Build a Better Bike

There’s a change in the air; it’s called spring. Remember? It’s when the sun comes back, birds reappear, and you start hearing a cry for help from behind that pile of sleds and skis in the garage. You know the voice. It’s an old friend. And with a tinge of guilt, you realize just how far you’ve let the relationship deteriorate. After all, you were practically attached at the hip just a few short months ago. Now it’s come to this: your beautiful bike, prostrate on the cement floor, covered in dust and your kids’ old snow pants. Will it ever forgive you?

Thankfully, it will, but not without a little tender loving care on your part:

• Make sure you have the right supplies. Do you have a repair stand? How about a bike cleaning kit? Both will make the spring tune-up much easier. Oh yeah, the right bike tools really help, as well.
• Give it a safety inspection.The good folks over Total Bike have put together a great little inspection guide for you, along with a shorter pre-ride checklist to help you get it running smooth and safe to ride.
• Give it some grease. Unfortunately, WD-40 alone won’t cut it if you really want your bike to be at its best and keep working well. You’ll need some heavy-duty bike grease as well as some thinner, specialized lubricants for your chain and its friends.

As always, check out Bikewagon’s guides and video tutorials for extra help on the tune-up. And if you have any tried-and-true tips for getting your bike ready for spring, share the love and leave a comment below.