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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 oil the
chain. Wipe off excess oil. Lubrication is a function of climate. Talk to your dealer about the best lubricants and the recommended lubrication
frequency for your area.
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.
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 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.
Check to make sure that all parts and accessories are still secure, and tighten any which are not.
If your bicycle has hand brakes, also:
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.
If your bicycle has a coaster brake, also:
Check to make sure that the coaster brake arm is securely attached to the bicycle frame.
WARNING: Like any mechanical device, a bicycle and its components are subject to wear and stress. Different materials and mechanisms
wear or fatigue from stress at different rates and have different life cycles. If a component’s life cycle is exceeded, the component can suddenly
and catastrophically fail, causing serious injury or death to the rider. Scratches, cracks, fraying and discoloration are signs of stress-caused
fatigue and indicate that a part is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. While the materials and workmanship of your bicycle
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