General Notes

• Most bikes use metric bolts, so don’t use English wrenches. Old Schwinns are an exception.
• Keep your chain well oiled and your tires properly inflated. WD-40 is a degreaser and water displacer, not a chain oil.
• Don’t leave your bike outside if you can avoid it. Rain and morning dew will quickly ruin any steel parts (chain, gears, bearing surfaces, cables, etc.).
• Pedals are NOT self tightening, loose ones are self stripping.
• Dish soap is a great degreaser.
• Small bolts are easy to ruin with the wrong size wrench. Use a socket or box end wrench whenever possible.
• Most parts are held on by 1 or 2 bolts; make sure they’re tightened properly.
• Rubbing wet aluminum foil on slightly rusty chrome works wonders.
• Don’t use a hammer.
• Youtube is your friend.

Quick Release:

• Higher quality bikes often use quick release levers to secure the wheels and/or seatpost. The lever screws into a nut, and then flips closed to put lots of pressure on the frame. For most quick releases, screw the lever into the nut until the lever can be closed with resistance starting at the halfway mark. The lever should not be too hard to fully close, nor too loose. Unscrewing the nut will make the lever easier to close, but reduce the clamping force. Tightening the nut does the opposite.

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