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MEC BIKE MANUAL
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when a new bike is first used and may require readjustment by your dealer.
Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1C) 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 o-road use, or about 10 to 15 hours of on-road or more
casual o-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 1C)
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 lubricate the
chain’s rollers with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant. Wipe o 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 backward movement of
the bike, you probably have a loose headset. Have your dealer check it.
– lift the front wheel o 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 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 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.
5 Service
WARNING Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle components
more complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing. It is impossible for this
manual to provide all the information required to properly repair and/or maintain
your bicycle. In order to help minimize the chances of an accident and possible
injury, it is critical that you have any repair or maintenance which is not specifi-
cally described in this manual performed by your dealer. Equally important is
that your individual maintenance requirements will be determined by everything
from your riding style to geographic location. Consult your dealer for help in
determining your maintenance requirements.
WARNING Many bicycle service and repair tasks require special knowledge
and tools. Do not begin any adjustments or service on your bicycle until you have
learned from your dealer how to properly complete them. Improper adjustment
or service may result in damage to the bicycle or in an accident which can cause
serious injury or death.
If you want to learn to do major service and repair work on your bike:
– ask your dealer for copies of the manufacturer’s installation and service
instructions for the components on your bike, or contact the component
manufacturer.
– ask your dealer to recommend a book on bicycle repair.
– ask your dealer about the availability of bicycle repair courses in your area.
We recommend that you ask your dealer to check the quality of your work the
first time you work on something and before you ride the bike, just to make sure
that you did everything correctly. Since that will require the time of a mechanic,
there may be a modest charge for this service.
We also recommend that you ask your dealer for guidance on what spare parts,
such as inner tubes, light bulbs, etc. it would be appropriate for you to have once
you have learned how to replace such parts when they require replacement.
A Service intervals
Some service and maintenance can and should be performed by the owner, and
require no special tools or knowledge beyond what is presented in this manual.
The following are examples of the type of service you should perform yourself.
All other service, maintenance and repair should be performed in a properly
equipped facility by a qualified bicycle mechanic using the correct tools and
procedures specified by the manufacturer.
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”
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