So, you went through the trouble of researching, scanning, selecting and finally purchasing a folding bike for yourself. And now as it is becoming a part of your life, you want to know the best ways to take care of it. That is a smart move as it will help you get the best from your investment and get good resale value whenever you decide to pass it to a new owner.

Regular and proper maintenance is essential for keeping a bike in good condition for years to come. This applies greatly to folding commuter bikes that go through a lot of potholes, traffic, wear and tear on a daily basis. So, let’s take a look at some important points that should be kept in mind in this respect.

● Clean It Regularly: The biggest difference between a standard bike and a folding bike is that the latter is very close to the ground. Therefore, it picks up more road salt, dirt and grime built up than any normal bike. It is important to maintain a regular cleaning schedule as it will maintain the look and functioning in the long run. If you are too busy most days of the week, you can always keep a dusting cloth with you to wipe it clean as you park it back in your shed or place it on your apartment wall. A simple two-minute exercise will save several pennies on a month to month basis.
● Thorough Cleaning: This should be scheduled at least once a fortnight. You can begin with the frame. Structurally, folding bikes have multiple entry points as compared to their regular version, therefore, it is a must to ensure that no debris remains inside the frame. You can begin by applying some soapy water and then wiping it with a sponge or cloth. If it is caked with dirt, you can always use citrus degreasers but in small quantities. Make sure you rinse the frame thoroughly once the cleaning process is complete. Try not to use high-pressure water as it get the folding parts and bearing wet.
● Cleaning The Seatpost: Regular cleaning of seat posts plays a key role in preventing dirt build-up in the frame. Accumulation of dirt in the frame complicates the raising and lowering of the seat and sometimes interferes with the folding process. If avoided for long, it will impact the overall functioning of your bike. You can use any good quality muc remover available in your closeby market. Just ensure that you dry off the seat post well once you are done with the cleaning.
● Wheel-Cleaning: It is not easy to clean the wheel of folding bikes as they are smaller in size and have an easy accumulation of dirt in-between the spokes. An easy way is to focus on the wheel rim and keep it clean, it will prevent any grime from built-up in-between the spokes. If avoided, the dirt can easily deposit in the way of the brakes and slow down the braking process. Make sure you eliminate the root cause of this problem.

St Kilda Cycles
5 Vale St., St Kilda.
Vic 3182
(03) 9534 3074
[email protected]
https://stkildacycles.com.au