Whether you are a dedicated four-season cyclist or are gearing up to hit the road this spring, Zygg has some excellent Spring Cycling Tune Up and Riding Tips from our team of top bike technicians and rider experience associates. The beautiful thing about subscribing to a Zygg Ebike is that all general maintenance and repairs are included in your rental fee, so your ebike will be kept in great condition all year. Karl, Leland and Paul from Zygg Toronto’s Shop / Warehouse in Parkdale - who are also avid urban cyclists year round - will get you prepped and ready. Here are their collective key pointers:
1. Wash your bike and pump your tires
You can take your bike to a self-serve car wash if you don’t have a hose at home. The direction of the waterflow should be downward towards your bike, this will help to keep water away from seeping into your bike. A damp cloth / rag with a spray bottle of water also helps and is probably easiest if you don’t want to risk getting your bike / ebike parts damp with a hose.
Pump the tires and if the bike has been sitting a while, pump ahead of your first ride to avoid finding out too late your tube has a slow leak. Check your tire-pressure once a week and keep it pumped to the correct PSI. This will improve the battery range (charge) of ebikes & help you avoid a flat-tire. The guide levels for Zygg e-bikes are as follows :
The Model A: 60 PSI
The Model G: 55 PSI
All Model Qs: 60 PSI
The Model R: 55 PSI
Take the bike for a “shakedown ride”. Listening and feeling while the bike is under load is usually the easiest way to discover & diagnose issues.
2. Check the chain for wear and replace it if needed
Enough exposure to the snow and salt can rust and also start corroding your bike chain. A bad chain is usually dry, rusty, and stiff. People can check for damage but most people don’t own a tool for checking the chain ‘stretch’ which is how chain wear is measured. Look for links that are tight (don't move freely at the pins), or links that might be separating / look damaged, will need attention. Oil and then wipe off the excess. Remember, Zygg shop technicians in Toronto & Vancouver can look into the chain health of your subscription ebike for you & make sure all is AOK!
3. Check your brakes
Winter riding takes a toll on brake pads and rotors. Listen for metal on metal grinding noises whether you have rim brakes or disc brakes. Like with cables, catching and replacing pads before it’s too late is much less expensive than waiting too long and needing to replace a rim, rotor, caliper. Here is a handy guide to replacing and adjusting your brakes from Canadian Cycling Magazine.
4. Make sure your wheels are in good condition and true
It’s a good idea to pinch your spokes every now and then to see if any are loose or becoming loose; this is usually indication that your wheel may need to be tensioned or “trued”. Snow and salt could cause damage on your wheels over time, so it is a good idea to check them.
Squeezing a handful of spokes is the easiest way for the average person to gauge if their wheels need attention. Spokes should be firm but have some give. If possible, lift each wheel and spin to check for major wobbles, listen for the rim or tire rubbing intermittently on the brakes (if rim brakes) or the tire rubbing the frame. Don’t ride with loose spokes for too long! Spokes can break so have it tensioned and trued ASAP.
5. Make sure your cables are in good condition
Shifting should be smooth and predictable. Brake and shifter cables, especially the exposed sections, can corrode over time (particularly if left outside for long, snowy periods) so cable maintenance is an inexpensive way to keep your cycle running well.
6. Make sure your headset is properly tightened
Hold your handlebars, engage both your brakes, and try moving the bike forward and back, if you feel any sort of play (it feels loose) then your headset may be loose. If your headset is loose, it may lead to damage to the frame, so it is important to have this part tightened to spec.
7. Check that your pedals and bottom bracket are rotating smoothly.
Listen for creaking or clicking from these areas. Feel for wobble and looseness, as this may indicate worn out, dry, bent pedals or bottom bracket. There should be no resistance or lateral movement. Removing the pedals and the bottom bracket to clean and lubricate them seasonally is also a good idea.
8. Check your shifting
Go through all the gears and make sure the chain isn’t skipping. Make any final necessary adjustments with the barrel adjuster and finally lubricate your chain.
9. Adjust Your Saddle
If you stored your ebike over the winter, you may have taken the seat off or lowered / raised it. Be comfortable and keep at a healthy saddle height (usually aligned with in the middle of your hips) to easen any strain on your knees.
10. Inspect lights and other safety accessories
Make sure your horn / bell, reflectors & lights are in good working order and have fresh batteries or sound connections.
SPRING RIDING TIPS:
The roads will most likely be really rough after winter, (especially after the wild-weather Toronto and Vancouver recently experienced!). Be vigilant for any potholes that may have popped up along your usual routes. These may take time for the city to repair. Accumulated debris on the shoulder - now exposed from the melted snow - can lead to punctures. Keep an eye out and become familiar with the changing conditions of various paths, bikeways, streets and bridges.
Invest in some good rain gear – April & May can be rainy months. Also, Hi-Vis attire and reflective bags are always good, as drivers and other cyclists adjust to the changes in available light, spring fog, and rain which may produce glare.
Be conscious of more cycling traffic that will be emerging as the weather gets better. Cyclists don't go away in the winter, but the numbers do drop, so we may not be as present in the minds of motorists and pedestrians. Always practice good cycling etiquette.
The spring season may bring road closures, so it’s best to be weary of any changes along your regular route.
Go slow in the rain: bikes and ebikes are not immune to physics. If you haven’t ridden all winter, take it easy the first few longer rides. Your muscles and reflexes may need to get back into shape.