| For those of us who put our bikes away for | | | | Check the pads: is there plenty of rubber; do |
| the winter, the time has come to dust them | | | | the pads hit the rims evenly? If using |
| off and get ready to ride. When bringing a | | | | fluid-actuated disc brakes, check the brake |
| bike out of storage, a mini tune-up is | | | | fluid level in the reservoir. |
| necessary. Pay special attention to the | | | | |
| following four areas: chain, derailleur | | | | ~~Wheels~~ |
| components, brakes, and wheels. | | | | |
| | | | Spin the wheel slowly checking for true. The |
| ~~Chain~~ | | | | wheel should not wobble at all. If it wobbles |
| | | | a little bit and you have the tools and |
| If you have been using an oil-based | | | | skill, you can make minor adjustments using a |
| lubricant, consider switching to a wax-based | | | | spoke wrench. But if there is substantial |
| product. The only advantage to an oil-based | | | | wobbling, take the wheel to a shop and have a |
| lubricant is that it needs to be applied less | | | | professional true the wheel. |
| frequently, but in every other way, wax-based | | | | |
| is superior. For instance, oil collects trail | | | | Check tire pressure, which is bound to be low |
| dust and other things abrasive to the chain, | | | | after a winter of storage. Inflate to the |
| whereas wax sheds abrasives. A recommended | | | | manufacturers recommendations that are |
| wax-based lube is White Lightning. | | | | stamped on the tire. |
| | | | |
| If you've been using oil-based chain lube, | | | | Now give the bike a once-over. Is the seat |
| whether you want to switch to wax or not, you | | | | adjustment still a good fit? Is there excess |
| should remove the chain and clean it with a | | | | play or tightness in the bearings of the |
| solvent to degrease it before adding fresh | | | | wheels, crank, pedals, and headset? Also, for |
| lubricant. Depending on your typical riding | | | | full-suspension bikes, check the suspension |
| conditions, using a solvent to degrease the | | | | joints. |
| chain needs to be done once a year at a | | | | |
| minimum. | | | | From this once-over, you will be able to |
| | | | determine whether it is time for a major |
| ~~Derailleur Components~~ | | | | tune-up. This could range from a few |
| | | | adjustments to cleaning and/or replacement of |
| Lubricate the pivot points using a good | | | | some parts. Opinions differ on how often a |
| petroleum-based lube. I use Tri-Flow. Next, | | | | major tune-up is needed. It depends on how |
| lubricate and adjust the derailleur cables, | | | | much you ride, and how much maintenance you |
| which might have stretched over the winter. | | | | perform yourself. |
| Adjust so that shifting is crisp. | | | | |
| | | | Whether you do the major tune-up yourself or |
| ~~Brakes~~ | | | | take the bike to a reputable bicycle shop, |
| | | | every now and then the following maintenance |
| Again, lubricate the cables. Use either | | | | is necessary for optimal performance and |
| petroleum- or wax-based lube depending on how | | | | safety: repacking bearings and adjusting |
| dusty the expected typical riding conditions | | | | wheel axles, headset, crankset and pedals; |
| will be. Adjust the cables, which might also | | | | replacing cables; truing the wheels; making |
| have stretched over the winter. | | | | overall adjustments, such as to the |
| | | | derailleur and brakes. |