The Summer Cycling Checklist: Getting Your Bike Ready for the Season
Sumer is nearly here, and for many bike enthusiasts, that means it's time to take your pride and joy out of hibernation and hit the road again. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, it's essential to make sure your bike is in top condition before hitting the road. In this article, we'll provide an essential checklist of steps and some key tips to get your bike ready for summer cycling.
Clean Your Bike
The first step should always be to clean your bike, then you identify any potential issues going forward. Having a clean bike will ensure you get the most out of your components but also improve the efficiency when riding. A dirty chain will only slow you down.
Start by covering in bike specific shampoo and degreaser for the drivetrain. After sitting for a few minutes and letting it break down the dirt, use a soft brush and warm water to wipe off the dirt. Then rinse to ensure all shampoo is removed. Once cleaned and degreased, you can lubricate the drivetrain and even use a finishing spray to make it shine, but also to protect the paint. It’s important to have a clean bike not only for efficiency, but I’m sure you’ll agree that a clean bike looks and sounds so much better.
Check Your Bike's Tyres
Check your bike's tyres to look for any signs of damage, such as cuts or cracks in the rubber. Check the tire pressure and make sure it matches the recommended pressure listed on the tyre sidewall. Also take this time to check the condition of your spare tube in your saddle bag or wherever you may keep it. We’ve all had a flat tyre, only to discover there’s an issue with the spare tube, or there isn’t one at all!
Inspect Your Bike's Brakes
Next, inspect your brakes. Check the brake pads for wear. If using disc brakes, remove the pads and give them a sand down with medium grit sandpaper. This will ensure the surface is clean. Also make sure to use disc cleaner on the rotors to prevent any horrible squealing under braking.
Check the Chain and Drivetrain
The chain and drivetrain are critical components of your bike. Check the chain for wear and ensure it is degreased and clean before adding more lubricant. Inspect the derailleur and gears to make sure the gears are shifting correctly. If not, the gears may need to be adjusted, or some parts may need to be replaced.
Consider having a professional bike mechanic perform a tune-up to ensure everything is in good working order.
Adjust Your Bike's Fit
Check that the seat doesn’t feel too low or high and reach for your handlebars to ensure you are comfortable. Otherwise you’ll risk injury or an uncomfortable ride at the very least. Take your bike for a spin around the block to make sure everything feels right and tend to any strange noises. You don’t want to discover there’s an issue when you’re far from home!
Use a Navigation Device
Exploring new routes and destinations is one of the most exciting things about cycling. If you're looking to add an extra level of excitement to your cycling adventures, consider using a navigation device, such as the Beeline Velo 2. Our team has been using the Beeline Velo 2 turn-by-turn directions to discover new cycling routes, and we highly recommend it as we found new shortcuts and routes on our local roads we thought we knew so well.
These devices can help guide you along the most cycling-friendly routes, making it easier to discover new destinations and routes. Beeline offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation, allowing you to explore new cycling routes with ease.
We have teamed up with Beeline to offer a 10% discount on Beeline products for all See.Sense readers! Simply use the code: SEESENSE10
Lights, Cycling, Action!
As the days get longer, it can be tempting to leave your lights at home, but remember that it's always important to be seen on the road. We recommend the new ICON3 light to stay visible during your summer cycles. With a powerfully bright 350 lumens at the rear and 575 lumens on the front, you can be seen even in direct sunlight and the 270 degrees of visibility ensures that you will be seen from any angle. Along with our patented See.Sense reactivity and smart features, ICON3 is your best bet to stay daylight visible.
What’s more, you can also sign up to the See.Sense App to receive crash and theft alerts, customise your brightness and flash patterns, plus contribute anonymised ride data to help make cycling in your area safer for all.
Ready to Ride
So there you have it, your essential summer cycling checklist to get your bike ready for the season! With these tips, your bike will be ready to take on a cruise down to the local coffee shop or an all day epic. Now it's time to hit the road and soak up all the joys that cycling has to offer!