Lubrication of the bicycle. Lubrication of the wheel, rear hub, fork, bicycle bearings

To ensure that the bicycle has been faithful and true to its owner for many decades, the owner of the bike must periodically lubricate all mechanisms. Priority should be paid to running gear - parts that are responsible for the movement of a two-wheeled horse.

Types of lubricants

What grease lubricate the bike? Currently, there is a wide variety of products that can be used to lubricate various bicycle driving mechanisms.

1. Liquid oils are the lubrication of a bicycle that is suitable for the care of all categories of chains, braking and damping systems. Thanks to the liquid structure effectively envelop the treated areas, ensuring the smooth functioning of the bicycle parts for a long time.
2. Aerosols - ideal for lubricating threads, switches, cables.
3. A plastic type of grease - is used when it is necessary to seal various joints.
4. Lubricants with lithium content - a special type of grease with a whole mass of additional components.
5. Lubricants with calcium - belong to the category of plastic substances. Designed to care for all kinds of nodes and connections.

Preparation of a bicycle

Many experienced cyclists believe that after every serious trip, and even more so before the planned lubrication of the main mechanisms, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive cleaning of the bike from pollution. This allows to significantly extend the life of the defining units of a two-wheeled friend and to keep it attractive.

Currently, the market is simply overflowing with special means in the form of liquids for cleaning bicycles. Most of them eats dirt and cleans the bicycle parts in a matter of minutes, after which they are easily washed off the surfaces.

However, it is not necessary to resort to additional costs for the purchase of cleaning fluids. The expected effect can easily be obtained using ordinary hot water and shampoo. Alternatively, you can use the most gentle means for washing dishes with low salt content.

Bicycle fork lubrication

Lubrication of the bearings located in the front fork must be done using oils of relatively thick consistency. Due to the high likelihood of contamination of the lower bearing of the sports fork or mountain bike with dust due to the presence of an impressive gap, it is recommended to perform the procedure quite often (several times a month). However, the lubrication of the fork of a city bicycle, which is used in a gentle mode, is not an obligatory procedure.

Carriage

As in the previous case, the nodal mechanism of the bicycle carriage is greased with thick substances. Initially, a thick grease is abundantly laid in the carriage even at the time of assembly of the bike. As for the care of racing bicycle models, the carriage is treated exclusively with liquid lubricants.

Lubrication of the rear bushing of the bicycle

Lubrication of bearings of the rear hub is performed no more than once a month. For this purpose, it is advisable to use liquid oils, which are poured into the hub mechanism by only a few drops.

If we talk about the lubrication of brake systems in the bushes, then it is necessary to perform such actions very carefully, so as not to damage anything. These elements are lubricated by machine or bone oil, common with the care of sewing machines. This will be enough to lubricate the wheel of the bicycle was considered complete.

It should be noted that the processing of bushings with excessive amounts of oil is fraught with the appearance of the effect of stalling during movement. In addition, the lubricant leaking from the bush will collect dirt on the surface of the mechanism in the form of fine debris and road dust. This, in turn, can lead to premature wear of parts. Therefore, the lubricant for the bicycle bearings must be applied wisely.

Switches

Lubricates the switches with liquid types of oils when the bicycle is actively operated at a frequency several times during the week. Switches of sports models of bicycles, which are used for long distance driving, are recommended to lubricate before each next trip.

Cables for shifting and braking

Carrying out the cables for braking and switching can be done both with the use of conventional liquid oils and all kinds of aerosols. To effectively lubricate this element is a small amount of oil, literally drops. And only the inlet and outlet openings of the elements are lubricated, through which the cables pass.

Chain

The most effective means for chain lubrication is liquid synthetic oil. It is not necessary to lubricate the inner surfaces of the chain rollers, because such actions do not in fact entail any practical sense. Instead, it is recommended that the outer sides of the links be treated with oil on both sides. Coping with the task is convenient, having a lubricating oil can with a thin finish.

Once the lubrication of the bicycle here is complete, it is necessary to scroll the gears and gently wipe the outer surface of the chain with a dry patch of cotton material.

Depreciation system

To lubricate the front fork, it is enough to fill a conventional medical syringe with liquid oil. The procedure allows the lubricant to be poured under the protective plastic caps that are in the upper part of the legs of the shock absorber.

The rear shock absorber is also treated with a liquid consistency oil. When choosing the correct lubricant for the maintenance of the front and rear shock absorber system, there should be absolutely no problems.

Pedals

To lubricate the bicycle was considered complete, it is necessary to process the pedals. For this, the components of the pedals must first be disassembled:

• A cap that protects the pedal nut is removed;
• The nuts are unscrewed, and then the lock washers are removed and the cone is removed;
• The bearings are removed and the pedals are removed from the axles.

Then the details of the pedals are thoroughly washed in kerosene, then they are wiped with a rag. Once all the components of the pedal mechanism have dried out, they are lubricated with liquid oils. At the end, the pedals are assembled in the reverse sequence and installed.

In conclusion

As soon as the lubrication of the bicycle is performed, it is recommended to sit on the bike, click all the gears, evaluate the operation of the switches, check the reliability of the brake systems. It is necessary to remove excess oil from the treated bicycle mechanisms. Outside, the oil should not be visible anywhere, and the more so the lubricant should not lie in a dense layer or drip off the bicycle parts.

In the end, you can polish the bicycle with special polishes for paint and varnish products. This will not only give the bike a spectacular sheen, but also provide protection against the settling of dirt and dust on the mechanisms.

Having completed the whole complex of the above procedures, you can consider the planned maintenance of the bicycle systems complete. Clean, noiseless rolling, and most importantly - a reliable bike always brings only positive emotions to its owner.