Preparation and precautions for riding out in Spring

2022-03-07 15:20:03

Warm spring has arrived. As the weather warms up, it's a good time to go out for a ride. If you often stay at home to avoid the cold in a winter and are no longer familiar with the feeling of outdoor riding, then this article will give you suggestions to help you recover better in spring riding.

Bicycle inspection:

After a winter of idling, the condition of your bike needs to be rechecked before you can safely hit the road, remember one thing: safety first, and these quick checks can make your ride more enjoyable.

1. Tighten everywhere

Check the quick release lever to make sure the wheel is seated correctly; twist and push down on the saddle to make sure it doesn’t move in any direction; twist and push down on the handlebar to make sure the handlebar and stem are tightened properly;

2. Check the bearings everywhere

Wheels: Pick up the bike and spin each wheel. Normally the wheel should spin freely without grinding noise. If the wheel rubs against the brake pads in one spot, or stalls prematurely, check the spokes to make sure they are not bent or broken, and even if there are none, you should seek a mechanic to readjust the wheel.

Head tube: Pinch the front brake and push the bike forward and backward. The bearings should not rock the fork steerer tube inside the head tube. Pick up the front end, turn the handlebar left and right, and it should feel smooth.

Center axis: Turn the crank left and right. The bottom bracket bearing should allow the crank to rotate smoothly without graininess or blockage.

3. Adjust the brakes

When you squeeze the brake lever, the lever should still have 1/2 to 3/4 of the free play to get close to the handlebar, otherwise it will need to be adjusted. Look at the brake pads to see if they have worn past the indicator grooves, if these are missing, or if you see any internal metal exposed, they will need to be replaced.

4. Tire inflation

This is the most obvious, after a winter of idleness, the tires are bound to deflate. It can be inflated according to the air pressure value required by the outside of the tire.

The above steps will make your bike look great and ride smooth and quiet. You've made sure your bike rides safely.

Clean and lubricate the bike

You don't have to completely disassemble the car to clean it, but it is recommended to remove the wheels to clean it from a lot of dirt, do it with warm water and a cleaning solution containing a degreaser, and wherever you see dust, grime or grease, do whatever you can Can clean your bike. After cleaning, please wipe it off with a dry rag to avoid any water marks or rust left after the liquid dries.

Then, add grease to all the moving parts of the chain, derailleur, brake levers, bottom bracket, etc. And don't forget, your seat tube may not have moved for a long time, and the previous carbon fiber anti-slip agent or other grease has dried up and needs to be re-applied to avoid unnecessary trouble.