For 40 years, Jim’s Bike & Key Shop in Columbia, MO, has been offering riders bike repair and maintenance to ensure their ride stays smooth and safe. If you’re an avid bicyclist, you know that wear and tear occurs, and it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs that your bike needs a trip to the repair shop.

Your Bike is Visibly Breaking Down

Whether it’s a flat tire, a bent frame, or a chain that keeps falling off, keeping bicycles properly maintained when they are visibly breaking down is crucial for keeping yourself and others on the road safe, and preventing further damage.

Your Brakes Squeak

Squealing brakes are typically a sign that your brake pads have rubbed thin and need to be replaced. A simple bike repair job like this can be done quickly and will greatly reduce your chances of injuring yourself when trying to come to a stop.

Your Bike Doesn’t Shift Correctly

When you switch gears, the derailleurs on your bike shift from one sprocket to another to help the pedals move at a quicker or slower speed. When bikes don’t shift gears correctly, it could mean there is a problem with the derailleur alignment or the tension of your bike’s cables. Prolonging repair when this occurs could cause further damage to your bike that may be irreparable later.

Your Tire is Rubbing the Brake Pads

If your tire is crooked, it can rub against the brake pads, causing it to rotate slowly or not at all. This is a simple repair, as the tire merely needs to be centered and reinstalled.

Your Chain Groans

If your bicycle chain makes a groaning or grinding noise, it probably means that it hasn’t been greased properly or often enough. A bike’s chains should be lubed every few weeks—but not too much as this can attract more dirt—to keep it running smoothly.

Whether your bike is exhibiting any of these warning signs, or other issues that signal a problem, it is important to maintain regular bike repair schedules to ensure it stays running properly. If you need an expert bike repair shop, Jim’s Bike & Key Shop is the premier destination for riders in Columbia, MO and the surrounding areas. Give them a call at 573-442-7011, or visit them online.