{"id":3911,"date":"2015-03-30T07:00:17","date_gmt":"2015-03-30T14:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=3911"},"modified":"2018-11-11T22:01:41","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T06:01:41","slug":"bike-inspection-what-to-check-before-every-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/bike-inspection-what-to-check-before-every-ride","title":{"rendered":"Bike Inspection: What to Check Before Every Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pro racers have team mechanics that spend hours inspecting every bolt, bearing and brake pad on a bike before a race.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t ever want the bike to be the excuse, or to get in the way of a win,\u201d says Frank Trotter, Giant Factory Team Manager. \u201cThat\u2019s why we examine every chain link, put a wrench on every bolt, check shifting, grips, saddle, suspension and more after training rides and before races.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recreational riders don\u2019t need to be so thorough. However, give your bike a quick once-over before you ride and you\u2019re more likely to stay safe and have fun. Here\u2019s Trotter\u2019s recommended protocol. And remember, if you find an issue, take your bike to a shop for service.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Test quick-releases for proper closure.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

Make sure they\u2019re not open. At halfway closed, you should feel tension on the lever, enough so you have to force it closed and it leaves a mark on your hand. Check wheel releases as well as a seatpost release.<\/p>\n

2. Check that your wheels are seated correctly.<\/p>\n

With the bike on the ground, push down as you open and close the wheel quick-releases.<\/p>\n

3. Test your stem tightness.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

Standing in front of your bike with the front wheel between your legs, try to twist your handlebars. If they move, take your bike to a shop.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Check tire pressure.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was 13 and jumped on my Schwinn Varsity and hit the corner too fast, the metal rim went to road and I got some major road rash,\u201d remembers Trotter. Inflate tires within the range listed on the sidewall.<\/p>\n

5. Tighten loose grips\u2014they can send you over the handlebars.<\/p>\n

6. Test the brakes.<\/p>\n

Standing over the bike, pull your brake levers hard while pushing the bike forward to ensure brakes are engaging.<\/p>\n

7. Make sure your seat is tight.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

Grab your saddle and twist. If it turns, retighten the seatpost quick-release.<\/p>\n

8. Inspect your chain.<\/p>\n

Check for stiff or splayed links by running the chain through a rag while you turn the pedals backwards with your other hand. If you find one, take it to a shop.<\/p>\n

9. Lube your chain.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

If the chain is dirty or gooey, lube it with bike-specific lube suited to your riding conditions, and wipe it aggressively. If the chain is rusty, lube it several times. Do not use WD-40.<\/p>\n

10. Inspect your tires.<\/p>\n

Spin each tire slowly, studying the sidewalls and tread to make sure there aren\u2019t any inconsistencies in the tire and that it\u2019s in good shape. Look for thread-like casing showing through, or cracks, tears or holes.<\/p>\n

11. Check yourself for lose clothing or hanging straps that could get caught in a wheel.<\/p>\n

12. Check your helmet for visible damage.<\/p>\n

\"bike<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if don\u2019t think you need it,\u201d says Trotter, \u201cget your bike serviced once a year by a trained mechanic. That way you can be sure that it\u2019s safe and in working order.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pro racers have team mechanics that spend hours inspecting every bolt, bearing and brake pad on a bike before a race. \u201cYou don\u2019t ever want the bike to be the excuse, or to get in the way of a win,\u201d says Frank Trotter, Giant Factory Team Manager. \u201cThat\u2019s why we examine every chain link, put […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[25,105,66],"internal-tag":[513,1675],"class_list":["post-3911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycle","tag-cycle","tag-interviews","tag-tips","internal-tag-berne-broudy","internal-tag-pre-redirect-cycle"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/bike-inspection-what-to-check-before-every-ride","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Bike Inspection: What to Check Before Every Ride","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/bike-inspection-what-to-check-before-every-ride","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/bike-inspection-what-to-check-before-every-ride"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/03\/Bondi-102014-1705.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/03\/Bondi-102014-1705.jpg?fit=1500%2C998"},"articleSection":"Cycle","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Angela Crampton"}],"creator":["Angela Crampton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["cycle","interviews","tips"],"dateCreated":"2015-03-30T14:00:17Z","datePublished":"2015-03-30T14:00:17Z","dateModified":"2018-11-12T06:01:41Z"},"rendered":"