Welcome to the "Keep it Simple Newsletter". With an unbelievable amount of information bombarding us from every direction these days, the goal of this weekly newsletter is to present a simple common sense tip that can be applied to your daily cycling.
Ride safe, strong and be healthy!
Pre-ride Bike Checklist
Fortunately, the bike is a pretty simple machine. Having a pre-ride checklist to assure you don't have any problems out on the road should be part of your daily routine.
In fact, we may want to call this a "post-ride" checklist. That way, if there is an issue at the end of your ride, you may be able to get it fixed before the next day, versus finding it at the last minute!
Whenever you perform this check, here are some simple things you can do to make sure your bike is working smooth.
Start with a clean bike - Start with a degreaser on the chain, something like Finish Line Degreaser . Use a concoction of "Car wash", simple green, and Blue Dawn to wash the bike. There are many options and products, it's just important that the bike is kept clean. It also gives you the opportunity to inspect the bike up close for any other problems.
Brakes - Rim - Make sure the brakes aren't rubbing. Check brake pads to assure they are not warn down. The front usually wears down quicker than the rear.
Brakes - Disc - Check that the rotors are centered and not rubbing and the brake levers are to your liking in terms of firmness.
Check tires for cuts and wear. If you use tubeless wheel sets and have not had a flat for a while, check that the tire sealant is still "wet" and not dried up. This doesn't have to be done every day, but given our area is so hot and dry in the summer, checking the sealant once a month is a good idea.
Chain - Chain should be cleaned and lightly lubricated or consider waxing. Try not to over lube. It's better to lube it lightly and more often.
Make sure your DI2 or Etap is fully charged - Routinely do this once a week.
Make sure your saddle pack is stocked - I carry 2 tubes, 2 cartridges, 2 tire irons, a pair of tweezers to extract the tiny pieces of glass or goat heads and a "boot" for a significant cut. I also recommend a small pump to carry, just in case you use your CO2's.
And finally, depending on how much your ride, get regular service at the bike shop. At least a couple times per year to make sure the bike is functioning properly and is safe.
Ride safe, ride strong, and stay healthy!
