Adventurer and racer Robin Pieper shares her easy 6-step Spring Challenge prep on how she gets her bike ready to give it all come game day.
1 - Wash your bike!
A clean bike is easier to maintain. It allows you to keep in touch and spot issues early, and helps maintain all the moving parts by keeping them free of mud, dirt and grime. And that can save you money in the long run. I like to do a full clean by:
Lean it up against a fence if you don’t have a bike stand and grab some rags, a used brush (dish or tooth) and some chain degreaser.
Spray the chain degreaser onto your chain at the front chainring while spinning the pedals backwards (this avoids accidentally getting degreaser on the brakes). Let this soak in for a couple minutes while you get all the dirt you possibly can get off the sprockets and chain rings with the brush, if you have large chunks of gunk stuck in the jockey wheels, get in there with something to pry out larger bits.
Then hold onto your chain gentlyish with a rag while pedalling backwards to clean the degreaser off the chain. Rinse off with water.
Now I like to pop my bike upside down (or in a bike stand), take the wheels out and get the dirt and grit out of the small nooks of the frame around the chainstay, rear linkage and other bits . Once done, rinse off and pop the wheels back in. And presto, a clean bike is a pretty bike, and a fast bike too!
2 - Chain love
After everything is nice and clean, turn the cranks slowly backwards and simultaneously apply a drop of chain oil on the inside of every link on your chain. About 4 revolutions of the pedals should be a full cycle of the chain. Grab a dry rag, and gently spin the chain through it to wipe of any excess lube. The more often you clean and lube, the less time it takes every time you do it.
3 - Check your brakes
Make sure your brakes are adjusted correctly, check and change brake pads if necessary
First, check your brake pads. It’s easy to do by removing your wheels and having a look directly down the brake caliper. It should have plenty (at least 2mm) of pad left and each side should be the same and not worn unevenly between each side, or front to back.
Next, check your levers. They should pull back evenly and engage the brake at the same point on each side, without pulling back to the bar.
If in doubt, book a service with your local bike shop. Having confidence in your brakes = confidence in bombing down a Spring Challenge hill too.
4 - Bolt check
If you’ve got a rattle and bang going on, chances are you’re going to loose a screw. Be proactive and take a set of allan keys and go over the entire bike, checking for loose bolts and screws. They should be firm and tight (you don’t need to haul on the tools to tighten them).
5 - Gear Shifting
You’ll want your gears to work effortlessly in granny gear for the hills, all the way through to maximising free energy on for the downs. Pop your bike up on a bike stand or somewhere where the rear wheel is off the ground and the pedals are clear and able to turn.
With your left hand spin the pedals forwards, and with your right hand hold the handlebars and use the shifters to change gears. They should change easily and sit nicely on each cog without jumping around or having a delay in shifting. If that’s not the case, here are a couple of quick diagnosis hacks
Standing at the back of the bike, look straight down the derailleur. If its bent, that might be your issue!
Check out the gear cable, which comes out onto the derailleur. If its loose or frayed, that might be your problem as the message to change gear isn’t getting through from the shifter.
If in doubt, book a service with your local bike shop.
6 - Tyre Check
This is where the rubber hits the road! You want your tyres to be in solid shape to give you good grip and avoid game day punctures.
Check your tyres for tread, and any cracks or splits in the sidewall. Tyres that are old and worn will not only reduce grip (and your confidence) but also be more likely to puncture. If running tubeless, top up your sealant if it has been more than 6 months since the tyre was last off, since sealant doesn’t last forever.
If in Doubt
If you feel like your bike isn’t quite in good shape, book it in for a service at your local bike shop and let them know the things you’ve discovered that need some special attention.
And finally, before game day recheck tyre pressure, lube the chain and prep your bikes with tools, spares and snacks to get you through a fun day of adventure!