Your two-wheeled steed gives you a fun way to exercise, helps you run errands and spends quality time with you outdoors. For your trusty bike to stay in good working order, you need to occasionally return that love. In this class, you'll learn the basics of bike maintenance so you can keep your bike in great shape for many years. Our expert is Kat, a REI Co-op cycling instructor who has been mountain biking for over 15 years and bike commutes year-round. Kat covers everything from a routine pre-ride inspection to how to keep your drivetrain clean, lubricated and humming along.
Watch the full class video, or dive into specific topics in the chapters below. To play along at home, you'll need a few basic tools, many of which may already be in your tool kit.
Intro to Bike Maintenance: Full Class Video
Chapter 1: Parts of a Bike
In this chapter, you'll learn:
- Anatomy of a bike
- Bike terminology
- How the parts work together
Chapter 2: Pre-Ride Inspection
In this chapter, you'll learn:
- How to properly inflate your tires
- How to do a simple brake test
- How to check your drivetrain
- How to check your wheel quick-releases
Chapter 3: How to Fix a Flat Tire
In this chapter, you'll learn:
- How to take the wheel off your bike
- How to remove the tire and tube from the rim
- How to find the source of the flat
- How to install the tire and a new tube back onto the rim
- How to reinstall the wheel on your bike
Chapter 4: Drivetrain Maintenance
In this chapter, you'll learn:
- How to check the chain and drivetrain parts for wear
- How to do a basic drivetrain clean and lube
- How and when to do a major clean and lube
Shopping Resources:
Editor's Note: This article has been updated with new links since it first published in August 2020.
