Wipe Down Your Bike
This is not as thorough as a full wash, but it does allow you to inspect the frame and the components for wear, damage and necessary adjustments. A good stash of old rags will come in handy.
More: 6 Daily Bike Maintenance Checks
How:
1. Use a spray bottle filled with water and a light detergent such as Simple Green to help get smudges and dirt off the frame.
2. Wipe down all tubes focusing on areas that collect dirt, such as the underside of the down tube. Look for dried and sticky spots where your sports drink might have leaked out of your water bottle.
3. After cleaning the frame tubes, use your rag to clean the brake calipers. Use a flossing action in between the brake arms to clean out any caked dirt or grime.
4. Check the action of the calipers by actuating the brake levers to make sure the pads contact each side of the rim evenly.
More: A Quick Mountain Bike Maintenance Checklist
Inspect Your Tires
If you ride every day, you should inspect your tires for damage once per week. Even when they're relatively new, tires can harbor glass slivers and small metal bits or wires in the tread. These can eventually work into the tire and cause a flat.
How:
1. If you notice an object, pull it out with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Listen for any leaks after the object is removed.
2. Check both the tread and sidewall for wear, damage, exposed threads or any bulges. Most of the time, a tire will exhibit signs of wear well before failure.
3. Look for large cuts or slits in your tire more than a quarter inch long. This is an indicator that your tire should be replaced. If the cut hasn't damaged the integrity of the internal cords, you can repair the slit with a few drops of super glue or tire patch glue.
