After a long Alberta winter, your bike has probably been sitting in the garage for a few months. Before you hit Red Deer's trails and paths this spring, it's worth taking 30 minutes to give your ride a proper once-over. A quick pre-season tune-up can prevent mechanical issues mid-ride, extend the life of your components, and make sure your first ride of the season is a great one.

Here's your complete pre-season checklist — and a reminder that our service team at WeLive is always here if you'd rather leave it to the pros.

1. Clean Your Bike

Start with a thorough cleaning. Use a mild soap and water to wipe down the frame, fork, and components. Pay special attention to the drivetrain — chain, cassette, chainrings, and derailleurs tend to accumulate grime over winter. A clean bike is easier to inspect and runs more smoothly.

2. Check Your Tires

Inspect both tires for cracks, cuts, or worn tread. Alberta winters can be tough on rubber, and a tire that looked fine in October may have dried out or cracked by May. Check the sidewalls carefully. Inflate both tires to the recommended PSI (printed on the sidewall) — tires naturally lose pressure over winter.

3. Inspect and Lube the Chain

A dry or rusty chain is one of the most common issues after winter storage. Run the chain through a clean rag to remove old lubricant and debris, then apply a fresh coat of quality chain lube. Wipe off any excess. If the chain is stretched or heavily corroded, it's time for a replacement — a worn chain accelerates wear on your cassette and chainrings.

4. Check Your Brakes

Squeeze both brake levers and check that the pads make firm, even contact with the rim or rotor. Look for worn brake pads — most have wear indicators. For disc brakes, check rotor alignment and listen for any rubbing. Cable-actuated brakes may need cable tension adjustment after winter. If anything feels spongy or inconsistent, bring it in for a brake bleed or adjustment.

5. Inspect the Drivetrain

Shift through all your gears to make sure the derailleur is indexing cleanly. Skipping, hesitation, or grinding usually means the cable tension needs adjustment or the derailleur hanger is bent. This is one of the trickier adjustments to DIY — our service team can dial it in quickly.

6. Check Bolts and Headset

Give all key bolts a gentle check — stem, handlebars, seatpost, and brake mounts. Nothing should be loose. Grab the front wheel and rock the bike forward and back while holding the front brake — any clicking or play in the headset means it needs adjustment.

7. Test Your Lights and Electronics

If you ride with lights or have an e-bike, now's the time to charge batteries and test all electronics. Check that your e-bike's battery holds a charge and that the display and assist modes are functioning correctly. Cold storage can affect battery capacity — if you notice significantly reduced range, it may be time for a battery check.

When to Book a Professional Tune-Up

If your bike hasn't been serviced in over a year, or if you notice any issues you're not comfortable addressing yourself, a professional tune-up is the best investment you can make before the season starts. Our WeLive service team offers full pre-season tune-ups that cover everything on this list and more — so you can ride with confidence all summer long.

Book your tune-up today and get your bike summer-ready before the trails get busy!