What prep does my bike need for summer?
Cycling Weekly|May 02, 2024
Pro bike mechanic Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike
Glen Whittington, Luke Friend
What prep does my bike need for summer?

Spring is here - the blossom is on the trees, the birds are singing and across the country people are bringing their summer bikes out of hibernation. I know, because, as a mechanic, I'm now anticipating the annual servicing wave that follows the early season sunshine.

Whether you have a dedicated summer bike or use the same bike all year round, these are the components that need attention for fair-weather riding.

● Service all your bearings

Keeping the bearings in your bottom bracket, hubs and headset running smoothly will pay dividends in performance and longevity. If you fit fresh grease at this point of the season, there's a very high chance that it won't need doing again until the winter.

If you're performing the job yourself, the important thing to check - especially with the hubs is that you have popped the seals off so you can regrease the bearings effectively. You could even opt for a thinner summer grease that creates less friction and therefore allows the bearings to spin more freely. Just be aware that summer grease won't tolerate neglect or bad weather conditions.

● Ditch the mudguards

I'm a huge fan of mudguards over the winter months. They not only keep you dry, but they save your components from being exfoliated by mud and grit from the road. However, once the clocks spring forward, it's time to take the guards off and let your tyres feel the breeze once again.

● Fit summer wheels

Denne historien er fra May 02, 2024-utgaven av Cycling Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 02, 2024-utgaven av Cycling Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CYCLING WEEKLYSe alt
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Cycling Weekly

CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY

Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes

time-read
1 min  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Cycling Weekly

UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX

Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud

time-read
1 min  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
Cycling Weekly

WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR

The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Cycling Weekly

11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN

Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how

time-read
9 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Cycling Weekly

Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?

Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...

time-read
6 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Cycling Weekly

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
MEET THE PARENTS
Cycling Weekly

MEET THE PARENTS

What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta

time-read
10 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Cycling Weekly

HALF MAN HALF GOAT

Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
Cycling Weekly

Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management

The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Cycling Weekly

Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France

Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)