On Saturday, July 12, red rover bicycle collective held a women’s bike maintenance clinic.

Heres a synopsis of what we learned:

Changing a rear tire

1. Shift rear shifter all the way down so the chain is on the smallest cog
2. Set the chain on the smallest cog
3. Take off calve cap
4. Take off valve collar
5. Spin it over so you’re levering the tire off the rim farthest away from the valve
6. Don’t take the tire all the way off. Keep one side on the rim.
7. Check inside of the tire for sharp objects by running your hand inside the tire (carefully).
8. Inflate the tube
9. Stick the valve in the tire
10. Start at the valve and tuck the tire around the rim

Bike Maintenance

1. Check your bike for adjustments to keep it running smoothly. Move parts and wheels and make sure nothing is rattling
2. Rock the fork and front brake. If you hear ticks or rattles, find the item that needs to be tightened.
3. Pick up the front of your bike to check the tension on the wheel.  If it doesn’t fall all the way to the right or left, there is too much bearing tension if you
4. Cranks and headset are the most common things to get loose
5. Squeeze partner spokes. They should have equal tension.

Maintaining a clean, well-oiled machine:

1. Use dawn dish detergent with bucket, hose, hard bristled brush
2. Wet bike down but do not use a high pressure spray. Brush and use a lot of soap and water.   Soap strips grease out, so you will need to add lubricant.
3. Air dry it and relube your chain with Xtreme Chain Lube

Thank you Red Rover Bicycle Collective for providing this free class and empowering us to fix our own bikes!