It may be really, really, really obvious but a clean bike is a happy bike. If you clean your steed regularly your components will work a lot better, without any rust, dust or debris getting in the way.

Polka Dot Road Cycling Kit: Mark your Spot on the Road!

You don’t need much to do this, just some standard bike wash, a bucket, a sponge and some warm water will do the job. It also gives you a better chance to get up close and personal to your bike, allowing you to spot anything that could potentially go wrong.