A Guide To Assembling & Maintaining Your Sixthreezero Bike (Hybrid, Cruiser, City)
December 03 2018
Tagged in Assembly Instructions , FAQs
Whether you decide the sixthreezero bike most suited to you is one of our hybrid bikes, cruiser bikes or a city bike, it will be shipped to you requiring a small amount of home assembly. But don’t worry, a bicycle is really a pretty simple machine – in fact, the overall design has hardly changed since the original bike from more than 100 years ago. We’ve made a few improvements along the way – aluminum frames make the bike really lightweight, and comfy seats and grips make riding them more comfortable than ever – but there’s not a great deal to assembling your bike. We’ve put together this guide to help you out, and we’ve also got some maintenance tips so that your new sixthreezero bike is simple to use and fun to ride for as long as you want to keep riding it.
Assembling and maintaining a bike can be a fun, engaging and learning experience. Call up a friend, ask your spouse or child, don’t rush, and enjoy the process. Part of the fun in building your bike is being able to tell people "I did that.” You’ll come to appreciate your bike more, and if you ever find yourself needing to fit a new part or replace an old one, you’ll have the knowledge and the confidence to approach the job yourself.
How To Assemble A Bike
Your sixthreezero bike will arrive about 85% assembled, and with a little help from us, you will be able to complete the assembly all by yourself. If at any point you decide assembly isn’t for you, if you live locally you are welcome to bring your bike to our location in Torrance, CA and we will finish the assembly for you. But don’t worry if you live elsewhere, it’s a simple process and we’ve spent a lot of time and put a lot of thought into our bikes so most assembly is quick and effortless.
All you’ll need to know will come with the bike when it arrives. The instructions will take you through the job step-by-step, and they include a handy jargon-buster so you know your forks from your cranks and your headset from your seatpost. There is easy to follow information on everything you’ll need, from how to assemble a bike seat to installing pedals and reflectors. If your bike is equipped with fenders or a cargo rack, you’ll be shown how they fit as well.
And when we say simple, we mean it. Single-speed beach cruisers like the EvryJourney and IntheBarrel are really easy to put together – you’ll be on the road and heading to the surf in no time. Even if you opt for the 3-speed version, there’s really not a lot to do before you can get out there and begin your journey.
First off, you’ll need a few tools, the type that most folks will have in the garage already. If not, they’re readily available in most hardware stores – they’re not solely for a bike so you’ll be glad you have them one day when the cold water faucet needs attention! You’ll need some or all of the following, depending on the bike you choose:
Scissors or wire snips– you’ll need these to snip the zip-ties and remove packaging from the bike when it arrives.
8, 10, 13, and 15mm crescent wrench– a bike multi-tool will be included in the box in case, but you might have these wrenches at home already. They will help you tighten and adjust the nuts that hold the wheels, seat, and pedals safely. Socket wrenches can also be used in some cases.
4, 5 and 6mm Allen wrench– handlebars are secured using different sized bolts depending on the bike model, and Allen wrenches you need will be inside the box with your new bike. The wrenches will be useful if you ever want to add accessories in the future, like fenders and cargo racks, if they’re not included at the start.
Mallet or hammer– sometimes a gentle tap from a mallet can help with handlebars and seatposts.
Philips head screwdriver– a screwdriver is used to attach reflectors and lights, and if your bike has gears, it’s used to adjust them to get them working just right.
Bicycle tire pump– having a pump at home, like the Pedros floor pump, makes light work of inflating tires. Don’t be tempted to try using a car tire pump – they’re designed for higher pressures and can damage bicycle tires.
A tub of bicycle or auto grease- while not essential, we’d recommend having a tub of grease handy. It helps to stop metal parts seizing up, and it protects the bike from water ingress too.
You might be wondering, do I need to know how to assemble a bike chain or to fit gears? Don't worry, we’ve worked really hard to ensure you’re left with just the simplest tasks. Anything too technical and we’ve got you covered already.
How To Maintain A Bike
Once you’re up and running (well, pedaling!) you’ll soon realize how simple and low-maintenance a bike is. Unlike a car, you don’t need to worry about topping off oil and water, and there are a lot fewer moving parts so there’s less to go wrong. A few really simple maintenance tricks and regular care for your bike is all it takes to keep it ticking along like new for as long as you want it to.
Remember, a single-speed bike is the ultimate easy ride, and barely needs any maintenance at all. There are no gears, so you don’t have to think about keeping on top of cables and shifters. Read on though, because there are some tips for all types of riders here.
First of all, keep your tires pumped up to the correct pressure. You can find the recommended pressure on the sidewall of the tire. The correct tire pressure lets your bike roll quickly, ride smoothly, and will help avoid flats. Spending a few minutes checking the tire pressure, and the rubber for thorns and small bits of glass, means you’re less likely to get a flat tire when you’re out.
It’s a good idea to learn what to do should you get a flat tire while out and about. It’s pretty simple, but it takes a little practice. Most local bike shops will happily show you if you’re unsure or if it’s been a while, and there’s plenty of online videos that will walk you through the process.
Check your brakes each time before you head out too, and ensure that your gears and chain are all working as they should. A quick dab of chain lubricant can work wonders on a stiff chain. A Teflon spray lube can be used on derailleurs on multi-geared bikes and the pivots of brakes and gear shifters if they seem a bit stiff.
Once a month or so (or more regularly if the weather’s been bad) it’s a good idea to give the bike a decent wash. Grit, oil and road salt can build up and if not regularly removed, it can reduce the lifespan of moving parts. Don’t worry, it’s nothing more technical than using soapy water and a sponge, but your bike will thank you for it. A quick spray of the Teflon lube on the chain, brake and gear pivots will help to disperse excess water when you’re finished and coat them with a protective film as well.
Less regular, but just as important, is the quick job of checking everything is still tight across the bike. Believe us, it’s better to discover that the seat nut has come loose before you hit the trail. Your bike is designed to protect you from the shocks and jolts coming from the road, and that means that nuts and Allen bolts can work their way a little loose from time to time. When you first build up your bike, it’s a good idea after each ride to check pedals, wheels, seat, and handlebars with the crescent and Allen wrenches. This applies to any racks and fenders you might have fitted as well. Once you’ve had the bike about a month or so, you can then reduce this to a six-monthly check because by then, the parts will have bedded in and are less likely to work their way loose.
By building and maintaining your bike you’ll really be in tune with it. You’ll identify issues straight away and having the confidence to approach them yourself is just one of the great joys of owning a bike. You’ll enjoy the ride a whole lot more knowing you built it.
If you want to be able to see and work with a mechanic during assembly, you can either Skype, FaceTime or do a Google Hangout with Us. We’d love to help with assembly. Just let us know in advance by email at theteam@sixthreezero.com, or call us at (310) 982-2877, and we will arrange it with you. We want you to love your bike as much as we do. If you run into any issues, no matter how small, let us know and we’ll help you take care of it.
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