The three breakdowns that account for most bicycle trouble are a flat tire, a broken chain and badly adjusted brakes, and all three can be fixed with a few basic tools. Before each ride check the air, the brakes, the chain and that both wheels are fixed firmly, and if a repair list has to be ordered, fix the brakes first, because they are the safety system.
Part of Bicycle Repair & Fabrication
Common bicycle repairs are the fixes for the most frequent failures: punctured tires, broken chains, and brakes out of adjustment.
Why Bicycles Are Worth Keeping Running
These three failures, the flat, the chain and the brake, account for most bicycle trouble.
The parent article puts a bicycle at 3-4 times walking speed on half the energy per kilometre, and a salvage priority: a community with 10 working bicycles has more practical mobility than one with a single car and little fuel. A bicycle with a fault, though, stops its rider far from home, so a small repair kit and the skill to use it matter.
The Pre-Ride Check
- Air: squeeze the tires. They should be firm, not soft (Extending Tire Lifespan).
- Brakes: pull each lever. The pads should bite on the rim with the lever well short of the handlebar, and release freely (Brake Adjustment).
- Chain: it should be clean, lightly oiled and not hanging slack (Chain Repair).
- Wheels: both secure in the frame, with nothing rubbing and no wobble (Wheel Truing).
- Steering and cranks: the handlebar turns smoothly with no knock, and the cranks have no play (Bearing Maintenance).
What To Fix, In What Order
| Symptom | Likely fault | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tire, hissing | puncture | Flat Tire Repair |
| Chain drops or snaps | broken link, stretched chain | Chain Repair |
| Weak or slow braking | pads worn, cable slack | Brake Adjustment |
| Rough, gritty turning | dry or pitted bearings | Bearing Maintenance |
| Wheel wobbles, rubs brakes | loose or broken spokes | Tire & Wheel Care |
| No spare part exists | improvise | Improvised Parts & Fabrication |
What You Need
- Tire levers (or screwdrivers and spoons), patches and cement, a pump
- A chain tool (or a nail and hammer) and spare links
- Wrenches that fit the wheel nuts, brake bolts and cones
- A spoke wrench
- Grease and light oil
- A rag and a cup to hold small parts
Common Mistakes
- Fixing a cosmetic fault before a brake fault — the order above matters.
- Riding on with a soft tire — it damages the rim and the tube and makes the bike hard to steer.
- Skipping the wheel check — a wheel that is not firmly fixed can drop out under braking.
- No spares — a patch kit, spare links and a pump weigh little.
Safety
Brakes and wheels are the safety system
A bicycle with failed brakes or a loose wheel is a hazard to the rider and to anyone in its path. Test the brakes at walking pace before riding, make sure both wheels are fixed firmly in the frame, and keep your speed low after any repair until it has been proven in use.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Flat Tire Repair — the commonest fix
- Combine with: Improvised Parts & Fabrication — when the spare does not exist