Post-winter tune-up/clean-up/maintenance advice sought.

[Zack]

So I just went through my first winter of Riv ownership in New England.  For those of you that don't know, we had a very very mild winter and are currently experiencing a crazy hot spell.  I think that winter is pretty much done (I have never seen anything like this, very weird stuff).  I can see it getting cold again for a bit, but not turning to winter again.  We shall see I guess.

At any rate, I had studded tires on the bike and rode most of the winter.  I haven't done anything other than cleaning and lubing the chain and the occasional wipe down.

What kind of tune up do you guys do before the long biking season begins?  

My bike was new to me in August or so, I am guessing I don't have cables to replace or anything like that, but just wondering what you do to maintain/start the new season.

Thanks in advance!

[Smitty]

Sounds to me that all you need to do is swap out tires and keep pedaling... assuming everything else (brakes, detailers, etc) works fine. 

One thing to consider... would be to get some degreaser and clean your drive train. Probably not mandatory though. 

--Smitty

[William]

After a bunch of wet riding, a good wipe down of the black grime off the rims and scrub the brakepads could be good.  That black filth grinds away brakepads and eventually even rim side walls.  Do you know how to check your chain for stretch?  Some people just swap out their chain every 2000 miles (or some other convenient interval).  

[Joe Broach]

I'd add pull the stem, clean and regrease. There's no way to avoid
getting water (and possibly salt) down the steerer.

Best,
joe broach
portland, or

[EricP]

Would also suggest checking the chain.  I usually replace a chain either during the winter or at the end here in Minnesota.  Grit can get in and wreak havoc on the rest of the drivetrain.  Then again, this year we're also having a strange winter.  Took the studs off almost two weeks ago and already have a couple hundred miles on my Sam Hillborne.  (Can't get myself to ride it through the winter, though.)

 

Also check and clean the spokes and nipples.  Doesn't take much salt to gross them up good.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[stevep33]

Clean the brakes out.. maybe give the brake pads a light sanding to
renew the surface that may be chewed up from winter grit.

on a related note, I've started using Chain L lube, and it's as
terrific as claimed - long lasting, low maintenance. Use this stuff
if you are putting on a new chain.

Summer in March is great!

[Imladris]

A related question: How often should Frame Saver be applied to the
interior of the frame (assuming that it was applied during the build-
up of the bike)? I've never re-applied? Does it need to be?