How to Do a 15-Minute Pre-Ride Check (and Why You Should)
The right maintenance for a high-performance bike is something we take seriously at Bikeera, and you should, too. A pre-ride check is a vital part of your general maintenance schedule, essential for your safety and the performance of your bike.
Here, our expert bike service professionals cover the essential steps of a 15-minute bike check before rides.
- A 15-minute pre-ride bike check is essential for safety, a smooth ride and minimizing the chances of problems.
- The M check is the best pre-ride bike check for high-spec bikes and long rides.
- This check shouldn’t replace routine maintenance and servicing.
Table of Contents
How to Prepare a Bicycle for a Long-Distance Ride
In essence, there are two stages in preparing a bicycle for long rides: regular maintenance and a pre-ride check.
Preparing your bicycle shouldn’t be left only to a last-minute bike check before a long ride. A regular maintenance schedule promotes the smooth, safe and efficient functioning of your bicycle. It ensures that all your rides are enjoyable and helps improve your cycling performance, too.
Regular Essential Maintenance for Endurance Cycling and Long Distance Rides
All parts of your bike require frequent care and attention. That includes the frame, the wheels and tires, gears, suspension, chain and drivetrain, and any sensors you have. Complex parts like hydraulic brakes and suspension systems also require professional expertise at regular intervals.
The core principles of good bike maintenance come down to four things:
- Cleaning for smooth functioning and reduced wear and tear, using high-quality bike care products like those from Dynamic.
- Inspection to prevent parts failure on the road, premature wear and expensive repairs.
- Lubrication for efficiency and protection of key parts.
- Professional servicing to maintain optimal function and safety.
Assuming you’re following a regular maintenance routine and starting with a clean bike, your pre-ride routine is mostly focused on inspection.
15-Minute Bike Check Before Rides
Before each and every ride, there are some essential checks to make.
You might have heard of the basic ABC checks that only take a couple of minutes: air, brakes and chain. But if you are riding a high-performance bike and planning a long ride, you need more than a quick pre-ride bike check.
Here’s a 15-minute bike inspection checklist for ambitious riders setting out for long rides on high-spec bikes. It uses the M check for bicycle safety. This involves tracing the letter M on your bike to ensure you check all parts of the bike, and its emphasis on checking systematically makes it the best pre-ride bike check.
Front Wheel and Brakes
Start with your front wheel.
- Check the tire pressure. Low pressure can cause premature wear, increase the risk of puncture, and result in a slower ride. High pressure, on the other hand, can make a long ride very uncomfortable.
- Adjust pressure to the manufacturer’s recommended range, if necessary.
- Check that you have your spare tube and patch kit with you.
- Make sure that the wheel is properly attached to the frame.
- Look at your tire and check for bulging.
- Inspect your bike for uneven spoke tension by plucking each one with a finger and listening for differences. Uneven spokes can affect the safety, performance and longevity of other parts.
- To check brake responsiveness, squeeze both levers and then try to push the bike forward with force. Your bike should not move. The levers should release quickly, too.
Bolts, Cockpit and Frame
Move into the middle of your bike, starting at the handlebars, moving down to the pedals and up to the seat.
- Ensure the handlebars are straight.
- Check all bolts for tightness, but beware of overtightening as this can cause major damage to parts.
- If you have a carbon fiber frame, use a torque wrench to set the torque to the exact specification supplied by the bike manufacturer, if necessary.
- Pull on the cranks to ensure your pedals are securely attached to the bike.
- Check that your seat is secured well at the right height.
Gears and Drivetrain
- Use a repair stand to lift your bike off the ground, then run through all the gears while listening for skipping or grinding.
- Check to ensure your chain is well lubricated.
Rear Wheel and Brakes
Now move on to the rear wheel.
- Repeat the same checks on your rear wheel and tire as you made on the front wheel.
- Perform a visual check of the brake pads and rotors for damage, then spin the wheels to check for rubbing.
- If you have hydraulic brakes, check for signs of fluid leaks.
Lights and Accessories
- For your safety, check that your lights are working and that your reflectors are present.
- Check accessories like your Garmin bike computer are all working and calibrated correctly to avoid frustration.
- Check your bike helmet for damage and that it is adjusted correctly.
- Finally, make sure you have adequate hydration, nutrition, and sunscreen for your trip. We recommend using a Camelback water bottle for hydration and Sponser for high-energy nutrition on-the-go.
FAQs
What bike parts fail most often on long rides?
Tires and tubes are the parts most prone to failure during long rides, but they can be fixed curbside. If you follow the 15-minute M check above, you’re likely to spot the first signs of wear and tear that could otherwise cause you problems on a long ride.
Do I need a professional tune-up before a long ride?
We’d recommend a professional tune-up if it’s been six months or more since your last bike service, you’re not feeling confident about completing routine bike maintenance yourself, or you want to optimize performance for competitive rides.
Should I carry spare parts after a pre-ride check?
Yes, even the perfect pre-ride check can’t prevent all eventualities. You should carry a spare tube and patch kit, mini pump, tire levers, a multi-tool with chain breaker, and a quick link for your chain.
Bike Maintenance With Bikeera
Going on long rides will not only take you places but also enhance your endurance, mental strength and aerobic base. Ensure your long rides are safe and enjoyable with this pre-ride bike check.
For friendly, expert advice or to book a bike service or tune-up, contact us today.
