast Acting Degreaser. Then use a tooth brush & clean the chain with it thoroughly. The dirt & grit stuck between the teeth of the chain will be removed, ensuring that the bike chain is cleaned thoroughly.

After you have degreased the bike chain, we recommend applying a coating of lubricant. Lubrication after cleaning ensures that the chain runs smoothly whilst you’re cycling. Use WD-40 White Lithium Grease or WD-40 Multiuse Product for lubrication.

Conclusion

This guide covers all the basic steps of bike maintenance. The best way to take care of your bikes is to routinely clean it after every ride & do a thorough check of the parts before you go on a ride.

Disclaimer

The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.