Teaching a child to ride without stabilisers
Lower the saddle, take off the pedals, and let them glide first.
Getting a monsoon-ready bicycle
Four checks before the rains: brakes, tyres, chain and lights.
The first heavy rain in June brings a queue to our workshop. Most of it can be avoided with half an hour of work in May.
Start with the brakes. Wet rims and pads take longer to stop, so pads should have clear grooves. If they are worn smooth or hardened, replace them; a pair costs ₹180. Disc brakes need clean rotors, so keep oil away from them.
Tyres come next. Look for cuts and bald patches, and pump them to the pressure printed on the side. A slightly softer tyre grips better on wet roads, but too soft invites punctures from the gravel the rain washes onto the road.
The chain suffers most. Rain washes the oil off and grit sticks to what is left. Wipe it after a wet ride and use a wet lube, which lasts longer than ordinary oil.
Finally, lights. Evenings get dark early in the monsoon. A front white light and a rear red light, both rechargeable, cost about ₹900 together and make you visible to buses in the rain.
