Three simple checks to make before hopping on your bike. For a more enjoyable ride and, above all, to make cycling your favourite way to get around.
Struggling to pedal, feeling unsafe, riding with underinflated tyres, not shifting gears and having a dirty chain can all discourage us from using our bikes every day. In fact, just three (plus one!) simple but essential checks are all it takes to make sure your bike is safe and in good condition.
Here's everything you need to know before hopping on your bike… and never wanting to get off!
A for ADJUSTMENT.
Two feet on the ground? One is enough! Otherwise, you're putting unnecessary strain on your knees.
Being able to place both feet on the ground may make us feel safer, but it can actually be counterproductive for both pedalling efficiency and our joints. So, how do you find the right saddle height?
Let your heel be the guide by following these four simple steps:
Your heel will decide, following these 4 steps:
1. Lean your bike against a wall to keep it stable.
2. Rotate the right crank arm downwards until it points straight down, at the 6 o'clock position.
3. Get on your bike and place your heel directly in the centre of the pedal.
4. Straighten your leg.
If your leg is fully extended, the saddle height is correct. If your knee is still too bent or your heel loses contact with the pedal, adjust the saddle up or down accordingly. You can allow yourself about 1 cm of adjustment, but no more, just to feel a little more confident.
B is for BAR.
Never ride with underinflated tyres. It's just unnecessary hard work.
Before getting on your bike, it's always a good idea to press your thumb against the tyre to get a quick idea of its pressure.
But how much should you inflate your tyres? The answer is right there on the tyres themselves: the minimum and maximum recommended pressures are printed on the sidewall.
Remember, though, that wider tyres generally require lower pressure, and your body weight also makes a difference: lighter riders can get away with slightly lower pressure!
One last tip: tyres are sensitive to temperature changes. So, whenever the seasons change, make sure to check their pressure. For their sake and yours!
C is for CHAIN and CHANGING GEARS.
Keep your legs spinning smoothly: shift gears and keep your chain lubricated..
Cycling should be a pleasure. After all, what's the point if you're not having fun? That's why it's always a good idea to make full use of your bike's gears.
Start in fourth gear on flat roads, shift down towards first gear when climbing hills, and move back up into higher gears when going downhill.
This will help you ride smoothly and effortlessly, provided your chain is clean and properly lubricated with a dedicated chain oil (one of our top recommendations is Dr. Bike).
And now, with these simple ABC checks in mind, all that's left to do is hop on your bike and discover just how wonderful cycling can be!
