Keep your chain on the straight and narrow

Last week I talked about the different noises your bike makes and what they mean. There’s one noise that has nothing to do with maintenance problems.

The sound of metal rubbing against metal when you pedal is your chain grinding against your front derailleur. It’s a good indication that your chain is at a bad angle because of poor gear selection or you have not trimmed your gear selector.

Listen to your bike

Dr Dolittle could talk to the animals and they would talk back. Your bike will talk to you and tell you what needs attention if you learn to hear what it’s saying.

A regular squeak every time you turn the pedals means “I have a dry chain”. Time to clean and lubricate it. Wipe off any excess lubricant so it doesn’t collect dirt and create problems again.

Hear that canary chirp when you change gears? That means “The bushes in my jockey wheels are dry.” This may need a visit to the bike shop because they need to be taken apart to grease them.

Laid back cycling

“I reckon it took me about 20 metres to decide it was a really good way to get around. They’re just so much more comfortable than an upright bike.”

Gillian Wells wasn’t much interested in the recumbents her husband John was talking about when they decided to buy a couple of bikes 13 years ago. One short test ride later she was a convert.

Sharing the road with feathered friends

A thwack on the back of the head with no warning – it must be spring time. The cycling grapevine is already humming with reports of where birds are swooping unsuspecting riders.

Birds swoop to protect their territory, especially when they are nesting. They can take an interest in the area up to 50 m around their nest, which can easily take in cycle paths and roads. Swooping is a scare tactic and one that works rather well! What’s to be done?