After 10 to 20 hours of riding, or every long hard ride perform the following:
- Inspect the brake pads for signs of wear, and check that they are contacting the rim squarely.
- Check the headset by lifting the front wheel of the ground and turning it side to side. It should feel smooth without any binding or roughness. With the bike back on the ground squeeze the front brake and rock the bike back and forth with the hand just below the stem clamp. There should be no movement between the stem and the frame.
- Inspect the cables for rust, kinks or fraying. Have a professional bicycle mechanic replace them if there are any signs of the above conditions.
- Hold the crank arms with your two hands and check that there is no movement side to side. If there is any play in the bottom bracket or crank arms, have your bicycle serviced by a professional bicycle mechanic.
- Inspect the wheels for loose spokes by taking a light screw driver and tapping each spoke and noting the sound is roughly the same on each side of the wheel. Also squeeze the spokes to check for loose spokes. A professional bicycle mechanic can tension or true your bicycle wheel.
- Inspect the frame at all tube joints for any signs for cracks, discoloration or what appears to be deep scratches. These may be signs of stress-caused fatigue and should be inspected by a professional bicycle mechanic.
- Inspect the handlebars, stem and seat post for any signs of cracks or deep scratches, as this may be signs of fatigue or damage. These parts should be inspected by a professional bicycle mechanic.
- If the shifting is not smooth and quiet from gear to gear, have a professional bicycle mechanic inspect your bicycle for adjustment, wear of the cogs or chainrings, or worn and/or stretched chain.
- Inspect the brake levers per the Mechanical Safety Check, if they are not functioning correctly, do not ride the bicycle and see a professional bicycle mechanic.
- It is recommended that after every 50 hours of riding your bicycle be checked by a professional bicycle mechanic.
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