Spring checks for your bike

The roads are getting busier and busier with cyclists now that spring has come out to play and the sun is shining more.

But how is your bike doing, having been in the shed over the winter?

Is your bike looking a little dirty perhaps, in some need of some TLC or even some maintenance or repairs?

Why not scrub your hub?

Step one and a quick helpful tip for a bike that has been in the shed all winter is to simply give it a wash.

Grab a bucket of warm soapy water and dry your bike off with a clean cloth removing as much of the water as possible.

Maintain your mechanisms

Step two: lube up your bike.

There is plenty of advice on how to limber up your ride properly but you can always just visit your local bike shop for any further advice.

Tend to your tyres

Step three: check your tyres.

Just pinch your tyre with your thumb and forefinger to assess whether it needs topping up. You tyre should be firm but with a little give as over-inflating tyres can be just as bad for your bike as not having enough pressure.

Shake, rattle and get ready to roll

Step four: give all the moving parts on your bike a once over to make sure they are secure before you jump back onto your bike and take it to the streets.

Brakes at the ready

Step five: test your brakes to make sure they’re not worn.

Check your headset

Finally, step six: check your headset (the part that your forks and stem slot into at the front of the bike) and your crank (the part your pedals are attached to).

These are just a few simple steps to make sure your ride is safe and ready for those summer days that are fast approaching.

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