Regular cleaning of your bike will extend its life.

• wipe down any areas which get sweat on them as it corrodes (especially areas around the handlebars and stem) and can cause unforseen breakages
• avoid over-lubricating the drive-train
• Keep your drive-train clean - grit can wear out your chain and wear down your rear wheel cogs faster than they would normally. Dedicated chain cleaners available from most cycle stores can make this messy job much cleaner and easier.
• keep your tyres inflated to recommended pressure to avoid pinch punctures and fractures of the tyre wall and tread (a floor pump with a guage is best if you are a frequent rider)
• Chains should be replaced every 2500 - 3500km depending on quality. If you do too many km on the one chain, you will find you will need to replace your rear wheel cogs as well, and sometimes front chain rings, which is much more expensive than just a chain
• know your bike and investigate any new noises and have your local bicycle store look at anything worrying
• Have your bike serviced every 6-12 months if you are a social rider (1-2 rides/week). If you are training cyclist or commuter (riding 4+ days/week), we recommend servicing your bike every 3-6 months