Keeping your bike in good condition will enhance your cycling experience and the longevity of your bicycle. Performing regular maintenance checks also ensures that you are keeping your bikes in the safest and good performing condition.

It’s recommended that you carry out checks every time you ride your bike to ensure no part is damaged.

Below we have prepared a summary, this will guide you through the basic bike maintenance, detailing for each part of the bike, what are the checkpoints, recommended action, and frequency.

However, even if you can keep your bike rolling well by following these simple bicycle maintenance tips, it is still recommended to have your bicycle checked by your local bicycle shop/service center every now and then. Whether you need basic maintenance and some minor adjustments or require a complete teardown and inspection, experienced mechanics will be able to assess your bike’s needs to ensure your bicycle is safe to use.

To learn more about the bicycle components and their functions, check out our last article here.

Have a safe ride always!

The post Bicycle Basic Maintenance Checklist appeared first on Ride.Whattabike.

If you’re new to cycling or maybe you’re just wondering what makes a mountain bike or a fat bike– you have probably been very keen to learn some seems-to-be foreign terminologies that may initially not make sense to you in your first encounter.

Maybe you are a newbie, while you have been trying to develop the biking skills and technique, you start getting these technical-like terminologies about bikes.
Relax, you are not the first one to experience it. And there’s no need to learn everything from the get-go.

Over time, the more you ride, the more frequently you keep hearing these, and the more conversation you have with other riders, you’ll learn and will pick these up naturally.

It’s equally important in this the sport of cycling though, aside from developing the skills, is knowing your bike’s anatomy. After all, you will be the one responsible for maintaining it.

How you’ll be able to keep it in great condition and do proper maintenance, replace parts whenever necessary, and explain problems to the mechanics at the local bike shop if you don’t know the basic parts.

If you want to know more about what are the bicycle components and functions, the below list will be a good help to start getting to know more about mountain bikes or fat bikes parts.

Essential Bicycle Parts

The frame is the very foundation and main component of the bike, with which wheels and other components are fitted. Commonly made of steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber. Each has its pros and cons but depends on your budget and intended use.

A bicycle fork is a part of the bicycle on which the front wheel is mounted and which is turned via handlebars in order to steer the bicycle. Above the crown, a steerer tube attaches the fork to the bicycle and the handlebars (via a stem) allowing the rider to steer the bicycle. The steerer tube of the fork interfaces with the frame via bearings called a headset mounted in the head tube. At the bottom of the fork, the fork ends to hold the wheel. Usually, either the axle is bolted to the fork, or a quick-release skewer passes through a hollow axle, clamping the axle to the fork.

The head tube is the part of a cycle’s tubular frame within which the front fork steerer tube is mounted. Tube using ball bearings to transmit the steering movement to the fork.

The stem is the component on a bicycle that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the bicycle fork. Part whose height is adjustable; it is inserted into the head tube and supports the handlebars.

A bicycle handlebar is the steering control for bicycles. The device is made up of two handles connected by a tube, for steering the bicycle.

Lever attached to the handlebars for activating the brake caliper via a cable.

A bicycle brake reduces the speed of a bicycle or prevents it from moving. The three main types are rim brakes, disc brakes, and drum brakes. It’s a mechanism activated by a brake cable, comprising a caliper and return springs; it forces a pair of brake pads against the sidewalls to stop the bicycle.

A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear lever is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. Typically, they operate either a derailleur mechanism or an internal hub gear mechanism. In either case, the control is operated by moving a cable that connects the shifter to the gear mechanism.

A mechanism for changing the gears is by lifting the chain from one chain wheel to another; they work by shifting the chain. It’s a bicycle gearing system consisting of a chain, multiple sprockets of different sizes, and a mechanism to move the chain from one sprocket to another.

A bicycle chain is a roller chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling it. Most bicycle chains are made from plain carbon or alloy steel, but some are nickel-plated to prevent rust, or simply for aesthetics.

The crankset (in the US) or chainset (in the UK), is the component of a bicycle drivetrain that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider’s legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain or belt, which in turn drives the rear wheel. It consists of one or more sprockets, also called chainring or chainwheels attached to the cranks, or crankarms[to which the pedals attach. It is connected to the rider by the pedals, to the bicycle frame by the bottom bracket, and to the rear sprocket, cassette, or freewheel via the chain

This is the part that a cyclist places their feet on. The pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the vehicle. It provides the connection between the cyclist’s foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle’s wheels. A pedal usually consists of a spindle that threads into the end of the crank, and a body on which the footrest is attached, that is free to rotate on bearings with respect to the spindle.

