1. Running-in period: Your bicycle will serve you longer and work
better if you perform a running-in before starting using it to its full
capability. Brake cables, shifting cables, and spokes should stretch
and settle in place. After that it may be required to readjust the
bicycle with the help of your bicycle mechanic. Even if it seems that
everything is working well, it’s advisable to let the bicycle mechanic
check your bicycle after a running-in period. Usually, it’s
recommended to perform this operation within a month from the
purchase date. Another method to determine the time for the first
check is to bring the bicycle to the mechanic after 3–5 hours of
heavy off-road riding or after 10–15 hours of riding on roads.
2. Before every ride: Perform a mechanical check of safety (section
2.C).
3. After every long or heavy ride (If the bicycle was exposed to
water or dirt, or at least every 150 km): Wash the bicycle and
grease the chain, sprockets, and rollers of the rear derailleur. Wipe
off excess grease. Climate defines the need to grease. Consult an
experienced bicycle mechanic about the best grease to use and
the frequency of greasing the bicycle according to your style and
climate conditions.
4. After every long or heavy ride, or every 10–20 hours of
riding:
а.) Press the front brake and shake the bicycle forwards
and backwards. If you feel play with every forward and
backward movement, then most likely your headset is
loose. Drive the bicycle to a workshop.
b.) Lift the front wheel off the ground and swing the handlebar left and
right. If you feel friction when swinging the handlebar, or it’s difficult to
swing it, most likely your headset is over-tightened. Drive the bicycle
to a workshop for adjustment.
c.) Grip one pedal and shake it to and from the centre of the bicycle,
then do the same with the other pedal. If there is play somewhere,
you have to drive the bicycle to a mechanic.
d.) Inspect the brake pads. If they look worn or fall on the rim
incorrectly, it’s time to adjust or replace them.
e.) Check cables and their sleeving. If there are rust stains, worn-
through sections or fractures on them, replace them in your bicycle
workshop.
f.) Test every pair of adjacent spokes from both sides of each wheel
by pressing them. Are all spokes uniformly tight? If some spokes are
loose, let your bicycle mechanic check their tension and the wheel
straightness.
g.) Check whether there are deep scratches, cracks, or decolourised
areas on the frame, especially where pipes are connected, and also
on the wheel, the handlebar stem and the seatpost. These are the
signs of stress-induced material fatigue, and they indicate that this
part of the bicycle is worn out and has to be replaced.
h.) Check whether all components and accessories of the bicycle are
properly secured and tighten fixing bolts if required.
WARNING: As any other mechanism, the bicycle and its
accessories are subject to stress and wear. Different materials
and mechanisms wear out and fatigue at different rates. If you
continue using a worn component, it may break suddenly and
result in injury.
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