15 Peloton Bike Maintenance Tips by the Expert
Peloton bikes have become a go-to home exercise equipment for many as it offers a flawless spinning performance that has benefited a lot. However, like every other piece of exercise equipment, it requires a good amount of maintenance to maintain smooth performance.
But if you don’t take utmost care and maintenance at regular intervals of the bike, it will not only start deteriorating the performance but also affect your fitness growth. Even though these expensive exercise devices are built to last and designed for heavy usage, you can’t take them for granted.
Peloton bikes are easy to maintain, and following some tips throughout your usage will help you keep your bike in optimum condition. Do you know those tips? Well, if you don’t, you can check out our 15 Peloton bike maintenance tips.
Do Your Peloton Bike Needs Maintenance?
Peloton bikes are just like other exercise bikes on the market, and they require consistent maintenance throughout their lifetime. Even though they are not delicate and built to the taste of time, you need to take care of them as delicate equipment.
However, you won’t have to get worried as the maintenance process is quite simple, primarily due to its belt. So you can understand that your Peloton needs maintenance. Here are some basics of maintaining a Peloton bike.
15 Peloton Bike Maintenance Tips
Here are some vital bike maintenance tips that you should remember;
Always consider a bike mat while exercising.
Whenever you use a Peloton bike, consider placing them over a mat. A Peloton bike is an expensive piece of equipment, and you won’t indeed love it if it gets damaged by regular friction from the rough floor. A rough floor can not only cause scratches, but the dirt and debris on the floor will damage the outer area.
Moreover, debris and dust from the floor can get into the chain and other parts, which can lead to damage. The carpet serves as a resistive layer that will protect it from any damage and also prevent the bike from sliding in humid floor conditions. Put the bike in the middle so that there is enough space around the bike and it isn’t sliding after placement.
Take care of the bike’s belt system and flywheel.
One of the best things about Peloton bikes is that they don’t come with chains that require greasing and oil on a regular basis. Instead, they make use of a belt system that works smoothly even if you don’t oil on a regular basis. However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take care of the belt; and instead, you should apply the proper lubricant at regular intervals.
Check for sound and smoothness of the belt system to make sure that there won’t be any degradation in the performance. Often belts get dents and other damages due to prolonged usage, so you should opt for repairing or replacement as soon as possible. Along with the belt system, you should check the flywheel is running smoothly and there isn’t any unnatural resistance or odd sound. You can also check the alignment of the flywheel as they often change due to heavy usage.
Always set up the Peloton bike properly.
Every exercise bike, whether it is Peloton or any other brand, requires proper setup for effective functioning. Besides smooth performance, a correct setup will ensure a safe workout and also prevent any unwanted damage to the bike. During the bike setup, it would be best to follow the user manual to achieve the exact setup. While setting up the pedal, you should be careful about the foot placement and make sure both the pedals are away from the back wheel.
On the other hand, handles should have proper symmetry because your hand position plays a vital role in your spinning performance. Always ensure the bike is always in an upright position and it is totally perpendicular to you while you ride. Basically, you will have to check that all the parts are oriented correctly in their position.
It should be used by an eligible user.
Even though a Peloton bike is a very user-friendly bike, it should be only used by users who know how to handle them, and less-knowledgeable users should be supervised. It should be used by users who are at least 14-years old, and they know how to handle the bike. Height won’t be a big issue as they are designed for most people, but it would be problematic if any user is below 4’11 inches or taller than 6’5inch.
Moreover, the user’s weight should be at the recommended level as being overweight can damage the frame. If there is any kid in your house, you should check that they accidentally put their hand on the pedal or insert anything on the belt.
Maintain the pedals and cleats
Pedals and cleats may seem like just another part of your Peloton bike, but they also require the same level of maintenance as bike belts and flywheels. Almost every week, you should tighten the pedals and ensure you never have a loose pedal before you start a ride. You can use the Allen wrench to tighten or loosen the screws, and according to the user manual, you should rotate the wrench.
It is a best practice to replace your pedal every year as it will ensure you get the best experience. Similarly, the maintenance of the cleats shouldn’t be overlooked and always opt for recommended cleats. Avoid using unsupported cleats or universal cleats as they often cause damage.
Take care of the handles and seat.
You might not realize it, but the seat and handles of your Peloton bike play an essential role in deciding your spinning experience. Many people often exclude seat and handle from their Peloton maintenance process, but you should not. They should be adjusted on a regular basis, and for the proper functioning of joints, you should apply specialized lubricants.
You should adjust the height and tilt of the seat at a regular interval so that the handles function correctly. You should do the same with the bars of the handle and adjust them almost every month so that you have the proper posture. One thing you should always maintain is that both the height of the seat and handle are the same level.
Perform regular check-ups of the brake
The resistance knob of your Peloton bike serves as one of the vital parts as it acts as a brake. Although you may not use it frequently during their exercise session, you need to keep it functional and friction-free. Moreover, keeping the resistance knob fully functional will also ensure optimum safety.
