Routine Maintenance & Trouble Shooting

These suggestions apply to all high performance bicycles.

  • A properly maintained bicycle will improve the feel, reliability, safety, and longevity of your investment.
  • When the bike is new and for the first hundred miles, frequently check and tighten the crank bolts. If you ride any bike with loose cranks you can permanently damage the cranks.
    Check all other bolts for loosening. (i.e. stem, handlebars, seatposts, brakes, brake pads, pedals, and eccentric set screws (under the bottom brackets)).
  • Inspect the brake and derailleur cables for wear and broken strands. If you have a bike equipped with a Travel Agent (pulley at the brakes) pay special attention to the cable at the sharp bend and around the smaller diameter pulley. If you see any signs of fatigue, replace the cable. Failure to do so may results in a loss of brakes when you least want it.
  • Keep your chain clean and lubricated. It is a good idea to carry a small squeeze bottle of your favorite chain lube so you can apply it at the first sign of a squeaky or dry chain. It is better to over lube your chain and wipe off the excess than skimp and run your chain dry.
  • Check the timing chains for excess slop. All chains stretch, especially when they are new. (See: Eccentric / Timing Chain Adjustment)
  • Whenever you remove a part or bolt apply grease to the threads to assure proper tightening and so you can remove it again in the future.
  • Occasionally remove the seatposts, wipe them off, wipe out the inside of the frame seat tube, and spread grease on the seatpost before reinstalling it. If you put a glop of grease inside the seatpost, you will always have a little available if you need it while you are on the road.
  • We do not recommend using high pressure water (car washes) to clean you bike unless you are planning to strip it down and re-grease everything on the bike. Do not spray water directly at any bearing.
  • After cleaning your bike it is important to apply lubricant to all exposed moving parts.

Trouble Shooting, Tips, & Random Thoughts

These are a few things we have seen happen, so we’ll give you the heads up.

  • If you hear a creaking noise when you pedal hard and your cranks are tight, tighten the eccentric set screws.
    Creaks that may appear to come from the cranks may come from the seat, seatpost, stem or handlebars. Check that they are all tight.
  • If you get flats on rough roads, increase your tire pressure.
  • Carefully check the inside of your tires when changing flats. What caused the flat may still be there.
  • If your saddle bothers you, change the tilt angle. Many times pressure on the front of the saddle is made worse by tilting it forward.
  • Wider saddles are not always more comfortable. What feels good when you first sit on it may cause excessive rubbing or pressure in several miles.
  • There are two schools of thought on whether or not to grease the spindle tapers when installing cranks. We do not recommend using grease because it is too easy to over tighten the cranks and stretch the crank tapers causing the cranks to seat too far on the taper.