Bike Maintenance

Bike maintenance is everything you need to keep your bike clean, smooth and safe yourself: from bike tools and lubricants to cleaners, assembly paste and the small parts you replace regularly. Good maintenance is not a luxury but the cheapest way to enjoy your bike for longer. A cleaned and lubricated chain wears out less quickly, a correctly fitted seatpost does not creak, and tyres at the right pressure roll more easily and are less prone to punctures. Anyone who does the basic maintenance themselves also saves on workshop costs and is rarely caught out unexpectedly at the roadside.

The range runs from individual tools and complete tool sets to chain lubricants, degreasers and cleaners, assembly paste and grease for carbon and aluminium, work stands for working on your bike in comfort, and practical consumables such as bar tape and locks. What you need depends on how far you want to do the work yourself, whether your bike has carbon or aluminium parts and how often you ride. If you want to keep your tyres at pressure quickly and effortlessly, combine your maintenance supplies with a good floor pump from the pump range.

What do you need for good bike maintenance?

What you need depends on which maintenance you want to do yourself, how often you ride and what material your parts are made of. The situations below help you choose the right direction.

You want to do the basic maintenance at home yourself and are looking for a good start: choose a complete tool set with the most commonly used sizes of hex keys, torx keys and a tyre lever. A set covers most jobs such as adjusting the handlebars, saddle and brakes, and is cheaper than buying individual tools separately. Add a chain lubricant and a cloth, and you can carry out most of the regular maintenance yourself.

You want to keep your drivetrain clean and smooth for less wear: choose a chain cleaner, a degreaser and a suitable chain lubricant. A clean, well-lubricated chain runs more quietly, shifts more accurately and lasts much longer together with your cassette and chainrings. Choose a dry lubricant for dusty, dry conditions and a wet lubricant for wet and muddy rides.

You want to fit or replace parts yourself, such as pedals, cassette or bottom bracket: choose the specific tool that goes with that job, such as a pedal wrench, cassette remover or bottom bracket tool. With the right piece of tooling you fit parts the correct way and prevent damage from applying force incorrectly. If you buy new bike pedals, you will need a pedal wrench or hex key to tighten them properly.

You work on carbon parts and want to prevent damage: choose carbon assembly paste and a torque wrench. Carbon assembly paste increases the grip between parts so you can tighten them at a lower torque, which prevents cracks from overloading. This is especially important with a carbon seatpost, stem and handlebars, where overtightening can cause invisible damage.

You want to work on your bike comfortably and at working height: choose a work stand. A stand holds your bike stable at working height so you can let the wheels spin freely and work with both hands. That makes cleaning, adjusting and small repairs a lot easier and is indispensable if you also get your bike ready for a bike trainer or do your own maintenance more often.

You want to replace worn bar tape for fresh grip: choose new bar tape. Bar tape is a consumable that wears out, gets dirty or loses its cushioning over time. Fresh bar tape immediately gives you more grip and comfort on the handlebars, and wrapping it yourself is, with a little patience, a simple job you can do without a workshop.

You want to be able to park your bike safely: choose a suitable lock. For a short stop along the way a light cable lock or folding lock is enough, while for longer parking on the street it is better to choose a heavier lock with a high security rating. Match the weight of the lock to how and where you leave your bike.

Which bike maintenance products are there?

The range consists of a number of clear product groups. Below, briefly per group, when you choose it.

Bike tools and tool sets

Bike tools include individual tools such as hex and torx keys, tyre levers, pedal wrenches and bottom bracket tools, but also complete tool sets and multitools. A set is the logical basis for anyone who wants to work at home: you have the most commonly used sizes to hand all at once. Individual, specific tools are bought for targeted jobs such as replacing a cassette or bottom bracket. A compact multitool is also handy to take along on the road for small adjustments.

Lubricants and chain maintenance

Chain lubricants and chain oil keep your drivetrain smooth and protect against wear and rust. There are dry lubricants for dry, dusty conditions and wet lubricants that stay in place longer in rain and mud. Regular lubrication is the simplest maintenance with the greatest effect on the lifespan of your chain, cassette and chainrings. Always apply lubricant to a clean chain for the best result.

Cleaning agents and degreasers

Cleaners and degreasers remove dirt, old lubricant and caked-on grit from your chain, cassette and frame. A degreaser cleans the drivetrain so that new lubricant adheres properly, and a bike cleaner keeps the rest of your bike fresh without attacking vulnerable bearings and paintwork. Cleaning before lubricating is the step many riders skip, while it is precisely what makes the difference for a smooth, quiet drivetrain.

Assembly paste and grease

Assembly paste and grease ensure a correct, durable assembly of your parts. Carbon assembly paste increases the grip between carbon parts so you can tighten them at a lower torque and prevent overloading. You use grease on threads and in the bearings of aluminium and steel parts to prevent seizing and corrosion. Choosing the right assembly product prevents both creaking and damage during tightening.

Work stands

A work stand holds your bike stable at working height while you do the work. Because the wheels can spin freely, you adjust your gears and brakes accurately and clean the drivetrain easily. For anyone who regularly does their own maintenance, a stand is one of the most comfort-enhancing purchases in the home workshop.

Bar tape and small parts

Bar tape is a consumable that you replace periodically for fresh grip and cushioning on the handlebars. In addition, you will find small parts such as bar end plugs and grips that you replace together with the tape. Fresh bar tape is a cheap upgrade that noticeably improves your comfort on the bike straight away.

