High oil prices? Cycle to work!

The picture above may seem funny. I got it off one of the joke websites. But teh sad thing is, the reality is not. High oil prices have directly or indirectly led to food prices being raised, transport costs being raised as well and gradually making everyone hot and bothered about the economy and its rumoured inflation. So I say again, like I have been saying before. Cycle to work. You get healthy in the process by the exercise too! I do it once or twice a week and I feel that it has made a difference in my life. So break out that bike and make a difference today. Do not let high oil prices drag you down

Singer oil to the rescue!

There are times when your bike may need some lubrication, especially the chain. BMXers who ride and race often need to check their chains for obvious signs of wear and tear and change it when necessary. I make the habit of changing mine every 6 months if I ride often. To maintain it, I de-grease it and apply a thin layer of Singer oil on it. Singer oil is relatively inexpensive (about $1 a bottle) and is good. I have been using it for years and I have yet to find a good substitute for it, bang-for-buck wise. Get a bottle today. It can be found in most hardware shops and some provision shops.

Drivetrain maintenance tips

I would be rich if I had a dollar for every person that had a failed drivetrain. That has got to be one of the more important parts of your bike. You have to make sure that the parts used in the drivetrain are not worn out. Get a good freewheel for starters. A brand like the one pictured above will last some time but may be a bit hard to get. But get a new one preferably.

Another thing you should check is your chain. The chain can stretch and can break if not checked for periodic wear and tear. Always degrease your chain every 6 months. Degrease it in diesel and after that, lubricate it well with an oil like Singer which is relatively easy to get and rather cheap at a dollar a bottle.

Don't forget to check your chainrings too, or sprockets if you would like to call them that. And also make sure that the chain alignment is spot on. I will say it again...your drivetrain is very important. Constant checks will lead to many hours of enjoyment instead of hours walking home if the drivetrain fails.