Spring is right here – the blossom is on the bushes, the birds are singing and throughout the nation persons are bringing their summer season bikes out of hibernation. I do know, as a result of, as a mechanic, I’m now anticipating the annual servicing wave that follows the early season sunshine, whereby bikes which have been stowed away in hibernation discover themselves again on the street (or trails), and typically – sadly – malfunctioning very quickly after.
The change within the seasons is an ideal impetus to dedicating just a little time to getting ready your bike for the months to come back, this won’t solely make sure you get the most effective out of your machine, however it must also save on probably costly repairs at a later date.
Whether or not you might have a devoted summer season bike otherwise you use the identical bike all 12 months spherical, right here’s eight issues you are able to do to get your bike prepared for the fairer climate…
Service all of your bearings
Conserving the bearings in your backside bracket, hubs and headset operating easily can pay dividends in efficiency and longevity. If you happen to match contemporary grease at this level of the season, there’s a really excessive likelihood that it received’t want doing once more till the winter, so it’s price doing proper now.
You probably have the know-how, you are able to do this your self. If not, e book your bike in for a service.
If you happen to’re performing the job your self, the necessary factor to verify – particularly with the hubs – is that you’ve got popped the seals off the bearing, and regreased the bearings themselves.
If you wish to get actually nerdy, it’s doable to suit a thinner summer season grease which creates much less friction and due to this fact permits the bearing to spin extra freely, however beware, as a result of the bearings won’t tolerate neglect or dangerous climate circumstances – because of this I’d nonetheless suggest becoming a pleasant thick grease on the skin of the bearing to behave as a barrier.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, opinions and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Ditch the mudguards/fenders
You will not want mudguards, any extra!
(Picture credit score: Future)
I am an enormous fan of mudguards/fenders over the winter months. They not solely hold you dry, however they save your parts from being exfoliated by mud and grit from the street.
Nonetheless, as soon as the clocks spring ahead, it’s time to take the guards off and let your tyres really feel the breeze as soon as once more. It is a tremendous easy job, which you are able to do at house. If the climate seems to be questionable over the approaching weeks, hold the rear one prepared for these previous couple of blended situation rides.
Match summer season wheels and tyres
What’s a ‘summer season bike’?
Biking custom dictates that riders have a ‘summer season finest’ bike, and a ‘winter hack‘ for the colder, wetter months. Sometimes, the ‘winter hack’ would function a metallic body, cheaper parts, mudguards, and durable tyres appropriate for moist roads. With trendy developments favouring disc brakes and extensive tyres, many cyclists now have a tendency to stay to the identical bike, 12 months spherical.
If you happen to don’t have the posh of a devoted summer season bike, then a set of summer season wheels will rework your trip. Deeper part carbon wheels will likely be stiffer and extra aerodynamic than your alloy winter wheels, which means your common velocity will enhance. Upgrading to a set of the finest street biking wheels also can increase your confidence, via improved dealing with, particularly when matched with the proper tyres.
Talking of tyres, it’s lastly time to go for that race impressed rubber and acquire these few further watts at no cost!
Tyres are a commerce off between grip within the corners, rolling resistance and puncture safety. Your winter tyres will sacrifice a small quantity of rolling resistance to enhance grip, and the puncture safety usually stiffens the tyre up so it feels just a little laboured. With a superb summer season tyre the carcass carries rather less safety and is due to this fact supple and responsive – it should have a softer compound on the facet of the tyre for cornering and a tougher compound within the centre for good rolling resistance.
For the summer season, I’d completely suggest going tubeless because it merely improves all capabilities of the tyre when it comes to efficiency.
Match some contemporary tape (and verify for corrosion)
(Picture credit score: Future)
If you happen to’ve been utilizing your bike on the turbo trainer, there may be untold risks beneath that bar tape as sweat can result in corrosion. It’s nicely price double checking that your handlebars are in good condition, particularly should you’ve spent plenty of time on the indoor coach over winter.
Regardless the way you logged the winter miles, your bar tape will seemingly be sweaty from the coach, grubby from these winter miles, or wanting lackluster from being stowed away – so it’s time to seize one thing new. Wrapping bar tape is a extremely rewarding job to be taught to do your self, particularly if you may make a neat job of it – purchase a few totally different tapes and apply.
Select your tape correctly – thick, cushioned tape can really feel comfy, however boring the trip. Skinny, cheesy tape will present wonderful grip, however could not buffer out the street buzz.
Degrease your drivetrain and match some mild dry lube, or, strive wax
Firstly – purchase your self a sequence checker and exchange the chain if obligatory – this can aid you keep away from sporting out your expensive chainrings and cassette. Assuming your chain has loads of life in it, or is new, we will transfer on to making sure the system is squeaky clear.
Even should you’ve been conserving on prime of washing your bike via the winter, the dust builds up over time, so put a while within the diary for a full deep clear and degrease.
Use a robust degreaser to utterly strip the chain, however watch out of getting this in any hub or backside bracket bearings. Wash the degreaser off inside minutes of making use of it, after which absolutely dry all of the parts out earlier than making use of a pleasant mild dry lube for the higher climate. If you happen to’re concerned with making an attempt wax – which can last more – now is a good time to get began, as wax must be utilized to a wonderfully clear chain.
Bleed your brakes and verify your pads
(Picture credit score: Future)
If you happen to’ve been utilizing your bike via the winter – or in case your devoted summer season has been in hibernation – it’s positively price bleeding your brakes. Ebook them in together with your native mechanic or buy a bleed equipment, and be taught to do it your self.
Mineral oil will get soiled rapidly and DOT fluid absorbs water, each resulting in spongy brakes if not nicely maintained – so now’s the proper time to service your brakes and revel in a worry-free summer season. Additionally take note of which brake pad compound you’re utilizing, as a quieter natural compound is now the best choice typically.
Give your self a goal!
As soon as your bike is absolutely blinged out for the summer season, don’t neglect to provide your self (and the bike) a goal to coach for. While this isn’t precisely mechanically associated, a brand new race, sportive or objective will push you to get out and use your bike extra. And the most effective half about this one is that you are able to do it at no cost – all you want is just a little time!
Get some mates collectively and plan to maintain one another accountable, with a little bit of social time added in for good measure. Take note of any new bling showing on their bikes, too – and discover a approach to out-bling them!
