Daylight hours are getting longer and luckily the weather is getting warmer, signaling to professional and recreational bikers that it’s time to dust off your bike and get it out of storage. Or maybe you’re thinking of using your bike to get around or adding some outdoor exercise to your daily routine during the new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Yes, as long as your government allows it, it is okay to train outside while avoiding groups and practicing safe social distancing .
However, before you start pedaling seriously, it’s a good idea to give your bike a spin.
Whether you’ve spent the colder months splashing through the rain and mud, sweating in a group, or not driving, your bike could surely benefit from a tune-up.
Clean the bike
Tell the truth, how many times have you cleaned it? Hopefully it gets wet on the terrace when it rains, but rarely will you have taken a soap and started rubbing. With a mild detergent and warm water, give it a rich bath. This will brighten your appearance and extend the overall life of the frame and components by eliminating sweat and corrosive spray. Once the wash is done, apply a little degreaser to the drive train to remove any remaining grit and grime. It then re-lubricates the critical moving parts, especially the chain.
Riding in winter is difficult on tires. Spinning wheels can wear down the center of a tire faster than normal use. If your tire looks worn or flattened on the center tread, put in a new pair.
Replace old cables and materials
If your bike is equipped with a mechanical shift train and / or cable-actuated brakes (rim or disc), you’ll want to examine your cables and housing. As with the transmission, corrosive sweat from rides or dirt from winter roads can cause them to build up and not work properly. That is why spring is a good time to replace cables and small old materials.
When installing a new cable, cover it with a little chain lubricant. This will further improve shifting and braking performance.
Make an appointment for the professional set-up
If you’re not entirely comfortable riding, head to your favorite local bike shop and streamline your trip. However, remember that spring is usually the busiest time of year for these stores. Therefore, it is best to call ahead, make a reservation, and wait for the process to take a few days. My recommendation is that you go to specialized and exclusive bicycle shops; Forget the department stores that are dedicated to various types of sports.
Check your parts
Whether your first trips of the year will be casual spins around the block or epic all-day high mountains, you should carry the basic gear required to repair a flat tire or wheel. That means your spare pocket should contain a spare tube, a pair of tire levers, a small hand pump or CO2 inflator, and a multi tool.
If you are not sure what is in your bag (or if it still works), empty it and check everything. Ideally, you should do this before heading out on that first big trip of the year, and repeat this checkup every month or so during the season.
Think about buying a new one
If you changed new components during the off-season, such as a saddle, stem, pedals, or sneakers, consider jumping into a professional bike. Even small changes can alter efficiency and comfort.
