Our top FESCHD bike hacks for your everyday cycling

Bike hacks = life hacks – they not only make our everyday (cycling) lives easier, but also help in certain situations. There are a few helpful tricks for bicycles that every cyclist should know before hopping in the saddle. Whether your bike is dirty, you have a flat tire, or you simply want to be more visible in the dark – our top FESCHD bike life hacks are sure to help. With these tips, you can get your bike ready for the start of the cycling season without spending a lot of money or time. Have fun and good luck putting them into practice!

1. Bike life hack: The toothbrush chain cleaner

A bicycle needs maintenance just like a car. That's why it's important to keep the chain well-lubricated. To avoid getting completely covered in grease, there's a neat trick. Grab two old toothbrushes and tape their ends together with tape, making sure the brush heads are facing each other. Now, apply some grease to the brushes and clamp the chain between them. Simply turn the pedals a few times, and you have a cheap and practical tool for cleaning and lubricating your chain.

2. Bike Life Hack: The Rock Tamer

Which woman doesn't know this feeling: you like to wear a skirt in the summer, and for just a moment you're not paying attention and the fabric gets caught in the spokes. Or your skirt might fly up, unintentionally revealing your underwear. We have a simple yet ingenious solution for that, using just two items you're guaranteed to have at home.

It's so easy: Take a coin. Hold it against the back of the skirt, mid-thigh, and guide it, along with the fabric, between your legs. Now, grasp the front part of the fabric around the coin and secure it with a hair tie. This prevents the coin from slipping and stops the garment from flapping around or getting caught in the spokes. If necessary, this trick also works with a flat stone and a rubber band.

3. Bike Life Hack: Opening a chain lock with a shoelace

Want to open a chain lock on the go without a special tool or pliers? With a little skill and this hack, it's possible! A sturdy shoelace is all you need. Thread it through the two loops next to the lock and cross the ends over each other at the bottom. Then pull firmly on both ends. Voila, the lock opens. Closing it again is even easier. Position the lock so it's not yet engaged, and rotate the chain with the lock facing upwards between the crank and cassette. Apply the rear brake and simultaneously push down on the pedal. Voila, the lock is closed again.

4. Bike Life Hack: Easily mount foam grips with cable ties

Foam or silicone grips are often difficult to slide onto the handlebars, as they need to be secure and fit snugly. If you don't have an air compressor or brake cleaner handy, you can use simple cable ties. First, slide the foam grip as far onto the handlebar as possible. Then, insert several unfastened cable ties between the grip and the handlebar, as far as they will go – this may require some force. After inserting several cable ties, the grip will slide onto the handlebar more easily. Once it's in the desired position, carefully remove the cable ties one by one.

5. Bike life hack: Clean dirty hands

Cyclists know this all too well. After tinkering with your bike chain, your fingers get dirty. Chain oil is difficult to remove with regular soap. That's why we have a helpful trick: When washing your hands, add a generous pinch of salt to the soap. This acts like an exfoliant, and the greasy film washes away easily. This trick isn't just great for cyclists, but also for anyone who gets their hands dirty working on a car or motorcycle.

6. Bike Life Hack: The right equipment & must-haves that really make a difference!

Things like a mini repair kit that you always carry in a small saddlebag, special lights with an integrated power bank that can save you if your smartphone battery dies (tip: check out our FESCHD bike light with integrated power bank ), a lightweight, stylish helmet that inflates automatically, or a high-quality, multifunctional phone mount – these can make a real difference in the daily life of a cyclist. Look forward to our next blog post about must-have bike gadgets that are not only functional and stylish but can actually save your everyday cycling and become true bike life hacks!