New to Commuting, With Questions
 

I recently started using a Trek 1.1 to commute 30 miles round trip to work. So far I've logged 180+ miles. My office has a locker room with full showers, so the logistics of clothes and cleaning have been relatively easy to organize. I do have a few questions about bicycle maintenance and aches and pains.

• I have yet to lube my chain (my first ride on the bike was the first day I rode into work). What type of chain lube should I use, and how often should I use it? Should I clean it on a regular basis?
• What other type of daily/routine maintenance should I perform on my bike?
• Riding on drop bars is a new concept to me, so riding with my arms fully extended has made the inside of my elbow pretty sore. Is this common and what should I do about it? Stretch, lift, ice, etc.?

I live in an apartment with ample outdoor storage to lock the bike up in. I would like to get a small bike maintenance kit together (lube, rags, allen wrenches, etc.). Do any commuters on here have a good no-frills kit list that they'd like to share?

I realize I could search through all the forums to find varied answers to these questions; I just thought I'd drop them all in once place and see what you folks could come up with. Thanks for any insight!

Cheers,
Justin

As far as the chain goes. It's the most important part on the bike. IMO. It has the most moving parts on it. 588. I use a simple chain cleaner from the LBS and some simple green. An old toothbrush works great at getting in between the plates. I try to clean it at least once a month or whenever it looks like it needs it. I use Finish Line wet lubricant for extreme riding conditions. There are all kinds of lube. That's just the one I like cause it works good in cold temperatures. I use a Park tools chain measuring tool to check the chain stretch and always replace the chain as necessary, usually about twice a year. (I'm riding about 5k a year). That will save you from wearing out the teeth on your cassette.
As far as tools go. I just buy whatever I need at the time. Over the years I've accumulated quite a collection of bike tools. My last purchase was a set of cleaning brushes from Park tools that do a great job of getting into those tight spots that other brushes can't reach. You learn as you move along. After a few years you'll have the bike set up just like you want it, and be confident enough to fix whatever it needs. Asking questions here is a great start. Good luck.

This thread has great advice.......it's in a sticky:;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-New-Commuters

You really don't have to go past post #2 to get a huge amount of advice.

Chain lube; floor pump; some hex wrenches; tire levers.
Just buy the things you need as you need them.

Carry a mini-tool, tire levers, pump or CO2 inflator and cartridges, inner tube, water bottle. Wear suitable bicycling clothes, helmet, sun-screen and insect repellant. Chain maintenance: White Lightning wax lube, Simple Green or orange citrus cleaner, a clamp on chain cleaner (Park CM-5 Cyclone® Chain Scrubber or equivalent). Safety: front and rear lights, helmet, mirror and eye protection.
Optional: rear rack and bags, gloves, rain gear, camera, glueless patch kit (to help other riders with flats).
Practice changing inner tubes, front and rear, at home.
Read bicycling tips on safe riding practices and accident avoidance. Learn bicycle maintenance. If possible, vary your route and explore the areas that you ride through. Find the easiest route, the safest route, the fastest route, the most scenic, etc.
As for the arm discomfort, some shops will help you fit the bike. You might just need to get used to it or try another bike with a different riding position.
Know that you could be an inspiration for others to start riding. Good luck, and check back often.

I have yet to lube my chain (my first ride on the bike was the first day I rode into work). What type of chain lube should I use, and how often should I use it? Should I clean it on a regular basis?

Fairly regularly, yes- it's been a while since I rode a derailleur bike, but every couple hundred kilometres should be fine. I just turns the cranks backwards and wipe the chain down with a rag. I might or might not wet it with a cleaner first. I tried chain cleaning devices but found them to be a messy time-consuming pain that didn't necessarily give me better results. For lube, I've used Finish Line, Campbell-Hausfeld air compressor oil, and chainsaw bar oil ;) They all work well. Basically anything that's actually meant to be used as a lubricant, i.e., not WD-40, since it's a solvent.

What other type of daily/routine maintenance should I perform on my bike?

Squeeze the tires every every few days or so to check air pressure. Be aware of wear and tear on consumable parts: tire wear, brake pad wear, cable stretch, stuff like that.

Riding on drop bars is a new concept to me, so riding with my arms fully extended has made the inside of my elbow pretty sore. Is this common and what should I do about it? Stretch, lift, ice, etc.?

It's not common. Icing your elbow may help a bit, but it's a band-aid solution at best. Pain is a signal that something doesn't fit right. If you're riding in the drops, try riding the hoods; if the pain persists, you may have a problem with the way your bike fits you. Without seeing you on it, I'm guessing it's a bit big (too long a top tube, and thus too great a reach), which can possibly be mitigated by getting a shorter stem. Your LBS can give you advice about this.

I live in an apartment with ample outdoor storage to lock the bike up in. I would like to get a small bike maintenance kit together (lube, rags, allen wrenches, etc.). Do any commuters on here have a good no-frills kit list that they'd like to share?

I keep a bunch of rags at home (I'm partial to old socks, I can stick my hand inside and grab the chain to wipe it down without getting my hand dirty; old t-shirts are good for flossing between cogs). Allen wrenches are good, a pump is a must, as is a patch kit. For routine, day-to-day stuff you don't need much more. If you plan to do repairs yourself, the a bigger toolkit is handy: spoke wrench, chain tool, third hand (for holding the brake pads against the rim while you make adjustments, etc- so handy!).

I realize I could search through all the forums to find varied answers to these questions; I just thought I'd drop them all in once place and see what you folks could come up with. Thanks for any insight!

Parktools.com has a fairly extensive repair help section that's pretty useful. The search function here leaves something to the imagination, but there's eleventy-thousand of us around anyways, so ask away :P

Awesome; thanks for the info. I adjusted the seat forward about an inch and that seems to have helped with the elbow discomfort. I’ll be going out this week to get a pump and some chain lube. So far the bike has held up great (I’m at 180+ miles in under 10 days).

I had a rainy ride into work today but used an REI Duck’s Back 20 to cover my backpack. It worked perfectly.

Thanks for all the info – I’ll be looking over into the sticky.

Bullet 1: Here's my chain routine: get some lube (I like Pro-Link), apply liberally to the chain while turning the cranks backwards, wipe off excess with a rag, ride.

Bullet 2: Air up your tires and check your cables and brake pads occasionally.

Bullet 3: Bend your elbows.

I am glad you started commuting. I love it and it has changed my life.


With lubing, I do it once a week on my commute bike and is done on Wednesday. I would go into your local bike shop and ask them what they would recommend. Talk with the mechanic, the head mechanic. I can drop a brand name or to if you want. I use a wet lube because I ride in all conditions.


Speaking of conditions, if it rains out, I will ride in, wipe the chain, relube it and wipe it off again after I switch gears to make sure some lube and then wipe it clean. Wet conditions are the hardest on the chains.


Every Wednesday I do this. Then I wipe the frame down and look over the bike. I inspect the brakes once a week and also feel the spokes to see if anything is loose. I also inspect the rubber on the wheels. I wipe the rubber quickly and then look them over and I look for gashes and see if there is any glass or rocks in the gashes. The best tool to use is a real sharp spoke. That aids in getting the object out.


I also make sure that the correct amount of air is in the tires every night before going to bed.

Bullet 3 addendum: Bend your elbows and hold yourself up with your core.
Bullet 3 addendum addendum: Relax your grip on the bars.

Thanks for the tips. I moved my seat forward about 3/4" and that has made a big difference. I can now kep my arms relaxed and grip loose. I'd like to get in on a group ride soon to get some more pointers.

Now I need to get some warmer riding clothes! This weather is chilly!