Cycle maintenance
Clunky gears? An annoying puncture? Dodgy brakes? At the Bike Hub, our qualified bike mechanics are there to offer advice and provide maintenance support. Learn more about the new arrangements in place and how to book an appointment at the Bike Hub.
Cycle maintenance skills
We’ve put together the following links to help you to learn some valuable cycle maintenance skills.
How to wash a bike:
- Watch this 5-minute bike wash tutorial on YouTube
- Watch this 30-minute bike wash tutorial on YouTube
- Watch this YouTube tutorial on how to wash your bike in a flat
How to remove a bike wheel:
- There is a useful tutorial on YouTube about how to remove a bike wheel.
How to fix a puncture:
- There is a useful tutorial on YouTube is you need to fix a puncture.
How to adjust brakes:
Rim brakes
- Find out what kind of rim breaks you have by watching a helpful tutorial on YouTube about rim break identification so you can learn to adjust them correctly.
Road brakes
- Learn how to adjust older “single-pivot” brakes with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to adjust newer “dual-pivot” brakes with a YouTube tutorial
Mountain bike / touring / hybrid brakes
- Learn how to adjust rare “U-brakes” with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to adjust “Cantilever” brakes (cantis) with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to adjust old peg brake pads with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to adjust “V-brakes” with a YouTube tutorial
Disc brakes
- Learn how to replace brake pads with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to align mechanical disc brakes with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to align hydraulic disc brakes with a YouTube tutorial
How to adjust gears
- Learn how to adjust the front derailleur with a YouTube tutorial
- Learn how to adjust the rear derailleur with a YouTube tutorial
Bike maintenance
The Bike Hub is entirely funded by the University, and operates on a cost neutral basis. In other words, we are not here to make money, but to help you cycle safely and enjoy it!
When you come into the Bike Hub, we will have a look at your bike and give you a straightforward opinion to help you decide what you would like to do next. At the moment , the Bike Hub is running by pre-booked appointment only.
Things we do:
- Assist you and show you the way around your bike
- Provide sincere and honest advice
- Make sure your bike is safe to ride
Things we do not do:
- Operate a drop-off system
- Store your bike
- Service suspension forks and shocks
- Bleed hydraulic brakes
- Clean your bike for you (but you are welcome to borrow our equipment!)
Volunteering at the Bike Hub
The involvement of staff and student volunteers in supporting bike maintenance, offering cycle advice and getting involved in a variety of sustainable travel projects has been pivotal to the success and longevity of the Bike Hub.
Unfortunately we are not currently able to provide physical volunteering opportunities inside the Bike Hub due to changing working arrangements. However if you are interested in getting involved remotely, supporting our cycling engagement virtually, please email bikehub@leeds.ac.uk with your ideas, we’d love to hear from you!