The central part of the wheel from which spokes radiate and which provides the axis of rotation. Inside the hub are ball bearings enabling it to rotate around its axle. Within each hub, front and back is the axle that attaches the wheel to the bike.

A thin metal spindle connects the hub to the rim. A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the center of a wheel (the hub where the axle connects), connecting the hub with the round traction surface. Most commonly spokes are made with steel wire but can vary greatly in shape and diameter.

The metal circle constitutes the wheel’s circumference and on which the tire is mounted. Metallic bicycle rims are now normally made of aluminum alloy, although until the 1980s most bicycle rims – with the exception of those used on racing bicycles – were made of steel. The wheel’s rim has two main functions; to hold the tire and provide a braking surface (for rim-brake bikes, not disc-equipped bikes).

Tires and inner tubes are essential components of any bicycle. Structure made of cotton and steel fibers coated with rubber, mounted on the rim to form the casing for the inner tube. Bicycle tires provide an important source of suspension, generate the lateral forces necessary for balancing and turning, and generate the longitudinal forces necessary for propulsion and braking.

A bicycle saddle, often called a bicycle seat is commonly attached to the seat post and the height of the saddle can usually be adjusted by the seat post telescoping in and out of the seat tube.

A bicycle seat post, seat pin, saddle pole, saddle pillar, or saddle pin is a component supporting and attaching the seat, inserted to variable depth into the seat tube to adjust the seat’s height.

Part of the frame leaning slightly to the rear, receiving the seat post and joining the pedal mechanism.

You may want to check our next blog which will guide you through the basic bike maintenance, detailing for each part of the bike, what are the checkpoints, recommended action, and frequency.

Enjoy your ride and keep safe!

References:

Albert Maunelli., B.Eng,The Parts of the Mountain Bike and Its Functions, accessed 31 May 2022,

Momentum Mag, October 6, 2021, Bike Check – Getting to Know the Parts of Your Bike, accessed 31 May 2022,

Wikipedia, Bicycle, accessed 31 May 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle

The post The Parts of the Mountain Bike | Fat Bike and Its Functions appeared first on Ride.Whattabike.

But what is a fat bike and what benefits do fat bikes offer?

A fat bike is an off-road bicycle that utilizes literally ‘fat’ tires, which are usually between 3.5-5″ wide.

A fat bike is a popular alternative to mountain bikes for off-road riding and bike packing. Although similar to mountain bikes in many ways, their wide low-pressure tires provide extra traction when riding.

The frame, fork, and wheels are also specially designed to accommodate the wide tires.

Fat bike frames need extra clearance so the wide tires don’t rub, thus fork arms, as well as the seat stays and chain, stay wide. This makes the hub spacing wider on fat bikes than on mountain bikes.

Because the tires and rear hub spacing are so wide, the bottom bracket and crank spindle need to be wider as well.

Fat bike tires can run at incredibly low pressure of 5-14 psi because the fat tire is so voluminous already that they won’t bottom out and hit the rim if you hit an obstacle.

The question for many is; why would you want fat tires on a bike? Aside from it drawing attention and stares from strangers, wide tires is to distribute the weight of the bike and rider over a larger surface area providing increased traction compared to typical bike tires.

It’s designed for tackling soft terrain that regular bicycles would struggle with. Fat bikes were invented for riding on deep snow and soft sand.

Fat bikes are more than just snow bikes nowadays, they’re also used for riding on the diverse terrain of mountain biking trails, road biking, and beaches

Fat bikes certainly have their function. The primary benefit of a fat bike is that they’re able to travel over diverse terrain, it can perform well in mud, and loose gravel better than regular bicycles. The wide tires provide the extra grip and traction, and combined with low tire pressure, allows you to pedal over terrain that’d make regular bikes sink.

Fat Bikes Pros + Cons

Fat Bike Advantages

You can ride a fat bike where no other bike can go. This is possible because the wide tires distribute the weight of you, the bike, and your gear across more surface area. The fat tires put less pressure on the ground. This allows the tires to roll over the snow, sand, and mud instead of sinking in and getting caught up as a standard mountain bike tire would. The large tires provide increased balance and control giving you the confidence to be more adventurous.

