Rusty chains are less efficient and prone to snapping suddenly. Cast an eye over your bike chain and gauge its condition are there any rusty or seized links? If so, you might want to consider getting a replacement in the very near future. Pre-ride bike checks should also include a bit of general maintenance. #4 Go over your chain during your pre-ride bike check: are there any signs of rust or damage? This will drastically reduce your brakes’ effectiveness and increase your stopping distance significantly. Secondly, brake fluid can leak onto your rotors and lubricate them. That can cause dangerous brake failure, and pretty much takes your bike out of commission. Firstly, it can indicate that your brakes are leaking, which means air has likely penetrated your brake lines. If you can see evidence of leaking brake fluid, you might have to call off your daily ride and take your bike to the experts for repair. But what do you have to look out for? There are a few signs that indicate your brakes may not be up to scratch. #3 Include your brakes in your pre-ride bike check – they are one of the most important safety featuresīrakes: they are your number one safety feature! So it goes without saying that a check of your brakes should be a big part of your pre-ride bike check. If it feels right, you’re good to go! If it feels a bit off, simply adjust it and try again. To make sure that’s the case, jump on a give it a brief ride around to get a good feel for your posture. Your bike seat should be firmly fastened at the right height. So before you take off, include a thorough check of your bike seat in your pre-ride bike check. When you’re cycling, posture is everything it affects your wind resistance, your muscle exertion, and your comfort. #2 Do a pre-ride bike check of your seat: is it fastened at the right height for you?Īs you start to get more serious about your cycling, you will probably come to notice the small things that improve your riding. If they appear buckled at all, take them to the experts at your bike shop. So lift up the front and back wheels to give them a spin. Another thing to be mindful of is the wheel it should be able to spin freely without touching the brake pads. If you want to fill them according to psi, have a look at the manufacturer’s recommendations. If they do, give them a few pumps of air and check again. Your tyre should be very firm to the touch, and when you mount your bike the tyres should not bulge very noticeably. So what better place to begin your pre-ride bike checks than the tyres? When you’re checking over your bike tyres, the first thing you should look at is pressure. So give them a go before your next ride – the results will probably speak for themselves! #1 Start your pre-ride bike check from the ground up by checking your tyresĪll good pre-ride bike checks start from the ground up. But what do you need to check? To help you develop your own process, we have listed five must do pre-ride bike checks. If you’re starting to get into cycling, it’s vital that you develop a good pre-ride bike check process. That’s why your pre-ride bike check is more than just a performance thing – it’s a matter of safety. Just like a car, bikes rely on a few key components to transport your safely at high speeds, and over potentially rough ground. If you can’t tolerate any food before your ride, or prefer not to eat, try increasing the carbohydrate portion of your evening meal the night before, as this will be stored in the muscles (as glycogen) ready for your morning session.As a cyclist your bike is your tool, so it’s vital that you keep everything in good working order. Straight out of bed – if you prefer to get straight out on the bike, the following, quickly-digested, options are good options for you:
The early riser – if you wake up 2 hours before your cycle, good options include:Ĭinnamon buckwheat pancakes with cherries Here are two morning situations to plan for: Due to the body’s position on the bike, riders generally find it easier to tolerate food closer to cycling, though you should try a few strategies and see what works best for you. The body uses carbohydrate stores (quickly broken down to energy) for high-intensity work, and if cycling having not eaten breakfast you may not be able to maintain the quality of exercise. You should eat where possible before your morning ride especially if it is a longer session (1 hour in duration) or a high-intensity session.
Should I eat before an early morning ride and if so, what should I opt for?
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