Bicycle Maintenance Schedule

The following is a list of basic pre-ride checks that every rider should complete before heading out.

Check tire pressure and inspect the tire. Remove any stones caught in the tread. (an under-inflated tire is the most common cause of tire failure)(min. and max. tire pressure is indicated on the sidewall of the tire).
Make sure that the chain is properly lubricated. (NEVER oil a dirty chain, clean it first)
Make sure that front and rear brakes grab firmly.
Make sure the wheels are centered in the frame and that the quick releases are firmly closed.
Check that the brakes are properly aligned with the wheel rim and that the pads are in good condition.
Check hydraulic brake lines for kinks or splits. (applies to disk brakes only)
Bounce the bike to detect rattles that might indicate loose or mis-adjusted parts.
Squeeze the front hand brake hard and rock the bike forward and back. This will reveal a loose headset.
Spin each wheel with a finger on the axle. A slight vibration as the wheel spins may indicate that your wheel bearings need attention. Listen carefully as well. A rubbing sound may indicate that the wheel is out of true and is “kissing “ the brake pad.
Make sure that your handle bars are tight, but not so tight that they won’t move in a fall. The weight of a rider falling on the bars should move the bars before the bar ends do any damage to the rider.
Make sure that bags and panniers are secure and that no loose straps can get caught in the wheels.
Check that your air pump and repair kit are present and complete.