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hard. Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat” when a new bike is rst 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 ne
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 rst
checkup is to bring the bike in after three to ve 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 Check (Section 1.C)
3. After every long or hard ride: If the bike has been exposed to water or grit; or at least every
100 miles: Clean the bike and lightly oil the chain. Wipe off excess oil. 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 backward 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 rock it toward and away from the centerline of the bike; then do the
same with the other pedal. 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 each wheel between your thumb
and index nger. Do they all feel about the same? If any feel loose, have your dealer check
the wheel for tension and trueness.
• Check to make sure that all parts and accessories are still secure, and tighten any which
are not.
• Check the frame, particularly in the area around all tube joints; the handlebars; the stem;
and the seatpost for any 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.
WARNING:
lIke any mechanIcal devIce, a BIcycle and Its components are suBject to wear and stress.
dIfferent materIals and mechanIsms wear or fatIgue from stress at dIfferent rates and have dIfferent
lIfe cycles. If a component’s lIfe cycle Is exceeded, the component can suddenly and catastrophIcally faIl,
causIng serIous Injury or death to the rIder. scratches, cracks, frayIng and dIscoloratIon are sIgns of
stress-caused fatIgue and IndIcate that a part Is at the end of Its useful lIfe and needs to Be replaced.
whIle the materIals and workmanshIp of your BIcycle or of IndIvIdual components may Be covered By a
warranty for a specIfIed perIod of tIme By the manufacturer, thIs Is no guarantee that the product wIll
last the term of the warranty. product lIfe Is often related to the kInd of rIdIng you do and to the
treatment to whIch you suBmIt the BIcycle. the BIcycle’s warranty Is not meant to suggest that the BIcycle
cannot Be Broken or wIll last forever. It only means that the BIcycle Is covered suBject to the terms
of the warranty. please Be sure to read appendIx a, Intended use of your BIcycle and appendIx B, the
lIfespan of your BIke and Its components, startIng on page 33.
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