What prep does my bike need for summer?

Pro bike mechanic Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike

- Glen Whittington, Luke Friend

Spring is here - the blossom is on the trees, the birds are singing and across the country people are bringing their summer bikes out of hibernation. I know, because, as a mechanic, I'm now anticipating the annual servicing wave that follows the early season sunshine.

Whether you have a dedicated summer bike or use the same bike all year round, these are the components that need attention for fair-weather riding.

● Service all your bearings

Keeping the bearings in your bottom bracket, hubs and headset running smoothly will pay dividends in performance and longevity. If you fit fresh grease at this point of the season, there's a very high chance that it won't need doing again until the winter.

If you're performing the job yourself, the important thing to check - especially with the hubs is that you have popped the seals off so you can regrease the bearings effectively. You could even opt for a thinner summer grease that creates less friction and therefore allows the bearings to spin more freely. Just be aware that summer grease won't tolerate neglect or bad weather conditions.

● Ditch the mudguards

I'm a huge fan of mudguards over the winter months. They not only keep you dry, but they save your components from being exfoliated by mud and grit from the road. However, once the clocks spring forward, it's time to take the guards off and let your tyres feel the breeze once again.

● Fit summer wheels