[Article]: From changing the tire to putting a new chain on, there are some bike parts you should know how to replace yourself, here's the guide for you

Regular bike maintenance can extend its lifetime by years and keep it safe to ride. Knowing which bike parts are especially prone to damage (and how to replace them) is essential if you want to avoid buying a brand new bicycle.

Bicycles are more complex than one new to cycling might think. There are plenty of moving parts and cables to keep an eye on, as well as the seat, frame, and other non-moving parts.

Some bicycle parts are more prone to breaking than others, though – here are the top 5 that every cyclist should know how to replace!

1. The Bike Chain

If you've ever had a bike, it's likely you've had issues with your bike chain at some point.

Buy a chain checker at your local bike gear shop and check the durability of your chain. If it is below 75%, it needs to be replaced.

The chain will rust faster than other bike parts too.

A simple rust cleaning solution will help get rid of excess rust. Regularly remove the chain and clean it in your chosen solution to keep it under control.

2. The Brake Pads

Brake pads wear down quickly, especially if you use your bike every day. It's incredibly dangerous to avoid bike repair on your pads until the last minute, for obvious reasons.

Just about every commercial brake pad has a universal wear indicator. Check your front and back pads to see how far down the pads have eroded – if it's below the indicated safety level, it needs to be replaced.

Luckily, brake pads are relatively cheap to replace, and something you should do often.

3. The Cables

The cables that interlace your bike serve many purposes, from engaging brakes to shifting gears. If your gear shifts are feeling stodgy and braking is slow even with fresh brake pads, your cables might need some basic bicycle maintenance.

Repair the housing for your cables when they start to degrade and keep an eye out for frayed cables that need to be replaced entirely.

If your bike requires specific branded cables, like Kawasaki parts, buy them from that brand exclusively as it will be custom-fit to your bicycle model.

4. The Tires

Similar to brake pads, some tires come with indicators that show an acceptable level of wear. Most, though, do not.

Remove the tire from the wheel and check all around the inside and out for cuts and holes. Squeeze the rubber to see any cracks that don't show up when the tire is inflated.

If there is a hole that goes through the tire or cracks that are invisible until you stretch the rubber, it might be time for a replacement.

5. The Handle Grips

Replacing the handle grips is a choice based on comfort. While the handle grips don't affect the performance of your bike, they do affect the experience.

Check your handle grips for frayed ends or loose grip tape, and replace the tape or grip ends as needed. Bicycle maintenance also includes keeping you comfortable!

Fixing Bike Parts By Yourself

Knowing when to replace bike parts is a key skill in being a good cyclist. Proper bike maintenance can extend its lifetime by years or even decades – but make sure you do it properly or hire a professional.

For other bike maintenance and cycling stories, read more at BikeToday.News!

Image Attribution:
Pixabay.com royalty-free image #1868421, 'bike, brake, chrome' uploaded by user Pexels, retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/bike-brake-chrome-drive-equipment-1868421/ on February 12th, 2021. License details available at https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/#usage - image is licensed under Creative Commons CC0 license