Netlujkovucycling every day: a guide for adults and children

An independent guide to everyday cycling. Not connected with politics, politicians, parties or the authorities, not a shop or a repair workshop, and not connected with the former website on this domain.

Guides

Practical guides

The first article in this section is about getting your bike ready in spring. After a few months in a storeroom or on a balcony, the tyres are usually flat, the chain has dried out and the lights are dead. That is nothing to worry about: most of the check can be done at home in an evening, and anything complicated can be spotted in time and taken to a mechanic.

A spring check is not a repair but a reintroduction. You find the small things in advance that would turn into problems on the road, and you set off confident that your bike will not let you down.

— Editors' view

What to prepare in advance

  • A free evening and a place where you can stand the bike and get a little dirty.
  • A pump with a pressure gauge, or at least a pump with the right head for your valves.
  • A few clean rags, an old toothbrush and warm water with a mild detergent.
  • Lubricant made for bike chains; household oil is a poor substitute.
  • A charger for your lights or fresh batteries.
  • Your bike's manual, if you still have it: it lists the specifics of your bike.

  1. Inspect the whole bike

    Stand the bike in good light and walk slowly around it. Look for cracks and dents on the frame and fork, rust, loose parts and frayed cables. Rock the handlebars and saddle: they should be fixed firmly in place.

    Sample case: a thin crack in the paint is visible on the frame near the bottom bracket. Show it to a mechanic before riding: there may be damage to the metal under the paint.

  2. Wash the bike

    Wipe the frame, wheels and rims with a rag and warm soapy water. Do not aim a strong jet at the bearings, as water washes the grease out of them. Dry the bike thoroughly after washing.

    Sample case: after winter there is a grey film on the rims. A clean rim brakes noticeably better, so it is worth cleaning it especially carefully.

  3. Pump up the tyres

    Find the permitted pressure range on the tyre sidewall and inflate the tyre within it. Look over the tread at the same time: deep cuts, bulges and cracks are a reason to replace the tyre.

    Sample case: one tyre has gone soft again overnight. Most likely the inner tube has a puncture and needs to be patched or replaced before you ride.

  4. Clean and lube the chain

    First remove old dirt with a brush and rag, then apply a little lube to each link while slowly turning the pedals backwards. After a few minutes, wipe off the excess; the outside of the chain should be almost dry.

    Sample case: the chain glistens with oil and is already black a day later. That is a sign there is too much lube and it is collecting dust.

  5. Check the brakes

    Squeeze the brake levers: they should not sink all the way to the handlebar. Look at the pads; if the grooves are worn away, the pads need replacing. Any doubt about how the brakes work is a reason to see a mechanic.

    Sample case: the rear brake stops the wheel only under hard pressure. Adjusting the cable tension is best left to a mechanic if you have not done it before.

  6. Check lights and reflectors

    Charge and switch on the front and rear lights, and make sure the mounts hold them securely. Wipe the reflectors and replace any cracked ones.

    Sample case: the rear light works but wobbles and tilts downwards. In that position it is barely visible from behind, so the mount should be tightened.

  7. Get your helmet and clothing ready

    Inspect the helmet: cracks, dents in the foam layer or torn straps are a reason to replace it. Pick a jacket or vest with reflective panels and gloves for cool morning rides.

    Sample case: the helmet fell off a shelf onto a tiled floor. Even without visible damage, its protective properties may be reduced after a hard impact.

  8. Take a test ride

    Ride a short loop on a quiet path. Try all the gears, brake smoothly a few times, and listen for unusual clicks and squeaks.

    Sample case: the chain skips in one of the gears. If dirt is not the cause, the derailleur should be adjusted at a workshop.

Common mistakes

  • Riding after winter without checking the brakes, hoping they will "sort themselves out".
  • Lubricating a dirty chain without cleaning it first: the lube mixes with grit and acts like an abrasive.
  • Applying oil generously: the excess collects dust and stains your clothes.
  • Pumping tyres by feel above the maximum value printed on the sidewall.
  • Washing the bike with a powerful pressure washer aimed at the bearings.
  • Keeping a helmet that has been through a fall just because it shows no cracks.
  • Putting off buying lights until the first ride in the dark.

Other options

  • If you lack the time or the inclination to work on your bike, you can leave the whole seasonal service to a workshop.
  • If you are unsure about a particular part, do the home checks yourself and show the brakes and gears to a mechanic.
  • If the bike has stood for a long time in frost or damp, start by checking for rust and the condition of the bearings; a more serious repair may be needed.
  • If you ride rarely, you can do the full check less often, but look at the brakes and tyres before every ride.

Check yourself

  • Frame and fork inspected, no cracks or dents.
  • Handlebars and saddle secure and do not turn.
  • Tyres inflated within the range on the sidewall, tread free of cuts.
  • Chain cleaned and lubricated, excess wiped off.
  • Both brake levers work firmly, pads not worn.
  • Front and rear lights charged and securely mounted.
  • Reflectors clean and intact.
  • Helmet intact and fits well; test ride with no unusual noises.

Article catalogue for English-speaking readers

This is where standalone articles on everyday cycling will appear: rules for cyclists, lights and visibility, bike care, storage and riding with children. We write them specifically for the English version of the guide and aim to make every tip something you can use on your very next ride.

What we are working on

  • Storing a bike over winter in a flat or a shared hallway: keeping it dry, clean and out of the way.
  • Locking up well: what to lock the bike to, which parts to secure and why to record the frame number.
  • Commuting in the rain: clothing, braking on wet surfaces and a quick clean after the ride.
  • Riding in traffic with confidence: road position, eye contact and clear hand signals.
  • Teaching a child to ride without stabilisers, step by step and at their own pace.

Editorial policy

  • Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
  • Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
  • We do not publish advertising for bicycles, shops or repair workshops, rankings, prices or reviews.
  • Questions

    Short answers on where you may ride, how to cross the road, how to care for the chain and where children can ride.

  • Collections

    Reading routes: your first season riding in town, cycling with a child, autumn rides at dusk.

  • Reference

    Glossary: types of paths, pedestrian zone, hand signals, frame, drivetrain, brakes, tyre, seasonal service.

  • Sections

    The four sections of the guide: rules for cyclists, safety and visibility, bike care, and children on bikes.

Sources

  • Road Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, sections 19 and 24

Information on the rules follows the text of the Russian traffic rules as of the date the material was prepared; it is worth checking the current version before you ride, and riders elsewhere should check their local traffic rules. Care tips are general: if your bike's manual says otherwise, follow the manual, and leave complex repairs, especially brakes, to a mechanic.