The winter off-season is the perfect time to get your summer bike serviced.

It is time to start preparing for the cycling year ahead. While you may not be motivated to get out on your bike when it is wet and cold, now is the best time to get your bike serviced so that it is ready for you once the weather warms up and the days start getting longer.

Monday, 22nd March 2021
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bike being serviced in the winter off season

We are acutely aware that there has been a cycling boom due to covid. We wanted to give you a heads up so that you can make use of the countries best bike mechanics before they get overbooked.

We are getting word that the lead up into cycling season is going to be a busy one this year and some parts are potentially going to be hard to come by.

Avoid disappointment and beat the crowd

To avoid disappointment, you should get your bike out now and check if it is roadworthy. If you delay until you need it in spring, you will find that all bike shops and mobile bike mechanics are fully booked weeks in advance.

By taking your bike out of storage before spring, you can give it a once over and identify what needs servicing. To keep your bike in tip-top condition, you should be regularly maintaining it. However, no matter how well you looked after your bike, if it has sat there unused for a few months after being routinely ridden last year, you are best off getting your bike checked over and serviced now.

For more complex bike maintenance, a mobile bike mechanic or bike shop may need to keep hold of your bike or order in replacement parts and this can keep you off the road.

If you are a mountain biker, getting your suspension serviced is not a two-minute job. If you are a road cyclist, you may need your wheels re-trued or rebuilt. If you are not planning on riding your bike for a while, why not book it in with a bike mechanic so that it will be ready to roll when you want to get back out on the road (or trail).

Service your bike now and work towards your fitness goals early

It can be easy to let the cold and wet weather postpone your fitness goals. The reality is that for most people, it’s just not as enjoyable cycling in the cold as cycling with the warm sun on your back. If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you are not alone.

By getting your bike serviced now, you will be ready to ride as soon as the sun comes out again. You can work towards your fitness goals sooner. So that when the cycling season kicks off, you are already one step (or pedal stroke) ahead of your cycling buddies.

Bikes on turbo trainers need love too

If you have been using your bike on a turbo trainer this winter, you should consider getting it serviced before getting it back on the road.

Although cycling indoors does not expose your bike to the elements, you are still putting the chain and groupset through its paces. Even if you cleaned up your summer bike at the end of last year before connecting it up to the turbo, it needs some TLC before it can help you smash your summer training goals. For example, often it’s a good idea to check the spoke tension on each wheel and depending on how many watts you smashed out on Zwift over the winter, it may be time to replace the chain, tighten some bolts and give everything a good lick of oil.

Whether you have noticed your bike being noisier, or just want to make the most of the fitness you have maintained over the winter, you should book your bike service now to avoid having to wait.

Final Thoughts

You need to trust the bike you are riding!

Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or one of the thousands of people who have recently made cycling part of their fitness routine, you need to trust the bike you are riding. By keeping your bike well maintained, you can focus on your performance and enjoy the experience of cycling on a smooth-riding reliable bicycle. Also, no-one wants to be that person who goes over the bars on the first sunny day of the year due to a mechanical failure.

Avoid disappointment and don’t wait until everyone else has the same idea. Get ahead of the curve and get your bike booked in for a service at your local bike shop (or by a trusted mobile bike mechanic), because come springtime they will book up fast.

Check out www.bikegeeks.com to find someone in your area with the skills to help you.