How to Ready Your Bicycle After Winter

Spring is just around the corner, and many people are toying with the idea of taking their bicycle out of the basement and going for a ride. Before doing this, however, it’s a good idea to perform some basic maintenance on your ride to make sure it’s ready to perform.

Tires

Tires don’t have to be ridden on to go flat. Generally, a bicycle will lose at least 10 psi of tire pressure while sitting over the winter. So, the first thing you should do is check your bike’s tire pressure. If it’s low, pump it up to the recommended pressure, which is usually written on the tire’s sidewall. Once the tires are fully pressurized, inspect them for any punctures or cracks (especially in the sidewall). If the rubber has deteriorated, it should be easy to notice.

Spokes

Bicycle spokes require a certain amount of tension to support the …