| I met with one of my new triathlon clients recently and | | | | 4. Eye protection. He didn't have a pair of sunglasses |
| noticed 7 things during a quick 5 minutes review of his | | | | or other eye protection. It is imperative to have your |
| triathlon bike (this was after I begged him to bring his | | | | eyes protected, not just from the sun but from a 50 |
| bike to one of his swim training sessions). Hopefully | | | | mph rock or insect. Not only can these cause |
| you can learn from these 7 issues: | | | | discomfort, but they can lead to a wreck with another |
| 1. Basic triathlon bike maintenance. The first thing I | | | | cyclist or even worse a vehicle. This is just as |
| noticed was his chain - it was rusty. Six drops of chain | | | | important as a bike helmet (you've got your bike |
| lube could have prevented this rust. Beginner triathletes | | | | helmet right?) |
| often know little about basic bicycle maintenance. The | | | | 5. Tire pressure. His tire pressure was about half the |
| chain should be cleaned when dirty and lubricated. | | | | recommended pressure. Check the sidewall of your |
| Your local bike shop can give you some great | | | | tire - it will give you the recommended pressure range. |
| suggestions about cleaning solutions and lubricants you | | | | Get a nice floor pump with a pressure gauge so you |
| can use on your triathlon bike. | | | | can fill your tires properly before you ride. Properly filled |
| 2. Brakes rubbing. The second thing I noticed was his | | | | tires create less rolling resistance - and let you ride |
| front brake was rubbing the wheel. This was mainly | | | | faster with less effort. But be careful not to overfill |
| due to the fact that the bike was transported loose in | | | | your tire - that is another good way to get a flat. |
| the back of a pickup truck. The first rule is to secure | | | | 6. Learn how to fix a flat. Please don't be one of those |
| your bike if you are carrying it in your vehicle (a rubber | | | | triathletes whose flat repair kit is a cell phone (and you |
| mat if it must lay flat in the car - a bike rack is better). | | | | will get a flat). Watch the video above where I show |
| Second, always check your brakes before you start | | | | you the proper way to fix a bike flat. |
| your ride (especially if you have to take your wheels | | | | 7. Look, listen and feel. We've gone over what to look |
| off to transport the bike). You can test this by holding | | | | for, but while riding the bike make sure to listen for |
| the wheel off the ground and spinning it hard. If there is | | | | creaks, pops and rubbing noises. If you hear or feel |
| a problem the wheel will not spin freely - you will feel | | | | anything like this pay close attention. These are |
| vibration in the frame or hear a rub, and the wheel will | | | | sure-fire clues that there is something wrong. Most of |
| slow down. If the brake is rubbing check to see if the | | | | the time these are things that can be easily fixed by |
| wheel was put on correctly (you can also adjust the | | | | your local bike shop. But left unattended they could |
| brake assembly slightly by hand). If the brakes are still | | | | slow you down and eventually may cause something |
| rubbing you want to have a bike shop check to see if | | | | to break. |
| your wheel rim is warped and needs to be trued. | | | | I worked at a bike shop in St. Louis when I was in |
| 3. Saddle bag supplies. His saddle bag supplies were | | | | college. It is important to find a repair shop you can |
| the following: cell phone and keys. Not good. Make | | | | trust. Ask people in your local bicycle club for |
| sure you have at least one spare tube of the correct | | | | recommendations. Don't assume that the bike is ready |
| size (you can find the size on the sidewall of your bike | | | | to go when you get it home. Double-check the whole |
| tires), tire levers, some supply of air (either a CO2 | | | | bike to make sure everything works and is tightened |
| cartridge or a bike pump), and a few bucks. Other | | | | up. Once you find a good bike shop, take your bike in |
| good things to consider are a tube repair kit and a hex | | | | regularly for a tune-up and overall check. You will get a |
| wrench set. The cell phone and identification are also a | | | | ton of miles and enjoyment (okay, maybe enjoyment |
| good idea. | | | | is too strong...) out of a well-maintained triathlon bike. |