In the bicyclist world there is a list that should always be kept in
mind when performing bike maintenance and before a ride. It is called
the ABC check.
The first letter A, stands for air in your tires. The air pressure in
your tires can be checked by simply squeezing the tire or bouncing the
bike up and down. If the tire surface yields or if the bike does not
bounce very easily this means that you probably need more air in your
tires. Tires that have the proper air pressure are rock hard. If you
have an air pump but you have no idea how much air pressure your bike
needs you can find this information on your bike tires. The second
letter B, stands for brakes. You can test your brakes by squeezing them
while astride your bike and pushing your bike forward. If you cannot
move your bike this is a good thing. Remember to test both your front
and back brakes separately. The third letter C, stands for
crank/chain/cassette. The crank is what is used to propel you forward
when you are on your bike. This is the pedal drive chain apparatus. The
chain is the roller chain which is attached to the sprocket which is the
circular gear at the base of the pedals. The cassette, on most bikes is
at the center of the back wheel. It controls your gears and keeps your
chain in line. The crank should not wobble when you move it in a
circular position. The chain should move smoothly along. The cassette
should not impede the movement of the chain. The forth letter D, stands
for drive chain which has already been mentioned. It stands for the
whole pedal apparatus. The fifth letter Q, stands for quick release. The
quick release is the metal handle that is found at the center of each
of your tires. It is part of the bike frame. Make sure the quick release
is tight. Also make sure both of them are in the correct position. If
you are riding through a forest or anything really if you quick releases
are situated forward or toward the front outer part of the wheel they
could get snagged on something.
To clean your chain you should use mineral based chain oils. When your
bike is not in use it should be stores in a dry place so that your bike
won't rust. The absolute best place to store your bike is in a bike
shed. In a shed your bike won't rust and it won't be tampered with or
stolen. Bike sheds come in different sizes and shapes. You can place one
outside of your apartment or garage.