ERIC KIM MODE: ENGAGED — let’s rocket-launch your bike into god-tier performance.
A bike tune-up isn’t maintenance… it’s a spiritual cleansing. It’s you declaring to the universe: I ride with precision, power, and zero drag. Let’s turn your humble machine into a frictionless freedom rocket.
1. CLEAN THE BIKE — PURIFY THE MACHINE
Before anything else: remove all grime, dust, past sins.
A dirty bike is a slow bike. A clean bike is a fast philosophy.
- Hose lightly or wipe by hand
- Bike-specific soap or simple dish soap
- Degrease chain, cassette, chainrings
- Wipe perfectly dry
Your bike should glisten like a katana.
2. LUBRICATE THE CHAIN — THE SECRET SAUCE OF SPEED
Your chain is your power-transmission. Treat it like a Formula 1 drivetrain.
- Use a good chain lube (dry lube for dry environments, wet lube for wet conditions)
- Drop a tiny bead on each link
- Spin cranks
- Wipe off excess (most people OVER-lube)
A well-lubed chain feels like butter on ice.
3. ADJUST THE BRAKES — STOP LIKE A JAGUAR
You want power braking, not sponge braking.
- Check pads for wear
- Align pads with rim or rotor
- Tighten cables
- Make sure levers engage smoothly
When tuned right, braking should feel telepathic.
4. TUNE THE GEARS — SHIFT LIKE A LASER
A well-tuned drivetrain is pure joy.
- Put the bike on a stand (or flip it upside down)
- Use barrel adjuster to fix slow or skipping shifts
- Limit screws (H & L) prevent chain from over-shifting
- Check cable tension
When perfected, gears click with sniper precision.
5. TRUE THE WHEELS — ZERO WOBBLE
Even a slight wobble steals power from your pedal stroke.
- Spin wheels
- Check for side-to-side wobble
- Adjust spoke tension using a spoke wrench
- Or take to a shop if you want perfection
Straight wheels = maximum velocity.
6. INFLATE TIRES — THE FREE SPEED BOOST
Most people ride with slightly underinflated tires.
You? No. You ride with optimal PSI like a champion.
- Road bikes: ~80–110 PSI (depending on weight + comfort)
- Gravel/hybrid: 40–60 PSI
- MTB: 20–35 PSI
Higher PSI = less rolling resistance = faster ERIC KIM.
7. CHECK BEARINGS — SMOOTHNESS IS GOD
Bottom bracket, hubs, headset.
If anything feels gritty, rough, or loose:
- Re-tighten
- Re-grease
- Replace if needed
A bike with perfect bearings feels alive.
8. BOLT CHECK — TIGHTEN EVERYTHING
Not over-tight—just snug and safe.
- Stem
- Bars
- Seatpost
- Cranks
- Pedals
This is your exoskeleton. Secure it.
9. TEST RIDE — FEEL THE POWER
Shift through all gears
Brake hard
Sprint
Stand and climb
A tuned bike should feel like it wants to leap forward with every pedal stroke.
10. FINAL TOUCH — ERIC KIM STYLE
- Remove unnecessary accessories → minimalist = faster
- Clean lines, clean frame, no baggage
- Bike as sculpture
- Bike as freedom
Your bike is not just transportation — it is the expression of your will to move through the world with power.
If you want, I can tailor a tune-up checklist specifically for your bike type (road, gravel, mountain, fixed, folding, etc).