How to Get Your Bike Ready for Spring

Text updated: April 2026.

First wash it, then check the chain, tyres, brakes, bolts and drivetrain. If the bike has spent the whole winter in a garage, cellar or on a balcony, a full bike service is often needed. It’s the simplest way to make sure spring on a bike starts without breakdowns, costs and the stress of fixing faults after the first ride.

Well-done bike maintenance isn’t everything, though. The start of the season is also a good time to think about securing your bike. When bikes return to the streets, the risk of theft rises too. So in addition to a check-up, it’s worth taking care not only of the bike’s condition but also of its security, for example with the help of a GPS tracker.

Spring bike service – checklist

• a thorough wash
• cleaning and lubricating the chain
• checking the tyres and pressure
• checking the brakes
• tightening bolts and checking for play
• assessing the drivetrain and gears
• checking the lights and bell
• protecting the bike against theft

What to look out for before the first ride?

Before the first ride after winter, check above all the chain, tyres, brakes, drivetrain and play in the handlebars. These are the components that most often deteriorate during a long period of standing still, and they have the biggest impact on safety. Check whether the chain is dry, dirty or rusty. A drivetrain in that state works harder, wears out faster and may shift gears less smoothly. In that case it needs cleaning and lubricating.

Check the tyres too. If the tread is worn, the rubber is cracked or the pressure is clearly too low, the bike will grip the road less well. That affects not only comfort but also safety.

The brakes should respond immediately and evenly. If the lever feels too soft, braking is weak or you can hear rubbing, the bike needs adjusting or servicing. That’s not something worth putting off.

It’s also worth checking that the handlebars, saddle, wheels and cranks have no play. Even slight loosening can reduce your control over the bike and increase the risk of a failure while riding. If the bike hasn’t been used for several months, a full bike service may be the best solution. Good bike maintenance after winter is simpler and cheaper than bike repairs in the middle of the season.

How to wash a bike after winter?

Start washing your bike after winter by removing mud, dust and old dirt from the frame, drivetrain, wheels and the area around the brakes. Without this, it’s hard to judge whether the bike needs only basic maintenance or a fuller bike service. Warm water, a mild cleaning agent, a soft brush and a cloth are all you need for washing.

Pay the most attention to the drivetrain, because that’s where greasy residue, sand and remnants of old lubricant tend to collect. It’s worth thoroughly cleaning the chain, cassette, derailleurs and the area around the cranks. This is an important stage, because good bike maintenance starts with removing the grime that speeds up the wear of parts.

Use a pressure washer with care. Too strong a jet can wash the grease out of the bearings and force dirt into places that should stay clean. When washing at home, cleaning the bike by hand is safer than a quick “blast” under pressure.

After washing, the bike needs to be dried thoroughly. Only then does further bike maintenance make sense – cleaning and lubricating the chain, and checking the brakes, tyres and drivetrain.

How to clean and lubricate the chain?

After winter, the chain is often dirty, dry or coated in old lubricant. First it needs degreasing with a drivetrain cleaner, then drying, and only then should you apply fresh chain lube. Don’t lubricate a dirty chain, as that only mixes the new lube with the residue.

If the drivetrain is rusty or runs stiffly, home bike maintenance alone may not be enough. In that case, a professional bike service will be the better option.

What to check on the tyres?

Tyres mean safety. Check that the tread isn’t worn and that there are no cracks in the rubber. If a tyre is perished or damaged, it needs replacing.

The second thing is pressure. It should match the values on the sidewall of the tyre. Too low makes the ride worse and speeds up wear, while too high reduces comfort. If spring on a bike is going to be enjoyable, start with properly set-up tyres.

How to check the brakes and drivetrain?

Before the first ride, check that the brakes respond immediately and stop the bike firmly, without delay. With rim brakes, see whether the pads are worn and whether they sit properly against the rim. With disc brakes, check the condition of the pads and whether the rotor is clean and not rubbing. If the brake lever pulls in too easily, braking is weak or you can hear rubbing, the bike needs adjusting or servicing.

Check the drivetrain after washing the bike and lubricating the chain. The derailleurs should shift gears smoothly, without skipping or delay. If the chain drops, the drivetrain is noisy or the gears don’t engage evenly, adjustment is needed. If the problem doesn’t go away after a basic correction, a bike service will be a better solution than further hit-and-miss tinkering.

Do you need to check the bolts and handlebars?

Yes. Check the handlebars, stem, saddle and cranks. If anything has play, riding will be not only uncomfortable but also dangerous. This check is an important part of what every round of bike maintenance should include.

When should you take your bike to a service centre?

If the bike has stood unused for several months, the brakes are weak, the drivetrain is rusting or you can feel play, take it in for a bike service. It’s also the best choice if you don’t have the tools or don’t know what a correct adjustment looks like.

In spring, bike service centres are usually fully booked, because many riders start the season at the same time. So it’s not worth waiting until the first warm weekend.

What else should you remember before the first ride?

Check the lights, reflectors and bell. A bike must have at least one working brake and a warning signal. A helmet isn’t compulsory, but it’s sensible. If spring on a bike means more riding, take care of your visibility too.

It’s also a good time to think about securing your bike. A technical check-up alone won’t protect it against theft. If you leave your bike outside work, a shop, a block of flats or in a car park by a trail, it’s worth adding a tracker to your mechanical lock. This is exactly where devices such as the notiOne GPS and notiOne GPS PLUS come in – they help you keep more control over your bike even when it isn’t right beside you.

Why sort out a bike tracker at the start of the season?

It’s worth sorting out a bike tracker at the start of the season, because that’s when the bike is more often left unattended: outside work, a shop, a block of flats or out on a route. It doesn’t replace a lock, but it adds an extra layer of security. If you’re doing a bike service and getting your bike ready to ride, it’s worth thinking straight away about securing it too, for example with a tracker from notiOne.

Summary

A good start to the season doesn’t require rocket science. Wash the bike, check the chain, tyres, brakes, bolts and drivetrain. If anything raises doubts, choose a bike service rather than guessing. That way, spring on a bike will be enjoyable, rather than ending in a quick breakdown and improvised bike repairs.

But fully preparing a bike for the season isn’t just about its technical condition. It’s also about its security once it’s parked. So alongside tasks such as bike maintenance, it’s worth including protection for your bike, for example with a GPS tracker from notiOne.

Check out our other cycling posts too:

• A bike instead of a car? Alternatives for World Car-Free Day
• Protecting your bike against theft – the 6 best ways
• A bike for a child – how to choose one?

Frequently asked questions: