To have the best cycling experience everyday, you´ll have to make sure your bike always stays in good condition. To do that, you´ll have to do some Peloton bike maintenance on a regular basis. Maintenance means to take care of the bike parts, clean the bike and repair what needs to be repaired.
I bought a Peloton bike a couple of years ago to start training. After a while, I started to have some small issues with the bike, such as calibration or a loose seat cover. As time progressed, I learned that with a bit of maintenance, such issues were avoidable.
With that in mind, we´ll be focusing on how you can keep your bike in good shape so that you can enjoy riding it for a longer time.
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If you want your fitness equipment to have longevity, learning to take care of it is an essential first step. First, it´s important that you become familiar with some bike parts.
The Peloton bike has the advantage of not having a chain, which makes taking care of it a whole lot easier. However, it does have a tricky resistance system.
The Peloton´s resistance system works with magnets. There are two magnetic calipers placed on each side of the bike. Attached to the flywheel, which already weighs quite a lot, are some magnets. When you turn the resistance knob, the magnets on the side will come a bit closer to the wheel, thus making the force between them stronger. This will make it more difficult to pedal. Only turn the knob when you wish to change resistance levels.
If you happen to see an orange or red light blinking right next to the flywheel, don´t panic. You might think there is something wrong with your bike and that you somehow activated the self-destruct button. However, this light is merely the resistance sensor. This then sends input to your bike´s computer.
The Peloton bike has no brakes. Luckily, the bike works quite well with the magnetic resistance system.
Peloton bikes do have something called "bearing". This is the central part of your bike's flywheel. In short, it's the metal part of the wheel that spins when you pedal, and it wears out really easily.
So, what does maintenance consist of? In a nutshell, it's all the chores necessary to keep the parts in good condition. This can include replacing them, tuning them up, or repairing them if necessary.
There are, of course, some other important things that fall within the purview of routine maintenance. These could be tightening loose parts, taking care of ticking and clicking noises, and of course, calibrating your bike.
Since your bike doesn't have a bike chain that needs oiling or brakes that need changing, you don't need to give it a tune up. However you can concern yourself with the following.
Let's begin by talking about one of the most tedious chores: Cleaning your bike.
Although cleaning in general can seem to be a bit boring, it´s something positive if you do it every once in a while. One of the things you should avoid is getting your $1000+ bike dirty, dusty or sweaty. Particularly, the last one can do some real damage to the bike´s frame (rust).
Therefore, cleaning your bike regularly (once a week is okay) will prevent any accidents.
To clean your bike, use a damp cloth, a microfiber cloth or some baby wipes. You can use an approved electronic cleaner as well. Avoid using harsh chemicals such as soap. You´re also okay if you use a gentle cleanser such as Clorox wipes or similar products.
There are some parts of the Peloton bike that you´ll unfortunately need to replace after some time. The most fragile parts are the pedals, the bearing, and, of course, Peloton screens.
It must be said that a well-maintained bike´s parts will definitely last longer, so try to take the best care of your bike for smooth functioning and to avoid an extra cost.
Whether it's because they broke during an intense ride, or because you want to switch pedals to match your riding shoes, you´ll need to replace these.
Luckily, they aren't really expensive and are easy to install. You'll most likely be able to find bike pedals in any bike shop, through Peloton, or online as well.
Flywheel bearings need to be replaced quite often due to the friction you cause when pedaling. Just like brakes on your car, they wear out.
A good flywheel bearing should last for around 2,500 miles. This normally takes anywhere from 4 months to 1 year of riding, depending on your rhythm and power zone rides.
To replace them, if you still have your normal or extended warranty, Peloton might just send you a new bearing that you can then install yourself. Otherwise, you can buy them in the market for around $20.
A screen is always a fragile piece of equipment. Installed on the the top of your bike, this location can be a bit of a dangerous place for a screen.
In case it breaks or cracks or you see the app freezing, replacing it might cost you $500. However, if you have the extended warranty, you might be able to get it for a lower cost.
As it happens, the water holder can also break. However, since they're made out of plastic, they´re easily replaced. You can find them in the Peloton store for around $20.
