31
hard. Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat” when a new bike is first used
and may require readjustment by your 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 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.
• 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 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.
wArnInG:
l
Ike
any
mechanIcal
devIce
,
a
BIcycle
and
Its
components
are
suBject
to
wear
and
stress
.
d
Ifferent
materIals
and
mechanIsms
wear
or
fatIgue
from
stress
at
dIfferent
rates
and
have
dIfferent
lIfe
cycles
. I
f
a
component
’
s
lIfe
cycle
Is
exceeded
,
the
component
can
suddenly
and
catastrophIcally
faIl
,
causIng
serIous
Injury
or
death
to
the
rIder
. s
cratches
,
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
.
w
hIle
the
materIals
and
workmanshIp
of
your
BIcycle
or
of
IndIvIdual
components
may
Be
covered
By
a
warranty
for
a
specIfIed
perIod
of
tIme
By
the
manufacturer
,
thIs
Is
no
guarantee
that
the
product
wIll
last
the
term
of
the
warranty
. p
roduct
lIfe
Is
often
related
to
the
kInd
of
rIdIng
you
do
and
to
the
treatment
to
whIch
you
suBmIt
the
BIcycle
. t
he
BIcycle
’
s
warranty
Is
not
meant
to
suggest
that
the
BIcycle
cannot
Be
Broken
or
wIll
last
forever
. I
t
only
means
that
the
BIcycle
Is
covered
suBject
to
the
terms
of
the
warranty
. p
lease
Be
sure
to
read
a
ppendIx
a, I
ntended
u
se
of
your
BIcycle
and
a
ppendIx
B, t
he
lIfespan
of
your
BIke
and
Its
components
,
startIng
on
page
33.
