Ten Common Bicycle Maintenance Mistakes: How Many Have You Made?

Ignorance Is What’s Scary

Here are the ten most common mistakes in bicycle maintenance. Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve made several of these—what matters is correcting them from now on.

Mistake #1: Never Measuring Chain Wear

Problem: The chain has already stretched to 1% without you knowing, and the cassette and chainrings are wearing out along with it.
Fix: Buy a chain wear gauge (NT$150-300) and measure every 500 km.

Mistake #2: Over-Oiling the Chain

Problem: Soaking the chain in oil leaves it glistening on the outside. Excess oil only attracts dust and turns into grinding paste.
Fix: Apply oil drop by drop onto the rollers, then wipe off the excess on the outside with a dry cloth.

Mistake #3: Not Using a Torque Wrench on Carbon Bikes

Problem: Tightening carbon components by feel can crush the carbon tubes.
Fix: Carbon bike = torque wrench. No exceptions.

Mistake #4: Washing with High-Pressure Water

Problem: High-pressure water forces water into bearings, headset, and bottom bracket, causing internal corrosion.
Fix: Wash with a low-pressure hose or a bucket + cloth.

Mistake #5: Getting Oil on Disc Brake Rotors and Pads

Problem: Accidentally spraying oil while washing, or touching them with fingers—oil-contaminated pads lose more than half their braking power.
Fix: Remove the wheels before washing, and cover the rotors when working on the drivetrain.

Mistake #6: Using DOT Fluid in Shimano Brakes (or Mineral Oil in SRAM)

Problem: Using the wrong brake fluid destroys the seals and ruins the entire brake system.
Fix: Shimano = mineral oil, SRAM = DOT fluid. Tattoo it on your wall.

Mistake #7: Never Removing the Seatpost for Years

Problem: In Taiwan’s high-humidity environment, an aluminum seatpost in a carbon frame (or vice versa) can seize due to galvanic corrosion.
Fix: Remove the seatpost every 3 months, clean it, and reapply anti-seize compound/grease.

Mistake #8: Inflating Tires to Maximum Pressure

Problem: Maximum pressure is just a safety limit, not the optimal value. Excessively high pressure actually increases vibration losses.
Fix: Use an online tire pressure calculator to find your optimal pressure—it’s usually much lower than you think.

Mistake #9: Riding Tires Until the Cords Show

Problem: A tire worn down to the casing can blow out at any moment—and it will happen while you’re descending at 70 km/h.
Fix: Replace tires when the wear indicator dots disappear. Don’t wait until the cords show.

Mistake #10: Not Wiping Off Sweat After Rides

Problem: Sweat is acidic and corrodes carbon fiber clear coats, metal bolts, and stems.
Fix: Spend 1 minute after every ride wiping sweat off the frame. Especially the stem and top tube area.

How Many Did You Get?

To err is human; to correct is divine. Starting today, be a responsible owner to your beloved bike.

Related Reading

• The Complete Chain Maintenance Guide: Cleaning, Lubricating, Knowing When to Replace, and Common Mistakes
• Daily Bicycle Maintenance Habits: A 10-Minute Weekly Chain Cleaning Routine
• Basic Home Bicycle Maintenance: Five Skills You Must Know
• Annual Deep Maintenance Checklist: 15 Comprehensive Bicycle Maintenance Items to Do Every Year