Time to Get Ready for Bike Season: Prepare Your Bike Now

by John Zappa - bike advocate and chief rider

The weather is finally getting nicer in Chicago and a lot more people are riding their bikes. While it seems easy to just get out the bike and start riding, there are a couple of important things you can do to make it a more pleasant ride. In this two-part series, we will first look at how to prepare your bike, and in the second article, yourself. 

​I remember the very first time I rode my bike to work in Chicago I had a problem. The bike had not been used for a while. About 3 miles into the commute the rear tire went flat. When I looked at it more carefully, I noticed that that the rubber on the tires had cracked. Had I taken a minute to look at the tires I would have realized it was just a matter a time before I got a flat and could have dealt with the issue on my own terms. Instead, I was stranded miles from home and miles from work with no pump, no patch kit and no spare tire. In other words, totally unprepared.  

​Fortunately, a more experienced biker stopped and asked if I needed help. Not only did he take the time to stop, he gave me his spare tube (miraculously it fit) and used his pump to refill the tire. When I asked if he wanted money for the tube, he told me that the next time I see a cyclist in distress to stop and help them -- talk about paying if forward! If only I had paid more attention to the bike before riding it.  The rest of this article outlines the steps you can follow to prepare your bike.  ​

​1) Clean your bike
A clean bike will not only look better, but it will also perform better. A dirty drivetrain can cause your bike to shift poorly and wear out faster.  To clean your bike, you can use a bucket of soapy water and a sponge or rag. Avoid using a high-pressure hose, as it can force water into the bearings and cause damage. Alternatively, your local bike shop may offer cleaning as a service. Here’s a great example of a bike shop in Chicago that takes cleaning to a new level.  And here's a detailed guide on how to clean your bike.
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Does your bicycle chain look like one of these sad cases?

2) Inspect your bike: cracks and rust
Before you start riding, it's essential to check your bike for any visible signs of wear and tear.  One of the most common issues is a rusty chain. In the worst situations, the bike is unrideable because the links will not flex. More commonly, some lubrication applied to the chain will help significantly.  It's also imperative to look for cracks or other damage to the frame, wheels, and tires. ​If you see signs of cracks or other damage, take the bike to a shop for a more thorough examination before you start riding it.

Years ago, I was on a Tour of the Rockies ride with the Boulder Velo Club. Besides the physical ordeal of crossing the continental divide twice, I vividly remember an accident happened to one of the riders in our group. We were riding hard on a long, gradual downhill section when suddenly he pushed down on the pedal and it snapped off. The rider lost control and went down. Incredibly no one else crashed in the ensuing chaos. Regrettably, however, our colleague needed to be taken to the hospital. 

​After he was transported away the rest of us took a much closer look at the bike. It turns out a hairline crack on the crankshaft was the culprit. When he pushed down forcefully, the solid aluminum crank arm snapped in half sending him to the pavement!  You could actually see where the dirt/grime had penetrated over time to weaken the component. Although rare, this same issue also happens to the front forks on bicycles. It’s worth a minute of your time to look over the body of the bike, front fork and crank arms for any hairline cracks. ​

Broken crank arm - original photo courtesy of Bike Breaker Hill by David Shrock.

Hairline crack on crank-arm - original photo courtesy of Broken Bike Parts by Felix Wong.

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3) Inspect your bike: cables and tires
While reviewing for cracks, also check your cables and housing for any signs of fraying or damage which is far more common. A trip to the bike shop can easily fix these issues. Lastly, make sure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Don’t know the right pressure, check the sidewall on the tire for the recommended PSI. If you have a pump, but no gauge to determine the actual pressure, a quick rule of thumb is this: squeeze the tire between your fingers, if you feel it compress it needs more air. ​​

• On a related note, I started  upcycling used inner tubes into bungee cords  I am amazed how well they work to secure things.
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  A ​bike shop in Chicago recycles their used inner tubes to ZappaWheels. Talk about local and sustainable!

4) Check your brakes
​Your brakes are one of the most critical components of your bike. Test your brakes to ensure they are functioning properly. Make sure your brake pads are not worn out and that they make good contact with the rims. If you have disc brakes, check the rotor for any signs of warping or damage. Here's a short video from a Washington bike shop on how to check and maintain rim brakes.

Summary 
If you haven't been riding, now is a great time to get started. Just remember to prepare your bike in a few easy steps:
clean your bike, inspect your bike  for cracks and rust, look at the bike's cables and tires, and check your brakes. 
before you roll out the door. 

Are there steps you do to prepare your bike before riding?  Share your suggestions in the comment below.