Bike maintenance clinic - Part 2

To help us prepare for our bike trip, Ryan gave us a private bike maintenance clinic at re-Cycles in Ottawa. Part 2 of this post covers lubrication and the chain break tool.

Ryan and bike crew

Lubrication: Chain and Cables

It's important to ensure a well lubed bike chain to promote smooth shifting. Ryan cautioned against the use of WD40 on the bike chain as it can hinder the use of proper bike lube in the future. He recommends a light lube that can be applied more often, as opposed to a wax lube that can build up over time. “A wet chain lube can have other uses like lubricating your cables,” says Ryan. It was news to some of us that cables also need lubrication. Ryan clearly explained why. Shifting lets cables out or brings them in, depending which direction you shift, and this motion can be assisted if the cable that goes through the rubber sheath is lubed. Just place a drop of lube near the start of the sheath and it will work its way up. 

Lubricating cables

Chain Break Tool

There are two critical positions in a chain break tool. One allows the chain to be assembled/disassembled and the other will seat the pin, i.e. remove tension, when you're putting the chain back together. 

Assembly/disassembly - position 1

Removing tension - position 2

Thanks again Ryan and re-Cycles! We left the maintenance clinic feeling more confident should we encounter any bike problems on the trip.

Sheila and Emma at re-Cycles