Basic Bike Repair Resources
How-to Videos
Weird noises, wobbles, or just curious about how to fix your bike? With a few basic tools and some know-how, anyone can learn how to perform basic repairs to keep your ride rolling along smoothly. Here are some resources to get you started.
ABC Quick Check: The best way to fix your bike is to prevent bigger problems in the first place! By assessing your bike before every ride, you can catch issues before they turn into something more catastrophic. Learn more from this short video from the League of American Bicyclists.
Flat tires: Ask any mechanic and they’ll tell you that the most common repair is to fix a flat tire. Keep in mind that tires slowly leak air over time and it’s important to keep them pumped up to the proper p.s.i. (written on the tire’s sidewall).
How to pump up your bike tires. Watch this video to learn how to pump your tires to the correct pressure for your ride. If you need access to a pump in North Natomas, find a free one here.
If you’ve topped up the tire and it’s still not holding air, time to patch or replace the tube. Watch this video from Park Tools to learn how to fix a flat tire.
Brakes: Working brakes are vital to a safe ride. Make sure your brakes have all the stopping power you need with these tips.
- Rim brake adjustments can be found here
- Disc brake adjustments can be found here
Chain: Your chain is one of the most important parts of your bike, transferring the power from your legs to your rear wheel, propelling you forward. A squeaky chain is crying out for a little preventative maintenance. Easy chain cleaning and lubing instructions can be found here.
Shifting: For the most efficient ride, make sure you’re getting the most out of your gears. Your chain should shift smoothly between each gear. If it’s clicking, jumping, or skipping, its time to make some adjustments.
- Learn more about proper shifting
- Front derailleur adjustments
- Rear derailleur adjustments