Spring is right here – the blossom is on the bushes, the birds are singing and throughout the nation individuals are bringing their summer time 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 highway (or trails), and generally – sadly – malfunctioning very quickly after.
The change within the seasons is an ideal impetus to dedicating slightly time to making ready your bike for the months to return, this is not going to solely make sure you get the perfect out of your machine, however it also needs to save on probably costly repairs at a later date.
Whether or not you might have a devoted summer time bike otherwise you use the identical bike all yr 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
Maintaining the bearings in your backside bracket, hubs and headset working easily pays dividends in efficiency and longevity. If you happen to match recent grease at this level of the season, there’s a really excessive likelihood that it gained’t want doing once more till the winter, so it’s value doing proper now.
You probably have the know-how, you are able to do this your self. If not, ebook your bike in for a service.
If you happen to’re performing the job your self, the vital factor to test – particularly with the hubs – is that you’ve popped the seals off the bearing, and regreased the bearings themselves.
If you wish to get actually nerdy, it’s potential to suit a thinner summer time 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 is not going to tolerate neglect or unhealthy climate situations – for that reason I’d nonetheless suggest becoming a pleasant thick grease on the skin of the bearing to behave as a barrier.
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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 preserve you dry, however they save your elements from being exfoliated by mud and grit from the highway.
Nevertheless, 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. This can be a tremendous easy job, which you are able to do at residence. If the climate appears questionable over the approaching weeks, preserve the rear one prepared for these previous few blended situation rides.
Match summer time wheels and tyres
What’s a ‘summer time bike’?
Biking custom dictates that riders have a ‘summer time greatest’ bike, and a ‘winter hack‘ for the colder, wetter months. Usually, the ‘winter hack’ would function a steel body, cheaper elements, mudguards, and durable tyres appropriate for moist roads. With trendy traits favouring disc brakes and broad tyres, many cyclists now have a tendency to stay to the identical bike, yr spherical.
If you happen to don’t have the luxurious of a devoted summer time bike, then a set of summer time wheels will remodel your journey. Deeper part carbon wheels might be stiffer and extra aerodynamic than your alloy winter wheels, that means your common pace will enhance. Upgrading to a set of the greatest highway biking wheels may also increase your confidence, by means of 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 typically stiffens the tyre up so it feels slightly laboured. With an excellent summer time tyre the carcass carries rather less safety and is due to this fact supple and responsive – it’s going to have a softer compound on the facet of the tyre for cornering and a more durable compound within the centre for good rolling resistance.
For the summer time, I’d completely suggest going tubeless because it merely improves all features of the tyre when it comes to efficiency.
Match some recent tape (and test for corrosion)
(Picture credit score: Future)
If you happen to’ve been utilizing your bike on the turbo trainer, there might be untold risks beneath that bar tape as sweat can result in corrosion. It’s effectively value double checking that your handlebars are in good condition, particularly in the event you’ve spent a number of time on the indoor coach over winter.
Regardless the way you logged the winter miles, your bar tape will probably be sweaty from the coach, grubby from these winter miles, or trying lackluster from being stowed away – so it’s time to seize one thing new. Wrapping bar tape is a very rewarding job to study to do your self, particularly if you can also make a neat job of it – purchase a few completely different tapes and apply.
Select your tape correctly – thick, cushioned tape can really feel comfy, however uninteresting the journey. Skinny, cheesy tape will present wonderful grip, however might not buffer out the highway buzz.
Degrease your drivetrain and match some mild dry lube, or, attempt wax
Firstly – purchase your self a sequence checker and exchange the chain if crucial – this can make it easier to keep away from sporting out your pricey chainrings and cassette. Assuming your chain has loads of life in it, or is new, we are able to transfer on to making sure the system is squeaky clear.
Even in the event you’ve been holding on prime of washing your bike by means of the winter, the dust builds up over time, so put a while within the diary for a full deep clear and degrease.
Use a strong 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 totally dry all of the elements out earlier than making use of a pleasant mild dry lube for the higher climate. If you happen to’re inquisitive about making an attempt wax – which is able to last more – now is a superb time to get began, as wax must be utilized to a superbly clear chain.
Bleed your brakes and test your pads
(Picture credit score: Future)
If you happen to’ve been utilizing your bike by means of the winter – or in case your devoted summer time has been in hibernation – it’s positively value bleeding your brakes. Guide them in together with your native mechanic or buy a bleed package, and study to do it your self.
Mineral oil will get soiled shortly and DOT fluid absorbs water, each resulting in spongy brakes if not effectively maintained – so now’s the proper time to service your brakes and luxuriate in a worry-free summer time. Additionally take note of which brake pad compound you’re utilizing, as a quieter natural compound is now the best choice most often.
Give your self a goal!
As soon as your bike is totally blinged out for the summer time, don’t neglect to present your self (and the bike) a goal to coach for. While this isn’t precisely mechanically associated, a brand new race, sportive or aim will push you to get out and use your bike extra. And the perfect half about this one is that you are able to do it at no cost – all you want is slightly 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 method to out-bling them!
