Bike Maintenance

Bike Maintenance

*Please note that you should work 100% within your capability in bike maintenance. If you are not confident in any of the below, do not attempt on a camper's personal bike. After doing any maintenance, all components of a bike should be re-checked by the instructor before use (brakes, gears, seats, wheels, etc.).

How long it will take: This activity could take 1-2 hours of completed at once. It can also be broken up into small sections over a number of days. Teachable moments while biking can be the most effective way of sharing this skill set, keep an eye out for opportunities to teach about bike maintenance on trail rides. There are also 2 parts to this lesson can be used in conjunction or independently.

What the goal is: Campers will be able to preform simple at home bike maintenance and troubleshoot issues on the trail.

What the objectives are: Campers will gain an appreciation for keeping their bikes in good working order, learning specific skills that they can do under the guidance of a knowledgeable adult.

What you'll need: All participating campers should have bikes, tubes for all tire sizes, a bike repair kit (provided by Avid)

What you'll do:

Parts of the Bike Relay (part 1, optional)

Start the lesson by reviewing the parts of the bike. This can be set up as a relay race with the starting point at a set distance from a bike and all campers lined up to take turns. The instructor calls out parts of the bike and the camper first in line races as quickly as possible to point to that part on the staged bike before returning to the end of the line (campers in line can help direct the camper to the correct part). Keep it simple for younger kids (handlebars, front wheel, rim, seat, etc.) and increase in difficulty for older kids (derailleur, brake pads or disc brakes, fork, cross bar, etc.).

Variations:

1. Campers all participate in one team with a time goal or repeat to beat their previous time (best with 2-3 campers)

2. Campers form 2 teams and compete against each other with each team scoring a point for touching the correct part first (best with 4 campers)

3. For a single camper, make it a little more challenging and challenge them to beat their first time on a second round.

At Home or On-the-Trail Bike Maintenance (part 2, optional)

If possible, use teachable moments on the trail to break up the lesson, although campers really excited about bike maintenance may enjoy a holistic lesson.

Reminder again to only work within your scope. Do not do major adjustments (brakes, gears, etc.) unless you are confident in your ability to do so safely.

• Changing a Flat: Before modeling changing a flat, be sure you have appropriately sized spare tubes. Do not use the spare tube initially, but pinch flats are a common occurrence after changing a tire and having a spare, especially if out on trail, is necessary. First, model on the instructor bike how to change a tube and then monitor campers as they work on their bikes. CLICK HERE to watch a video as a reminder on how to change a tire tube.

  • • • Have an appropriately sized spare tube

      • Have a bike pump with the appropriate attachment (presta vs schrader)

      • Be careful not to damage parts of the camper's bike

      • If it is a real flat, model how to patch first

• Adjusting Brakes: Explain the difference between cantilever and disc brakes.

  • • • How to tell if brakes need adjusting (distance from the handle bar, under or over braking with squeezing)

      • Unless you are very skilled, keep brake adjustments to the cables at the handle brakes. CLICK HERE for a short refresher. Remember brakes that are too responsive can be just as dangerous as brakes that are too loose! You must double check brakes after adjusting.

• Adjusting Gears & Derailleur: CLICK HERE to watch a short refresher video. Do not adjust gears if you are not confident in your abilities.

• Replacing a Dropped Chain: CLICK HERE to watch a short refresher video. You should feel confident in this skill as part of trail riding.

• Adjusting Quick Releases on Wheels & Seat Post: Be sure to double check that the wheel is properly connected before riding if adjustments have been made.

• Other Maintenance You Are Confident In!: Remember, none of this is mandatory and please work within your scope of knowledge and ability. If you know more, great! If not, there is no need to fiddle with camper bikes.