How To Get Your Bike Ready for Spring [open discussion]

[joe]

It's been a long cold snowy winter... and we're itching for warm weather to get our bikes out on the roads more...

But what should be done to get our two-wheeled friends back into riding shape after a long winter spent in basements or garages? Or what's the best way to clean the salt and gunk off our bikes if we've been riding all winter?

Share your knowledge, or ask questions, and we can help Torontonians get their bikes ready for warm weather!

[jcwinnie]

Well, if you have been biking all winter, then you probably will wait a while longer to clean up and put away the bike for harsh weather and bring out the Spring trainer.

[chris barany]

if you've been biking all winter, you should have been cleaning that salt and gunk off after every ride. salt kills.

[MatthewP]

All right then Chris, what's the best way to clean the killer salt off?

chris barany said:

if you've been biking all winter, you should have been cleaning that salt and gunk off after every ride. salt kills.

[jcwinnie]

I asked someone, who has been riding along time about what to do about a rust spot. He advised simply cleaning it off and rubbing some oil on the spot.

This is for steel frames; aluminum corrosion needs different treatment. Probably, the easiest, if not the most environmentally friendly, is to spray the area with automotive primer paint.

[chris barany]

after winter rides, i usually de-grease the drive train, run the chain through an old cloth, and then re-lube with a water-resistant chain lube. i've tried a lot of lubes, but the best stuff is "ProGold Lubricants ProLink." it's a white bottle with a yellow label.

that, and wiping off the entire bike with a wet cloth, to get the salt off the body and rims. it's a bit of work, but if it means riding all-year long, it's worth it.

MatthewP said:

All right then Chris, what's the best way to clean the killer salt off?

chris barany said:

if you've been biking all winter, you should have been cleaning that salt and gunk off after every ride. salt kills.

[Mike Sanders]

Just moved to tdot, living in the Yonge/Lawrence area. Anyone recommend a good bike shop relatively nearby for tune ups, gear, etc?

[Heather]

Sporting Life Bikes is down the road on Yonge, north of Eglinton. D'Ornella's is up in that area, can't remember exactly where but east of you. I think they're both pretty solid but haven't taken my bike in for anything so no real personal experience. Welcome to Toronto!