You’ve got a big season ahead.Group rides, epic weekend trips, a Quebec adventure, possibly a 24-hour race… the last thing you want is to be sidelined by a creaky drivetrain or a fork that hasn’t been serviced since 2022. Trust us.

Before the first real ride ofthe season, take some time to give your bike a proper once-over. Here’s a simple pre-season checklist to get you rolling smoothly and safely.

Your Pre-Season Bike Checklist

Tires: Check sidewalls for cracking, inspect tread wear, re-seat and inflate tubeless
tires, top up sealant.
Drivetrain: Degrease and lube your chain. Inspect cassette and chainring teeth for
shark-fin wear. Replace if needed.
Brakes: Squeeze each lever. Check pad thickness. Bleed hydraulic brakes if the lever
feels spongy.
Suspension: Check for stiction or oil weeping on your fork stanchions. Verify your sag
settings and service intervals.
Bolts and pivots: Go over all fasteners with a torque wrench. Check pivot bearings
for play.
Dropper post: Make sure it moves freely and returns crisply. Lubricate the collar if
sticky.
Controls: Check handlebar clamp torque, lever positions, and grip condition.

Don’t Want to DIY? We’ve Got You Covered!

Not everyone wants to spend aSunday afternoon elbow-deep in their drivetrain — and honestly, that’s fine. We’re lucky to have some great bike shops in our community who know our crew and can get your bike dialled in properly.

Northern Spokes has been in themountain bike world since 1998. Don is passionate about riding and brings that love to every bike that comes through the door. Whether you need a full tune-up, a component upgrade, or just a set of fresh brake pads, he’s your guy. Don alwasy takes care of our club members and offers a discount. Check out northernspokes.com.

Crank and Sprocket in Orillia is another shop we love. Great people, solid selection of parts, and they actually ride. Crank and Sprocket also offer a club discount to all our members of 15% (I can provide code to you if you email me directly). Give them a visit at crankandsprocket.ca.

Protip: Book your tune-up soon. Shops get slammed in April and May. Don’t wait
until the week before Mansfield to realize your fork needs a full service.

Thinking About a Fresh Look?

If your frame is looking alittle tired, our friend Mitch at RossCo Coatings does incredible custom bike painting and powder coating. A new colour scheme might be just the motivation you need to get back out there. Check out rosscocoating.com.

Get that bike sorted, then come ride with us. The trails are waiting.