10 Essential Mechanical Checks Before the Tour of Pembrokeshire

10 Essential Mechanical Checks Before the Tour of Pembrokeshire

If you’re gearing up for the Tour of Pembrokeshire, you’re in for a spectacular cycling experience with coastal views, challenging climbs, and world-class camaraderie. But before you line up at the start, there’s one crucial step: making sure your bike is in perfect mechanical condition.

Whether you’re tackling the Epic 105, Classic 60 or Community Ride 25, mechanical reliability is key to a successful ride.

Here’s your pre-ride mechanical checklist, plus details about the on-the-day mechanical support available at the event.

1. Tyre Condition & Pressure

Check for:

  • Cracks, cuts, or worn tread (especially on older tyres)

  • Embedded debris like glass or gravel

  • Correct pressure (consider road conditions and rider weight)

Pro Tip: Pembrokeshire’s rural roads can be gritty, so slightly lower pressures can improve grip and comfort.

1. Tyre Condition & Pressure

Check for:

  • Cracks, cuts, or worn tread (especially on older tyres)

  • Embedded debris like glass or gravel

  • Correct pressure (consider road conditions and rider weight)

Pro Tip: Pembrokeshire’s rural roads can be gritty, so slightly lower pressures can improve grip and comfort.

2. Chain Wear & Lubrication

Use a chain checker tool or visit a local mechanic. A worn chain can cause slipping or even damage your cassette mid-ride.

  • Clean and lube your chain 24 hours before the event

  • Wet lube is recommended for Wales’ unpredictable weather

2. Chain Wear & Lubrication

Use a chain checker tool or visit a local mechanic. A worn chain can cause slipping or even damage your cassette mid-ride.

  • Clean and lube your chain 24 hours before the event

  • Wet lube is recommended for Wales’ unpredictable weather

3. Gear Shifting & Indexing

Run through all your gears:

  • Watch for hesitation or skipping

  • Listen for excessive drivetrain noise

  • Adjust barrel tension if needed

Smooth shifting is critical on the Tour’s steep climbs.

3. Gear Shifting & Indexing

Run through all your gears:

  • Watch for hesitation or skipping

  • Listen for excessive drivetrain noise

  • Adjust barrel tension if needed

Smooth shifting is critical on the Tour’s steep climbs.

4. Brakes: Pads & Performance

Whether you’re running rim or disc brakes:

  • Check pad wear

  • Ensure no rubbing or squeaking

  • Test stopping power

Safety First: Descents in Pembrokeshire can be fast, don’t start with worn pads or underperforming brakes.

4. Brakes: Pads & Performance

Whether you’re running rim or disc brakes:

  • Check pad wear

  • Ensure no rubbing or squeaking

  • Test stopping power

Safety First: Descents in Pembrokeshire can be fast, don’t start with worn pads or underperforming brakes.

5. Bolt Check (Torque It Right)

Use a torque wrench or multi-tool:

  • Inspect stem, handlebars, seatpost, crank bolts, and bottle cages

  • Tighten carefully, especially on carbon components

Loose bolts are a common (and avoidable) issue on long rides.

5. Bolt Check
(Torque It Right)

Use a torque wrench or multi-tool:

  • Inspect stem, handlebars, seatpost, crank bolts, and bottle cages

  • Tighten carefully, especially on carbon components

Loose bolts are a common (and avoidable) issue on long rides.

6. Wheels & Spokes

Spin both wheels and look for:

  • Wobble or uneven spin

  • Loose or broken spokes

  • Brake rub

Tip: A true wheel rolls faster and stops more predictably.

6. Wheels & Spokes

Spin both wheels and look for:

  • Wobble or uneven spin

  • Loose or broken spokes

  • Brake rub

Tip: A true wheel rolls faster and stops more predictably.

7. Drivetrain Inspection

Inspect your full drivetrain:

  • Chainring bolts tight?

