Prevention is often the best way to avoid problems, and the best way to avoid a mechanical failure on the track is to have a safety check of your bike before you set off. But despite our best efforts and careful preparation, the unexpected element of the ride was inevitable. When it happens, your ride will go much better if you master emergency repair skills on the road.
Here are a few common mechanical failures that you can encounter when riding outdoors, and we’ve shared some quick fixes for them.
Carry the right tool kit
There are countless multi-tools on the market, but it’s best to choose a combination tool with a sniping function. Because the broken chain is also the worst situation that you don’t want to encounter, it usually happens when you are climbing a hill and shifting gears. Although this phenomenon is relatively rare, it cannot be ruled out. Be ready to use the right tools to repair it at any time. Your ride is more enjoyable.
waste utilization
Tubeless sealant is great at preventing small punctures from delaying your ride, but cuts larger than a quarter inch usually require the use of a tube and a tire protector. If you simply install the tube without covering the torn sidewall, soon the tube will bulge out of the cut and you will be greeted with another puncture.
So the used energy gel and energy bar wrappers come in handy at this time, which not only avoids littering, but also acts as tire filler, and of course, you can also use some hay on the road. Fill up the inside of the tire and directly replace the inner tube, and there is no problem with the transition.
Puff correctly
It is best to carry a spare inner tube for outdoor riding, otherwise the return trip may waste more time when encountering a punctured tire. Having a spare tube is all about pumping skills. Many people will lean the wheel against their thigh and pump like crazy. While it works, it puts too much pressure on the valve stem and increases the chance of damage. Try putting the wheel against the ground and using a log or rock as support to align the pump head with the valve. Not only does this relieve the pressure on the valve stem, it also provides a solid surface when inflating the tire.
Use the screws on your bike smartly
What should you do when you find that the cleat screw of the lock shoe is missing in the wilderness? Don’t panic, the screws on the disc will help a lot at this point. You can remove one of the six screws on the disc, as there are 5 screws left that are safe enough for the return trip to end.
While it’s not recommended, World Cup-level players have also been using incomplete disc screws for years, and they are for the marginal effect of saving weight on the entire bike. Downhillers like Steve Peat also use only three disc screws.
Cushion rail fixed
What to do when the rail of the seat cushion accidentally breaks. If this is the case, a cable tie can be used to keep the body of the saddle in a workable position until the end of the ride. Where they need to be placed depends on the design of the seat, but this will work in most cases.
What to do with a broken spoke
What to do if you break a spoke while riding? Don’t panic, still riding, you can wrap the spokes around the adjacent spokes to prevent them from damaging the frame as the wheel turns. If you have spare tape, you can also use tape to fix it.