Bicycle Repair Basics

Basic Bike Repairs Every Cyclist Should Know

Bike repair knowledge has gotten complicated with all the specialized tools and techniques flying around. As someone who stood on the side of the road for 45 minutes my first year of cycling because I didn’t know how to fix a flat, I learned everything there is to know about staying independent on the road.

Car after car drove by. Eventually learned that lesson – knowing basic repairs isn’t optional if you want to ride independently.

The Tools Worth Carrying

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. My saddle bag has: hex keys (4, 5, 6mm cover most bikes), tire levers, a spare tube, a mini pump, and a patch kit as backup. Takes up barely any space and handles 90% of roadside problems.

At home, I keep a floor pump with gauge, a chain tool, basic wrenches, and some chain lube. Nothing fancy – just functional stuff that gets the job done.

Fixing Flats

This is the one repair every cyclist must know. Practice it at home before you need it on the road.

Remove the wheel, use tire levers to get the tire off one side. Pull out the tube, find the hole (inflate slightly and listen or dunk in water). Either patch it or swap for a fresh tube. Getting the tire back on is usually the hard part – start opposite the valve and work around with your hands, not tools.

Check the tire for whatever caused the flat before reinstalling. Running your fingers around the inside finds glass or thorns hiding in there.

Adjusting Brakes

Rim brakes: the pads should hit the rim squarely, not rubbing the tire or dropping below the rim. The barrel adjuster on your brake lever handles minor cable tension adjustments – turn it out to tighten, in to loosen.

Disc brakes usually just need the wheel seated properly. If you get rubbing, the caliper might need realignment – loosen the mounting bolts, squeeze the lever to center it, and retighten while holding the lever.

Keeping the Chain Happy

A dry, squeaky chain is slow and wears out fast. Lube it every few hundred miles or after wet rides. Apply lube to the rollers while backpedaling, let it sit for a minute, then wipe off the excess. The lube belongs inside the chain, not coating the outside.

Chains stretch over time. A chain checker tool tells you when it’s done. Replacing a worn chain is cheaper than replacing the cassette and chainrings it’ll destroy if you wait too long.

Fixing Shifting Problems

Nine times out of ten, shifting issues come from cable tension. If the chain won’t shift to larger cogs, the cable is too loose – turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise. If it won’t shift to smaller cogs, it’s too tight.

Make small adjustments – quarter turns – and test. Patience beats frustration here.

Chain Drops

Chain came off? Shift to the small chainring and small cog, lift the rear wheel, and guide the chain back on while rotating the cranks. Takes ten seconds once you’ve done it a few times.

If it keeps happening, your limit screws or derailleur alignment might need attention.

Wheel Wobbles

Minor wheel truing isn’t as scary as it seems. Flip your bike over, spin the wheel, and watch where it wobbles. Tighten the spokes on the opposite side of the wobble, loosen on the wobble side. Quarter turns, small adjustments.

Major truing or replacing spokes – that’s shop territory unless you want to invest in learning wheel building.

When to Go to a Shop

Anything involving headsets, bottom brackets, or wheel building beyond minor truing – I take those to a mechanic. Same with hydraulic brake bleeding or suspension service. Some repairs need special tools and expertise.

No shame in knowing your limits. The goal is staying on the road, not becoming a bike mechanic (unless you want to).

The Learning Curve

That’s what makes basic repairs endearing to us cyclists who’ve figured them out. Every repair feels intimidating until you’ve done it once. Watch a YouTube video, try it at home, mess it up, figure it out. That’s how everyone learns.

The confidence that comes from knowing you can handle problems on the road changes how you ride. No more worrying about flats or minor mechanicals. Just you and the bike, figuring it out.