Soft tires absorb shocks and vibrations from the road or trail, and absorb the impact instead of bouncing off. This improves comfort and reduces fatigue while riding rough terrain because you’re not bouncing around too much. The frame design of most fat bikes offers a comfortable upright riding position. This puts very little stress on the back, neck, and shoulders.

Since you can ride off trails Fat bikes are becoming known for bike packers and touring. Many have used it to cross streams, rivers, and muddy and rocky trails.

Can greatly improve your strength and stamina. An excellent workout for weight loss or generally improving your physical fitness.

Fat bikes are still a small niche and thus making you a bit different than everyone. It’s still head-turning and draws attention especially when you have a unique set-up. They give you an enhanced experience on the fun and comfort factor while also feeling stylish.

Allows using their bike year-round in different weather because you can ride softer terrains, slippery and muddy with a fat bike.

Fat Bike Disadvantages

Will burn more energy and cover less ground than you would on a mountain bike and thus less ideal for long-distance touring. Rolling resistance created by the wide, low-pressure tires slows you down as you would on a mountain bike thus, if you want to race on the road, then a fat bike is not ideal compared to usual mountain bikes. However, this is not always the case for all fat bikes, you may want to check fat bike tires out there which are designed to boost your fat bike’s performance to offer maximum rolling speed without compromising on grip.

The extra-wide tires, rims, and other specially built-for-fat bike parts have more material thus adding to the weight. But in general, depending on the brand, a fat bike doesn’t feel heavy when you ride and it gives you an insanely smooth ride.

Those wide tires are what make it so hard to store a fat bike, where it might not fit into normal mountain bike storage hooks or storage. But nowadays, there are already options out there where storage hook is wide taking specifically designed to cater to fat bikes.

Regular bike shops don’t typically have fat bike parts replacements. However, you may still find specialized shops where fat bike tires, rims, hubs, bottom brackets, and cranks are readily available.

Final Thought
Considering the Pros and Cons, we recommend readers to try fat bikes out before committing to purchase any bike. Get a test at your local bike store if you haven’t tried it already. You will understand if the pros outweigh the cons!

Fat bikes aren’t the best choice for every rider but certainly a good choice to consider. In the end, this choice comes down to personal preference and style you have.

Check out this article to learn more about the health benefits and disadvantages of cycling.

Share your tips and experience in the comments below!

Photos Credit to Fat bike owners| Cyclists: Epong Dapz Trivino, Osena Marc Osny, Allan Garcia

References:

wheretheroadforks, Last update March 10, 2022, Fat Bike Vs Mountain Bike: Pros and Cons, accessed 24 May 2022, ;

Wikipedia, Fatbike, accessed 24 May 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatbike

BikeLockWiki, accessed 24 May 2022,

The post What is a fat bike? Fat Bike benefits and disadvantages appeared first on Ride.Whattabike.

Before we dive into that, let’s talk about the basics.

Cycling has long been one of the fastest, most flexible, and reliable methods of transport. In recent years, cycling has quickly emerged as a safe and convenient alternative for most commuters.
Nowadays, it’s widely a utility apart from a fun sport, adventure, and leisure activity.

New to cycling or is it your first-time riding in a while?

Check out the below lists for you to consider in planning to make your ride enjoyable and less challenging.

What to take on a bike ride?

Plan and make sure to bring these essentials:

Most Essentials

• Bike
• Helmet

Core Gear

• Water (hydration pack; bottle with cage)
• Snacks/energy food
• Sunscreen
• First-aid kit
• Eye protection (sunglasses, clear lenses)
• Medical info/emergency contact card

Core Bike Repair Items

• Spare tube or tubes (and/or patch kit)
• Pump
• Tire levers
• Cycling multi-tool with Allen wrenches

Comfort and Convenience

• Padded shorts or tights
• Bike pack /bike bag for storage
• Proper cycling clothing
• Gloves
• Comfort Saddle
• Patch kit (and/or spare tube or tubes)
• Lock
• Watch or cycling computer
• Cell phone
• Cash and/or credit card
• Cycling Map (for unfamiliar route)

Before you go for a bike ride

Take these pre-ride inspections/tips:
• Tire in right pressure and condition
• Brake functions well
• Front/rear wheel quick releases secured
• Bolt tightness throughout
• Seat and handlebar height
• Light functions well
• Lubrication check
• Reflectors in place
• Saddle height and riding position just right
• Check weather /terrain conditions
• Learn to fix a puncture

The post Cycling Gear Essentials and Pre-ride Checklist for Beginners appeared first on Ride.Whattabike.

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