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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 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.
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
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