This was actually the bike chapter written for my Y2K manual.  It was taken from my emails. Reading it again today make me want to get back on the bike.

Chapter Five BIKES, TOOLS, MOUNTAIN BIKE, BIKING

CHAIN TOOL.

          I was walking at Salem Lake today when a biker went by. A mountain biker, not a motorcyclist. The chain broke on her. That really puts you in trouble. You can buy a chain tool from any bike shop. They are about five dollars, or were. It is set up to allow you to take out a link and re-connect your chain.

A BIKE TOUR

          Started back riding my Mountain Bike around Salem Lake yesterday. Made the seven - mile ride somewhat shakily. Happily, there was benefit to me right away, that lasted into today. The exercise has invigorated me.

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          Don't want to get too technical right now, folks. Let's just say, you can fix about anything on a bike if you just look at how it works. Other things require special knowledge and tools. I will give you pictures of a couple of them with this article.

          Chain tool, (see attached .jpg file, chain tool. jpg,) This tool will drive the pins out of the bicycle chain, and using it the other way, will press them back in. You could repair your chain if it were to break, using this tool. If you have an extra chain, then you could put the new one on.

Spoke wrench,

(see attached .jpg file, spoke wrench. jpg,) This little gem has a slot in the middle that fits the part of your spokes that go into the wheel rim. With practice, you can learn to straighten a bent wheel with one. Once got a wheel back to working order after an accident using just such a tool.

          I would just get both tools, and worry about learning how to use them later. They are a good resource, and not expensive. Let me give you a simple list for Mountain Bike parts.

          Extra chain

          Extra inner - tubes to fit your wheels

          Extra tires to fit your wheels

          White lithium grease, used for repacking bearings

                    also good for gun lubrication, highly recommended for the SKS

          Chain tool

          Spoke wrench

          They have some special tools for holding down the rim of your tires when you change the tubes, but I don't have any around here now, or I would send you a picture, will have to get some

          You need a good lubricating oil to occasionally spray your gears, not WD 40, it gums up!

          A good bicycle pump, and maybe one you can keep on your bike patch kit for the inner tubes

          You might want to get a set of cables to match the ones on your bike, an extra for each you have

          I'll have to develop this a little more.

          A sturdy bike is a good resource, and you can go a long way on one. Mine has twenty - one gears, and you can really flatten out the hills with it. I do not ride on the roads, as it is quite dangerous. Ask the LORD where you should ride.

          Send me any questions you might have, and I will try to answer them.