The first sunny days are showing up. You take your bike out of storage after months of winter training, wet rides, or perhaps a short off-season break. Before diving headfirst into the new season, this is the perfect moment to pause and take a closer look at your equipment.
Last spring, in our blog “Get your bike ready for spring in 6 steps”, we focused on the importance of a proper seasonal service and the essential checks every rider should make before those first longer rides. This time, we’re taking it one step further. Beyond maintenance, we’re looking at your setup as a whole and how to fine-tune it so you start the season efficient, confident, and fully aligned with your goals.
It’s not just about making sure everything runs smoothly. It’s also about asking yourself: does my current setup still match how I want to ride this season?
Spring doesn’t automatically mean buying new equipment. It does mean making conscious decisions about where you can optimise. Sometimes that’s a service. Sometimes it’s small adjustments. And sometimes it’s an upgrade that truly changes how your bike feels on the road.
Start with the basics: check before you invest
Before thinking about upgrades, start with a proper check. Whether you’ve spent the winter braving rain, mud and road salt or logging countless hours on the indoor trainer, your wheelset has likely endured more than you think.
Outdoor winter rides punish your bearings and freehub body with constant moisture and grit. On the other hand, indoor training brings a different, more silent risk: sweat. Salt from perspiration can slowly find its way into moving parts, especially when a bike remains stationary for longer periods.
How to tell if your wheels need a service:
- A gritty or rough sensation when spinning the wheel by hand.
- Side-to-side play (wiggle) in the hub.
- A freehub body that engages less directly or sounds different than usual.
- Loss of smoothness compared to the start of last season.
A professional service might be enough to bring your bike back to life. But it could also be that your ambitions this season have evolved. More races. Longer rides. A granfondo. A national championship. A gravel event. Or simply the desire to ride faster and more efficiently. The start of the season is the ideal moment to make those decisions consciously. Before the kilometres begin to accumulate.
Look at your setup as a system
A bike setup is more than just individual components. Tyre width, internal rim width, pressure, and wheel choice work together as a complete system. One of the most tangible shifts in recent years is the move toward wider tyres. Where 23 mm or 25 mm used to be the golden standard, 28 mm is now the norm, and we’re increasingly seeing 30 and 32 mm on the road.
Running wider tyres allows for lower tyre pressure, which significantly improves comfort. This setup provides superior grip for more confidence in corners and better control on rougher tarmac. Contrary to old beliefs, lower pressure doesn't automatically mean less speed. In real-world conditions, a wider tyre at optimal pressure can actually roll more efficiently by reducing vibrations and energy loss.
However, it’s crucial that your tyre and rim are well-matched. The internal rim width of your wheelset plays a major role here. It’s not about replacing equipment for the sake of it, but about alignment. Does your current wheelset still pair optimally with the tyre width you want to run?
Tubeless: The logical spring upgrade
The start of the season is also the perfect moment to reconsider going tubeless. For many riders, switching from inner tubes to a tubeless setup is one of the upgrades that offers the most immediate, feelable difference.
By removing the friction between the inner tube and tyre, you achieve lower rolling resistance and virtually eliminate the risk of pinch flats. This allows you to safely run even lower pressures for maximum comfort and traction. Choosing tubeless isn't just about following a trend; it’s about riding with more efficiency and confidence across diverse conditions. By thinking about your bike as a complete system, you often unlock more performance than by focusing on a single number.
Why wheels often make the biggest difference
If you decide to invest, wheels are often where you feel the greatest impact. Not simply because they are a premium component, but because they are one of the most defining parts of your bike.
Wheels influence acceleration, stability, comfort, and overall ride feel. They rotate, they carry load, and they determine how efficiently your power is translated into forward motion. Modern developments in rim width and tyre integration have further increased the role of wheels in creating both performance and control.
That doesn’t mean “lighter” is automatically better. The biggest gains are often found in balance: combining efficiency with stability and long-term reliability.
How we approach performance
At FFWD, performance is not about chasing the lowest possible weight number. It’s about how a wheelset behaves under load. How stable it remains at higher speeds. How reliable it is over long days in the saddle.
We focus on balance: stiffness where it matters, comfort where it benefits the rider, and durability as a non-negotiable foundation. A wheel should not only be fast, but also inspire confidence. From your first ride of the season to your final event.
Spring is often when that balance becomes most noticeable. A well-matched setup means less doubt, fewer mid-season adjustments, and more focus on what truly matters: riding your bike.
Looking ahead
The season is about to begin. The days are getting longer, intensity increases, and goals become clearer. By consciously reviewing your setup now, you avoid having to make corrections halfway through the season.
In the coming blogs, we will dive deeper into specific technical choices. From rim profiles to hubs and gravel applications, so you can make even more informed decisions.
In addition, we’ll continue sharing stories about teams, disciplines, and partnerships that shape how we approach performance.
Start the season not only prepared, but properly aligned. Not sure yet which option suits your plans for this season? Feel free to contact us via chat or email, we are happy to help you decide.
