Recently I asked the Femme Cyclist community what their biggest challenge was as it relates to cycling. One of the most frequent answers? Bike maintenance.From total beginners to seasoned riders, weve discovered that many folks dont know how or are intimidated by the idea of working on their own bike. The good news is that bikes are actually pretty simple machines.You dont have to be an incredibly mechanically-minded person to work on your bike. (Im certainly not).Bike maintenance skills are something that you can learn (and get good at!) with a little practice, some lessons, and the right tools. In this article, we share the what and how: what you should know, what tools you need, and how to gain bike maintenance skills.But first.Why You Should Learn To Work On Your BikeIts cheaper than taking it to a bike shop.Youll be able to keep it in tip-top shape so it runs smoothly and doesnt need expensive repairs later.Youre less likely to get stuck on the side of the road or trail if you know to do simple fixes. Its empowering. It feels good to know how your bike works and how to fix it.In This ArticleThings To Check Before Each Ride (ABCs)Bike Maintenance Everyone Should Know How To DoBike Maintenance Classes And ClinicsBike Maintenance VideosBooks & Other ResourcesBike ToolsThings To Check Before Each Ride (ABCs)The bike community has developed a clever acronym to help you remember what to check before each ride. ABCs stand for Air, Brakes, Chain.Every time you go for a bike ride, you should check these things first.A Is For AirCheck your tire pressure. If your tires are too low you could pinch flat (its never fun having a flat tire), or even crash.The ideal tire pressure for your bike depends on the type of bike, the terrain, and your weight. Always check the sidewall of your tire for the manufacturers recommended pressure range and adjust based on your riding style and conditions.Initially, I recommend using a guage to check your tire pressure. This might be built into the pump youre using, or you can use a separate hand held tire gauge. As you become more comfortable with your bike, youll be better able to determine if you have enough air pressure without even using a gauge. In this case, squeeze the sidewalls of your tire. The tire should feel firm and not too squishy. You can also put your weight on the bike and look at the tire. Does it look low? Is the rim close to the ground? If so, add air! If you need a little help on pumping up your tires, our post/video on using a pump will help. B Is For Brakes Squeeze your front and then your rear brake lever to make sure they are working properly. If your levers are pulling to the bar, or they arent engaging the brakes, then its time to service them.You could also take a quick spin around the parking lot or driveway. Pick a couple of obstacles and try to stop before you get to them. Its better to discover that your brakes arent working well while youre still close to home or to your car, then out on the trail or open road. C is For ChainIs your chain cleaned and lubed? If not, make sure to give it a quick wipe down and lube before you take off. I like to wipe and lube my chain before every ride and give it a deeper cleaning once a month (or more often if riding in muddy or dirty conditions). Bonus: Quick-ReleasesIn addition to the ABCs, I think you should also always check your quick-releases. If you have quick-release skewers on your wheels, make sure they are tightened and firmly closed. Its also not a bad idea to check the quick-release on your seatpost collar. Theres nothing worse than having your seat slowly sink downward.Bike Maintenance Tasks You Should LearnTasks that are bold are things that I believe you should learn right away. All other items can be learned over time as you gain experience and confidence.TiresCheck your tire pressurePump up a tireFix a flatAdd sealant (if running tubeless tires)Use a tubeless plug (if running tubeless tires)Replace worn tiresWheelsCheck your wheel for loose spokes True & tension wheelsBrakesCheck pads for wearChange brake padsBleed brakes (if hydraulic)Replace cables & housingDrivetrainClean your drivetrain and lube your chain *Inspect & tighten cranksetCheck your drivetrain for wearFix a broken chainReplace a chainReplace a cassette Replace chain ringsReplace cables & housingReplace a bottom bracketFork And Shock (On Mountain Bikes)Set and adjust air pressure *Service suspension sealsClean and grease suspension pivotsReplace shock oilOtherReplace grips or bar tapeCheck and tighten bolts *Service dropper post (on mountain bike) Add, replace, or swap out pedals *Bike Maintenance Classes And ClinicsOne of the best ways to learn bicycle maintenance is directly from a professional. You can do this by taking a class or clinic.Ive listed some popular classes below, but chances are a local bike shop or continuing education organization near you offers classes as well. We recommend reaching out to your local womens bike club or organization to ask if they know of any classes.You can also try googling bike maintenance class near me.REI bike maintenance classes (all over the U.S.)Park Tool School (all over)United Bicycle Institute (Ashland, Oregon worth traveling to)Bike Maintenance VideosIf you cant go to an in-person bike maintenance clinic, then the next best thing is watching YouTube videos. Of course, you can always just do a Youtube search for the skill you want to learn, but here are some of our go-to channels:Femme Cyclist (thats us!)Park ToolBike Shop GirlBooks And Other ResourcesYears ago (before the internet was a helpful resource), I learned everything I know about bike maintenance by reading books. Here are a couple of invaluable ones.Zinn And The Art Of Mountain Bike Maintenance*Zinn And The Art Of Road Bike Maintenance*Park Tool Big Blue Book Of Bicycle Maintenance*Bike Tools You Should Have On HandIts time to start building your arsenal of bike tools. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can go ahead and buy a pre-made kit, but that can be spendy. Another option is just to buy tools as you go, and over time youll amass quite the collection.Basic Tools To Get StartedAt a minimum we recommended having these basic tools. Allen wrench setChain lube and cleanerChain brush (or toothbrush)Rags (you can use old t-shirts)Tire levers (do yourself a favor and invest in steel-core ones)Spare tube(s)Tube patch kitFloor pump with gaugePedal wrenchWork stand (ok, this one isnt mandatory but it sure makes life a lot easier)Shock pump (if you have a mountain bike)GreaseA work stand isnt requiredbut it makes working on your bike A LOT easier. Tools To Collect With TimeCrescent wrenches (6 to 12mm)Needle-nose pliersBleed kit and oil(if you have hydraulic disc brakes, specific to your brand)Rotor truing toolTorque wrench Screwdrivers (multiple sizes of flat-head and Phillips)Cable cuttersChain toolChain pliersChain wear indicator gaugeCassette lockring removerChain whipCrank puller (make sure to get the right one for your bike)Bottom bracket tool (make sure to get the right one for your bike)Truing standCone wrenches (13, 15, and 17mm)Spoke wrenchSpoke tension gaugeDish toolAir compressor Derailleur alignment gaugeMore Stuff You Might LikeOur How-To Guides and Tips19 Different Types of Bikes And How to Pick The Best For YouSuspension Set Up And Maintenance With Faith Mata From Jenson USAAbout The AuthorKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@femme_cyclistThe post Your Guide To Bike Maintenance appeared first on Femme Cyclist.