Bicycle Maintenance & Repair

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Camino Bicycle Maintenance & Repair

Before setting out for a bike tour on the Camino, be sure you are comfortable and equipped to do these repairs on the road.

  1. Reassemble your bike from its box or packaging (if applicable). This may involve:
    1. Wheel reattachment – properly tighten a quick release skewer, reattach brake cable
    2. Pedal reattachment – note that each pedal tightens in its own direction.
    3. Seat post adjustment – be sure to grease the post, mark correct height with electrical tape before removing for packaging
    4. Handlebar/stem reattachment and tightening (if applicable, allen key)
    5. Tools/parts required: multi-tool, pedal wrench (if pedals don’t have allen key option), grease
  2. Change a flat tire / punctured inner tube.
    1. Removing the tire
    2. Identifying the cause of the flat
    3. Patching a puncture in the inner tube
    4. Replacing the inner tube and mounting the tire to our rim
    5. Inflating the tire to its proper pressure
    6. Tools/parts required: pump, tire levers, patch kit, spare tube or tire (if puncture cannot be patched)
  3. Adjust brake and derailleur cables
    1. Use barrel adjustments to maintain proper tension
    2. Replace brake pads (can be done in bike shops along the way)
    3. Tools required: none for barrel adjustments by hand, multitool for changing brake pads
  4. Clean and lube your chain
    1. Remove dirt and mud from your drivetrain
    2. Lube your chain daily, especially after rainy days or cleaning
    3. Tools /parts required: rags, chain lube

Tool/parts repair list required for Camino touring:

  • Multitool: 2-10mm allen keys, screwdriver heads,
  • Patch kit: with at least 4 patches
  • Spare tube: 1 or 2, you can buy more along the way
  • Tire levers: 2 minimum
  • Pump: compact frame version
  • Duct tape/electrical tape: wrap a section around a tube or bottle to keep it simple
  • Zip ties
  • Chain lube, grease: take small containers

For longer or more remote tours, it’s also advisable to be able to:

  • Replace brake and derailleur cables
  • Replace brake pads
  • Repair a broken spoke and true a wheel
  • Repair/replace a broken chain

For extensive world touring, you’ll want to be able to fix and replace anything on the bike.


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