Another fundamental part of your routine maintenance should be calibrating your bike. If you have the Peloton bike+, the bike´s system will calibrate itself automatically, because it has a digital resistance system.
However, the original Peloton has a magnetic resistance system, and as it often happens, it can decalibrate itself quite easily. But don´t worry. With the help of your trusty resistance knob, you can recalibrate the bike in no time.
It is recommended that you calibrate your bike every one or two months, or whenever you feel there's something wrong with the bike´s toughness settings.
As it so often happens, during an intense training session, the way you handle your bike can be a bit wild. Your body itself moves from side to side and applies a lot of pressure to some bike parts. After some time, these parts can naturally become loose, which could be dangerous to the integrity of the bike´s frame.
To take care of this, just take a look at the pedals, and other areas where tightening screws is necessary. Lastly, if your bike has a clicking noise, it is likely that something is merely loose.
Here are some important tips to facilitate your bike´s care.
Constantly maintaining your Peloton bike is key to its durability. To best keep track of when you need to give your bike some much-needed work, you can set up reminders. With this tool, you´ll always remember when it's time to work on your bike.
Peloton Bikes come with a care kit. This tool includes some tools (Allen wrench kit, Screwdriver, etc.) and materials you'll need to keep your bicycle in good shape.
There's a lot of information in this manual that comes with the bike. You might learn about the best ways to make the most of your bicycle.
If you´re over 300 lbs, try to stay on the seat post during your classes. Extra weight could put pressure on some metal parts of the bicycle frame, the left pedal, and the right pedal.
To avoid any injuries or issues, the Peloton bike should only be used by adults or people old enough to give the bicycle it´s intended use.
Removing this information on your bike might also make space for more important information.
To do this, simply log into your Peloton screen: Click on the three dots and go to device settings. Press on Apps, then go to "Peloton". Once you´re there, select storage. You can then clear the cache.
If you´re having maintenance issues with your Peloton bike, it's best to leave it to the experts.
As soon as you buy your bicycle, you´ll have a 12-month guaranteed insurance in case anything serious happens. After this period, you can extend it to either 15 months ($145) or 27 ($175) months.
The warranty covers any replacement of parts that malfunction or naturally wear out. There may be other situations where the warranty could be valid. However, the warranty does not cover everything.
The warranty lasts for the following:
In case you need it, you can directly contact Peloton and they´ll either send you the replacement part or an expert to help you sort out the issue.
You can contact them here.
You can always contact Peloton, as they know their products the best. They´ll do the best work to keep your bicycle in the best possible shape. However, if don't have a warranty, it´ll cost a lot.
You can get a service plan with another company or try to do the repairs yourself. However, that isn't recommended, unless you know your stuff.
Yes, you do. The degree of service required will vary between bikes.
The Peloton bike has a magnetic resistance system, whereas the Peloton bike+ has a digital resistance system. The ladder will be easier to take care of in this regard, as you won't have to worry about calibrating the bicycle.
However, regardless of which fitness equipment you have, you´ll have to clean it, and replace the parts that´ll wear out.
If you have a warranty, maintaining your bicycle shouldn't come at an additional cost.
You can actually make your Peloton last longer by lubricating certain parts. This will keep the bicycle running smoothly and operating as it should. You should also put some lubricator on the pedals and on the flywheel. However, It does have to be a special lubricator for bikes.
Peloton bikes have no chain, so you don't necessarily have to lubricate the flywheel or pedals. Nevertheless, your bicycle would benefit you if you did.
Peloton Bearings have an indefinite lifespan. However, most last until they´re damaged. This can take any amount of time. The wear of the bearing also depends on the use you give it. So it might vary from piece to piece.
Maintaining your Peloton bicycle is a bit tedious and definitely requires lots of work, dedication and personal interest to do. However, if you take care of this, it´ll be well-worth it as you´ll ride better and longer.
We´ve taken a look at some of the areas you can focus your attention on to properly maintain your bicycle. However, in the end, the caregiver is you. You´re free to choose how often and how you want to maintain your bicycle.
