From a monthly maintenance tip by Chris Brunson, a Head Mechanic of the New York City Recycle-a-Bicycle non-profit organization. Take note all you bike repair neophytes!
Regarding your tire inflation:
Tires have a pressure rating (PSI) on the sidewall of the tire. This number corresponds to the number on the pressure gauge of a pump. Make sure that you have at least the minimum pressure (it will say on the side of your tire)in your tires at all time. Standard tubes will lose air after a couple of months so if you haven't ridden your bike in awhile, check the tires before going out. Tires keep your rims off the road. If you ride on tires with too little air, you may damage your rim beyond repair. If you don't have a gauge, make sure that your tires are hard enough to prevent your rim from bottoming out when you are riding. Never ride on a wheel when you have a flat.
And for lubing your chain:
Keeping your chain clean and lubed provides greater efficiency, proper functioning of shifting and a longer life for you chain, chainrings and rear cogs. Use bicycle specific chain lubes (Tri-Flow is one type) and follow the instructions on the bottle. A small bottle, which can last you a couple of years, costs $5-10, .... Make sure to wipe off as much excess chain lube as possible. The more oil on your chain, the more sand and dirt will stick to the oil causing a "sandblaster effect" to your cogs and chainrings which causes premature wear.
As much as the new influx of electric bikes bugs me, there’s no real reason for my discomfort; it’s like my inherent aversion to those fluorescent moulded gardening shoes people insist on wearing around town.
