How to Tune up Your Bike this Spring

#3: Inspect the drivetrain.
Your bike’s drivetrain includes the pedals, chain, chainring, derailleur, and rear-wheel cassette. Each of these parts is vulnerable to wear over time and should be checked to ensure functionality. Worn teeth on a cassette can cause your chain to slip or warp, a dirty derailleur can slow or prevent shifting, and a warped chain or chainring could break.

To inspect your drivetrain, raise the rear wheel and operate the pedals with your hands to spin the wheel. Shift through all of your gears and check that each shift works smoothly and quickly. Inspect the chain, chainrings, derailleur, and cassette for wear, missing teeth, cracks, or oily buildup.

If shifting isn’t smooth or the chain slips during shifts, take your bike to a repair shop to adjust the derailleur or replace a cassette. Chains are usually the first component to go as they take the brunt of the force when riding and should be replaced every 2,000-3,000 miles. Replacing a chain is a very quick process for a professional and cost about $30. Waiting too long to replace a chain will wear down the other drivetrain components faster and become a much more costly repair.

#4: Check the tires.
Check your tires for splits, cracks, or tears especially along the sidewalls of the tire. Also, check the tread for uneven or excessive wear. Tires are inexpensive to replace and can dramatically affect your overall safety, so you should replace them as soon as they start to show damage. Replacing a tire can be done at a bike shop but it is fairly easy to change on your own using a set of tire irons and a floor pump.

#5: Add lubricant.
Using a lubricant on your chain and other components will help them last longer and work more efficiently. Lube also prevents dirt and grime from sticking to your drivetrain’s components, which helps increase the performance of the moving parts.

Apply a small amount of lubricant to the chain using a static-free cloth. Slowly rotate the pedals in a counterclockwise direction so each link passes through the cloth. Once each link has had lubricant applied, repeat the process with a clean cloth to wipe off any excess.

A pre-ride checklist

Now that your tune-up is finished, you’re almost ready to ride. Inspect your bike before every ride to avoid any problems on the road. Use the following checklist before each ride to prevent damaging your bike or risking your safety.

1. Test your brakes: engage the brake levers to make sure they are functioning properly and responding quickly.
2. Fill your tires: fill your tires according to the specifications on the sidewall of each tire. Check for cuts, tears, and wear and replace if necessary.
3. Check your wheels: test your wheels by pedaling in place. When moved, they should spin straight and easily. Make sure there is no contact between it and the brake pads.
4. Tighten your wheel bearings: many bikes are fitted with quick-release levers, which are levers located at the hub that allows for easy removal or adjustment of the wheel without using a tool. These should be securely tightened. If your bike has standard tire bolts, you can ensure these are tightened with a standard Allen wrench.

While many of these checks can be easily performed at home, if you’re not comfortable working on your bike, a local bike shop can handle these steps for you. Keep in mind that almost every rider is tuning their bike for spring, so bike repair shops are likely to be busy. Many bike shops offer appointments, so it’s a good idea to call ahead to reserve a spot and avoid a wasted trip.