When do you check your bike?

projectsome

Before setting off for a ride do you get yourself ready then check the bike or check the bike then get ready?

.blitz

I check the bike before I go out by looking at the tyres.

projectsome

.blitz wrote:

I check the bike before I go out by looking at the tyres.

The tyres? so as long as the tyres are ok, it will brake fine?

:shock:

Northwind

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

peter413

Northwind wrote:

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

+1

I just maintain regularly since I have nothing else to do so I just load it up and go ride

underdog

If I am going for a long ride then I check tyre pressure the night before, sort out tools for the backpack etc anything else I just ride and fettle on the move if needed.

.blitz

projectsome wrote:

.blitz wrote:

I check the bike before I go out by looking at the tyres.

The tyres? so as long as the tyres are ok, it will brake fine? :shock:

Northwind wrote:

If it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next

^^ this

asdfhjkl

Northwind wrote:

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

This. So I guess that means waaaaaay before getting ready :P

Red Route

Where is the "NEVER" option :-)
Not everytime but if I do it's just before I set off when I've arrived at trail.

Oh & I am a lifelong passionate West Ham fan, so lay off Greeno (despite this I would have had him as 3rd or even 4th/5th choice GK as I know what he's like)

Red Route

Where is the "NEVER" option :-)
Not everytime but if I do it's just before I set off when I've arrived at trail.

Oh & I am a lifelong passionate West Ham fan, so lay off Greeno (despite this I would have had him as 3rd or even 4th/5th choice GK as I know what he's like)

Red Route

Where is the "NEVER" option :-)
Not everytime but if I do it's just before I set off when I've arrived at trail, after I'm dressed.

Oh & I am a lifelong passionate West Ham fan, so lay off Greeno (despite this I would have had him as 3rd or even 4th/5th choice GK as I know what he's like)

P-Jay

I tend to wash my bike most times I use it so it gets inspected then, but I work under the assumption they don't fall to bits left to thier own devices in the garage so aside from making sure the tyres are up it's away we go..

nicklouse

the day before.

Northwind

asdfhjkl wrote:

This. So I guess that means waaaaaay before getting ready :P

And also way after

There's also "when do you check your mate's bikes"- after arriving at Kirroughtree for a long weekend away and discovering a mate had a seized BB, 2 broken spokes and no meat on the front brake pads I now demand he drops it off at mine the week before to be rebuilt

Anonymous

erm, if it makes funny noises?

GHill

I do a quick check before I start riding to make sure something hasn't worked loose in the car. Majority of work happens post ride at home though.

Briggo

I have a 35 item inspection list I complete before any ride.

:roll:

snotty badger

Northwind wrote:

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

Yup- this sums it up really!

alfablue

Northwind wrote:

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

100%!!!

And on a similar vein:

do I clean my chain by removing and soaking in meths every 10 miles, or

never?

Do I have any mechanical problems or premature wear with this maintenance regime?

Nope.

I reserve my OCD for other aspects of my life.

Raymondavalon

As mine has 5 pivot rear suspension I check it after every ride, go over the bolts with a torque wrench.
Once washed I give it a visual inspection, brake pads, chain, frame, spokes, etc.

Anonymous

Mine only has a 4 pivot system, which massively cuts down on maintenance

(none, nothing, zip, nada)

Matt the Tester

.blitz wrote:

I check the bike before I go out by looking at the tyres.

BMXBRAD

What i have done is put a bit of tippex on each nut or bolt then on same place on compent like yr Stem,Brakes,Cones,Crank an so on..... So wen checkin yr bike after a good hard sesh from now on u can have a quik scan round bike if the tippex mark dont line up tighten up nice an easy ,,,,,,,

Saves the hassle of chekin evry individual thing its boring an who wants to f**k round with yr bike & parts after all that Riding i dont DO YOU????????

Thread8

BMXBRAD wrote:

What i have done is put a bit of tippex on each nut or bolt then on same place on compent like yr Stem,Brakes,Cones,Crank an so on..... So wen checkin yr bike after a good hard sesh from now on u can have a quik scan round bike if the tippex mark dont line up tighten up nice an easy ,,,,,,,

Saves the hassle of chekin evry individual thing its boring an who wants to f**k round with yr bike & parts after all that Riding i dont DO YOU????????

English please? :roll:

alfablue

BMXBRAD wrote:

What i have done is put a bit of tippex on each nut or bolt then on same place on compent like yr Stem,Brakes,Cones,Crank an so on..... So wen checkin yr bike after a good hard sesh from now on u can have a quik scan round bike if the tippex mark dont line up tighten up nice an easy ,,,,,,,

Saves the hassle of chekin evry individual thing its boring an who wants to f**k round with yr bike & parts after all that Riding i dont DO YOU????????

I don't agree with over-zealous checking (see above) and prefer Northwind's "mechanical sensitivity", but I would point out that bolts could loosen from a process of the threads "stretching" rather than the bolts unwinding, so your Tipex may give a false sense of security - stick with mechanical sensitivity!

paul.skibum

Northwind wrote:

None of the above, if it worked at the end of the last ride it'll work at the start of the next, and it gets maintained as and when it needs it and I feel like it. Regular checking is no substitute for a bit of mechanical sympathy and observation while riding.

+1

The only thing I do at the start of a ride is squeeze the tyres to check they are still inflated!