- Tune up – by this we mean check all the bolts and fixings for the correct torque. Obviously some of these you will loosen to break the bike down.
- Check your brake pads… actually just replace them in advance and bring the old ones as spares – sintered pads work better than organic here. While you are at it bleed the brakes (or get it done for you). The long downhills and hot temperatures are heavy on the brakes and its best to have them in tip top shape.
- Tyres. Good idea to replace those too. We are high roller fans, tough, grippy in the loose stuff, don’t tear easily. While you are doing this maybe convert your rims to tubeless? A bit of rim tape, new valve, sealant and a tubeless tyre and your away. Lots of thorns litter the trails here and running tubeless is the best way to avoid constant punctures. Sealant in an inner tube (slime) is almost as good, the only issue will be when you hit a square edge and pinch flat the tube.
- Spares to bring. Lots of tubes (if you didn’t go tubeless) and patch kit. Split links/power links for your chain as well as spare chain links, brake pads, derailleur hanger, gear cable, spare tyre if you have room.
Thats about it.