Summer is an ideal time for cycling in the UK, with longer days and warmer weather creating perfect conditions for hitting the road or trails. However, the summer heat and increased usage can put extra strain on your bike. To ensure your bike performs at its best and keeps you safe on your rides, here are the top 5 maintenance tips specifically tailored for summer cycling in the UK.
1. Keep Your Chain Clean and Lubricated
During the summer, dust and grime can quickly accumulate on your bike’s chain, leading to poor performance and faster wear.
Team Cycles Top Tip:
- Regularly clean your chain with a degreaser to remove dirt and old lubricant.
- Apply a high-quality summer-specific chain lubricant. Dry lubes are typically better for summer as they attract less dirt compared to wet lubes.
- Wipe off any excess lubricant to prevent attracting more dirt and grime.
Have a look at all of our Lubrication and Cleaning Products below:
Lube & Oils – teamcycles.com
Cleaning Products – teamcycles.com
2. Inspect Your Tires Regularly
Warmer temperatures can affect your tires, causing them to expand and potentially overinflate. Additionally, summer rides often encounter a variety of road conditions that can lead to increased tire wear.
Team Cycles Top Tip:
- Check your tire pressure before every ride to ensure it’s within the recommended range. Overinflated tires can reduce traction and comfort, while underinflated tires can increase the risk of punctures.
- Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, or worn tread, and replace them if necessary.
- Consider using tires with a puncture-resistant layer to reduce the risk of flats.
In need of an tyre upgrade? Grab your new set now – teamcycles.com
3. Check and Maintain Your Brakes
The heat can affect brake performance, especially on long descents where brake pads can overheat.
Team Cycles Top Tip:
- Inspect your brake pads for wear. If they are thin or show signs of glazing, replace them.
- Ensure your brake cables or hydraulic lines are in good condition and properly tensioned.
- Clean your brake rotors with isopropyl alcohol to remove any contaminants that can affect braking performance.
Safety first! Stick some new pads in your basket – teamcycles.com
4. Maintain Your Drivetrain
Your bike’s drivetrain can collect a lot of dust and dirt during summer rides, which can affect shifting performance and cause premature wear.
Team Cycles Top Tip:
- Regularly clean the cassette, chainrings, and derailleur pulleys with a brush and degreaser.
- Lubricate the drivetrain components after cleaning to ensure smooth operation.
- Check for any signs of wear, such as stretched chains or worn-out sprockets, and replace them as needed.
Your drivetrain is the most important part of the bike, it’s the part that allows you to move! Upgrade your parts and give it a good clean, find out all options below:
Cleaning Products – teamcycles.com
Drivetrain Parts – teamcycles.com
5. Keep an Eye on Bolts and Components
Summer rides often mean rougher and longer use, which can cause bolts and components to loosen.
Team Cycles Top Tip:
- Perform a regular check of all the bolts on your bike, including those on the stem, handlebars, saddle, and wheels, to ensure they are properly tightened.
- Use a torque wrench to ensure bolts are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Inspect your bike frame and components for any signs of wear or damage, such as cracks or corrosion.
When you are out on the road or the trails, it’s important to carry the basic tools to be able to ticghten up a loose bolt or adjust components. You should carry a multi-tool with you at all times, find our favourite here – teamcycles.com
Bonus Maintenance Tip: Hydrate Your Bike Too
Just as you need to stay hydrated, your bike can benefit from some summer TLC. Regular cleaning removes sweat, dust, and grime that can corrode and damage components over time, especially your handlebars! Our mechanics have hear some horror stories of cyclists leaving salty sweat on their bars which can hinder the structural integrity on the handlebar – you wouldn’t want to be hurtling yourself down your nearest descent for you to hit a pot hole and for your bars to snap, would you?
For around £15 a time, we would reccomend regulalry changing your bar tape at least every season, as this acts like a sponge. See what colour is your favourite – teamcycles.com
By following these maintenance tips, you can keep your bike in top condition throughout the summer. This will not only ensure a smoother and more enjoyable ride but also extend the lifespan of your bike’s components. Happy summer cycling!
