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AJ

AJ, is our Boss Of Bikes and he’s kind of a big deal (according to him)! He’s been a bike tech for the past 10 years and has been messing about with bikes since he can remember. He has a keen eye for detail and is very patient and meticulous when fixing bikes. He rides a Riese and Muller UBN 5 almost everywhere with his trusty Vaude panniers and ABUS helmet
We asked AJ to share 5 of his top tips for keeping your bike going this winter. Most of these are achievable even with a basic toolkit and will keep your bike running smoothly through the rain and mud of the British winter.

1. Maintain your Drive Train

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If you have a chain, clean and lubricate it regularly! I know it’s boring and a terrible chore for most people, but it will keep your bike operating much better.  Most chains have ‘missing links’ or ‘quick links’ now. Buy a simple tool to help remove this link and bathe the chain in chain cleaner and rinse, dry and relubricate, wiping off any excess wet lube.
 
Alternatively use the excellent Tru-tension Tungsten E-bike All Weather Lube. This is effectively a dry or wax based lubricant that can be used all year round as it contains chemicals which prevent corrosion. Remember to reapply at least every two weeks and after heavy rain. There is no need to clean your chain at all, as the dirt flakes off with the lubricant, keeping the chain fairly clean, if a little dull looking.
 
If you have a belt drive bike…happy days, just clean with normal bike cleaner when you wash your bike.

2. Check Tyre Pressures

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Check tyre pressures; you don’t want to run super high pressures over the winter as slightly lower pressures can give you more grip and literally be a life saver when riding on wet surfaces, leaves, mud, salt and grit etc. The roads are just more slippery, so adjust your tyres by around 3-5 psi, it really will make a difference. Of course, please remember to check tyre pressures once a week anyway, the number of people I see riding with completely flat tyres is alarming! E-bikes are heavy so require a little more pressure in the tyres than most bikes. Also, check your tyres for wear and debris when you pump them up.

3. Wash Your Bike

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Wash your bike; most people don’t wash their bikes enough, myself included, but your bike will not be happy or work properly if it doesn’t have a clean every now and again, it can even cause damage to the components on your bike.
 
At EDEMO we have seen several Gates belts derailed by dried mud when the owners have left mud to dry from a previous ride and simply just jumped back on. If you’ve been out on a seriously muddy ride, it’s much easier to hose the bike down while it’s still wet than letting it dry and trying to scrape it off. Derailing your belt can lead to it snapping and they are not cheap, but we do try to keep them in stock.

4. Brakes

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Brakes are kind of important over the winter (ha ha) so clean your brake rotors as they will pick up dirt and oil from the wet roads, which can contaminate your brake pads quite easily, especially diesel spray from a puddle. Disc brake cleaner or Isopropyl alcohol is pretty cheap and under pressure, does most of the work for you, simply spray and wipe with some disposable paper. 

If your brake pads do become contaminated by any type of oil, they will honk like a goose. Don’t go online and find out how to clean them, because I’ve tried everything and it doesn’t work and the reduced performance isn’t worth risking your neck for. Chuck your contaminated pads in the bin and replace them. Give us a call and we can get some to you and talk you through the process.

5. Bearings

Ebike motors are great and the bearings in the motor will last a long long time and are very well sealed. But if you’re riding in wet weather through the winter, the bearings in your headtube (headset or steerer) can be affected by corrosion. As can the bearings in your wheel hubs and hub gears. I would recommend just giving them a turn and checking for any roughness or vibration or lateral movement (play).

If you feel anything or unsure, just contact your local bike shop or EDEMO, who will be happy to help. We generally keep headset bearings in stock.

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