Inflate your tyres well
The tyres should have the correct air pressure for the bike to roll easily and avoid tyre punctures. Max pressure is indicated on the tyre side. Replace worn tyres.
First service after 300 km
After one month of use or about 300 km, all screws should be checked and tightened and functional parts reviewed
Keep the chain lubricated
The chain should be well lubricated. Use oil or chain spray. The tension of the chain should allow 10-20 mm movement.
Care for your saddle
Grease the leather saddle and take care of it like a nice pair of leather shoes. First, it’s hard but will soon become supple and pleasant.
Cleanliness is a virtue
Keep the bike clean and free from salt to avoid rust, especially around hubs, brakes and bottom bracket. Keep the bicycle under roof and locked.
Wash carefully
Do not wash the bicycle with high water pressure, as hubs and bearings may be damaged. Do not use degreasers or solvents on the paint.
Maintenance of Brooks leather saddles
A leather saddle from Brooks needs to be cared for in order to become comfortable, last a long time and retain its shape. Brooks recommends that only Brooks Proofide is used for the care of their leather saddles. A new saddle should be treated at least once with Proofide. This helps the saddle during the breaking-in period and gives the leather protection against water and dirt. Never apply Proofide to a wet saddle.
Apply a small amount of Proofide to the top side of the saddle and allow it to penetrate until the surface is dry. Then polish the saddle thoroughly with a soft cloth, so that no excess remains that could mark your clothes. Also apply Proofide to the underside of the saddle. On the underside, the product should not be polished off, but left in place as protection against dirt and moisture.
Proofide can be used several times during the breaking-in period and thereafter when needed. Do not use too much and do not treat the saddle more often than necessary. After the breaking-in period, it may be normal to tension the saddle so that it retains its shape, comfort and support.
After long-term use, a Brooks leather saddle may need to be tensioned to restore the shape and support of the leather. Only adjust the saddle when it feels sagged or has lost its tension. Never tension a wet saddle and never overtension it, as this may damage the leather.
The adjustment is made at the nut (1) under the nose of the saddle. Turn the nut clockwise, viewed from the front of the saddle, no more than a quarter turn at a time. Check the saddle’s shape and tension after each adjustment and preferably allow the leather to rest before tightening it further. Use the Brooks saddle spanner.
The care instructions above are based on a Swedish adaptation of Brooks England’s English care instructions for leather saddles at www.brooksengland.com.
Maintenance of chain KMC
The chain installed on the Pilen Ida, Lyx and GT models is from KMC and has a special anti-rust surface coating called KMC RustBuster.
Dry-brush all four sides of the chain with a small brush to remove loose particles.
If needed, use a pH-neutral cleaning agent to remove dirt.
Do not use degreasers or strong cleaning agents, as they may dissolve and remove the lubricant from the chain.
Wipe the chain with a dry cloth. Never wash with a pressure washer.
Apply chain lubricant to the lower run of the chain, one drop per chain roller.
Brush out the chain lubricant with a small soft brush so that the lubricant is distributed evenly over the chain.
Do not use the same brush that was used to remove dirt.
Wipe off excess lubricant with a cloth.
The tension of the chain should allow 10-20 mm movement.
Bottom bracket maintenance
A maintenance-free bottom bracket (2) from the Japanese manufacturer Tange, model LN-7922, is fitted to the Pilen Ida, Lyx, GT and GTV models.
The axle ends that protrude from the bottom bracket, where the crank arms are mounted, can be wiped gently if they become dirty.
Do not use strong cleaning agents or degreasers in a way that allows the product to reach the bottom bracket bearings (1). This may carry dirt into the bearings and shorten the service life of the bottom bracket.
Never wash the bottom bracket with a pressure washer.
Tyre and tyre pressure maintenance
Use a few drops of mild, pH-neutral cleaning agent in lukewarm water and a washing sponge. Rinse with water. Do not use strong degreasers or strong cleaning agents. Do not wash with a pressure washer.
The recommended tyre pressure depends on which tyre is installed on the bicycle. Always check the marking on the sidewall of the tyre. The table below shows common tyres on Pilen bicycles and the tyre pressures stated for each tyre. Some tyres state a pressure range, while others state only the maximum permitted pressure. Never exceed the maximum pressure stated on the tyre.
| Tyre | Size | Models | Stated tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwalbe Citizen Black-reflective | 47-622 | Ida, Lyx | 2.0–4.5 bar / 30–65 psi |
| Schwalbe Little Big Ben Cream-reflective | 40-622 | Ida | 3.5–6.0 bar / 50–85 psi |
| Schwalbe Little Big Ben Brown-reflective | 40-622 | Ida | 3.5–6.0 bar / 50–85 psi |
| Schwalbe Fat Frank Black-reflective | 50-622 | Lyx, EL1, EL2 | 2.0–5.0 bar / 30–70 psi |
| Schwalbe Fat Frank Cream-reflective | 50-622 | Lyx, EL1, EL2 | 2.0–5.0 bar / 30–70 psi |
| Schwalbe Fat Frank Brown-reflective | 50-622 | Lyx, EL1, EL2 | 2.0–5.0 bar / 30–70 psi |
| Schwalbe Marathon Racer Black-reflective | 40-622 | GT, GTV | 4.0–6.0 bar / 55–85 psi |
| Schwalbe G-One Allround Bronze | 40-622 | GT, GTV | 3.0–4.5 bar / 45–65 psi |
| Schwalbe Little Big Ben Cream-reflective | 42-622 | GT, GTV | 3.5–6.0 bar / 50–85 psi |
| Schwalbe Little Big Ben Brown-reflective | 42-622 | GT, GTV | 3.5–6.0 bar / 50–85 psi |
| Schwalbe Kojak Black | 35-622 | GT, GTV | 4.0–6.5 bar / 55–95 psi |
| Panaracer GravelKing Slick TLC Black-brown | 27.5 x 1.90 / 48-584 | Grus | max. 3.5 bar / 50 psi |
| Panaracer Pari-Moto | 27.5 x 1.90 / 48-584 | Grus | max. 3.5 bar / 50 psi |