Cycle Maintenance

Richard Hallett is the technical editor for Cycling Weekly - Britain's leading bicycle magazine - and Cycle Sport. Richard was also the British national circuit record holder over 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 kilometres.

The basics: know your limits - evaluating jobs; paying somebody else; essential tool kit; know your bike - hybrid, racer or tourer. Routine maintenance: lubrication; pre-ride routine; post-ride routine; regular wear checks; common faults and fixes; puncture repair. Brakes: replacing blocks; fitting levers and renewing cables; maintaining calliper brakes; cantilever, V-brake and centre pull systems; hydraulic and disc brakes. Wheels: hubs; wheel truing/replacing a spoke; lacing a wheel; quick release mechanisms. Gears: rear mech; front mech; cables; servicing an STI or an Ergo rapidfire unit; servicing thumbshifters; servicing geip shift. Transmission: chain; cassettes, bottom brackets, replacing chainrings; maintaining cotterless and cottered cranks. Contact points: pedals (clipped type); maintaining SPD pedals; fitting SPD pedals; fitting clips and straps; Saddle replacement and adjustment; seatpost renewal; handlebars, bar ends and aero bars. Forks and frame: looking after your frame; bosses and braze-ons; replacing a damaged drop-out; suspension fork service; rigid forks. Trouble-shooting: optional extras - fitting a rack, panniers and cycle computer; temporary roadside repairs.