MAINTENANCE: TRAVELING WITH A CLEAN BIKE
Check your equipment before the trip!
The GF Strade Bianche is just around the corner and you are training exactly according to plan to show your best form on the day. You also pay attention to yourself, your health and your nutrition. On this important day, everything has to be right! But what if your bike breaks down during the ride and you are stranded?!
Professional teams such as Jumbo-Visma or Bora – hansgrohe naturally have their own mechanics who check the bikes before a race. But for most of us, taking care of our own equipment is the norm. In this blog we show you how to properly maintain your bike to ensure it is in top condition for the race.
Clean the bicycle
Step one in checking the material is cleaning your bike. If your bike is clean, you can easily notice wear and tear and defects. After all, it is only a well-maintained bicycle that can deliver speed.
Is the seating position good?
Many cyclists have already found their ideal riding position – whether on their own or with the help of a bike fitting. However, before a Gran Fondo it is advisable to check this seating position again. Are all dimensions still correct or has something shifted? Cyclists often travel by car and have to adjust their saddle or twist the handlebars for transport. It is therefore advisable to write down the measurements in advance and to take a measuring tape with you.
To prevent the saddle from sliding, it is important to adhere to the prescribed torques and use a high-quality carbon mounting paste such as Dynamic Carbon Assembly Paste. This ensures that the seat post stays in place and unnecessary injuries are prevented.
Pedals and plates
If you experience creaking pedals or a loose cleat during a ride, this can quickly put an end to your beautiful Gran Fondo. It is therefore important to check your cleats before the start. Applying a little grease to the screws will prevent them from seizing and ensure a smooth and trouble-free ride.
Powertrain
The drivetrain is one of the most important parts of your bicycle. You can't move forward without it. The drivetrain consists of several components that must be maintained separately.
Chain
Check the wear of your bicycle chain before your ride. All you need is a chain gauge. A worn chain not only causes poorer power transmission, but can also tear during rides. We have often seen cyclists angrily looking for a master link to repair the chain during the ride. So make sure this doesn't happen to you too.
Once you have checked the condition of the chain, it is important to also check the lubrication of the chain. Depending on the type of lubrication you use, whether this wax or chain oil you must apply it correctly. When using chain oil you can of course adapt it to the prevailing weather conditions. We have different types of oils in our range that are suitable for all types of weather. For the smoothest Gran Fondo, there are 2 lubricants that stand out in the Dynamic range:
- Slick Wax – for the most durable wax!
- Ultra Lube – Long and fast lubrication guaranteed!
Accelerateingen
During a Gran Fondo, no one has time to put a broken chain back on the sprocket. So make sure your gears are adjusted correctly and that all gears can be used without clicking or rattling.
Brakes
The brakes ensure safety. During the ride we drive on very different surfaces/speeds than, for example, during training laps in the Netherlands. Everything goes faster and you may have to hit the brakes from one moment to the next. Therefore, check your brakes.
Also check the brake pads and replace them if necessary. If your brakes squeak, use Dynamic Brake Booster to clean your discs/brake pads and/or brake rim and improve braking performance.
Tyres
Worn tires not only pose a safety risk, they are also more prone to failure. Make sure you check the tire tread on the tires and change the tires if necessary. At the same time, check the air pressure and see if your wheel runs smoothly.
If you ride tubeless, check that there is still enough sealant is in the band.
Bolts
Last but not least, we recommend that you retighten all screws and bolts on your bicycle. The thru axles or quick releases should also be checked.
Screw connections (including quick-release axles) are greased to prevent corrosion or seizing. Assembly paste, on the other hand, is used to increase friction and thus reduce clamping forces. Dynamic Assembly Paste Pro is perfect for this.
