Chapter 1: Guide to safe On- and off-road operation
Check your bicycle and its components against the following checklist before every ride. This is not a comprehensive maintenance program. If you are not certain if your bicycle has a problem, take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for service.
Warning—A bicycle that does not work properly can cause you to lose control and fall. Inspect the entire bicycle thoroughly before every ride, and do not ride it until any problem has been corrected.
Check the frame and fork
Check the attachment of both wheels
Check that wheels are straight
Check the tire inflation
Check the brakes
Check the handlebar and stem
Check the chain
Check the suspension adjustment
Carefully inspect your frame and fork for signs of fatigue before each ride.
To be ridden safely, the wheels of your bicycle must be firmly attached to the frame and fork.
If the wheels of your bicycle are attached with axle nuts, refer to that section to check the attachment of your wheels.
Warning—A wheel that is not properly attached may allow the wheel to be loose or come off unexpectedly, causing you to lose control and fall. Make sure the axle-nuts are properly tightened before riding the bicycle.
Spin each wheel and watch the rim as it passes through the brake pads or the frame. If the rim wobbles, moving up and down or from side to side, take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for service.
Inflate your tires to the air pressure recommended on the tire sidewalls (Figure 2).
Caution—A gas station hose may inflate a bicycle tire too rapidly, and the pressure indicated is often inaccurate. Excessive pressure can cause the tire to explode or break. Use a hand-operated pump with an appropriate gauge.
Figure 2:
Tire inflation label
Follow the inspection instructions for the type of brake on your bicycle. If your brakes do not pass inspection, refer to the Brake Systems section of Chapter 3, or take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for service.
Read about the type of brakes your bicycle is equipped with:
Rim brake
A hand lever connected to the brake by a cable causes the brake pads to squeeze the rim
Coaster brake
Pedaling backwards activates a braking mechanism inside the rear hub
Squeeze each brake lever toward the handlebar to make sure the brake moves freely and stops the bicycle. If the brake lever can be pulled to the handlebar, the brake is too loose.
When the brakes are not applied, the brake pads should be 1 to 2mm from the rim. If the brake pads are too close to the rim, the brake is too tight. Brake pads should be aligned with the rim surface (Figure 3). If the brakes are not properly adjusted, follow the instructions in the Brake section of Chapter 3, or take your bicycle to your Trek dealer for service.
Figure 3:
Brake pad alignment
Instead of operating by hand, coaster brakes are actuated with the legs by pedaling the crankarms backwards. The chain transmits the motion of the crankarms to the rear hub, where the brakes operate internally. To check the brakes, pedal backwards to make sure the brake engages with less than 60 degrees rotation (1/6 revolution).
Carefully inspect your handlebar and stem for signs of fatigue before each ride. Also check that the handlebar ends are properly covered by grips with closed ends or handlebar plugs inserted into both ends of the handlebar.
For bicycles with a single rear cog, the chain tension must be in correct adjustment or the chain could fall off. To inspect or adjust the chain tension, see the Chain tension page.
The chain actuates the brake, so make sure the chain cannot come off. When grasped in the middle of the chain run between the front and rear sprockets, there should be between 1/4 and 1/2 inches (6-12 mm) total vertical movement (Figure 5). If the chain tension is incorrect, refer to the Chain section, or take the bicycle to your dealer for service.
Warning—If the chain comes off, the brake will not work. Without a brake, you could lose control and fall. Before every ride make sure the chain tension is correct, and that the rear wheel is securely fastened.
Figure 5:
Check the chain tension
Suspension action influences how your bicycle handles and steers, so its proper adjustment is very important. Make sure your suspension components are adjusted to your riding style, and that no suspension component can "bottom-out", or be so compressed that there is no further suspension travel or movement remaining. If the suspension is completely compressed, its movement will stop abruptly and could cause you to lose control. For more information on proper suspension adjustment, refer to Suspension Systems.