At the end of every week, you should press the resistance knob and check the braking power. If the bike stops immediately, then it is fully functional, but if it doesn’t, then there is an issue with the resistance. You should then contact Peloton for repair or get in touch with a qualified repair person.
Ensure the bike frame is in optimum condition
To keep the bike frame in optimum condition, you need to do a thorough check-up at the end of every month. Move your hand slowly over the frame and check if you find any rough or cracked parts in the body frame. The body should be smooth, and any wear or tear can lead to injury in the inner thigh while you perform any exercise.
If there is significant wear and tear or damage, avoid using the bike until the technicians repair them. You should also check all the knobs and bolts on the frame and check whether they are tight or not. If you find any bolts or knobs are in loose condition, use the Allen wrench to tighten them. Also, check the close joints in the frame and ensure there is no rusting or bending issue in them. Rust or bend in the frame in joints can cause injury when you are using it.
Keep the Peloton bike clean.
Well, it might seem like a no-brainer, but there are many users who hardly clean their bikes, thinking a durable device like this doesn’t require much maintenance. However, to ensure maximum longevity and optimum performance, you need to keep the bike clean and free from dirt, debris, and sweat.
Doing a regular cleaning with damp cloth and brushes will not only keep the bike in pristine condition but will also bar the dirt and other substance from getting into moving parts. It would be a great practice to clean the bike after each session as it will minimize the accumulation of dirt and debris and also keep the bike in an immaculate state.
While cleaning, you should put emphasis on handles, knobs, paddles, and close joints as these parts are more prone to catch dust, debris, and sweat. You should clean these parts using mild cleaners and avoid using harsh cleaners as they can cause damage to the body. However, if you can’t clean your bike regularly, then cover them after every use.
Look after the screen.
Another vital aspect to consider in the Peloton bike maintenance tips is the maintenance of the screen, which often serves as the soul of the device. You need to take care of the screen, and it would be wise to use a screen protector to prevent any unwanted damage. Before you start your daily workout session, keep the screen in its ideal position so that it doesn’t fall down while you are in the middle of the spinning session.
Apart from the designated apps for the Peloton, you should avoid forcibly installing any other applications as they can cause the system to slow down. Moreover, downloading third-party apps can lead to the entry of viruses into the system.
You should always use a soft touch on the screen because if you press the screen with a high force, then it can damage the touch screen sensors. If you’re using an old Peloton bike, then the screen might use a battery for operation, so you should change them on.
Unplug the bike from the power source after every usage
Many users tend to keep the power cord of the Peloton bike plugged in when they are not using it for exercise. You should refrain yourself from indulging in such practice and always remove the power plug from the power source when you are not using it. Even if you don’t remove the plug, at least you should keep the power source in a switched-off state.
Not only will it prevent the bike from any kind of power surge, but it will save a good amount of electricity. If there is any kid in your home and then keeping the bike in the power-on position can lead to major accidents. Importantly keeping the bike in a power-on position all the time often deteriorates the longevity of the electrical parts and screens in the bike.
Always service and repair the bike from a Peloton technician.
Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended to get your bike serviced or repaired only by Peloton technicians as they are better aware of the device. If you find any mechanical or electrical issue in your bike, you should contact technical support for help, and they will revert quickly.
It doesn’t mean other technicians are not qualified to service or repair Peloton bikes, but if you service from a Peloton technician, you will stay assured you will get the best service. Moreover, when Peloton offers technical assistance, they will make sure they don’t void the warranty, and if you replace any product, they will offer a warranty on that part.
Avoid using bike parts from another bike.
Whenever you need a replacement of a worn-out or damaged part of your Peloton bike, you shouldn’t use parts from other exercise bikes. Peloton has been designed in such a way that it only fits with Peloton manufactured parts, and you can fit parts that are compatible with other brands. So when you use parts from other bikes, it not only damages a certain area but also puts strain on the frame when you try to install them.
There are many instances where the installation points got damaged due to the usage of other bike parts. For example, the pedals of a Peloton bike can’t be replaced by pedals of other indoor cycles and even other brands. Peloton bikes are only compatible with certain pedals, and if you try to install other pedals, it will damage the section, which will incur you to replace the whole pedal system.
Keep the bike in a clean area and away from the outdoor environment
Peloton bikes are designed for the indoor environment, and you must protect them from the outdoor environment, especially dirt, moisture, and debris. Always keep your bike indoors, and it would be better to avoid using them in the outdoor environment. Even if you put it outside for working out in the open, you should quickly bring it outside once you are done with the session.
Importantly store or keep the bike in a moisture-free or moisture-less environment because keeping them for a prolonged time can deteriorate the durability. Plus, refrain from putting the bike near the window because sunrays and outdoor wind carrying dirt and moisture can lead to damage. It is recommended never to use the bike in the outdoor area when it is raining as such usage often hampers the overall durability.
Final Thought
Peloton bikes are an ideal choice for indoor exercise, and they are designed to offer you superior performance and stand the test of time. Since they are designed for indoor use, it is easy to maintain. Proper maintenance will not only keep you in optimum shape, but it will help you to reap maximum efficiency when you perform the exercise.