Want to Get Out For a Spring Bike Ride? Here’s How to Prep For It
Here are six quick maintenance tasks you should do before your riding starts getting serious.
The daylight hours are growing longer, and the weather is thankfully turning warmer—signaling to cyclists and other recreational riders that it’s time to dust off their bike, pull it out of storage, and set out on a long-awaited spring bike ride. Maybe you’re thinking about using your bike to get around, or adding some outdoor exercise to your daily routine.
Before you start pedaling away in earnest, though, it’s a good idea to give your bike a tip-to-tail once-over. Whether you spent the colder months splashing through ice and mud, sweating away on a trainer, or not riding at all, your bike could almost certainly benefit from some TLC. Follow this step-by-step guide to prepping your bike after the winter season, and you’ll be rolling smoothly in no time.
A Clean Bike Is a Happy Bike
Lather some degreaser on the drivetrain to remove any grit and grime, and scrub away. Then, using a mild detergent and warm water, give the rest of your bike a bath. This will brighten its appearance and extend the overall lifespan of the frame and components by removing sweat and corrosive road spray. Once washing is done, re-lubricate critical moving parts, especially the chain.
Check Your Tires
Winter riding is tough on tires, especially if you use a bike trainer. Roller wheels can wear away the center of a tire quicker than normal use. If your tire looks worn or flattened on the center tread, mount up a new pair. Inflate to the recommended psi listed on the tire’s sidewall.
Replace Your Old Cables and Housing
If your bike is equipped with a mechanical shifting drivetrain and/or cable-actuated brakes (rim or disc), you’ll want to examine your cables and housing. Just as with your drivetrain, corrosive sweat from trainer rides or grime from slushy winter roads can cause them to gunk up and not work properly. That is why spring is a great time to replace your cables and housing.
When installing new cable, coat it with a tiny bit of chain lube. This will further improve your bike’s shifting and braking performance.
Tune It Up
If you are not comfortable working on your bike, head down to your favorite local bike shop and get your ride tuned up. Just remember that springtime is often the busiest time of year for these stores, though. So it’s best to call ahead, make a reservation, and expect the process to take a few days.
(Re)Check Your Saddlebag
Whether your first rides of the year will be casual spins around the block or all-day epics into the high mountains, you need to carry the basic gear required to fix a flat tire. That means your jersey pocket or saddlebag must contain a spare tube, a pair of tire levers, a small hand pump or CO2 inflator, and a multitool.
[The Best Multitools for Every Cyclist]
If you’re not sure what’s in there right now (or if it’s still in working order), unload the bag and run through everything. Ideally, you should do this before heading out on that first big ride of the year—and repeat this checkup every month or so during the season.
Get a Bike Fit
If you swapped on new components during the offseason, such as a saddle, stem, pedals, or shoes, consider getting a professional bike fit. Even tiny changes can alter your on-bike efficiency and comfort.
[Everything You Need to Know About Bike Fit]
***
This article was originally published in the Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills.
How to Clean Your Bike
5 Ways You're Wrecking Your Drivetrain
How to Do These 5 Common Bicycle Repairs
18 Essential Bike Tools You’ll Always Want to Have
