7 Tips to Get Your Bike Ready for Spring

Jesse Kindelberger knows just how long winters in Western Pennsylvania can be—especially for mountain bikers. After all, the area around Cranberry Township where Kindelberger (he/him) works boasts miles of singletrack. With good mountain biking  so close, any stretch of subfreezing temperatures can feel like an eternity. 

The best way to use that downtime wisely? Get your bike prepped for spring. That’s Kindelberger’s advice—in addition to being a lifelong mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast, he’s also the gear assistant manager for the Public Lands store in Cranberry, where he uses his wealth of gear maintenance knowledge to help service bikes, skis, and snowboards. 

Kindelberger has been tinkering with bikes since his formative years in the hills of Northern California. “I grew up around San Jose riding dirt bikes and bicycles in the Santa Cruz Mountains, so I kind of learned mechanics through teaching myself at an early age,” he says. He further honed his talents working with machines in the Army National Guard as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (91 Bravo), which services diesel engines, among other things.  

After his service and a few years of mountain bike riding and attending college in Colorado, Kindelberger moved to Pennsylvania, where he now uses his passion for gear and technical knowledge to help explorers find the most joy in their experiences. It’s in that vein that Kindelberger offers his top seven tips to get your bike ready for spring. 

1. Inspect Your Helmet

“Make sure your helmet is in good working condition,” Kindelberger says. Before the season starts, check the foam for cracks and dents, and look for fractures and signs of fading in the shell, which can indicate deterioration of the plastic. Any of these red flags means it’s time for a new helmet. It’s also worth bearing in mind that “a helmet is only good for one crash,” Kindelberer adds. “Most manufacturers will generally recommend that you get a new one because they can’t guarantee that it is still safe or it will still protect you.”

2. Give Your Bike a Once-Over

Clean your chain, make sure the gears are shifting smoothly, the brakes are functioning, and all the pivot points and moving components are lubricated, Kindelberger recommends. If you’re new to bike maintenance, consider visiting a bike shop for help. “We can do everything from simple adjustments to complete bicycle overhauls where we strip every component from the bike and clean it with our ultrasonic parts cleaner before putting it all back together,” Kindelberger says of the Public Lands service department.  

3. Brush Up On Any Repair Skills

The only thing worse than waiting for winter to end? Getting a flat tire on your first day of the season and realizing you don’t quite remember how to fix it. Before winter ends, consider taking a class or clinic with your local gear shop or bike organization. The Public Lands Cranberry store, for example, has a bike stand just outside the shop for educational purposes, Kindelberger says. “Whether it’s a brake or derailleur adjustment, flat tire, or any number of common repairs, we try to teach folks how to do those things themselves so they have that knowledge if they run into trouble out on the trail.” The store also offers free dedicated clinics on bike repair and maintenance starting in spring. 

4. Do a Repair Kit Inventory

No matter what kind of bike tires you have, “always make sure you have an extra tube, and know how to install it,” Kindelberger recommends. In addition to a spare tube, you should also carry a patch kit, a multitool, and a small first-aid kit. Public Lands, he adds, offers free clinics on bike accessories and recommended trail tools and supplies.

5. Wash Out Your Hydration System

Bottles, bladders, and hoses are all prone to mold and mildew growth over time. Give yours a sniff test and a visual inspection, and make sure all the connections are leakproof and the nozzles are working properly. Rinse everything out, and give your hydration system a more thorough cleaning if you spot mold growth. 

6. Map Out Your Daydreams

Whether you’re new to the sport or just want to check out a new trail system, getting the lay of the land can be invaluable. “Do your research about where you may be riding,” Kindelberger suggests. Online resources like land manager websites and the Public Lands Fields Guide provide some great insight on local trails. When you get a sense of where you want to go, purchase paper maps or download a mapping app (and learn to use it). That way you can start planning out some routes and getting a head-start on your on-trail navigation.  

7. Give Your Body a Tune-Up, Too

As spring approaches, you also need to make sure you’re ready for riding. Physical conditioning will help you get back up to speed more quickly, notes Kindelberger. “Whether that means stretching, conditioning, or putting in a few extra minutes on the stationary bike at the gym to boost your cardio, do what you need to get ready to tackle the trails,” he says.

If you need any help getting your bicycle and gear in shape for spring riding, or maybe want to check out some new accessories, stop into your local Public Lands store. Also, be on the lookout for classes and clinics geared toward bicycling in early spring and throughout the riding season.

All articles are for general informational purposes.  Each individual’s needs, preferences, goals and abilities may vary.  Be sure to obtain all appropriate training, expert supervision and/or medical advice before engaging in strenuous or potentially hazardous activity.