Daily Safety Check
Before every ride, take a few minutes to check the parts that matter most for safety: brakes, steering, wheels, tire pressure, belt tension, pedals, seatpost and mudguards.
Do not ride the bike if something feels loose, rubs badly, does not brake correctly, or makes an unusual noise.
Quick pre-ride checklist
Section titled “Quick pre-ride checklist”1. Check the brakes
Section titled “1. Check the brakes”Pull both brake levers before you set off.
Check that:
- both brakes give clear braking force
- the brake levers do not come too close to the handlebar
- the brake feel is firm and predictable
- the brake calipers do not move
- the brake rotors are not loose
A very small movement can be normal, because the brake pads can move slightly inside the caliper. What you are looking for is unusual play, weak braking, rubbing or a loose part.
If the lever travel has become much longer, the brake pads may be worn or the brake may need adjusting. Fully worn brake pads must be replaced. See Disc brake maintenance and troubleshooting.
2. Check the headset and steering
Section titled “2. Check the headset and steering”Stand next to the bike, pull the front brake, and gently push the bike forward and back.
You should not feel a distinct knock or loose movement around the headset, stem or fork.
A very small movement can come from the brake pads, but a separate knocking feel at the front of the bike must be checked before riding.
3. Check the tire pressure
Section titled “3. Check the tire pressure”Check the tire pressure before riding. Pressure that is too low or too high reduces comfort, grip and tire life.
The right pressure depends on the exact tire fitted to your bike. Find your tire in Tire pressure and stay within its recommended range. Never exceed the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
4. Check the belt tension
Section titled “4. Check the belt tension”Check that the belt is neither very loose nor overly tight. A belt that is too loose can skip over the teeth, which damages the belt; a belt that is too tight wears the bearings. For how to measure and adjust the tension, see Belt tension.
5. Check the wheels and spokes
Section titled “5. Check the wheels and spokes”Check that both wheels sit securely in the frame and the fork.
To check the spoke tension by hand, gently squeeze neighboring spokes together. They should not feel very loose or easy to compress.
If a spoke feels clearly loose, have the wheel checked with a spoke tension meter or by a mechanic.
6. Check the seatpost
Section titled “6. Check the seatpost”The seatpost must not rotate, even when you twist the saddle firmly by hand.
Check that:
- the saddle points straight ahead
- the seatpost does not slip down
- the seatpost does not twist in the frame
- the seatpost clamp bolt is properly tightened
Do not ride with a seatpost that rotates. It can damage the seatpost and may later lead to cracking or failure.
7. Check the pedals and cranks
Section titled “7. Check the pedals and cranks”Make sure both pedals are fully threaded into the crank arms.
Do not ride if a pedal is only partly screwed in. This can damage the threads of both the pedal and the crank arm.
Also check that the crank bolt on the belt side is tight. If it is loose, have it tightened to the correct torque by us or a qualified mechanic.
If your bike has plastic pedals with grip tape, check that the grip tape is not peeling off. Reattach it if it starts to come loose.
8. Check the shifting
Section titled “8. Check the shifting”If your bike has a gear hub, check that shifting feels precise before you ride.
- Shimano Alfine: the two yellow marks on the hub must line up in the reference gear. If they do not, the shifting needs adjusting. See the Shimano Alfine guides or contact us.
- Rohloff grip shifter: check the play in the shifter. If there is too much free movement before the gear changes, the cable tension may need adjusting.
- Rohloff with Gebla Rohbox: the Gebla is a precise shifting mechanism, and if it is not adjusted correctly the hub will not shift properly. See the Rohloff SPEEDHUB guides.
9. Check the mudguards
Section titled “9. Check the mudguards”Check that the mudguards are centered and do not rub the tires.
If a mudguard is slightly crooked, you can usually center it by gently adjusting the mudguard stays. The stays are made of steel and can be bent slightly by hand.
If the front mudguard rattles, loosen the upper center mounting bolt, push the mudguard up toward the inside of the fork, and tighten the bolt again.
Do not ride if a mudguard touches the tire or feels loose.
10. Check the bolts occasionally
Section titled “10. Check the bolts occasionally”After the first rides on a new bike, check all bolts as described in Unboxing and first assembly. After that you do not need to check every bolt before every ride, but do check them from time to time.
If a bolt is loose, tighten it to the correct torque. If you do not know the value, contact us.
When to stop and contact us
Section titled “When to stop and contact us”Stop riding and contact us or a qualified mechanic if:
- the brakes feel weak, soft or unpredictable
- the handlebar, stem, fork or headset feels loose
- a wheel, axle, brake rotor, crank or pedal feels loose
- the belt skips or feels very tight
- the seatpost rotates or slips
- a mudguard rubs the tire
- you hear a new knocking, cracking, scraping or grinding sound
