The five essentials
Tools you need: hex keys, tyre levers, a pump with gauge, chain oil and a rag.
01
Tyre pressure
Check every two weeks. Range is on the sidewall – roughly 3.5–4.5 bar city, 1.5–2.5 bar MTB, 5–8 bar road.
02
Chain care
Every 200–300 km: wipe, one drop per roller, wipe excess. Replace chains every 2,000–4,000 km before they eat the cassette.
03
Brakes
Monthly lever check. Pads need material; spongy hydraulics need bleeding. Never ride doubtful brakes.
04
Bolts & bearings
Feel stem, bars, saddle, axles. Spin wheels – silence and no wobble. Clicking = early warning.
05
Lights
Legally required in Germany. Dynamo rarely fails; battery lights fail when you need them. Carry a backup in winter.
Fixing a flat
- 1. Remove the wheel and lever one tyre bead off the rim.
- 2. Pull the tube; find the cause inside the tyre.
- 3. Patch or replace, refit, inflate.
Carry a spare tube, two levers and a mini pump on any longer ride – especially on long-distance routes.
Seasonal calendar
Spring
Full wash after winter salt. Chain, brakes, tyres – or book the annual service before the queues.
Summer
Peak kilometres: keep the chain clean. Check tyre wear before multi-day tours.
Autumn
Test lights early. Consider puncture-resistant tyres for wet commuting.
Winter
Wipe salt weekly, oil more often, store dry. E-bike batteries prefer indoor moderate temps.
When to visit a workshop
Hydraulic bleeding, suspension service, bearings, e-bike motors. A yearly check (~€50–100) is money well spent.