REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE

The most common repair you will encounter as a bike commuter will be a flat tire. You can minimize pneumatic distress by buying durable tires. (I'm fond of Continental Top Touring Tires.) You should also monitor brake wear to make sure they're not rubbing against the sidewalls of your tires. You should also look for and remove glass or metal fragments stuck in the rubber. However, sooner or later you will experience the distinctive hissing of a punctured tire.

What do you do when you get a flat? First, take a deep breath. Then ... fix it. It's wise to always travel with a lightweight air pump (make sure it matches your valve stem, Presta or Schrader), tire levers, and either a tube patch-kit or spare inner tube. The easiest way to repair a flat is with a new tube, taking the punctured one home to repair. It takes a little longer to repair the tube with glue and a patch -- about five minutes. But with quick release wheels, getting a flat is a small hardship. Practice removing your wheel, taking the tire off and changing the tube at home, where you're warm and dry. A dark, rainy night is the worst time to fix your first flat tire. A quick tip for easy cleanup: wear a pair of latex surgical gloves, available at your local pharmacy, make your repair, then discard. (Don't litter!)

You will certainly need to do other repairs over the course of many months of bike commuting. The encouraging thing is that most repairs you can do yourself. A bicycle is a far simpler machine than an automobile. With the help of more experienced cyclists, bicycling magazines, or one of many available "how-to" books, you can easily learn to fix your own bike. Many bicycle shops, community colleges, adult education programs, or bicycle organizations offer workshops or classes in bike repair. I took a class at the Freewheel in San Francisco, a community bike shop that provides tools and repair stands for members to work on their bikes. It's a very satisfying feeling to be a self-sufficient cyclist.

The most important advice I can offer regarding repairs is this: replace your chain every 2,000 miles or so. The most important part of your bike is the drive train: pedals, crank, chain, rear freewheel or cogs, derailleurs. Keep your drivetrain clean and your bike will work well and you'll be a happy commuter. Over time, your chain will "stretch". (Actually, the metal wears away around the connecting pins.) A stretched worn chain causes your rear sprockets to wear down to match the chain. Replacing a freewheel or a cogset or even chainrings can get a little pricey. Clean and oil your chain frequently -- especially after riding in the rain -- and replace it regularly.

Resources:
YouTube Bicycle Maintenance Videos
The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair
Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance (DVD)
CyclePro Home Mechanics Tool Kit

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