Repair guides
Step-by-step procedures for every common maintenance task. Each guide opens with a "Before you start" block telling you the difficulty, what can go wrong, and what you need beyond the basic tools.
Drivetrain
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Measuring Chain Wear
A chain that exceeds wear limits will accelerate cassette and chainring wear. Check every 500–1000 km, more often on e-bikes.
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Chain Cleaning (On the Bike)
Chain Cleaning (On the Bike). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Removal (Quick Link)
Chain Removal (Quick Link). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Removal (Pin-Based, No Quick Link)
Chain Removal (Pin-Based, No Quick Link). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Sizing (New Chain Length)
Chain Sizing (New Chain Length). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Installation (Pressing a Pin)
Chain Installation (Pressing a Pin). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Quick Link Installation
Quick Link Installation. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Cassette Removal
Cassette Removal. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Cassette Installation
Cassette Installation. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Crankset Removal — Hollowtech II / Two-Piece
Crankset Removal — Hollowtech II / Two-Piece. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Crankset Installation — Hollowtech II
Crankset Installation — Hollowtech II. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Bottom Bracket Removal — External Cup (Hollowtech II / GXP / similar)
Bottom Bracket Removal — External Cup (Hollowtech II / GXP / similar). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Bottom Bracket Installation — External Cup
Bottom Bracket Installation — External Cup. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Front Derailleur Setup (Mechanical)
Front Derailleur Setup (Mechanical). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Rear Derailleur Setup (Mechanical)
Rear Derailleur Setup (Mechanical). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Derailleur Hanger Alignment
Derailleur Hanger Alignment. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Shift Cable Replacement
Shift Cable Replacement. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Brakes
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Disc Brake Pad Replacement
Disc Brake Pad Replacement. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Bedding In New Pads
This transfers a thin, even layer of pad material onto the rotor — essential for full braking power.
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Rotor Truing
A bent rotor rubs the pads even with the lever released, creating drag and noise.
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Hydraulic Brake Bleed — Shimano (Mineral Oil)
Hydraulic Brake Bleed — Shimano (Mineral Oil). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Hydraulic Brake Bleed — SRAM (DOT Fluid)
Hydraulic Brake Bleed — SRAM (DOT Fluid). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Hydraulic Hose Shortening
Hydraulic Hose Shortening. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Caliper Alignment (Brake Rub Fix)
Caliper Alignment (Brake Rub Fix). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Mechanical Disc Brake Setup (Avid BB7 / TRP Spyre)
Mechanical Disc Brake Setup (Avid BB7 / TRP Spyre). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Rim Brake Pad Setup (Caliper Brakes)
Rim Brake Pad Setup (Caliper Brakes). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Wheels
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Removing a Wheel
Removing a Wheel. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Tube Replacement (Tubed Tire)
Tube Replacement (Tubed Tire). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Patching a Tube
Patching a Tube. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Tubeless Tire Setup From Scratch
Tubeless Tire Setup From Scratch. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Topping Up Tubeless Sealant
Sealant dries up over 2–6 months depending on climate. Wet climates last longer; dry/hot ones evaporate fast.
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Tubeless Tire Repair (Plug)
Tubeless Tire Repair (Plug). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Wheel Truing — Lateral
Wheel Truing — Lateral. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Wheel Truing — Radial
Wheel Truing — Radial. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Wheel Dish Check
Dish refers to the rim being centered over the hub (not biased to one side).
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Cup-and-Cone Hub Service (Older Shimano)
Cup-and-Cone Hub Service (Older Shimano). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Cartridge Bearing Replacement
Most modern hubs use sealed cartridge bearings. Replacement is a press-fit operation.
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Freehub Body Service (Generic)
Freehub Body Service (Generic). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Cockpit & headset
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Stem Removal & Installation (Standard Threadless)
Stem Removal & Installation (Standard Threadless). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Handlebar Installation (Drop or Flat)
Handlebar Installation (Drop or Flat). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Headset Bearing Replacement
Headset Bearing Replacement. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Crown Race Installation
The crown race is a thin metal ring pressed onto the fork's crown that the lower bearing sits on.
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Bar Tape Wrapping (Drop Bars)
Bar Tape Wrapping (Drop Bars). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Grip Installation/Removal (Flat Bars)
Grip Installation/Removal (Flat Bars). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Seatpost & saddle
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Saddle Installation/Adjustment
Saddle Installation/Adjustment. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Seatpost Installation
Seatpost Installation. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Internally-Routed Dropper Post Installation
Internally-Routed Dropper Post Installation. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Suspension
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Setting Sag (Air Fork)
Sag = how much the suspension compresses under static rider weight, expressed as a percentage of total travel.
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Lower Leg Service (Suspension Fork)
The most important regular suspension service. Recommended every 50–100 hours or annually.
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Air Spring Service
This goes deeper than the lower leg service — accesses the air spring assembly to clean and re-grease internal seals.
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Rear Shock Air Pressure & Sag
Rear Shock Air Pressure & Sag. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Pedals
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Pedal Removal
Pedal Removal. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Pedal Installation
Pedal Installation. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Cleat Installation (Clipless Pedals)
Cleat Installation (Clipless Pedals). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Frame
Cables & housing
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Brake Cable Replacement (Mechanical Rim or Disc Brakes)
Brake Cable Replacement (Mechanical Rim or Disc Brakes). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Hose Cutting (Hydraulic Brakes)
Hose Cutting (Hydraulic Brakes). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Cleaning & lubrication
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Quick Post-Ride Cleaning (5 minutes)
Quick Post-Ride Cleaning (5 minutes). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Weekly Full Wash (15–25 minutes)
Weekly Full Wash (15–25 minutes). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Drivetrain Deep Clean (Monthly)
Drivetrain Deep Clean (Monthly). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Lubrication
Chain Lubrication. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Chain Waxing (Hot Wax or Drip Wax)
Chain Waxing (Hot Wax or Drip Wax). Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
Inspection
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Setting Up a Repair Stand
Setting Up a Repair Stand. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Organizing Your Workspace
1. **Lay out a parts tray** before starting any job. Magnetic trays save you from lost spring clips and tiny pinch bolts. 2. **Keep tools within arm's...
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Torque Wrench: How to Use One Correctly
A torque wrench is only as good as the technique behind it.
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Cable Cutter Technique
1. **Position the cutter close to the desired cut point** with the cable supported on both sides. 2. **Squeeze with one firm motion.** Multiple...
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The "M-Check" (Pre-Ride, 60 seconds)
Walk the bike through the letter M shape, checking each point:
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Pre-Ride ABCD
Pre-Ride ABCD. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.
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Post-Ride Routine
1. **Glance at the chain** — re-lube if it ran in wet conditions. 2. **Check tires for cuts or embedded debris** — pull anything visible out before it...