Spring Bike Checklist: Get Ready for the Riding Season

The clocks have changed, the days are longer, and the weather is improving. Whether your bike has been ridden all winter or hibernating in the shed, spring is the perfect time for a check-up. Here's your checklist.

The quick spring check (15 minutes)

If your bike has been ridden through winter, it's probably taken a beating from salt, rain, and grit. Run through these checks:

• Tyres: check pressure, look for cuts and cracks. Winter tyres? Time to swap back to summer rubber
• Chain: check wear with a chain checker. Winter chains stretch fast
• Brakes: check pad thickness — winter grit eats brake pads
• Cables: shift through all gears. Sticky? Cables may need replacing after winter
• Bolts: check stem, seatpost, bottle cages, and rack bolts
• Lights: still working? Batteries charged?

The spring deep clean

Winter leaves a layer of grime, salt, and road film on everything. A proper spring clean makes a huge difference:

• Wash the frame with warm soapy water
• Degrease the drivetrain — chain, cassette, chainrings, jockey wheels
• Clean the wheels — rims, spokes, and hubs
• Clean brake surfaces — rims or rotors
• Dry thoroughly and apply fresh chain lube

Read our full bike cleaning guide →

Switch from wet lube to dry lube

If you've been using wet lube through winter (you should have been), spring is the time to switch to dry lube. It's cleaner, attracts less dirt, and works better in warmer, drier conditions.

• Clean the chain thoroughly first — remove all old wet lube
• Apply dry lube and wipe off excess
• Reapply more frequently than wet lube (every 1–2 rides)

Post-winter service

Spring is the busiest time for bike mechanics — everyone wants their bike ready at the same time. Book early to avoid the rush.

A spring service should include:

• Full safety check — brakes, gears, wheels, headset, bottom bracket
• Chain wear measurement — replace if worn
• Brake pad check — replace if thin
• Cable inspection — replace if corroded or sticky
• Wheel true — winter potholes knock wheels out
• Bearing check — headset, BB, and hubs
• Full clean and lube

Upgrades to consider

• New bar tape — if yours is worn, dirty, or coming loose
• New tyres — if the old ones are cracked, worn, or you want to try something different
• New saddle — if comfort has been an issue
• Mudguard removal — if you only fitted them for winter
• New pedals or grips — small upgrades that make a big difference to feel

Set your goals

Spring is a great time to set cycling goals for the year:

• Commute by bike a certain number of days per week
• Complete a sportive or charity ride
• Explore new routes in the local area
• Hit a distance target for the year
• Get the kids riding regularly

Whatever your goal, a well-maintained bike makes it easier and more enjoyable to achieve.