Long warm summer days are just perfect for cycling, but many bikes have not seen the light of day for at least six months. If your bicycle has been stored away since the last hot summer’s day, a few minutes checking your bike over before you ride will help prevent any mechanical problems and ensure your first ride of the summer is a happy one.
Essential Components to Check on your Bike
Brakes, wheels and tires are the most essential components to include in your summer cycling checklist. Start with a quick visual check of the wheels for any broken spokes, which will make the bike unstable. Then press the tires; they will need some air if the bike has been in mothballs for months, but if the tire is completely flat, you may need to change the tube (see below for how to fix a puncture).
Next, lift each wheel in turn off the ground and spin the wheel to check for free movement; apply the brakes to check that they work and make the wheel stop. If the wheel is “sticking” when rotated, check brake pad alignment and adjust if necessary. If you don’t know how, visit your local bike store for a service; the same applies for anything you can’t fix yourself.
Put some oil on your chain to make it move freely and finally stand over the bike, rock the handlebars to and fro to make sure nothing is loose, and then gently sit on the saddle to make sure it is secure.
Do a Short Test Ride on your Bicycle
Having checked the essentials, it’s a good idea to do a short test ride for a couple of minutes to make sure your gears are changing correctly, that your saddle is at the right height and that those brakes do, in fact, stop the bike when needed.
If your gears are slipping, you need to tighten or slacken the gear cable; simply follow these instructions on how to stop gears slipping, complete with pictures to show you where to locate the gear cable adjuster.
Adjust your saddle height if necessary and if your brakes feel loose, forcing you to pull really hard to stop the bike, then the brake cable needs to be tightened and checked for any fraying. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, visit your local bike shop for a basic bike service as brakes must be in good working order to prevent any accidents.
Essential Basic Tools to Carry During your Ride
It’s surprising how many recreational cyclists set off on a bike ride without the first thought as to what will happen if they get a puncture. An absolute essential piece of equipment to carry is a pump, along with some tire levers and a spare inner tube.
Don’t know how to fix a puncture? Don’t feel inadequate as many regular cyclists struggle with fixing punctures, especially if it’s on the rear wheel of the bike. Just read how to change a bike tire to fix that puncture. If nothing else, once you know how to remove and replace both front and rear wheels, it’s easy to load your bike into the back of the car and take a ride in a new place.
Preparation for Your First Summer Cycle Ride
Be prepared for your first summer bike ride. Just a few minutes checking some basics with this summer cycling checklist should hopefully ensure a happy, care-free ride. If in doubt about anything mechanical on your bike, pop along to your local bike shop and don’t forget to pick up a spare inner tube while you’re there. Happy riding.
Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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