Bike feels shaky or
wobbly |
| Loose hub bearings |
Adjust the hub bearings |
| Loose headset bearings |
Adjust the headset |
| Wheel bent or out-of-true |
True-up or replace wheel |
| Bulge in tire |
Replace tire |
Bike is hard to pedal
(but coasts fine) |
| Bottom bracket bearings misadjusted, worn or
in need of repair |
Disassemble, clean and inspect the bottom bracket (non-cartridge type), lubricate
or replace as necessary |
| Chain worn or in need of repair |
Repair or replace the chain as necessary |
Bike does not coast
well |
| Brakes rubbing on rim |
Adjust the brakes |
| Hub bearings worn or in need of service |
Disassemble, inspect and clean the hub
bearings, lubricate or replace as necessary |
Clicking, popping, squeaking
or creaking noises while pedaling only |
| Pedal(s) loose on crank arm(s) |
Tighten the pedal(s) |
| Pedal bearings dry or worn |
Disassemble pedal (if possible), inspect pedal bearings, lubricate or replace
as necessary |
| Pedal cage loose on pedal |
Tighten pedal cage screws |
| Loose toe clip fasteners |
Tighten toe clip fasteners |
| Loose chainring bolts |
Tighten chainring bolts |
| Loose crank arm(s) |
Tighten crank arm bolt(s) or nut(s). If it's still loose, the crank arm(s) may
be worn out. |
| Spot weld on chainring broken (non-removable
chainrings) |
Replace crankset |
| Bottom bracket bearings worn, dry or or out
of adjustment (non-cartridge type) |
Disassemble, clean and inspect bottom bracket, lubricate and adjust or replace
as required |
| Bottom bracket loose in frame or worn (cartridge
type) |
Tighten or replace bottom bracket as necessary |
| Loose handlebar binder bolt (pedaling under
heavy load, pulling on bars) |
Tighten binder bolt |
| Stem bolt loose (pedaling under heavy load,
pulling on bars) |
Tighten stem bolt pulling on bars) |
| Stem rusty or dry in steerer tube (pedaling
under heavy load, pulling on bars) |
Remove stem, clean and lubricate |
| Frame cracked |
Inspect frame thoroughly, repair or replace frame |
| Chain dry or dirty |
Clean and lubricate chain |
| Chain worn out |
Replace chain (and inspect sprockets and chainrings, replacing parts as necessary |
| Chainring(s) worn or bent/dented |
Straighten bent chainring teeth if possible, or replace chainring(s) |
Popping or clicking
sounds while pedaling or coasting |
| Loose spokes |
Tighten spokes and true-up wheel |
Bike
pulls to one side (especially when you let go of the handlebars) |
| Frame bent |
Have frame straightened or replace frame |
| Forks bent |
Replace forks |