Dutch Bikes

Looking After My Dutchie

All bicycles need regular check-ups to keep them safe to ride and looking great.

Most cycle dealers will give good advice and carry out professional maintenance at reasonable prices. We recommend you have your bicycle checked by your local bicycle shop at least once a year.

The guide below is designed to help you deal with everyday jobs, but some are best left to your local bicycle shop or a cycling professional, and this guide is by no means definitive.

By following this simple guide your Dutchie will give you years of enjoyable cycling.

Check

Daily

• Funny noise — what is causing it?
• Brakes — are they working properly? 3
• If you are going to ride in the dark — are both lamps working brightly? Reflectors clean? 1

Weekly

• Tyres — are they hard enough? Are they working properly? 2

Monthly

• Nuts and bolts — are any loose, especially mudguards, brakes, carriers? 4+9
• Wheels — do they run true? Are any spokes loose or damaged? 5
• Chain — is it worn, rusty or damaged? (Viewed from far side) 6Brake cables — are they fraying? 7
• Hub gears — can you get all the gears? 8
• Hubs, headset, bottom bracket — are they too stiff or loose? 9-11
• Frame — have the frame, forks, handlebars, crank, pedals been bent or damaged? Check all assemblies are tight and secure.

Lubricate / Clean

Weekly

• Chain (accessed from far side) 6
• Clean lamps, reflectors (including pedal reflectors) 1

Monthly

• Gear cables 8
• Brake cables 7
• Pedals 12Hubs 10
• Bottom bracket 9
• Clean paint and metalwork (gently with soap and water)

Yearly

Dismantle, clean and re-grease: (These jobs are best done at a bike shop)

• Bottom bracket 9
• Hubs 10Headset 11