The Rider18 Pro Guide: Professional Bike Maintenance with Pedro's

February 25, 2026
by Nigel Wood

The Rider18 Pro Guide: Bike Maintenance with Pedro's

Maintain your ride like a pro using the "Green Chemistry" of Pedro's. Since 1989, Pedro's has led the industry with biodegradable, high-performance solutions that keep your bike fast and the trails clean.

1. The ABC-M Safety Check & Bolts

Perform this 2-minute inspection before every ride to ensure safety and prevent expensive wear.

A is for Air: Refer to the PSI on your tire sidewall and use a pump to prevent pinch-flats.
B is for Brakes: Squeeze your levers; they should stop before hitting the bars. Inspect your pads; if the grooves are gone, replace them.
C is for Chain & Cranks: Backpedal to check for smooth movement. Wiggle the crank arms sideways—if you feel "knocking," your bottom bracket needs service.
M is for Mechanical: Check critical bolts and wheels to ensure vibration hasn't loosened components mid-ride.

Pedro's Domestique Floor Pump

Essential for maintaining proper PSI and preventing pinch flats.

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Critical Bolts to Check:

Stem & Handlebars: Tighten in an alternating cross pattern (Top-Left to Bottom-Right) for even pressure. Stems typically require 4–6Nm.
Axles/Thru-Axles: Ensure wheels are secure. Thru-axles often require 10–15Nm to stay tight mid-ride.
Seatpost & Saddle: Check the collar (4–6Nm) and saddle rails (12–15Nm).
Crank Arms: High-torque check (35–50Nm). Loose arms will ruin your crankset quickly.

Chain Checker Plus II

Know exactly when to replace your chain to save your cassette.

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2. Spoke Tension & Wheel Health

Spokes keep the wheel round and support your weight. Loose spokes lead to wobbles or broken parts.

The Squeeze Test: Squeeze crossing spoke pairs together. They should feel firm and identical. A "soft" spoke that moves easily is loose.
The Pluck Test: Strum spokes like guitar strings. A high-pitched "ping" is good; a dull "thud" means the spoke is under-tensioned.
Trueness: Spin the wheel; if it drifts more than 2mm side-to-side, it needs to be trued.