Doing a tune up on your bike

When it's time to get your bike tuned up for the year, you don't want to have to pay $30-$60 just to have it done, when you can do it yourself. even if you don't know much about repairing or doing things with your bike, that's ok.  If you have a friend that knows some about repairs see if you can get them to help you if you want.  When doing a tune up there are eight things you need to look at:

1. Headset: 
1. you'll need to take your handlebar stem out of your fork/headset.  then get a 30/32/36 depending on the size of your headset, and take off your headset nut, washer, and bearing cup. Take out your fork and your bearings.  Grease up your bearing with white lithium grease, i have found this to work the best, even in the winter.  Clean out where the bearing sit and put a little bit of grease there as well, and put it all back together.
2. Brakes:
1. First inspect your brake pads, if your pads still have the groves in them they are fine, but if they are smooth, that's when you need to replace them. 
2. Most bikes now have quick release so that it makes it easier to remove the wheels.  undo your quick release and inspect your cables on both the front and the rear brakes.  if any of them have rust  or look like they are getting rust forming on them, replace them. better safe then sorry.  make sure that both brake arms can move freely and don't stick, if they do, remove them and clean them with any household glass cleaner, works to remove any unwanted grease.  
3. Put them all back together and make sure that they function and grip like you want.
3. Derailleurs:
1. Clean them
2. make sure that the cables are not rusting, if so replace them.
3. make sure that they work properly, and that your chain doesn't skip, if so, you can watch the how to adjust a derailleur video by clicking the repair videos tab up top.
4. Finally inspect the shifter(s), make sure that there is no slipping when changing gears.
4. Tires:
1. Inspect your tire and tube
2. make sure that there is no cracking or holes in the sidewalls of your tires
3. remove tube(s) and inspect them for holes or cracks as well
5. Wheels/Rims:
1. While you have your tire and tube off inspect the inside or your rim and check for rust, make sure that your rim strip is not rotting or wearing away, plus make sure that no spokes are sticking out where they could poke your tube and give you a flat later on down the road.
6. Spokes:
1. Check every spoke
2. remove any rust or dirt
3. if one is bent or broken have your local bike shop replace them if you don't know how to. Also have them true (straighten) you wheel as well, if needed.
7. Clean:
1. Clean any other part of your bike that you haven't already cleaned
8. Test Ride:
1. Go for a test ride and make sure that everything functions the same or better than it did before you tuned it up.

If you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask your local bike shop(s) for help, they only charge you if you have them do the work, the advice is free.  Good luck and you can also ask me questions if you like, just leave them in the comment box, and I will reply to your question so check back often, or if it's a really good question, i will reply in a post.

Keep on Biking....