• Lube that chain !
• Air-up those tires !
• Tighten that seat mesh !
• Check those bolts !
Keeping Up Your Trike
Maintenance Tips for this Riding Season
The sun is out and it ’ s time to ride ! Whether you just bought your TerraTrike this year or have been a long-time owner , there are some easy maintenance chores for your trike that will save you plenty of headache on the trail ( not to mention the wear-and-tear over the trike ’ s lifetime ).
The mechanics in our Production Department have seen and heard it all when it comes to trike fixes . What they ’ ve found is that the vast majority of tune-ups or service appointments customers pay to have them do could have been avoided with some basic maintenance early on . But don ’ t worry - we ’ re not asking you to re-true a warped wheel or rebuild an internal hub . Here are some maintenance tips that any triker can utilize :
• Lube that chain !
Dirt and grime from the trail can cause your trikes chain to gum-up , which over time can lead to a myriad of issues , most noticably problems with shifting or sluggish performance . Our chains all come pre-lubricated , but after a hundred miles ( or a really dusty ride ), the chains will need lubricating again . We recommend Rock n ’ Roll brand lubricants , which are formulated to clean and lube at the same time . Apply the lube copiously ( stay with me folks ...) to the chain at the casset , freewheel the chain to distribute , then wipe off any excess . Do this as often as you notice your chain is dirty . It will thank you in the long run .
• Air-up those tires !
Just like too low or too high tire pressure affects your car ’ s gas mileage and tire wear , improper tire pressure on your trike can really hurt your ride . Too low , and the trike becomes harder to pedal , wears the tread faster , and risks pinching the tube when going over bumps . Too high , and you risk popping the tube over bumps . So before each ride , be sure to check the pressure on your tires to ensure they are in the range your tire is designed for . Our basic CST tires require 40 psi , while Schwalbe Marathons or Duranos run around 50-60 psi . You can always call TerraTrike to check the rating for your specific tire .
• Tighten that seat mesh !
Over time , a new seat mesh will stretch and comform to your seat . This adds comfort and a “ custom ” feel to your ride , but allowing the mesh to loosen too far can cause you to sit right on the frame of the trike and quickly wear out the mesh itself . To correct this , thighten the straps on the back of the mesh to make the seat cover nice and taught on the seat frame .
• Check those bolts !
Over time , road noise and the motion of pedaling will loosen some bolts on your machine . While this might not be an issue at first , it could cause your seat to slide or handlebars to move . It ’ s a good idea , then , to check your trike regularly and after long rides for any bolts that are obviously loose and tighten them . Particular areas to check are the bolts holding your seat to the seat clamp , and the bolts holding your seat-stay tube to the frame . These get quite a workout when you ’ re pedaling and will loosen eventually .