5 Reasons to Get a Pre-Season Bike Tune-Up

The white blanket is slowly receding to make way for a new cycling season. Do you recall your last outing? It was probably memorable, but what condition was your bike in when you carefully stowed it away for the winter?

Before the season begins, a good tune-up is critical. After all, your bike hasn’t budged all winter, and just like a car, it needs a thorough professional inspection. Here are five reasons to get a tune-up before the season:

1. Be ready to start on day one.

Here in Canada, where the snowflakes start flying in October and often stick around well into April, the cycling season is short and sweet, especially for mountain bikers. So why not have our technicians resolve any issues before riding weather sets in? That way, your bike won’t be in the shop during any of those precious days when you could be out on the trails or roads.

2. Stay safe.

You count on your bike to perform reliably to stay safe, whether you’re swerving to avoid a pothole or picking a line through a rock garden. Whatever your discipline, your bike must withstand intense forces—big landings, high-speed turns, sudden accelerations, just to name a few. A professional tune-up can ensure that key components (frame, rims, tires, brakes, etc.) aren’t on the verge of a catastrophic failure that could lead to injury. It will also give you the precise handling and control needed to ride with confidence.

3. Save money in the long-term.

Regular upkeep is a key to avoiding costly repairs in the long run. A preseason check-up is the perfect time to see what maintenance your bike needs. For example, replacing a chain before it wears out lengthens the drivetrain’s lifespan. Or ensuring that all spokes are under the correct tension can prevent your rim from blowing out. Moreover, a professional deep cleaning removes hidden grime and keeps everything running smoothly, preventing premature corrosion and wear.

4. Avoid frustration on your first ride.

Mushy brakes, a gritty headset, a noisy drivetrain, stinky handlebar tape(!?)—all these annoyances can kill your first-ride stoke. You’ve been fantasizing about hitting the roads and trails all winter, but is your bike as ready to roll as you are? A pre-season tune-up will ensure it rides like a dream.

5. Make pre-ride checks easier.

Starting the season with a tune-up gives you a solid baseline that will make your daily pre-ride checks a breeze. Instead of troubleshooting problems, you’ll just be making quick, routine adjustments. And a starting point where everything is running smoothly makes it easier to spot problems as they arise. To learn how to check your bike before each ride, read our article “Pre-Ride Bike Check Basics.”

Make an Appointment

At the Oberson bike repair shop, you’ll be in good hands. Techno Cycle’s expert bicycle mechanics have trained our shop technicians. This specialized training guides their work, providing them with all the necessary tools to become experts too. So we stay within our area of expertise, S4 Suspension in Saint-Jérôme takes care of mountain bike suspension tune-ups.  

During a tune-up, our technicians fully analyze your bicycle, whether it’s a road, mountain or gravel bike. This step allows them to see what needs to be repaired, changed, cleaned, and adjusted. In addition, based on their diagnosis, they can suggest the best maintenance option.