EVERY TIME YOU FIX A PUNCTURE, THE NEW TUBE GOES FLAT

If the holes in the tube are on the bottom, the rim strip may be out of position, allowing the tube to get cut by the spokes. If they're on the top, there may be some small sharp object stuck in the tire. Find it by running your fingers lightly around the inside of the tire, then remove it.

A PATCH WON'T STICK TO THE GLUE ON THE TUBE

Apply more glue and let it dry completely--about five minutes. (Don't blow on the glue to try to make it dry faster--this can leave moisture from your breath on it, which hinders adhesion.) When you apply the patch, avoid touching its sticky side with your fingers.

CREAKING SOUND FROM THE WHEELS

A spoke may have loosened. If tension is uniform, the sound might be caused by a slight motion of the spokes against each other where they cross. Lightly lube this junction, wiping off the excess.

CREAKING SOUND WHEN YOU PEDAL

Tighten the crankarm bolts. If the arm still creaks, remove it, apply a trace of grease to the spindle, and reinstall the arm.

IN CERTAIN GEARS, PEDALING CAUSES LOUD SKIPPING

There may be debris between the cogs. If you can see mud, grass, leaves, twigs or any sort of foreign matter trapped between cogs, dig it out. It's probably keeping the chain from settling all the way down onto the cog to achieve a proper mesh. If there's no debris, a cog is probably worn out. Most often this is a sign that the chain and cassette will have to be replaced.

THE REAR DERAILLEUR MAKES A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE

The pulleys are dry and need lubrication. Drip some light lube on the sides, then wipe off the excess.

BRAKES SQUEAL

Wipe the rim to remove any oil or cleaning residue. If this doesn't work, scuff the pads with sandpaper or a file. Still noisy? The pads need to be loosened then toed-in, an adjustment that makes the front portion touch the rim before the back--an easy fix for a shop, a tortuous process for a first-timer.

Every Ride

Before you ride, a quick bike check is in order. Make this a habit, and it won't take more than a couple seconds. Most of it can be done as you first start riding, just by paying attention to your bike.

Tire pressure. Inner tubes are not completely airtight, and will lose some pressure with time. Use a pump with a gauge to inflate to the right pressure, and check regularly. Some people find they need to top off before every ride, others only need to do this once per week. Even if you don't inflate your tires every time, give them a squeeze or look at them when you first get on to make sure they didn't deflate since your last ride.

Wheel quick releases. Losing a wheel while you ride isn't fun. Give your quick releases a glance as you get on.

Brakes. Most bikes have a quick release for the brakes, to make wheel removal easier. Make sure the brakes are secure. This can be done very easily by squeezing the brakes as you get on, which will make any problem apparent.

Pay attention. Listen to the sounds your bike makes. Feel how it handles. Get to know your bike. Any changes can indicate problems: flat tires, poor shifting, worn bearings, etc.

Clean. If the ride was dirty or wet, consider washing or wiping down the bike when you're done, then lube the chain if needed.

Lube the Chain

Even if you leave most of the maintenance to your bike shop, maintaining the chain is still an item that should be done at home. It's very simple, quick, and easy.

A chain has several hundred moving parts and is directly exposed to the elements. Neglecting the chain results in a noisy ride, and it can slow you down significantly. Fortunately, maintenance is easy!

Get some degreaser. Even cheap automotive degreaser is fine. Put some on a rag and clean the chain. One technique is to hold the pedal with one hand and use the other to clean a section of chain, then move the pedal to expose another section of chain, and repeat until the chain is clean.

Lubricate the chain. Get some lubricant specifically formulated for bicycle chains (not WD-40). There's a few different types, mainly designed for different riding conditions: talk to your local bike shop to see what's right for you. Shake the lube and apply a single drop to each roller of the chain. Work the lube in by spinning the pedals a bit. Or you can go for a short ride around the block.

Wipe off any excess lube. Just run the chain through a dry section of your rag. Also clean up any drips on your frame. Congratulations! Your chain is now clean and lubed!

How often should you do this? Well, as you can see it's a very quick process, so there's no reason to wait. Some people insist on doing it after every ride. This is where you have to consider your local riding conditions. The common rule of thumb is to clean and lube every 100-200 miles and after wet rides, assuming dry road conditions and dry lube. Wet lubes will last longer if you ride in the rain.