6
4
SAFETY CHECK.
You should do this simple, one-minute safety check every time you ride your bike.
4.1 Nuts and bolts.
Check to see if anything feels or sounds loose by lifting the front wheel off the ground by two or three inches and
letting it bounce on the ground. If so, secure them.
4.2 Tyres and wheels.
Check to see that your tyres are correctly inflated by bouncing your weight on the bike whilst looking at the tyre
deflection. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tyres are correctly inflated and adjust if
necessary. Look for cuts in the tyre tread or side-wall. Replace damaged tyres before riding. Spin each wheel. If
a wheel wobbles side to side, get the wheel trued before riding (see Section 6.2 for details).
4.3 Brakes.
Check to see that the brake quick releases are closed. Check that when you squeeze the levers hard they do not
touch the handlebar. If they do, adjust your brakes before riding your bike (see Section 6.1 for details).
4.4 Quick releases.
Check that the seat post quick releases are properly adjusted and locked (see Section 6.4 for details).
4.5 Handlebar and saddle alignment.
Check that the saddle, handlebar stem and bar ends cannot be twisted out of alignment.
Check that the handlebar grips are secure. If not, replace them. Don’t ride with unplugged bars or bar ends.
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