Don't Let Your First Spring Ride Be a Mechanical Nightmare
After a winter of storage, trainer sessions, or light riding, your mountain bike needs attention before you hit the trails hard. A proper pre-season check takes a couple of hours and can save you from a trailside breakdown — or worse, a crash caused by worn components.
Here's the Torq MTB pre-season checklist. Work through it top to bottom and you'll roll into spring riding season with confidence.
1. Suspension Service
This is the most overlooked item on most riders' maintenance lists. Fork and shock seals dry out over winter, oil degrades, and air pressure drifts.
- Check and set sag (typically 25–30% of travel for trail riding).
- Inspect seals for cracking or leaking oil.
- Wipe down stanchions and lowers; look for pitting or scratches.
- If it's been 100+ hours or a full year, schedule a full service with your local shop.
2. Brake Bleed and Pad Check
Hydraulic brakes lose feel over time as fluid absorbs moisture. Spring is the right time to bleed them.
- Check pad thickness — replace if under 1mm of compound remains.
- Inspect rotors for warping or deep grooves.
- Bleed brakes if the lever feels spongy or pulls too close to the bar.
- Bed in new pads properly before your first technical descent.
3. Drivetrain Inspection and Cleaning
A dirty, worn drivetrain is inefficient and unreliable. After winter, give it a full clean and assess wear.
- Measure chain wear with a chain checker — replace if at 0.5% or more stretch.
- Inspect chainring teeth for shark-fin wear.
- Check cassette for hooked or worn teeth.
- Degrease and re-lube the chain with a wet or dry lube appropriate for spring conditions.
4. Tubeless Sealant Refresh
Tubeless sealant dries out over winter, leaving you vulnerable to flats on your first ride out.
- Remove valves and check sealant level — add 2–3oz if low or dried.
- Inspect tire beads for cracking or separation.
- Check tire tread depth and sidewall integrity.
- Re-seat beads if needed with a floor pump or compressor.
5. Wheel and Hub Check
- Spin each wheel and check for wobbles — true if needed.
- Check spoke tension by squeezing pairs; loose spokes need attention.
- Engage the rear hub and listen for skipping or rough engagement.
- Inspect quick releases or thru-axles for proper torque and function.
6. Cockpit and Controls
- Check handlebar clamp bolts and stem bolts to spec (don't overtighten carbon!).
- Inspect grips for wear or slippage — fresh grips are cheap and make a big difference.
- Verify brake lever and shifter positioning; adjust reach and angle to your preference.
- Check dropper post function — service if it's slow to rise or has play.
7. Frame and Pivot Inspection
- Clean the frame thoroughly and inspect for cracks, especially around welds and pivot points.
- Check all pivot bolts for proper torque.
- Grease or replace pivot bearings if there's any play or roughness.
- Inspect cable routing and housing for fraying or cracking.
8. Final Ride Check
Before your first real trail ride, do a short test loop:
- Shift through all gears under load.
- Test brakes at speed in a safe area.
- Bounce the bike and listen for any rattles or creaks.
- Confirm dropper post and suspension feel correct.
Ride Season Ready
A well-prepped bike is a reliable bike. Once your rig is dialed, make sure your kit is ready too — check out the Torq MTB Trail Series for spring-ready apparel built for Utah trails.
See you out there.
