Looking after your bike: the pre-ride checks
A five-minute check before every ride, and the simple habits that extend a bike's life.
Updated October 3, 20261 min read
The five-minute check
Before you ride: brakes, tyres, drivetrain, quick releases. Pull the levers at a standstill, check that pads or discs bite firmly, and that each wheel spins freely without rubbing.
Check tyres cold: pressure, cuts, embedded debris. An under-inflated tyre wears the rim and tires you out; correct pressure is the cheapest and most neglected adjustment.
Chain and drivetrain
A clean, lubricated chain shifts better and wears less. Degrease, let it dry, then add a few drops of oil and wipe off the excess: too much oil attracts grit.
Replace the chain before it wears out the chainrings and cassette. A chain is a cheap wear item; the drivetrain around it is not.
Storing and protecting
Store the bike away from the weather and rinse it with plain water after a wet or salty ride. Salt and mud attack bearings and cables first.
A bike kept outside ages fast. Even a simple shelter from rain and sun preserves the paint, the tyres and the moving parts.