The five bike maintenance skills every cyclist should learn in their first year are: cleaning and lubing the chain, fixing a flat, checking and adjusting brakes, basic gear adjustments, and wheel truing. Master those and you’ll save several hundred dollars a year in shop fees and avoid the most common mid-ride breakdowns. Below is every DIY maintenance guide on BikeTips, organized from “absolute basics” through “intermediate workshop skills.” No specialist tools required for the first three sections.
Daily and weekly basics
If you only learn three things, learn these. They prevent most chain wear, gear-cable stretch, and wheel issues before they start.
- 5 homemade bike degreasers that actually work — under $5 to make
- How to put a bike chain back on
- How to fix squeaky bike brakes
- Pre-ride bike maintenance checklist
- DIY bike maintenance: essential repairs every cyclist should know
Drivetrain and gears
- How bike gears work, explained
- How to shift gears on a bike
- How to replace a shift cable
- Bike cassette: anatomy and replacement guide
- Bike drivetrain explained
Wheels, tires and tubes
- How to true a bike wheel at home (with video guide)
- How to install tubeless tires
- Bike inner tube size chart — find the right tube fast
- Bike rim width to tire size chart
- Quick-release bike wheels explained
- Folding-bead vs wire-bead tires
Pedals, cleats, and contact points
- How to install and adjust cleats on cycling shoes
- Clipless pedals vs flats
- Clipless bike pedals: complete guide
- How to raise bike handlebars
- How to choose road bike handlebars
Storage, travel, and assembly
- How to store a bike (indoor and outdoor)
- How to fly with your bike — packing and airline guide
- How to assemble a bike from a box
- Used bike buying guide — what to inspect
Maintenance content is reviewed and updated by the BikeTips editorial team. If you’re looking for a specific repair we haven’t covered, drop a comment on any guide above or browse the broader Workshop for parts explainers and bike-setup walkthroughs.
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- How to Store Your Bike: Indoor and Outdoor Storage Solutions
- How To Replace a Shift Cable on a Bike in 7 Steps [With Video Guide]
- How To Assemble A Bike in 6 Steps
- How To Install Tubeless Tires in 5 Steps
- How To Install And Adjust Cleats on Cycling Shoes in 6 Steps [With Pictures]
- How To Maintain Your Cycling Fitness Over Winter: Winter Cycling Training Guide
- How To Fix or Replace a Bent Derailleur Hanger in 6 Steps [With Video Guide]
- How To Fix Squeaky Bike Brakes in 6 Steps [With Video Guide]
- Disc Brakes Rubbing: How To Fix Disc Brake Rub in 5 Steps [With Video Guide]
- How To Clean A CamelBak Bladder in 5 Steps [With Video]
- How To Patch A Bike Tire In 5 Simple Steps [With Video Guide]
- How To Inflate Presta Valves In 5 Easy Steps [With Video Guide]
- How To Clean A Bike Properly In 8 Easy Steps [With Video Guide]