Depending on how much bike riding you do, you need to clean and lubricate your bicycle's chain regularly. All parts wear out, so eventually you need to replace the chain and the gears it meshes with. You also need to be aware of the condition of the brake pads, so you can replace them when they become worn. A fitness rider who goes on 50-mile excursions or longer week in and week out might need a new chain once a year, and new brake pads more often than that. Casual recreational riders can usually go several years on the chain that comes with the bike, but brake pads, typically made of hard rubber, wear out more easily and should be replaced when they look like an eraser worn down to a nub.
What to Look for
Unless you have great confidence in your bike-fixing skill, have a pro mechanic at a neighborhood bike shop inspect your components for wear and tear once a year. One sign of a worn chain is when the gears do not shift cleanly, or the bike feels as if it is in between gears after you shift. Most bike shops recommend changing the rear cassette of gears at the same time that you replace a worn chain. A new chain costs from $25 to $75, depending on brand, length and kind of material. Most chains are made of nickel-plated steel. More expensive chains have hollowed-out parts to save a few grams of weight. Preserve your chain during the year by using solvent and a rag to clean it and then spray on a lubricant. Periodically inspect both front and rear brakes to make sure they meet the rim of your wheels evenly. A new set of brake pads costs under $10.
Common Pitfalls
Especially when you take your bike out for the first time after months of inactivity, it is important to have all the parts in good working order. Don't ride with a rusty chain. Brake pads start with grooves in them; when the grooves disappear, it is time for new pads, as Jim Langley, a former Bicycling Magazine technical editor who maintains a useful website, points out. A full tune-up at a reliable bike shop, which costs from $30 to $100, pays for itself in peace of mind. If you are concerned about the chain slipping, or the brakes either rubbing when they should not be touching a rim, or wearing down, spend the money for a professional replacement job. When asking for a tune-up, request that the shop provide you with the old parts; that is how you know that frayed or stretched cables (which connect your brake levers to the brakes themselves) as well as complete brake shoes or just the pads, chains and gear cassettes have been replaced.
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