bike maintenance.qxd - Spinning

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Bike Maintenance
by Jeff Wimmer
Now is the time to get your bikes tuned up and dialed in. Facilities that use a proactive,
preventive maintenance program will incur less downtime and less need for parts
replacement. Check out these helpful tips to get started:
Detailing
One of the most important and often
overlooked aspects of a good maintenance
program is detailing. Although it’s always
helpful when students wipe down bikes after
class, this can’t be your only approach to
keeping bikes clean.
A facility with an active Spinning® program
should ensure bikes are wiped down every day
and cleaned thoroughly at least twice a week.
With an absorbent cloth, focus on wiping
painted and hardware areas and anyplace perspiration has settled. Dabbing bike polish on
painted areas can also facilitate this process. Make sure you occasionally detail bikes upside
down to prevent rusting and corrosion. And don’t forget: When starting a procedure on a
group of bikes, don’t stop that procedure until it is completed on each one. Your members
will feel fantastic about getting on a clean, shiny Spinner!
Handlebar and Seat Adjustments
Before any Spinning class, the first thing members usually do is adjust the seat and
handlebars. Therefore, you’ll want to keep the inside frames of handlebars and seats
lubricated for ease of adjustment. To wipe down these parts, use a spray bottle with a
disinfectant and clean rag. And don’t skip the handlebar wipe down—handlebars are most
notorious for rusting. Be sure to keep this area cleaned and lubed.
Water Bottle Holders
When a member gets on a bike, eager for class to start and finds a broken water bottle cage
it’s frustrating. If it’s corroded and unsanitary it’s even worse. Because this area is inundated
with sweat and water, the connection point between the bottle cage and frame will
frequently loosen and corrode. Also, if the water bottle cage is loose or rattling, the connector
screws may need tightening.
Saddles
This key component of the bike should always be in excellent working order. If a seat is
cracked, broken or just plain uncomfortable, replace it immediately. A $35 part could cost
you a class participant.

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Pop Pins
Because they cannot be adjusted, broken or unusable pop pins can equal an unusable bike.
If necessary, remove corrosion or rust buildup with a small wire brush. After cleaning,
apply a small amount of grease to the threaded area to promote proper mobility.
Following these few maintenance checks will keep issues minimal and riders happy. Check
out the new Ultimate Spinner® Bike Tech Manual (available from Mad Dogg Athletics),
which is a comprehensive “how-to” guide on these helpful tips and many more!
Spinning® Instructor News,July 2003,Volume 7, Issue 6
For more information,
visit www.spinning.com.