A bike is pretty much useless if it is a wrecked bicycle. And since it cannot take you anywhere, it becomes a waste of space!
But if you know what damages a road bike, then you can prevent it from happening. Riders fear these situations, so watch out for the following causes:
- Dirt and Grime
- Riding Carelessly
- Crash and Accidents
- Improper Storage
- Improper Maintenance
Bikes come with their fair share of issues and problems, which is why we have put together this list to help you out.
Table of Contents
Causes of Bicycle Damage
Road bikes are usually made of lightweight aluminum or carbon. They are designed to be fast and aerodynamic, making them the perfect vehicle for riding on paved roads. However, these bikes are not invincible and can be damaged due to various reasons:
1. Dirt and Grime
A road bike requires good maintenance to perform at its best. It can be damaged by dirt and dust that gets into the metal bearings and gears, which will, in turn, hasten the rusting and corrosion due to oxidation.
If you continue to use your bicycle despite its messy and dirty state, your bicycle components will grind with the dirt particles scratching and wearing them faster until they can no longer function.
Therefore, you need to keep your bike clean with a wash every two days if you ride frequently.
2. Riding Carelessly
Riding carelessly means riding your ROAD BIKE- practically meant for paved roads- over rough terrain, on uphill or downhill, potholes, or using your bike as a skateboard and doing tricks not meant for a road bike.
Road bikes are designed to have narrow and smooth tires perfect for paved roads but hard to control on rugged terrain. If not used to it, the uneven path can damage your wheel and even the drivetrain or, worse, cause a crashed bicycle accident.
3. Crash On A Road Bike
A road bicycle accident is dangerous to the rider’s well-being and damaging to your two-wheeler.
Even from just a fall of a bike, abrasions can form on your bicycle frame and drivetrain, which can worsen over time. There are also cases where the impact from the crash is too serious that the metal parts and the tires affected can bend or break at times.
4. Improper Storage & Packing
There are at least two things you have to consider when storing a bicycle- the place to store it and the position of how you store your bicycle.
- First, your storage space needs to be in good condition when you store your bicycle to avoid rusting and other potential damage to the bicycle parts.
You cannot leave your bicycle in a very humid or wet area, else rust will ruin your road bike.
- Secondly, you should think twice about the position before storing your bicycle. In no circumstances should you lie down on your bicycle on the drive side. Why?
This is because your bike derailleurs are at risk of getting misaligned. If you don’t know your bike’s drive side, check the side with the gears on it.
- Lastly, cyclists sometimes travel from their place to another to traverse different roads. When one carelessly stores their bicycle in their car, there are chances that the detached parts will hit each other during the trip.
5. Improper Maintenance
Road bikes are a mechanism that requires our love and care. They need more than just a quick wipe-down and water splashes.
Neglecting the maintenance of the chain, gears, and the overall condition of your vehicle will cause them to rust and lose their function. Without proper cleaning and lubrication then, your bicycle may turn from Oh wow to Oh no real quick.
How to Avoid Damaging a Road Bike?
Road bikes are susceptible to damage, and that’s not a secret, but they can be fixed with a little preparation and prevention beforehand.
#1 Clean your bicycle regularly and properly
Having a nice cleaning schedule for your bicycle is beneficial not only to your two-wheeler’s lifespan but also to the rider’s comfort.
#2 Ride carefully
Road biking accidents are not uncommon, but they are fairly preventable. Before riding, you must know the course well. It would help if you avoided road paths with lots of rocks and curbs.
A pro tip is also to teach yourself the road laws and properly follow them once you ride your bike outside.
#3 Store properly
Whenever you get home after a day’s ride on a bike, you should leave it alone. We suggest you invest and get a kickstand or a bike stand.
You should never flip your bike upsidedown, which risks damaging the hoods and saddles.
#4 Regular Maintenance
Having regular checkups and maintenance will help erase any simple problems before they worsen.
Make sure that your drive trains are functional and your wheels secure. Else, loose parts can falter the whole mechanism and cause an accident hit front wheel, which may misalign your wheels or slip off.
Furthermore, lubricate your bike links and chains. And do not forget to check and inflate your bike tires with the recommended PSI.
How to Check a Bike After a Crash?
Roadbike crashes are a scary thing to experience, but one should stay calm and make sure to do a crash check once you gets a grip of your surroundings.
Before checking a bike, you must examine yourself for bicycle fall injuries. Check your bicycle only after making sure your own body condition is in a better state. So you have to inspect cuts, bleeding, broken bones, and dislocated joints.
Then, it is important to follow your bicycle inspection checklist. Look over the following bicycle parts:
- Wheels – Spin and check for dents or wobbles.
- Bars, Levers, Stems, and Seat – Check for any misalignment and scratches.
- The whole frame – Check carbon bike frame after crash. Other frame materials include steel, alloy, and titanium.
- Gear and Derailleurs – Look for any chipped part or a disordered section.
- Brakes – Test them if the brake pads are aligned and hit the tires with enough force.
FAQs
Do Road Bikes Break Easily?
Not really. A road bike has super-lightweight frames made from carbon fiber or other advanced materials. These bikes have tight geometry and aero profiles to reduce wind resistance.
Road bikes are durable but just like any other type of bicycle, a road bike can be damaged if not properly cared for. And if you compare it with a mountain bike, MTBs are stronger than road bikes.
How Do I Know If My Bike Is Damaged?
A damaged bike is very easy to stop. Just follow the bicycle inspection checklist and see if there are any bent, wobbly, or unnatural parts.
Conclusion
Road bikes are simple machines where the smallest defect can worsen and ruin their function. Taking good care of your road bike will increase its life span and help it maintain peak performance.
Now you know what damages a road bike. Avoid it to keep you on the road for a long time.
“I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”