Bike locks

With a lock you park your bike safely during a stop or for a longer time. Light cable locks and folding locks are compact and handy for short stops along the way, while heavier locks with a higher security rating offer more protection when parking on the street. Choose the weight of the lock based on the value of your bike and how long you leave it unattended.

What should you look out for when buying?

Individual tools or a complete set

A complete tool set is cheaper and more convenient if you still have little equipment: you have the most commonly used sizes to hand all at once for daily maintenance. Individual, specific tools are bought specifically for a particular job, such as a bottom bracket tool or cassette remover that you only need now and then. Start with a set for the basics and then expand with the specialist tools that suit your bike and jobs.

Compatibility with your bike and parts

Always check whether the tool fits your parts. A bottom bracket, cassette or pedal has a specific size or standard that the matching piece of tooling must connect to. If in doubt, look at which groupset and which type of parts your bike has before buying a specific tool. That way you avoid buying a wrench that does not fit your part.

Carbon or aluminium parts

The material of your parts determines which assembly products you need. With carbon parts you use carbon assembly paste and always tighten to the prescribed torque with a torque wrench, because overtightening causes invisible damage. With aluminium and steel parts you use grease on threads and in bearings against seizing and corrosion. If you work with carbon, a torque wrench is not a needless luxury but a sensible investment.

Type of lubricant: dry or wet

Choose your chain lubricant based on the conditions in which you ride most. A dry lubricant attracts less dirt and is ideal for dry, dusty rides, but has to be reapplied more often. A wet lubricant stays in place longer and protects better in rain and mud, but catches more dirt. Many riders have both at home and switch based on the season and the weather.

Security rating of a lock

With a lock, the balance between weight and security determines your choice. A light cable lock or folding lock is comfortable to take along but mainly offers protection during short stops, while a heavier lock with a recognised security rating offers more resistance during longer parking on the street. Match the weight to the value of your bike and the place where you leave it.

Our advice: start with a complete tool set and a good chain lubricant as a basis, and then expand specifically with the specific tools and maintenance products that suit your bike. If you have carbon parts, buy carbon assembly paste and a torque wrench straight away, because that prevents the most costly damage. Always clean your chain before lubricating and use the lubricant that suits the weather in which you ride, and you will get the most out of every bottle.

Who is bike maintenance suitable for?

• Beginner mechanics who want to learn the basic maintenance themselves, such as lubricating, cleaning and adjusting, and are looking for a complete tool set for that.
• Experienced home mechanics who want specific tools for targeted jobs such as replacing a cassette, bottom bracket or chain.
• Cyclists and triathletes with a carbon bike who want to fit their parts safely and at the right torque with assembly paste and a torque wrench.
• Frequent riders who want to keep their drivetrain clean and lubricated to limit wear on the chain, cassette and chainrings.
• Anyone who wants to save on workshop costs and would rather carry out the regular maintenance themselves and at a fixed time at home.
• Cyclists who want to park their bike safely and are looking for a lock that suits their use and the value of their bike.

Need help with your choice?

Do you want to buy the right bike maintenance products but are you not quite sure yet which tools, lubricant or assembly product best suits your bike? Then we are happy to help you further. You can reach our triathlon specialists by telephone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or drop by our triathlon shop in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about bike maintenance

Which bike tools do I need as a minimum?

For basic maintenance, a set with the most commonly used hex and torx keys, a tyre lever and a chain lubricant is enough. With that you adjust your handlebars, saddle and brakes, replace a tyre and keep your chain smooth. A complete tool set is more convenient and cheaper for this than individual tools. Specific tools such as a bottom bracket tool or cassette remover you buy later once a job calls for it.

How often should I lubricate my chain?

A good guideline is to lubricate your chain as soon as it looks dry or starts to squeak, and always after a ride in the rain. First clean the chain with a cleaner or degreaser and only then apply new lubricant, otherwise you lubricate the dirt along with it. After lubricating, wipe off the excess product so the chain does not attract dirt unnecessarily. Regular lubrication is the simplest maintenance with the greatest effect on lifespan.

What is the difference between dry and wet chain lubricant?

A dry lubricant attracts less dirt and is ideal for dry, dusty conditions, but you have to reapply it more often. A wet lubricant stays in place longer and protects better in rain and mud, but catches more dirt and grit. For most riders it is practical to have both at home and to switch based on the season. Always apply both types to a clean, dry chain.

What do I use carbon assembly paste for?

Carbon assembly paste increases the grip between carbon parts so they do not slip, while you can tighten them at a lower torque. This way you prevent overtightening a carbon seatpost, stem or handlebars, which can cause invisible cracks. Always use the paste in combination with a torque wrench and the torque prescribed by the manufacturer. With aluminium parts you simply use grease instead.

Do I need a work stand to maintain my bike?

A work stand is not an obligation, but makes almost every maintenance job easier. Because your bike stands stable at working height and the wheels spin freely, you adjust your gears and brakes more accurately and clean the drivetrain more easily. For anyone who regularly does their own work, it is one of the most comfort-enhancing purchases. For occasional small maintenance you can manage perfectly well without one, but you work less easily that way.

Which bike lock is best to choose?

That depends on how and where you leave your bike. For short stops along the way a light cable lock or folding lock is handy because it is compact and easy to take along. If you leave your bike longer or on the street, choose a heavier lock with a recognised security rating for more protection. Match the weight of the lock to the value of your bike and the risk at the place where you park it.