5 Repairs to tackle on your own

Flat tire

C’mon now. Every cyclist should be able to change a tube.

Maintaining your drivetrain

This work falls under regular care. Washing and cleaning your entire bike should be something you do regularly. You can get a chain pretty clean without any specialized tools and the right know-how. Lubricate after a good cleaning. Also, invest in a chain-wear indicator. With that inexpensive tool, you can determine when to replace your chain, even if you can’t do it yourself.

Handlebar wrapping

If you get this right, it is oh-so-satisfying. If you get it wrong, only your style points will suffer.

Packing your bike for travel

If you travel frequently with your bike, this skill is a must. Once you know how to pack properly, it will make your vacations easier. You will most likely have to remove your stem to pack your bike, so learning how to adjust a headset properly is another key task to master.

Basic rear derailleur tuning

This bit of maintenance isn’t very complicated. You turn the barrel adjuster to tighten or loosen cable tension to improve shift performance. If you mess it up, there is not much harm done. Simply turn the barrel adjuster back to where it was originally. Try again. If you can’t get it right, call your pro.