Cycle Superstore Winter Maintenance Tips

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Looking after your bike during the winter months can be difficult at times, but by following these simple tips from Andy in our Shimano Service Centre will ensure your bike runs smoothly without any nasty surprises

Clean Your Bike

As you know, the Irish roads and trails can be awash with dirt, muck, grim and salt. Left over time it may damage your bike requiring you to replace components.

There are plenty of bike cleaning products available on the market. Make sure you get into every spot to prevent dirt accumulating, by using cleaning brushes.

Once you have finished cleaning the bike, dry it off using a microfibre cloth, we suggest you use a detailing product like Muc-Off Bike protector. This will help preserve and freshen your bike. You should try to use a silicone based spray as this type of spray is the best water repellent.

Our range of bike cleaning products can be found HERE 

Maintain A Clean Drive-train

The dirt, grime and salt, you find on the Irish roads and trails can be corrosive and damage the effectiveness of your drive train. You should degrease your chain every 5-10 rides depending on the distance and conditions of the bike ride. The easiest and most effective way of cleaning your chain is by using a chain cleaning tool.

During the winter months make sure you use wet lube. The difference between it and other types of lubes is that it is water resistant, so will not be washed away riding through puddles or during a rain shower. Some wet lubes can also resist salt corrosion. We strongly advice you reapply wet lube if you’ve encountered a heavy rain shower or very wet roads. Most wet lubes will last for approximately 160 Km or 100 miles.

Our range of bike degreasers can be found HERE  

Our range of bicycle lubes can be found HERE  

Brake Pads

All year round, you will need your brakes to be at their most efficient. New brake pads for disc brakes will be 3mm. Once the pad has reduced down to 1mm it’s time to change them. This would be the same for rubber pads with grooves. If the groove is no longer showing it too is time to change them. Not replacing the pad can lead to damage occurring to the brake caliper or rim as metal will be rubbing against metal.

If you are ever cleaning a bike with disc brakes make make sure any polishes or lubricants are keep away from the brake discs and calipers as it will lead to the brake pads being containment and needing to be replaced . This would also apply to rim brakes as you don’t want lubricants coming in contact with the braking surface.

Our range of brake blocks and pads can be found HERE  

Smoothness of Wire Cables

Brake and gear cables will always deteriorate over time. We always suggest replacing your brake and gear cables at least once a year. A simple and effective method of slowing down the deterioration is by applying a lube to any operating parts on your bike, like cables. If you require a lot of force to change your gears or pull on your brakes, it’s a sign the cables need replacing.

Our range of gear cables can be found HERE 

Our range of brake cables can be found HERE   

Storing Your Bike

This is something often over looked by a lot of people. Storing your bike properly can save you money on replacement parts and ensures the bike doesn’t devalue too much. Ideally we suggest you store the bike indoors, away from the elements.

If this is not possible, the next best thing is a bike cover. This will help prevent corrosion appearing on moving parts or moisture getting on brake or gear cables. This moisture will speed up the deterioration of them. In some cases moisture on cables has turned into ice/frost overnight leading to some serious consequences. By storing your bike either indoors or under a cover helps prevent the likelihood of this happening.

Our range of bike covers can be found HERE 

    Andy’s Top Tip

If your bike ever gets wet either through riding it or cleaning it, always dry it off and oil the chain. This will help prevent corrosion appearing on the chain and prevent it from seizing up

“If I’m ever out riding my mountain bike, I’ll always rinse the dirt off and oil the chain” 

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Roadie, Family man and Dubliner

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