PART of the joy of a bicycle is its simplicity.

The way gears work may be a bit of a mystery to the new cyclist but it's easy to see that turning the pedals turns the wheels and propels you forward in an uplifting whoosh.

This means that it is fairly straightforward to carry out minor repairs and routine maintenance yourself, although not without some idea of what you're doing first.

As well as inspiring more and more readers to ride bikes, Pedal Power is also about providing the handy hints and tips to keep you cycling.

So this week we've been speaking to Dave Hinde, a bike frame and wheel builder who has a shop in Manchester Road, for some advice on repairs and maintenance - especially as we approach winter.

The last thing you want to do when you get home from a bike ride is think about maintenance but Dave said there are some very simple tasks that it's worth getting in the habit of doing.

"The main thing to watch is that the chain is lubed," he said.

"But not with thick oil because it gets grit stuck in it and that just wears your chain and sprockets out.

"The best thing is something like GT85 spray as it's got a lubricant in it and it's thin, it doesn't go all sticky, and it displaces water.

"If you come in from a ride when it's wet don't just leave your bike, spray your chain and sprockets so they won't go rusty."

A quick wash never goes amiss either but this, again, should not be an onerous task.

"You need to get the main amount of gunk off and get the salt off in the winter – grit and salt are the main things to get rid of," Dave said.

"I just use warm water, a soft brush and a bit of elbow grease – that'll get rid of most things.

"Give it a spray again to lube the chain, always do that.

"Most moving parts are sealed up so you don't need to worry about them."

Dave also warned cyclists that use clipless pedals to keep an eye on their cleats.

"Make sure they're in good condition," he said.

"When you walk on them they wear out, then your feet are on the pedals at an angle and this can cause trouble with your knees."

The most frequent roadside repair a cyclist may face is, of course, the puncture.

The simplest way to cope with this (which will inevitably happen in the middle of nowhere, just as it starts raining) is to always carry a spare inner tube and pump, then you can just swap it at the roadside and deal with a puncture in the warmth and comfort of your own home.

Howard Green and James Edwards, from Dave Hinde, have put together a video showing how to change an inner tube, which you can find on our website northwichguardian.co.uk.

A broken chain is another common issue during a ride and the staff at Dave Hinde recommend that a cyclist should carry a power link, which repairs a chain quickly and simply to get you home.

If a spoke breaks, which Dave assured us is increasingly rare, he said the best thing to do is release the quick release on your brake to make them wider, which should get you home, then you can have your wheel repaired.

In terms of servicing Dave said a new bike should be brought in after six weeks, so that gears and brakes can be adjusted after the cables have stretched.

Staff at the shop were keen to emphasise that although they specialise in racing bikes, they carry out high quality servicing at a variety of levels, from a basic check over to disassembly, deep clean and reassembly.

Dave said: "We will do everything from replacing a tube to building a frame."

For more information ring the shop on 01606 41333.