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Top Tips for smooth riding

Introduction

By now, we all know that bikes are brilliant. Whether you commute on one to get to work, or you’re a little more adventurous and take it off-roading in the countryside. But if you’re getting tired of those bumpy journeys and want to find out how you can make your bike a smoother ride, then read on for our top tips!

Check your tyres

  • Check your tyres.
  • Make sure that all four wheels are inflated to the correct pressure and have enough tread to get you through a long journey.
  • If you’re not sure what the correct pressure is for your car, ask at a garage or tyre shop–they’ll be able to advise based on the make and model of your vehicle. The same goes for checking tread depth: ask someone who knows about cars!
  • You should also check for any damage to the tyres themselves, such as cuts or bulges in their sidewalls (the sides). If there are any cracks or holes then it’s time to replace those old rubber boots before they let in more air than they should do…and then pop! Your ride could end up being less smooth than expected when one of those tires explodes while driving along at 100 km/h.”

Have a clean

  • Clean your bike regularly: The more you ride, the more grime and dirt will accumulate on your bike. If you don’t have time for a full wash when it’s time to clean up, try wiping down the chain with an old rag and degreaser (or even WD-40). This will help prevent rust from forming on metal parts and keep things running smoothly.
  • Use a bike cleaning kit: If you want to get really fancy with it, invest in some specialized tools like those made by Pedro’s or Park Tool that come with everything needed for basic maintenance–including brushes designed specifically for cleaning specific parts of the bike!

Check your brakes

  • Check your brake pads. You should be able to see them through the wheels, or they should be easily accessible if they’re inside the hub. If they look worn down, it’s time to replace them!
  • Check the brake fluid level in each calliper (the part that grabs onto your wheel). If it’s low and needs topping up, do so with fresh DOT4 brake fluid from a reputable supplier like [insert name here].
  • Make sure all cables are tight by pulling on them gently–if there’s any slack in any of them, tighten them up accordingly with an adjustable wrench or similar tool until there is no more movement from either end of each cable when pulled by hand

Keep lubing up the chain

  • Every time you ride, wipe off any dirt or mud from the chain with a dry rag.
  • If there’s oil or grease on your rag, go ahead and throw it away–it’s time for a new one!
  • Put some lube in a small bowl (or use an old tin can). Add a little water so that it’ll spread better and won’t get stuck in all those nooks and crannies on your bike. Mix well until all of the ingredients are mixed together evenly. You might want to wear gloves while doing this part because lubes can stain clothes pretty easily if they get on them accidentally.* Now apply this mixture generously over every inch of your bike’s drivetrain (the chain itself) using either an old toothbrush or cloth rag.* Let everything sit for about 10 minutes before wiping off any excess lube with another clean cloth

Re-check your tyre pressures

  • Re-check your tyre pressures.

You should check on the tyre pressures of your bike every month, but especially if you’ve been riding in wet weather or on rough roads.

  • If they are too low, you could get a puncture and have to walk home!

If the pressure is too high, it will wear out your tyres more quickly–not only costing money but also causing discomfort for riders who prefer softer suspension systems.

Check your gears and shifters

  • Check your gears and shifters. Make sure they’re working properly, and that nothing is loose or worn. If you find any problems with either component, get them fixed before you ride again.
  • Inspect the cables that connect your shifters to the derailleurs (the part of your bike that changes gears). If there are frayed spots or other damage on these cables, replace them immediately before riding again–the broken strands could snap off while riding and cause serious injury to yourself or others around you!
  • Likewise, inspect all of your brakes before going out on a long ride: make sure they’re in good condition; if not, get them repaired right away!

Keep an eye on your chain rings/friction pin/cassette cogs etc.

  • Keep an eye on your chain rings/friction pin/cassette cogs etc.
  • Replace as necessary, depending on how much you ride and the conditions you ride in (e.g., muddy or dry).
  • How often to replace depends on how much you ride and the conditions you ride in (e.g., muddy or dry).

These five tips will help you keep your bike nice and smooth for a long time!

Check your tyre pressure.

Always check the tyre pressure of your bike before you ride it, as this will make a difference to how smooth or bumpy your ride is. If the tyres are too low, this can cause them to slip on the road and make it more difficult for you to control your bike. On the other hand, if they’re too high in pressure then this can make riding uncomfortable as well as making it more likely that you’ll get punctures from potholes or other hazards on the road surface rather than just skidding over them smoothly!

Checking and maintaining brakes is also important for keeping things smooth: when brakes aren’t working properly then they may not engage fully with rims when applied–this means there’s less friction between rubber pads/shoes (which grab onto metal rims) which results in poor braking performance overall! It might seem obvious but always check whether these components need replacing before heading out into traffic again after having been ridden hard; if so then consider replacing them immediately rather than risking another accident because something wasn’t working right!”

Conclusion

It can be hard to keep track of all the things that need checking on your bike, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be riding smooth in no time.

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