Check Your Bike
For safe and happy cycling, it’s important to understand how to check your bicycle you set off on your journey and how to keep it maintained for optimum performance.
Resources
- Bike
Task
Find out how to inflate a bike tyre and do an ‘M’ check to make sure you’re ready to ride.
Instructions
It’s important to make sure your bike is safe to ride before every trip. The M-check is an easy and thorough system that can be applied to any bike to check everything is in good, working order. Starting from assessing your rear tyre and check your bike following the letter M taking in your saddle and brakes. Take a look at the video below that demonstrates this.
- Is the rear derailleur fitted correctly and does it shift smoothly?
- Ensure that the axle nuts/quick release are tight/ No side to side play in the hubs
- Are the brakes fitted securely?
- Ensure spokes aren’t loose
- Are the tyres inflated and free from glass, thorns and nails?
- Is the saddle fitted securely and at the right angle?
- Is the seat post clamp tight?
- Is the front derailleur fitted correctly and does it shift smoothly?
- Are the pedals fitted correctly?
- Ensure front and rear suspension travel freely
- Is the frame free from rust damage and cracks?
- Are the brakes working correctly?
- Check right lever (front brake), check left lever (rear brake) – will they stop you in an emergency?
- Ensure that the steering operates freely with no excessive play or obstruction.
- Check the cables do not obstruct steering
- Are the right reflectors fitted?
- Ensure that the nuts/quick release are tight. Leave no side-to-side play in the hubs
- Wheels should be spinning freely and straight
