Getting Your Bike Ready for Spring Riding

Spring is the best time to get back on the bike — and the worst time to discover it isn't roadworthy. Here's how to get your bike ready for the new season properly.

Start with a thorough clean

Before you can assess anything properly, clean the bike. Wash off winter mud and salt, degrease the drivetrain, and dry it off. Salt from winter roads is corrosive and can hide rust on frame tubes, bolts, and cable ends.

Check the tyres

• Inflate to the correct pressure and check for sidewall cracking
• Look for cuts in the tread that could cause a puncture on the first ride
• Check the tread wear — replace if worn smooth in the centre

Tyre pressure guide here.

Check the brakes

• Squeeze both levers firmly — they should feel firm and bite well before the lever reaches the bar
• Check brake pad thickness — if you can see the wear line or backing plate, replace them
• Inspect cables for fraying at the ends or corrosion
• Spin each wheel and check for brake rub

Check the gears

• Shift through all gears — each should engage cleanly without hesitation or skipping
• Check cable tension with the barrel adjuster if shifting is slow or imprecise

Check the chain

Winter riding is hard on chains. Check wear with a chain checker and replace if past 0.75% stretch. Lube the chain thoroughly — even if it was lubed before storage, it will have dried out or washed thin. Chain lube guide here.

Check bolts and fittings

• Handlebars and stem bolts — no movement when you push/pull
• Saddle clamp bolt tight
• Wheel quick releases or axle bolts fully secure
• Pedal threads — left pedal is left-hand thread and can work loose

Check the wheels

Spin each wheel and look for side-to-side wobble. Rock the wheel from side to side at the rim to check for hub bearing play. Read our wheel wobble guide.