Lots of folks are getting ready this year for PBP, the quad annual trek from Paris to Brest and back. There are already numerous winter training groups popping up all over the country. People are keen to get on with the task of preparing themselves for this undertaking. In the midst of this, I think people need to remember the other half of the cycling equation- their equipment. Now I realize that not everyone is handy with a wrench (or even a hammer), but now is the time to do an evaluation of your bike and your parts supply. Back in the fall, when the last rando event was done for the year, I gave the bike a triage. I examined the wheels, parts and the frame to determine what the life span was of the various components. In doing so, I determined (by the wear indicators on the side of the rims) that both the front and rear rims would need to be replaced prior to the rando season. So over the winter, I got recommendations on where to go and I took the wheels in to have the rims replaced. Due to it being the off season, the job took just a few days. Contrast that to the busy time of the year (think March here in DC) and it could have taken over a week. I also did an inventory of the parts I have on hand. I used to work in a bike shop, many moons back and I’ve kept the technology I use similar to what I worked on in the shop, so replacing cogs, chains and cables are all things I can do easily. I’ve got the work stand and the tools to do all this myself, so it gives me the flexibility to do it on my time. But I still need the parts, so I did an inventory, figured out what parts I was low on and figured out when I would need to replace them. I have a computer file with my budget of parts, costs and when the parts are needed by, so I know when I have to order them and when I need to install them on the bike. I have a spare front and back wheel that I can run through the winter months, so as not to unduly wear the new parts down until I have to. I will install the new parts on the bike a few weeks prior to the start of the season. That way I make sure everything works fine and gets seated in by the time the rides start. Preparation is the key, both physical and mechanical
