Whether it's your first organised ride, a gran fondo, or a competitive race, showing up with a properly prepared bike makes all the difference — it's faster, safer, and frees you to focus on the riding. Here's a complete checklist to get your bike race-ready.
Start a Few Days Before — Not the Night Before
Don't leave prep to the last minute. Service your bike 2–3 days before the event so you have time to fix anything you discover and to test that everything works on a short shakedown ride.
1. Clean and Lube the Drivetrain
A clean, freshly lubed drivetrain is faster and shifts crisply. Degrease the chain, cassette, and derailleur with Ultra Green Cleaner, then apply fresh lube — PTFE Dry Lube for dry events, All Weather Lube if rain is likely. The NAC Pre Race Tune Up Bundle has everything for this in one kit.
2. Check Your Tyres
- Inspect for cuts, embedded glass, or thorns.
- Check tread wear — replace worn tyres before the event.
- If tubeless, top up your tyre sealant — old sealant dries out.
- Set the right pressure on race morning.
3. Test Your Brakes
Check pad wear, ensure levers feel firm, and clean the rotors with Rotor X Brake Cleaner to eliminate any squeal or contamination. Confident braking matters most when you're riding fast in a group.
4. Check Shifting and Gears
Run through every gear. Adjust the derailleurs if shifting is hesitant or noisy — you don't want a dropped chain or missed shift at a critical moment.
5. Tighten and Inspect
- Check all bolts — stem, handlebars, seatpost, bottle cages — are properly torqued.
- Check the wheels are true and the quick-releases/thru-axles are tight.
- Inspect the frame for any cracks or damage.
6. Set Up Your Cockpit
Fit fresh bottle cages and bottles, mount your computer or phone, and make sure your nutrition is accessible. A top tube bag keeps gels and your phone within reach during the ride.
7. Pack Your Race-Day Essentials
- Spare tube, levers, mini-pump or CO₂ (even if tubeless).
- Multi-tool.
- Nutrition and electrolytes.
- ID and emergency contact.
8. Do a Shakedown Ride
After servicing, ride for 15–20 minutes to confirm everything works — shifting, braking, no creaks or rubbing. Fix any issues now, not on the start line.
Race Morning
Set tyre pressure, do a final bolt and brake check, fill bottles, and arrive early. A calm, prepared start sets up a good ride.
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