Sigh-Fi

Zombie stories always have cars. You think maintaining cars is easier? At least most bikes have pretty standard parts.

Those degrade over time, though. After ten years, you'd have trouble keeping your bike running.

Seriously - when I was a kid and just rode the old BMX around the neighborhood it was enough to hose it down every year or two, then douse the parts in some WD-40.

When I started cycling more as an adult I quickly realized that I needed to learn how to maintain my bike (and that WD-40 is no good). Now, I spend so much time keeping the bike tuned and running smooth. All the drive components, tires and brakes need constant upkeep and replacement.

Tires last a very long time. Tubes can be repaired over and over with patch kits. Chain lubrication helps keep the things running longer, but you can go a long time without lubricating your chain, and if you ever do need to lubricate it, you don't really need the specialized bike-specific oil, just any light machine oil.

A typical bike emergency repair kit fits in a small pouch under the seat or inside the frame.

There are some specialty tools you need if you are doing advanced bike maintenance, but I do most of my own repairs and I've never used half the tools in my lunchbox-sized tool kit. I know how to use a chain whip, but I've never actually needed one. I've never needed a bottom bracket tool or a crank puller. For the most part, the tools you need for bike maintenance can be found in basically any toolbox.