1. Break-in Period: Your bike will last longer and work better if you break it in before riding it 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 Ch
eck (Section .C)
3. After every long or hard ride; if the bike has be en ex
posed to water or gri t; or at least ever y 100 miles: Clean the bike
and lightly lubricate the chain’s rollers with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a lint- free cloth.
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
backwa
rd 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 r ock it to ward and away from the centerline of the b i
ke; the n do the same w ith the other ped al.
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 e
ach 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 the tires for excess wear, cuts or bruises. Have your dealer replace them if necessary.
• check the wheel rims for excess wear, dings, dents and scratches. Consult your dealer if you see any rim damage.
• Check to make sure that all parts and accessories ar
e still secure, an
d tighten any which are not.
• Check the frame, p articularly in the area a
round all tub e joints; the hand lebars; the stem; and the seatpost for an y 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.
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