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The Pre-Ride Inspection For Road and Mountain Bikes   ikes are pretty basic. You've got your wheels, chain, brakes ... But if any one of these components fails on a ride, you're looking at a long walk home.
The key to good bike maintenance is catching and addressing small problems before they get serious. The best way to catch those problems is with the pre-ride inspection. |
| What to Check |
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Because the bicycle is a fairly basic vehicle, the following checks are easy to cover in the minutes before every ride.
 Weak or bent chain links can take the fun right out of a ride. Rotate the cranks backward and watch the links as they pass over the rear derailleur pulley wheels. This is the area where the chain makes its tightest turns; the bad links will hitch a little as they pass. You can loosen the links that stick by flexing the chain laterally with your fingers. Run the chain through again. If it still hitches, you may have a bad link that requires repair.
Tires Check the tires for cuts and wear.  The tube can sneak out of a cut in a tire and ka-blam! you're flying over the handlebars wondering what happened. Excess wear can decrease grip and increase your chances of sliding out on turns. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. (Just like on a car, tire pressure ranges can be found on the sidewall of the tire.)
Rims Spin the wheels while watching the gap between the rim and the brake shoe. If the rim has a noticeable wobble or an up-and-down movement, the rim needs to be trued. This is best done by an REI Certified Technician at your local REI store. Hubs Grab the wheel at the top and see if it wobbles side to side. If there is noticeable play, the hubs need to be adjusted. Now spin the wheel. If you hear a grinding noise or if the wheel feels rough as it spins, the bearings may need to be repacked or the hub casing replaced. Shifting  Turn the pedals as you shift through the gears. As you shift, the chain should transfer smoothly from gear to gear. If it doesn't, you may want to take it to a bike shop or read our clinic on how to adjust your derailleurs. Front derailleurs Rear derailleurs Cranks  The cranks are the arms that attach the pedals to the bike. Give a pull on one. If you notice any play, you'll need to have the bottom bracket adjusted. Now give the cranks a spin. If they feel rough, the bottom bracket may need to be repacked or the cartridge replaced.
Brakes  All brake pads have a line or notches that indicate when the pad needs replacing. If your pads have worn down to the wear line or notches, replace them. If you have V-brakes, you should note that the extra stopping power comes at a cost—the brakes wear faster than the old models. Also, check to make sure the brakes are even on both sides of the rim. If not, they may need a slight adjustment.
Frame/Headset  Look the frame over for cracks. Also, use the front brake to hold the bike still while you rock the bike back and forth. Any noticeable play means the headset needs to be adjusted.
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| REI and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance |
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Along with all the tools and accessories you need to keep your bike running smoothly, REI offers Gear Care and Repair advice—FREE! We also show you some clever tricks you can use to make repairs in the field. A handy checklist of tools will help you do the job right. |