While we still have some snow on the ground in Western Colorado, spring will be here before you know it! Is your bike ready to hit the trails when the weather changes?
Here are some items to consider doing yourself before spring. Or, you can bring your bike to your local bike shop (CBB!).
1. Complete the ABC’s – in a previous blog, we discussed the simple items you can complete yourself at home – dubbing them the ABC’s of bike maintenance. These are easy to do yourself and should be completed before you start riding your bike again.
2. Derailleurs and Shifters – use a bike stand or flip your bike upside down to run through your gears. You want to ensure all of your gears hit your shift points smoothly. If not, this is the time to adjust your derailleurs to keep your chain centered on each gear.
3. Chain – in addition to just needing a lube, check the tension of your chain. It shouldn’t move more than ¼ to ½ inch when you press your fingers against the top chain. If your chain is too loose, it could fall off your bike when riding. If it is too tight, it can bind or damage your gears. 
4. Cassette – visually inspect your cassette for damage, which can include excessive wear or missing teeth. Running a broken cassette can cause other parts to wear out more quickly, so if it’s time, replace yours.
5. Tires – you’re looking at the tread left and cracks or splits in your tires. If your tread is low or you see any splits or cracks, it’s time to replace your tires for the new season. Tires help protect your rims (a much more expensive replacement) from the elements you ride through. Also, you could lose control and crash if a tire burst happens, causing damage to your bike and yourself.
6. Cables – these connect your shifters and brakes. You want to inspect them to make sure there are no cracks, crimps, rust, or looseness. If you notice damage, replace them. You don’t want to be enjoying a ride and have it ruined by the loss of brakes.
7. Suspension – if your bike has suspension, you need to give it a little TLC every once in a while. Every manufacturer has a recommended period for a rebuild, so look at your manual, or call us! We can let you know if you’re due for service and we can complete that service for you.
If any of these items seem like a daunting task, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our shop mechanics can work on any brand or type of bicycle that you own. We offer many forms of service – à la carte all the way up to a complete overhaul (the Triple R). If you’re doing it all yourself, we’ve got the parts you need, or can get them to you quickly, to get your bike ready for spring!
