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They assert that as soon as you learn how to ride one, you'll always remember it, but what people would not share with you about bicycles is that the same logic is applicable to crashes. Ruining a bike may be untimely, embarrassing and even worst, excruciatingly painful. One of the keys to keeping your bike functional and decreasing the risk of crashes is proper maintenance.

Maintaining your own bike is important, especially if you ride on a regular basis. You wont always have time to run down to the repair shop, so it's critical that you can make quick fixes when you can. Not too familiar with basic bike anatomy? Don't be stressed, because we've got you covered. Below are a few top rider maintenance tips on how to keep yourself out of the big wrecks that plague regular bikers.

Prepare for the Worst

You will never know what's going to occur while you're riding, so it's best to ensure you have the tools to fix it. A basic set of Allen wrenches, generally known as hex keys or Allen keys, is really a super-handy tool to keep in your back pack, shoulder bag or maybe tied to your water bottle holder. These might be very important for last minute adjustments to twisted handlebars, crooked seats and various other parts. Patch kits will also be great bits of emergency gear to keep around, but nothing's much better than an extra inner tube and a bike chain cleaner. These could keep you riding long after the road has conquered those around you.

Start with the Tires

A flat tire won't mean much to someone driving in a car which has a spare, but on a bike, well, let's just say that it's difficult to make do at 50 percent capacity. The good thing is, modern bikes tend to be equipped with quick release wheels. When you look at your bicycle now, you can notice a lever hanging off the axle. Flip this up, and your wheel quickly comes out of its seating, permitting you to work on it at any time or place. These are also perfect for keeping bikes from getting stolen while you're away.

Work your Way to the Chain

Your bike's chain is much like its heart. Don't really overlook it. While you may do wonders just by wiping down and re-oiling your chain after just about every ride, this simple maintenance is easily neglected. Preferably, get the best bike cleaner you can find. A chain cleaner that mounts on the side of your bike is a good way to immediately eliminate the dirt, debris and also dust your tires and shoes deposit on your bike's gentle working mechanisms.