There’s nothing quite like hopping on a new bike. Everything feels crisp and dialed, there’s no creaking, grinding or squealing. Most bike parts are wearable items, so the squeaks, creaks and grinding are inevitable. However, with just a few simple maintenance tips, your bike could feel new and run smooth for much longer.
Get dirty, but keep it clean: We’re firm believers that bikes should be ridden and ridden hard, but we all know that a clean bike is a happy bike. Your bike doesn’t need to be washed after every ride, but if you went out of a rip and your bike is muddy or dusty, it’s a good idea to give it a quick 5 minute wash. This helps extend the life of bearings and the drive-train because it helps keep grit and grime from working its way in. Just note, if you wash your bike, never spray directly into your hubs or bottom bracket and ALWAYS dry your bike. If you don’t have a compressor to help dry your bike, give your bike a few quick bounces (you’ll be surprised how well this works).
Stay lubed: Use chain lube appropriate for the conditions you’re riding in. Wet lube is for wet/muddy conditions and dry lube is for well….dry conditions. It’s also important to not use too much lube. Too much lube is almost as bad as not lubing at all. A simple way around this is to apply the lube, let it sit for 2-3 minutes and then take a rag and and quickly run the chain through it.
Don’t be that guy: Don’t be that guy (or gal) with squeaky brakes. When you have your bike in the stand, don’t forget to give your brakes a once-over, after all, they are (arguably) the most important part on your bike. Give your wheels a quick spin to check for rotor alignment. I know most of you are running thru axles, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t smacked your rotor out of true at some point. Also take this opportunity to check your pads for wear and check for noisy brakes. If your brakes are squeaking a bit, wipe your rotors down using some rubbing alcohol and a CLEAN rag/paper towel. If they’re still squealing, pull the pads out and hit them quick with some 120 grit sandpaper. If the sandpaper doesn’t work, you probably have some contaminated pads and we recommend replacing.
Check your teeth: The conditions that us mountain bikers ride in really takes its toll on the drive-trains of our bikes and you’d be surprised just how quickly you can wear through your chain, front chain ring and cassette. As a rule of thumb, every other time you lube your chain we recommend checking it for stretch with a tool like the Park Tool CC-3.2. Keeping tabs on your chain wear will help extend the life of your drive train and keep your shifting nice and crisp. A quick and easy way to tell if your drive-train is worn is by looking for the infamous “shark fin”. As chain rings wear, the teeth become more and more pointed, resulting in a shape that closely resembles a shark fin or shark tooth. If yours are looking like this, it’s probably time to replace. For some more drive-train maintenance tips, check out this video by GMBN
By following these 4 general rules you’ll greatly extend the life of your bike (or bikes because you know….n+1, right?). If you have any questions for us or things to add to this list, drop them in the comments below.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Team Growler
For many city-dwellers, including yours truly, there is one home decor dream that looms large in our collective minds: to have a living area spacious enough for a sectional sofa. And for that sectional sofa to be so inviting and so big that any nap you take upon it rivals the best night of sleep you ever had.
When your friends come over for a cocktail, there’s room for each and every one of them to sit comfortably. And when you settle in to binge your next prestige drama, you can stretch out in total bliss for hours on end. The best sectional sofas do it all, but not all are created equal.
Even if your space is limited, everyone can find a cozy spot together on a fabric corner sofa.
We have different colors and styles, plus features like memory foam and armrests with extra padding. Most covers are machine-washable and can be removed, so you can easily change up your style.…More»
Fabric Sectional Sofa Living Room Sofa bed
SOFA BED / LIVING ROOM SOFA / FABRIC SOFA
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CREATIVE FUN FOR KIDS – These bright color strips make the perfect addition to kids’ arts and crafts projects in the classroom and at home.
Paper quilling is the art of rolling strips of paper into coils or scrolls, and arranging them to form beautiful lacy designs.
Kids can use their imagination and use these craft paper strips for decorations, signs, posters, holiday crafts, and so much more.
MAKES A GREAT PARTY AND HOLIDAY DECORATION – The paper chains will make a wonderful decoration for your party decor. Make colorful chains and streamers and hang them up to create a vibrant, lively atmosphere.
EASY TO MAKE CHAINS – The chains are easy to make. Use glue, tape, or staples to stick the ends of the strip together. Slide a second strip through the loop and repeat until you get to a length you’re happy with. They are a unique way to add color and flair to anything.…More»
Colored paper strip
STEM Kits / Arts & Crafts Kits / Sourcing & Solution kits
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UV Resistant Fiberglass Tree Stakes and FRP Garden Stakes for Plants and Vegetables
The main purpose of fiberglass tree stakes to provide support for the plants, whether they’re flowers or vegetables or plant.The fiberglass stake has longer life than other stakes and is the best stake for the plants in the farm and garden.
High-quality Fiberglass Tree Stakes can reduce the high wind and heavy storm damage. No replacement cost. No leaning trees,No bent stakes.
The life expectancy of fiberglass stakes are in excess of 25 years, the initial buying cost will be offset within 3-4 years.
Made from E-glass fibers that allow flexibility without breaking.
UV protection to prevent the stake from direct sunlight.Compared with bamboo, fiberglass stakes are stronger and more durable, rust-proof.…More»
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Pultruded Grating
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Pultruded Grating / Concave Surface FRP Grating Fibergrate / FRP Fiberglass Tree Stakes
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What is Swim Buoy? Open Water Swim Buoy (Swim Buoy) is intended to provide visibility in open water, safe place to float and rest, and storage of personal items. If you are an avid sea, lake or river swimmer, we strongly encourage you to check out this swim safety device. Just inflate, strap it around your waist and start swimming!
Athletes that have never swam outside of lane lines will gain extra security by having the flotation support of the swim buoy within arm’s reach, especially if they don’t pace themselves or panic because when they can’t touch the bottom.
Even if you are an advanced swimmer who is pushing the possibilities of the sport of swimming, swim buoy is always a bright idea.
Good! Swim buoy is also for people that swim in high boat traffic areas to increase their visibility to boats.
Swimming buoys are in my opinion one of the most valuable pieces of equipment.…More»
Swim Safety Float with Drybag , Water Swim Buoy Float , inflatable equipment buoy
inflatable mannequin / inflatable toy / inflatable equipment buoy
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Swim Buoy is NOT designed to perform as a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).On long distance swims, swimmers can bring nutrition, cell phone & valuables in the dry-bag portion of the buoy.
If you are an avid ocean, sea, lake or river swimmer, we strongly encourage you to check out this safety device – Qifuli Swim Buoy – as you never know what currents, cramps or other irregularities could occur during your open water swim.
Instead of your child using the arm floaties or a kick-board where they will have a horrible positioning of their body for swimming, they could use the Qifuli Swim Buoy and thus have a backup solution if they need to take a rest.
Just strap this swim safety product around your waist and get yourself lost in the wonders of the underwater world. Swim trekking, island hopping, open-water orienteering- even if you are an advanced swimmer who is pushing the possibilities of the sport of swimming, taking with you the Qifuli Swim Buoy is always a good idea. …More»
Swim Buoy – Swim Safety Float and Drybag for Open Water Swimmers Open Water Swim Buoy Float for Safer Swim Training
Swim buoy / open water swim buoy / water swimmers
click» https://www.qifuli.com/
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