Common Myths and Misconceptions About Bike Care

“Greg
Written by
Greg Kaplan,
Don’t lean your bike on its top tube. Don’t hang it from the wheels. Don’t lube your chain before every ride. You’ve probably heard what is and isn’t bad for your bike, but which of those myths are actually true?
Myth: Leaning Your Bike on Its Top Tube Is OK
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FALSE. Leaning or balancing your bike's top tube against anything is asking for it to roll and topple over. When you have to lean your bike against anything, lean it against your rear wheel or the saddle for support.
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Myth: Hanging Your Bike From Its Wheels Is OK
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TRUE. Your bike and its wheels can support their own weight. But if you have hydraulic disc brakes, you may introduce air into the brake lines if you invert your bike. If you have hydraulic disc brakes, hang your bike by its front wheel; don't hang it by its rear wheel.
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Myth: It's OK to Lube with WD-40
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FALSE. Don't use WD-40 to lube your drivetrain, as it's actually degreaser. If you like the brand, check out WD-40 bike lube.
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Myth: You Should Wash Your Bike After Every Ride
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FALSE. It's impractical and will also necessitate applying lube to your drivetrain after washing. Instead, wipe your bike down give your bike a wipe down with bike polish. If you've ridden in the rain, you'll want to de-grime it and lube your drivetrain when there's grit in the links.
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Myth: You Should Lube Your Bike Before Every Ride
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FALSE. You should lube your bike's drivetrain when it's needed (you'll be able to hear it). If you ride in wet conditions, clean and lube your drivetrain when the chain links get grimy—a clean and lubed drivetrain will last longer than a dry or dirty drivetrain.
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Myth: Don't Worry About Low Tire Pressure
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FALSE. Rolling on low tire pressure can result in a pinch flat, with snakebite-looking perforations in your inner tube. Check your tires' inflation before every ride. Check out this bike tire inflation guide, instead of inflating to the maximum rating printed on the side.
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Myth: It's OK to Ride in the Rain or Snow
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TRUE. Riding in the rain or snow is not bad for your bike, but it does introduce additional dirt and grime. You'll need to clean your bike and lube your drivetrain more frequently compared to riding in dry conditions.
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Myth: You Should Tighten Nuts and Bolts Before Every Ride
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FALSE. Over-tightening fasteners could result in disastrous—and expensive—results, as well as introduce unnecessary wear to the parts that hold your bike together. Give your bike a once-over after every ride to determine if anything's come loose, but only then tighten if necessary. If you don't yet own a torque wrench, you owe it to yourself to get one. Using a torque wrench could save you thousands of dollars by not fracturing carbon or breaking precision parts.
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Myth: It's OK to Pump Your Disc Brakes Without a Wheel in Place
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FALSE. For hydro disc brake users, repeatedly squeezing your brake levers without the brake rotor between the brake pads may cause your brakes to come out of adjustment. Always make sure the wheel is on before testing the brakes.
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About the Author

“Greg
More by Greg» Greg Kaplan, Freelance Writer
A lifelong endurance sports athlete, Greg raced bikes on the road as a junior prior to changing his athletic focus to rowing. Upon retiring from elite rowing competition, Greg revisited his passion for racing bikes and also added some swimming and running into the mix, competing at the ITU Age Group World Championships on multiple occasions. He and his wife Shannon—also a rower, bike-racer, and triathlete—enjoy traveling, learning about wine and keeping up with their rescue cats when they are not training or racing.