  • Cranks spinning freely?

  • No strange creaks or pops?

Creaking often signals worn bottom brackets or loose crank arms.

7. Drivetrain Inspection

Inspect your full drivetrain:

  • Chainring bolts tight?

  • Cranks spinning freely?

  • No strange creaks or pops?

Creaking often signals worn bottom brackets or loose crank arms.

8. Cables & Housings (or Electronic Shifting)

  • Replace any rusted, frayed, or slow cables

  • Electronic users: charge your batteries fully

Don’t let something small cause big problems on the day.

8. Cables & Housings (or Electronic Shifting)

  • Replace any rusted, frayed, or slow cables

  • Electronic users: charge your batteries fully

Don’t let something small cause big problems on the day.

9. Take a Test Ride

Before event day:

  • Shift through all gears

  • Test brakes under pressure

  • Listen for any abnormal sounds

Avoid major changes the night before, new tyres, chains, or cassettes should be broken in first.

9. Take a Test Ride

Before event day:

  • Shift through all gears

  • Test brakes under pressure

  • Listen for any abnormal sounds

Avoid major changes the night before, new tyres, chains, or cassettes should be broken in first.

10. Pack Spares & Tools

Ride self-sufficient with:

  • 2 inner tubes or tubeless plugs

  • Mini pump or CO2

  • Multi-tool (with chain breaker)

  • Quick link or spare chain link

Tip: Even well-prepared riders can get a puncture, so come ready.

10. Pack Spares & Tools

Ride self-sufficient with:

  • 2 inner tubes or tubeless plugs

  • Mini pump or CO2

  • Multi-tool (with chain breaker)

  • Quick link or spare chain link

Tip: Even well-prepared riders can get a puncture, so come ready.

On-the-Day Mechanical Support at the Tour of Pembrokeshire

Even with the best prep, things can go wrong. That’s why fully qualified mechanics will be available at the start line and throughout the Tour of Pembrokeshire to help you stay in the saddle.

Services Include:

  • Emergency repairs

  • Last-minute tune-ups

  • Tyre changes and gear adjustments

Whether it’s a slipped chain or a bent derailleur hanger, support is never far away. Look out for the mechanic stations or support vehicles on the route if you need help mid-ride.

On-the-Day Mechanical Support at the Tour of Pembrokeshire

Even with the best prep, things can go wrong. That’s why fully qualified mechanics will be available at the start line and throughout the Tour of Pembrokeshire to help you stay in the saddle.

Services Include:

  • Emergency repairs

  • Last-minute tune-ups

  • Tyre changes and gear adjustments

Whether it’s a slipped chain or a bent derailleur hanger, support is never far away. Look out for the mechanic stations or support vehicles on the route if you need help mid-ride.

Start Right, Ride Strong

Doing these 10 essential pre-ride mechanical checks before the Tour of Pembrokeshire will drastically reduce your chances of mechanical failure. Combine good preparation with the reassurance of event-day mechanic support, and you’ll be ready to enjoy one of the UK’s most beautiful and rewarding cycling events.

Need Help with Bike Prep?

If you’re unsure about anything above, visit your local bike shop or have your bike professionally serviced 1–2 weeks before the event.

Ready to ride? Make these checks part of your pre-race ritual and experience Pembrokeshire at its finest—worry-free and fully dialed in.

Start Right, Ride Strong

Doing these 10 essential pre-ride mechanical checks before the Tour of Pembrokeshire will drastically reduce your chances of mechanical failure. Combine good preparation with the reassurance of event-day mechanic support, and you’ll be ready to enjoy one of the UK’s most beautiful and rewarding cycling events.

Need Help with Bike Prep?

If you’re unsure about anything above, visit your local bike shop or have your bike professionally serviced 1–2 weeks before the event.

Ready to ride? Make these checks part of your pre-race ritual and experience Pembrokeshire at its finest—worry-free and fully dialed in.