Race Week Checklist with Chris Hinds

Look, I get it – race prep can feel overwhelming. You've got training to finish, travel to organise, gear to pack, and somewhere in there you need to make sure your bike's actually going to make it down the track without falling apart.

After years of prepping bikes for World Cup downhill and enduro, I've learned what actually matters versus what's just noise. You don't need factory-level obsession, but a few things genuinely make the difference between finishing strong and DNF-ing with a bent derailleur hanger in stage three.

Here's the checklist I still use – adapted from World Cup level to weekend warrior reality.

Suspension prep: Get it done early

4+ weeks out: Book your service

This is the one thing I see people mess up constantly – they book their suspension service the week before a race. Then something feels off post-service, or they need an adjustment, and suddenly they're racing on suspension they haven't properly tested.

Give yourself buffer. Four weeks minimum. Here's why: you collect your freshly serviced bike, take it for a test ride, and maybe the rebound feels slightly different than you remember, or you're getting a harsh bottom-out you didn't before. Fresh seals and new oil can change how a fork or shock feels initially. With four weeks, you've got time to bring it back for fine-tuning, test again, and still have a week to spare.

I've seen riders collect their bike Friday afternoon before a Saturday race. That's not prep, that's just hoping nothing goes wrong. Don't be that person.

2 weeks out: The post-service test ride

This isn't optional. Take your bike somewhere familiar – trails you know well enough to feel when something's off. You're checking:

• Sag settings: Verify both fork (15-20%) and shock (25-30%) are where you want them
• Rebound feel: Is it tracking properly through rough sections or packing down?
• Compression: Any harsh bottom-outs or wallowing through corners?
• No weird noises: Squelching, clunking, anything that wasn't there before

If anything feels off, you've still got time to sort it. That's the whole point of this timeline.

Race day: Quick suspension verification

Morning of, I still do this quick check. Takes two minutes:

• Check air pressure (temperature changes overnight affect PSI)
• Count your clicks: rebound and compression back to your known settings
• Visual inspection: Look at seals, hardware, check linkage pivots aren't loose
• Squeeze test: Compress fork and shock – should move smoothly, no grinding or sticking

That's it. Don't start making changes race morning. Trust your preparation.

The spares kit: What you actually need

Essential (fits in a small pouch)

These are the things that'll save your race. I pack these even for local rides:

• Derailleur hanger: Your specific bike model. This is the #1 cause of DNFs I see. One crash, bent hanger, race over. Costs $25, weighs nothing. No excuse.
• Tubeless plugs + mini pump or 2x CO2: Flats happen. You need a way to fix them and re-inflate.
• Multi-tool with chain breaker: And make sure it actually works – test it before race day.
• 2x Quick links: Must match your chain brand and speed (12-speed quick link won't work on 11-speed chain)
• Zip ties (various sizes): You'd be surprised how many bodge fixes involve zip ties
• Electrical tape: Wrapped around a pump or seat post to save space
• Spare brake pads: If it's a long race or you're hard on brakes

Nice to have (if you've got support crew or vehicle access)

• Spare derailleur (if you've got the budget)
• Brake bleed kit
• Spare brake hose/caliper
• Shock pump
• Spare tyre of choice

The stuff people forget

Every single race, I see this: Someone crashes in practice, bends their derailleur hanger, and either can't find a replacement or discovers their multi-tool doesn't actually fit their chain's quick link. Then they're borrowing tools, hunting through the pits, missing their start time.

Don't be that rider. Check your spares kit two weeks out. Actually test that your multi-tool works. Make sure your quick links match your chain speed. Verify you've got the correct derailleur hanger. It's boring prep work, but it's what keeps you racing.

Setup verification: Write it down

This sounds overly methodical, but trust me – write down your settings. I've got a notes app on my phone where I track this stuff:

• Fork: Air pressure (PSI), rebound clicks from fully open, compression clicks from fully open
• Shock: Air pressure (PSI), rebound clicks, compression clicks
• Tires: Front and rear pressure (adjust for conditions)
• Cockpit: Brake lever reach if you changed it, saddle height if you've been tweaking

Why? Because when you're at the race, you're tired, maybe stressed, and you'll second-guess yourself. "Wait, am I normally at 8 clicks or 10?" Having it written down eliminates that doubt.

Also useful when you're comparing notes with other riders. "What pressure are you running?" Way easier to answer when you've actually written it down.

Need help dialling your shock rebound? We've got you covered with a complete guide for Northern Beaches trails.

The night before: Bike prep checklist

Right, you're packed, you've got your race plate sorted, gear's ready. Now sort the bike:

• Clean it: Not just cosmetic – cleaning helps you spot issues. Cracked rim? Loose bolt? You'll see it on a clean bike.
• Check all bolts: Focus on the critical stuff: stem, handlebar, seat post, brake caliper mounts, through-axles. Don't just look – actually check they're torqued properly.
• Lube chain: Fresh lube the night before, wipe off excess. Don't wait until race morning.
• Tyre pressure: Set it now based on forecast conditions
• Test both brakes: Pull each lever, make sure they're engaging properly and there's no air in the system
• Derailleur shifting: Run through all your gears, both up and down. Should shift smoothly across the full range.

What NOT to do

Do not make setup changes the night before. No "I think I'll try one more PSI in the shock" or "maybe I should drop my saddle 2mm." Too late. You've tested your setup. Trust it.

I've seen more races lost to last-minute tweaks than I have to actual mechanical failures. Someone drops their saddle based on a mate's advice, then spends all day feeling off-balance and fighting their bike. Don't do it.

Race morning: The 5-minute check

You've done your prep. Now just verify nothing changed overnight:

• Tyre pressure: Temperature drops overnight, pressure drops with it. Double-check.
• Suspension squeeze test: Quick compress of fork and shock – moving freely?
• Brake lever pull: Still got good pressure, no spongy feel?
• Shift through gears: Quick run through the cassette – still indexing properly?
• Through-axles: Still tight from last night?

That's it. Don't overthink it. You're ready.

After the race

Quick post-race care makes the next race prep easier:

• Wipe down stanchions and seals while they're still warm – gets the grit off before it works into seals
• Check for damage: bent derailleur hanger, dented rims, cracked frame (adrenaline masks a lot during racing)
• Make notes: what worked, what didn't, what you'd change for next time
• Book next service if you're due (track your hours)

Final thought

This checklist is what worked keeping World Cup bikes reliable under race conditions, adapted for weekend racing reality. You don't need perfection – you need consistency and a system that works.

The best prep is the stuff that becomes routine. Do it enough times and it stops feeling like a chore, it's just what you do before racing. Your bike's ready, your suspension's sorted, your spares kit is packed. Then you can focus on the actual racing instead of worrying about whether something's going to fail.

If you're stressed about any specific aspect of your race prep, bring your bike in and we'll sort it. Sometimes just having someone check over your setup and confirm "yeah, you're good" is worth the peace of mind.

Racing this month? Free setup advice about compression and rebound adjustments when you bring your suspension in for any service. I'll make sure you're dialled in for race day.