With warmer weather on the horizon, there’s no better excuse to dust off your bike and get outside. It might have been a few months since you’ve been out for a ride, so now you’re itching to get back in the saddle. But if it’s been a while, there are a few things to do before you pull it out from the back of the garage and just hop on.
Bikes that don’t get much TLC can soon throw up problems on even short rides. In some cases, it can be unsafe to ride. A safe bike is a happy bike and so it is always worth doing a quick safety check before any sort of ride. Plus, by keeping on top of preventative maintenance, you will avoid expensive bills further down the line or, putting the emergency services under any more pressure because of a nasty tumble.
Here are a few basics for returning riders as well as a few top tips for longer-term bike care:
Tyres
Tyres need to be checked regularly for punctures, degradation and even light damage as this is part of your bike that likely suffers the most wear and tear. If it looks like your tyres are nearing the end of their lives, get them replaced as soon as possible to prevent any punctures or blowouts. Check out our full bike tyre range for a replacement, with bike tyres for every wheel size.
Tyre inflation is equally important. If your tyres are flat, then you risk damaging them if they collide with something and you won’t be able to ride as quickly and efficiently. By keeping a track pump in the same place as you store your bike, you will easily be able to give the tyres a top-up of air. The handy pressure gauge will show you if your bike tyres need some extra inflation, plus you’ll be able to match the recommended PSI on the side of the tyre more accurately.
Additionally, don’t forget to check your inner tube for wear and tear too. Just remove your tyre with some tyre levers, and replace the tube if there are any signs of damage or degradation to the rubber.
Chain, cassette, and cogs
The issue with metal moving parts is seizing, especially if your bike has been left standing for a while. This is where a quick wipe with an old cloth and a touch of bike spray can make life easier – a Muc Off MO-94 Bike Spray or some WD40 will do the job.
Give your moving parts a good spray and start turning your pedals slowly. If things still don’t start moving, then keep soaking everything with bike spray or WD40 and try a bit of brute force!
Cables
Without working brakes and gears, your bike is undoubtedly unsafe. Check that your cable connectors are tight and look for rust or degradation on the cables themselves. If there is any fraying or rust, or the cables aren’t pulling at all, they’ll need to be replaced.
Bike lights
It’s always worth having your bike lights ready to go, even if you’re only riding in the daytime, so replace/recharge if they haven’t been switched on for a while. With fully charged batteries, you won’t get caught out if it suddenly goes dark or you decide to ride just that little bit further towards the end of the day.
Our range of bike lights are perfect for all riders, with options for both commuting in a well-lit city and exploring dark country lanes.
Deep clean
It may seem obvious, but going for your first ride of the year on a grimy, dirty bike isn’t very inspiring, and it likely won’t perform as well either – give it a good scrub before heading out and you’ll look and feel much better for it!
Get all the cleaning equipment you’ll need with a Muc Off 8-in-1 bike cleaning kit, which includes brushes and sponges for a more accurate and long-lasting clean.
Now that you’ve got your bike back to full working order, it’s time to get out and ride it! Enjoy the warmer weather and don’t forget to keep yourself and your bike safe.
You want safe spring cycling, you want Halfords.
