Bike Maintenance Tips: Cable and Housing

Is it hard to push or twist your shifters? Does your bike hesitate before changing gears? These are all signs that you may be due for new cable and housing. The good news? It’s a relatively inexpensive repair, one with immediately noticeable results.

First, some definitions:

Cable: Your bike’s derailleurs, and possibly brakes, are controlled by strands of stainless steel which are woven together to form a strong cable. Brake and derailleur cables come in one length, and are then trimmed down once installed.

Housing: This is what the cable runs through. Typically 4 or 5 millimeters in diameter and available in a multitude of colors, the housing protects the cable from the elements, and act as a guide to reduce friction when the cable must bend to reach the brakes or derailleur. Some bikes use full length housing, while others use several pieces with the bare cable running in between.

Ferrules: This is the term for the end caps which go on the housing. Ferrules act as a guide for the cable, and prevent the wires inside the housing from fraying.

Why should you replace your cable and housing? Think about the mud, dirt, rain and road grime your bike has been exposed to. Remember all those puddles you splashed through this winter? Well, some of that dirt worked its way into your housing. Imagine trying to push a piece of uncooked spaghetti though a straw. Pretty easy, right? Now, what if that straw was full of mud? This is what happens when your housing becomes contaminated – it takes extra force to pull the cable through.

Sometimes the contamination happens so slowly that you get used to the extra force required to shift through your gears. But, install new cable and housing and you’ll notice how much better your shifting feels, and wonder why you waited so long.

So, if it’s been a while since you showed your drivetrain some love, drop your bike off at the shop for a tune, or stop by to pick up the necessary supplies to do the repairs yourself.

Ride on!

Ski to Sea Time is Approaching – Are You Ready?

Ski to Sea Race (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With only three weeks left until Ski to Sea weekend, now is the time to make sure your equipment is ready for the big day. Skiing and biking are our specialties, so we’re going to focus on those legs of the race in this article.

Bike Preparation
Whether you’re signed up for the road or mountain bike portion of the Ski to Sea, it’s crucial to make sure your bike is in good working condition. The last thing you need is for a mechanical to hinder your performance on race day. Check your brake pads, chain and tires for wear. If you’re not sure what to look for, take a look at our previous article on bike maintenance, or stop by the shop for a tune-up. We’ll make sure your bike is dialed in and race ready.

Bike fit is important – even if you’re using a borrowed or rented bike it’s important to make sure the bike fits. Go for a few test rides before the day of the race to make sure you are able to ride in comfort – numbness and pain are never fun, especially during a race. Little things, like installing a shorter stem or a different seat can go a long way towards improving the comfort and fit of a bike. We offer professional bike fitting which is designed to maximize your comfort and efficiency on the bike.

Ski Preparation
Got a need for speed? Our ski shop is stocked with some of the fastest wax money can buy – the same stuff the World Cup and Olympic racers use. Drop your skis off and we’ll get them buffed out and ready to fly. Even if you don’t need the World Cup level wax, our basic wax will help ensure your skis are running smoothly.

Need skis? We have rental skate and classic cross country ski packages available. If you rent them now, you can keep the equipment through race day – skate ski packages are $120, while classic ski packages are $85. This way, you’ll be able to try out the equipment a few times before the race.

Want to brush up on your cross-country skiing technique? Todd Eastman will be holding a skate skiing technique on May 11^th from 10am-1pm at the Heather Meadows base area. Sign up at the shop for this educational on-snow clinic.

We do have one final tip, and it’s the most important: Have fun! Sure, the Ski to Sea is a big race, but it’s also a great way to get outside with your friends and enjoy the recreational activities Whatcom County has to offer. Don’t forget to look around and soak in the views while you’re cruising to victory.

Bike Maintenance: Spring Tune Up Checklist

How’s your bike doing? Did you put it away as soon as the rainy, gray days of winter approached? Or have you been riding it through the recent snow, sleet, rain and mud? Either way, with the days getting longer, and nicer weather (hopefully) just around the corner, now is the perfect time for some bike maintenance. We’ve put together a short list of components which may be in need of your attention.

Brake Pads

The mud and road grime encountered during winter riding can act like sandpaper on your brake pads, causing them to wear at a much quicker rate than in the summer. Worn out brake pads can cause damage to your rotors or rims – a little preventative maintenance will help prevent costly repairs.

• Disc Brakes: Disc brake pads should be replaced before they are less than the thickness of a dime.
• V-brakes / Cantilever Brakes: Many v-brake pads have a wear indicator of some kind on the pad itself. This is usually a raised line which runs along the perimeter of the pad. Replace your pads once they are worn to this point. If there is no indicator on the side of the pad, replace them before the vertical grooves in the pad are worn off.

With all types of brake pads, be on the lookout for uneven wear. If the pad is wearing at an angle the pad or the brake caliper may be misaligned.

Tires

Tires are what keep you on the road or trail. Worn tires provide decreased traction, and can be more prone to flats.

• Road Tires: Inspect the tire for any nicks or cuts. Also, look for any flat spots or other signs of uneven wear. If the casing underneath the rubber is starting to show through, it’s definitely time for some new tires.
• Mountain Tires: Inspect the tire for any missing or partially torn knobs. Look how the tread is wearing. Are the knobs rounded and deformed? Is the siping (the slits on each knob) still visible? A worn out mountain bike tire will begin to lose traction more easily when climbing and when cornering.

Chain / Drivetrain

How’s your bicycle’s drivetrain? Clean and lubed? Or is it caked with a greasy, muddy mess? A bucket of warm soapy water, a brush and some elbow grease is all you need to make your chain, chainrings and cassette happy again. Scrub, scrub, scrub ‘til you get the muck off, rinse it with water and then apply your favorite lube. Wipe off any excess and you’re ready to ride.

It’s also a good idea to check how worn your chain is – if you don’t have your own chain wear indicator (a highly recommended tool for the avid cyclist), stop by the shop and we’ll measure your chain for free. Replacing your chain in a timely manner allows you to get more life out of your chainrings and cassette.

Suspension
Have you have ever had your fork serviced? Most manufacturers recommend servicing your fork at least every 100 hours of riding, if not sooner. Start the season off right with a fork rebuild from Fairhaven Bike & Ski. We’ll change the oil, change the seals if necessary, and make your suspension feel buttery smooth again.

Conclusion
Checking your brake pads, tires and drivetrain and suspension is a quick way to ensure your bike is ready for spring. Don’t want to work on your own bike? Need a complete overhaul? We don’t mind getting dirty – bring your bike to us! Our experienced mechanics will get your bike dialed in and ready to roll quickly and efficiently.