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Springtime bike check – what to keep in mind

01.03.2019 |Know-How

The first bike ride in spring is right around the corner? Our experts share their best tips on how to get your bike ready to hit the road again! 

Springtime bike check – what to keep in mind

The first bike ride in spring is right around the corner? Our experts share thTemperatures finally reach the 20-degree mark, the sun is shining: High time to pull your bike out of its winter slumber and take it back on to the roads, trails and bike paths all around you again! 

Our Simplon experts share their best tips on how to get your bike ready for spring season …  

Give it a good clean!

You didn’t grant your bike the beauty sleep that it deserves , and the frame, chain and rims are still covered in dirt and salt residue from your last ride before winter? Then you should give your bike a good clean ahead of its check-up! Because bike rides are twice as fun on a squeaky clean and shiny two-wheeler. Additionally: Possible damages and defects can be more easily detected and resolved.

From top right to bottom left

When our experts at Simplon conduct a springtime check, they always start at the top on the right (cockpit) and work their way down to the bottom left area (derailleur). In the process, the cockpit, saddle, wheels, drive system and brakes are examined as well. If you stick to this sequence, you won’t miss anything. 

Cockpit

Let’s start with the cockpit settings – top right. What you need for this is a wrench with the right torque (especially important for lightweight and carbon components!). Test all screws and retorque them if necessary! Why is that important? The adjustment of the cockpit decides how comfortable you feel while riding and how much control you have over the bike. 

Saddle

When the two-wheeler sits in the basements for the duration of winter, it can happen that screws and other joints come loose over time. Check the saddle and the seat clamp! Tighten it with the torque wrench if needed! The right torque is usually printed on the component or can be found in the manual. 

Tyres

Even without a hole or leaky profile, the tyres might lose air over the course of the winter months. A simple check with your thumb is generally enough to determine whether it’s lacking air. The recommended air pressure is usually printed on the sidewall of the tyre. 

Simplon tip: To refill the air, use a floor pump with pressure gauge! The guiding principle: The lower the tyre pressure, the higher the comfort and traction. The higher the pressure, the lower the rolling friction and wear of the tyres – perfect for riding on dirt roads. 

What else should you keep in mind? We’ve got some additional tips for you in the video!

Derailleur

Does the chain touch the derailleur, or do unintended changes of gear happen? You’ll notice when something isn’t right: With the adjusting screw, you can readjust the derailleur. If you twist it clockwise, the derailleur travels towards the smaller sprocket – and the other way around. This adjustment is usually quite difficult and time-intense for many people. In this case we recommend you hand this task over to the experts at a bike repair shop. 

Brakes

Especially after long periods of latency, the brakes should be checked. They’re functioning properly if you can pull them easily and they can be precisely controlled. The brake pads are wear parts that should be changed frequently. When the grooves in the rubber are gone, it’s time to change them. 

Complex repair work, for instance at the disc brakes, should be done by a specialist. 

Lubricate and grease

You’ve polished your bike to the nines and checked for all kinds of defects? Then you should go ahead and lubricate the chain, shift and brake cables as well as the joints and bearings. That protects them from rust and keeps everything working smoothly. 

If you’ve ticked off all points on the checklist, you’re ready for your first bike tour in spring! 

We’ve summed up our tips in the video for you (in german): 

Emanuel K.
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