If you have an exercise bike in your home gym (or are contemplating purchasing one) then you might know all the tips and tricks in order to keep your investment in tip-top shape for years to come. Or maybe you don’t, and that’s okay too! It can be confusing and overwhelming to know just what to do and when to do it to keep your exercise machine running smoothly for the long haul.
Maintenance on an exercise bike is essential, and will ensure that your purchase gives you plenty of miles to help you reach your fitness goals. But how often do you need to do certain tasks? Thankfully, that’s what we’ll be looking at today – maintenance tips to keep your bike running like new. Let’s dive in and see what you can do daily, weekly, and even monthly in order to keep your bike in tip-top shape for all of your rides.
Daily Maintenance Tips
While it might seem obvious, one of the best things you can do for your bike daily is to wipe it down after using it, removing any sweat you may see within the pedals, handlebars, seat, and even the crevices in between. It’s incredible how sweat, water, and oil from our bodies can begin to corrode the pieces of an exercise bike soon after use, so the faster you can wipe it down, the better.
There are several different products you can use to clean your bike, but a general antibacterial spray should be fine. If you don’t want an actual antibacterial spray from the store, you can always make your own spray with water and vinegar. Regardless of what you use to clean your bike, it’ll deter corrosion. Wipe with a microfiber cloth to dry.
Weekly Maintenance Tips
Weekly tune-ups on your exercise bike can help prolong the life of your pedals, brakes, and general hardware. But this weekly timing/inspection of moving parts will vary, depending on just how often you ride. Incorporating a weekly check of certain items isn’t a bad idea if you are on your bike regularly.
A few of the main things to watch are the pedals and the seat. Take a look at both, and make sure they aren’t wobbly or loose. If so, retighten as needed. The pins surrounding the frame might need a bit of lubrication as well, so that would be a great weekly habit to begin to ensure that threads don’t strip out over time.
Monthly Maintenance Tips
Monthly checkups will again vary in occurrence based on how often you use your exercise bike. However, if you are frequently riding, it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate these maintenance items to keep your bike in tip-top shape.
For one, ensure that you are lubricating everything that requires it – posts, nuts, bolts, the brake tension rod, and even the chain if your bike has one. Before you lubricate everything, though, ensure that you thoroughly inspect the entire cycle to make sure pieces aren’t missing or loose before adding proper lubricant.
Some people choose to do a full inspection (done by a bike tech professional) once every year or so, and they get into the nitty-gritty details of your exercise bike. This inspection can include the bearings, any high friction areas, and general maintenance and can be done to help increase your exercise bike’s lifespan. If you keep up with the weekly and monthly maintenance yourself, you might find that your bike will last a long time – keeping up with you and your fitness goals for a lifetime!
