After racing around carefree on your bike all summer long
, Autumn may be the time to take a step back and have a look at the condition it is left in. During the summer, many cyclists tend to use their bike far more than they would during the winter months and therefore have probably have put it through its paces. Now that the temperature is starting to cool and it will be used less, is the perfect opportunity to give your bike a good going over.
First things first you should look to clean every component of your bike. Whether you are looking to put it away for the winter or continue riding, it is always good to remove any lasting dirt and grime. By taking your bike apart are carefully cleaning each part, you will both maintain the look of the bike and the performance. If you are not familiar with doing this it is best to research the best way to clean each component before taking it apart. Most parts on a bike can be cleaned using soapy water and a toothbrush is usually a good idea to get into the nooks difficult to reach, however there may be manufacturers recommendations with expert bikes such as Specialized bikes or Cannondale Bikes.
The most important area to pay attention to when cleaning would be the drive system. This can also be cleaned using a brush and some soapy water. It is a good idea to push the pedals round in order to easily reach both the rear derailleur and the chain ring. Once this is washed it will also need to be checked and lubricated to ensure it is kept in top condition. One of the most common problems with the drive system is that bearings can get worn and therefore will need replacing. If you do have worn bearings you will need to replace the bottom bracket.
Checking the breaks is vital to ensure there has been no lasting damage or extensive wear and tear. You brakes are possibly the most important safety feature on your bike and during the wetter Autumn months, will be vital. Whether you have a Trek bike or a Raleigh, you will need to take special precautions around the brakes as cables can get damaged and go unnoticed for a while. You need to ensure that you have checked every cable closely to make sure there is no noticeable damage. If you have disc brakes you need to look down into the disc caliper and check both brake pads move equally to clamp the rotor.
One final thing to ensure is working correctly are the lights on your bike. When the Autumn arrives the daylight hours start to shorten and therefore you will find yourself using your lights more and more. It is highly dangerous to cycle without lights on especially at dusk and night as drivers will be unaware of your presence and may end up harming you. Before continuing riding, it is highly recommended to replace any batteries and securely fix both front and back lights.