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Your good merino socks are riddled with moth holes in the wardrobe, the helmet on the windowsill in the garage looks pretty faded after the winter break and your rain jacket soaks up drops of water as greedily as a man dying of thirst in the desert? Then you should give your bike equipment a thorough check before your first tour - we'll show you what you should look out for.
Durability & hygiene
Someone once said something about the expiry date on helmets. Is that true? It's certainly true. Manufacturers recommend that helmets should be replaced after three to five years - even if they have not been damaged in a fall. However, this is a recommendation, not a regulation. As a helmet can age at different rates depending on UV radiation, intensity of use or storage, it should definitely be checked for cracks in the helmet shell or brittle straps. If everything is technically in order, the padding and straps should be cleaned with a sponge and soap for reasons of hygiene. Some pads can also be removed from the helmet and machine washed. This is best done with a sports detergent.
The straps dangle loosely under your chin, the helmet wobbles on your head - what was that again about the correct adjustment of the cycle helmet?
Shoes and fasteners
Many cycling shoes - especially higher-quality models - are now equipped with Boa cable laces. If these are stiff or even defective, the manufacturer offers repair kits for every type. These also include a small Inhex spanner for disassembly. Replacement is done in a few simple steps. With a drop of silicone oil, an intact mechanism may run smoothly again.
You should remove any dirt residue from Velcro fasteners before the first ride so that they can develop their full adhesive force. A fine comb can be used to easily remove plant parts, fibres and other debris. Also check whether the laces are frayed or torn. If so, it is best to replace them before they tear during the next tour.
Also take a look at the tread of your shoes. If it is too worn or has been heavily maltreated by the pedals, this can impair your grip on the pedals. Cheaper nylon sole constructions in particular lose their resilience over time. If the shoe bends too easily by hand, it's time for a new pair of bike shoes.
Care and patching
Gear Aid offers suitable products to make hard-running zips run smoothly again or to repair fall damage. The Zipper Cleaner + Lubricant cleans and lubricates the zip fastener, with the AquaSure repair kit small holes can be patched waterproof. Both products cost around ten euros.
Rainwear still waterproof?
Splash a few drops of water onto your rain jacket. If the drops run off cleanly, everything is fine. If the drops soak into the material and form a damp stain, it's time to waterproof your rain gear again. For the care of weatherproof clothing with a membrane and for waterproofing, we recommend PFAS-free care products, such as those from Nikwax or Hey; they are free from environmentally harmful perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances ("eternity chemicals").
Tool complete?
For the old hands among the mountain bikers, the Alien from Topeak the Swiss army knife of multitools. However, the decisive factor is not the number of tools, but that they fit your bike. Tip: The screws on the bike determine the tool selection; mini tools with interchangeable bits are a clever option.
Do you store tools and spare parts in a storage compartment in the frame? Then take a good look in the boot. Moisture can damage the metal of the minitool. Pointed tools could have drilled into the tube over time. Perhaps you didn't even pack a new spare inner tube after the last breakdown? A quick check can save you from worse.
Up to date? GPS, light & data
While you've been hibernating and binge-watching Netflix during the off-season, the accessory developers haven't just been twiddling their thumbs. Now the GPS computer, rear light or other components suddenly can no longer be paired with each other or refuse to work at all? The reason: the software is no longer up to date and the firmware needs an update to ensure a smooth flow of data.
Stefan Frey
Editor
