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dealer. Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C) will help you identify
some things that need readjustment. But even if everything seems fine to
you, it’s best to take your bike back to the dealer for a checkup. Dealers
typically suggest you bring the bike in for a 30 day checkup. Another way to
judge when it’s time for the first checkup is to bring the bike in after three to
five hours of hard off-road use, or about 10 to 15 hours of on-road or more
casual off-road use. But if you think something is wrong with the bike, take it
to your dealer before riding it again.
2. Before every ride: Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C)
3. After every long or hard ride; if the bike has been exposed to water
or grit; or at least every 100 miles: Clean the bike and lightly lubricate
the chain’s rollers with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant.
Wipe off excess lubricant with a lint-free cloth. Lubrication is a
function of climate. Talk to your dealer about the best lubricants
and the recommended lubrication frequency for your area. Avoid
contaminating the rims with lubricant!
4. After every long or hard ride or after every 10 to 20 hours of riding:
• Squeeze the front brake and rock the bike forward and back.
Everything feel solid? If you feel a clunk with each forward or
backward movement of the bike, you probably have a loose headset.
Have your dealer check it.
• Lift the front wheel off the ground and swing it from side to side. Feel
smooth? If you feel any binding or roughness in the steering, you may
have a tight headset. Have your dealer check it.
• Grab one pedal and rock it toward and away from the centerline of the
bike; then do the same with the other pedal. Anything feel loose? If so,
have your dealer check it.
• Take a look at the brake pads. Starting to look worn or not hitting the
wheel rim squarely? Time to have the dealer adjust or replace them.
• Carefully check the control cables and cable housings. Any rust?
Kinks? Fraying? If so, have your dealer replace them.
• Squeeze each adjoining pair of spokes on either side of each wheel
between your thumb and index finger. Do they all feel about the
same? If any feel loose, have your dealer check the wheel for tension
and trueness.
• Check the tires for excess wear, cuts or bruises. Have your dealer
replace them if necessary.
• check the wheel rims for excess wear, dings, dents and scratches.
Consult your dealer if you see any rim damage.
• Check to make sure that all parts and accessories are still secure, and
tighten any which are not.
• Check the frame, particularly in the area around all tube joints; the
handlebars; the stem; and the seatpost for any deep scratches, cracks
or discoloration. These are signs of stress-caused fatigue and indicate
that a part is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. See
also Appendix B.
