Maintenance

Ten steps to service your bike for summer

How to ensure your steed is in tip-top condition for a summer of cycling

Check your tyres

Summer is coming...
Cleaning the bike should be one of your first priorities
Keep your chain in top condition (Pic: Mike Cotty/Media-24)
Ensuring that your derailleurs are properly adjusted will help to keep your shifting smooth
Give your wheels the once over ahead of the summer season
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to replacing a brake cable
Use a torque key to make sure all the key bolts on your bike are tight
A fresh wrap of handlebar tape can make a big difference to the feel of your ride
It's easy to be lured in by the prospect of a bargain but make sure you get the right size frame (Pic: Media24)
Do your research beforehand to work out what you want from your bike

Check your tyres

As the only contact point between your bike and the road, you need to ensure your tyres are in top condition and up to the job in hand.

You should regularly inspect your tyres for damage or debris which could compromise the safety of your ride of increase the chances of a puncture, and check the pressure.

Six of the best… all-round summer tyres

Remove any surface debris by spinning the wheel and lightly applying a gloved hand, and inspect the sidewalls and rolling surface for cuts. It’s a five-minute job which will help you spot any damage at home with a workstand, track pump and spares to hand, rather than at the side of the road with a puncture.

Should you be using wider tyres on your road bike?

You may also decide to swap your bike’s winter boots for something better suited to summer. You’re unlikely to want to completely forgo puncture protection, but there’s no shortage of tyres which strike an all-round balance between low rolling resistance, weight and durability. You might also be tempted to switch to a 25mm tyre – or wider if your bike can accept it – to reap the comfort served up by fatter rubber.