The Florida Keys and Key West host some of the best opportunities for cycling in the United States. With warm weather year round, gentle breezes and no hills, it is one of the few places in the world that have the opportunity for a truly car free lifestyle. But, these unique conditions also present unique maintenance challenges.
The rest of the country gets away with a once a year visit to the bike shop to tune up at the beginning of riding season. You ride for a couple of months, then pack the bike in the garage and bring it back to the shop again after the thaw.
With our year round riding in salty, humid and high UV conditions, our bikes need more frequent attention. Unless stored indoors in climate controlled conditions, we recommend at minimum a “quick tune” every 120 days with every 90 days being optimum. Even if you don’t ride it. This is a low cost service and can be performed while you wait. “Quick Tune” includes a general safety check, wipe down of bicycle, lubrication of chain, minor shift and brake adjustment, air pressure check, hub check, bearing check, and fastener check. Any bike having gone longer than 4 months without service, especially through the summer rainy season, will likely need to be checked in for a “Full Tune.”