so the snow is back. with 30 + km/h winds and all. the last week or so has made us soft. It’s been a good winter thusfar. Not too many icy days, not too many super snowy days. it’s been a bonne hiver! For all hose still hesitating getting those bikes on the road and for those of you who have been riding. here’s my top three tips on maintenance:

1. regrease EVEYRYTHING that has a thread/is metal on metal. If you do nothing, at the very least your seatpost, your axles, your stem. If you can get yourself to a shop/co-op get that Bottom bracket out and lubed! These parts get seized very easily with lack of grease and a seized seatpost and or bottom bracket means ruined frame and or hours of 10% chance of success of removal.

2. Oil your chain. Oil your chain. Oil your chain. This is a must must. Your whole drive train ( the heart of the bike) depends on it. To clean it, use more oil rather than degreaser. Buying a cheap bottle of motor oil can cleanse it all out and than you can wipe up the excess and put a nice coat of thick lube(for the once a week lubers) or a light lube ( for the every days).

3. Check your brake pads! There’s alot of grit and grossness outside that is eating away at your brake pads alot faster than in the summer months. Little bits of metal can get stuck in your brake pads resulting in running down the surface of your rims alot faster. It’s this time of year that really take its toll on those rims, so try to maintain them by switching up those rubber pads. They can be as cheap as 5$ and save you much more in possible rim replacements.

if you need some help or want a free wear assessment done. Come on by.

stay warm. keep on riding. and give your bike some love.

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