Start here · Essential guide
Basic Bike Maintenance for Riders
A practical overview of the simple care tasks most riders can handle themselves, which checks matter most, and when it is time to take the bike to a shop.
Bikes, Terrain and Weather
Maintenance Basics
Simple care that keeps a bike safe and pleasant to ride.
Bike Tools Every Rider Should Know
A plain-language look at common bike hand tools, what each one is for, and why using the correct tool protects your bolts, parts and fingers.
How Often to Service Your Bike
General signs that a bike is due for a service, what a typical service covers, and how your riding conditions affect how often it is worth having one.
How to Check Brake Pads for Wear
Visual signs that rim or disc brake pads are worn, how brake feel and noise can give clues, and when to have the pads replaced by a shop or yourself.
How to Check Your Wheels for True and Spoke Problems
Learn how to spot a wobbly wheel, a loose spoke or a damaged rim with a few simple checks, and why proper wheel truing is usually a job for a bike shop.
How to Clean and Lube a Bike Chain
A general guide to cleaning a bike chain, applying lubricant sensibly, wiping off the excess, and following the lube maker instructions for your conditions.
How to Fix a Flat Tyre
The general steps for fixing a flat bike tyre: removing the wheel, finding what caused the puncture, and fitting a new tube or patch, with safety tips.
How to Keep a Bike in Good Shape Over Winter
Extra cleaning and checks that help a bike cope with wet, salty or muddy rides, from rinsing and drying to lubrication, brakes and lights.
How to Store a Bike at Home
Ideas for keeping a bike dry, secure and out of the way at home, with practical tips for indoor and outdoor storage, hanging, locking and long breaks.
How to Tell When a Chain Is Worn
Signs that a bike chain is worn, why wear really means stretch, and why shops use a dedicated chain checker rather than judging by eye alone.
How to Wash a Bike Properly
A gentle way to wash a bike with a bucket, soft brush and mild cleaner, why high-pressure water near bearings is usually avoided, and how to dry and relube.
Why Your Gears Skip and What to Do
Common reasons bike gears skip, jump or rub, which causes you can check yourself, such as dirt and cable tension, and which ones need a shop.
Related topics
More in bikes, terrain and weather
Mountain Biking Trail skills, setup and safe progression for mountain bikers. Hills and Climbing Climbing, descending and pacing on hills and mountain roads. Gravel and Dirt Riding on gravel, dirt and mixed surfaces with control. Climate and Environments Riding in deserts, tropics and rural areas. Rain, Wind and Snow Practical handling for wet, windy and wintry rides. Climbs and Descents Getting up and down hills with control and sensible pacing. Surfaces and Paths Handling sand, cobbles, boardwalks, trails and other surfaces. Road Bike Skills Handling, drills and position on drop bar road bikes. Cyclocross Skills Riding cyclocross bikes over mud, grass and barriers. Single-Speed Bikes Riding well with just one gear. Gears, Drives and Brakes How gearing, belts, derailleurs and disc brakes change the ride. Frames and Fit How frame type and saddle setup shape handling and comfort.