With lighter evenings and warmer weather on the horizon, now is a great time to dust off your bike and make the most of the great outdoors. If it’s been a few months since you last hopped in the saddle, it’s a good idea to do a few checks before you embark on your Spring adventures.
Before you set off on any bike ride, a few simple safety checks will ensure everything is in working order. Keeping on top of your bike maintenance not only ensures safety on your journeys but also helps extend the life of your bike.
Here are a few basic bike checks for returning riders as well as a few top tips for longer-term bike care to help you make the most of your Spring bike rides!
Check bike tyres for punctures
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 life, get them replaced as soon as possible to prevent any punctures or blowouts. Check out our full bike tyre range if you need to get them replaced. We’ve got bike tyres available for every wheel size.
Tyre inflation is equally important. If your tyres are flat, you risk damaging them further and you also 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’ll 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.
Clean your chain, cassette, and cogs
A common issue with metal moving parts is seizing, especially if your bike has been left standing in the shed or garage 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!
Check your 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.
Check your bike lights
It’s always worth having your bike lights ready to go, even if you’re only riding in the daytime, so replace or recharge them 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.
Give your bike a 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 need with a Muc Off 8-in-1 bike cleaning kit, which includes brushes and sponges for a more accurate and long-lasting clean.
Free bike check
There’s also the option to take advantage of our free bike check if you’d like one of our experts to take a look. We’ll check key areas of the bike from the frame to the braking system to give you peace of mind during your spring adventures.
With your bike in full working order, it’s time to get out and make the most of Spring! Enjoy the warmer weather and don’t forget to keep yourself and your bike safe.
Or, if you fancy a bike upgrade, you can browse our wide range of bikes perfect for the warmer weather both in-store and online.
