Things to Check on a New Bike
November 8th, 2007 by Arleigh JenkinsWhen building up a bike from the box there are several things I do that I want to note. These are just notes or opinions and are meant to simply just check after you pick up your new bike from the shop. There are many things to help with the brake in period, but also a few of them are for safety or things I just do because I’m a freak.
1. Screw in the barrel adjusters for the derailleurs and then back them out 2 turns.
This allows more on the handlebar adjustment while you are riding. More times than not you are fine trimming the derailleurs and making the cables tighter which is why I turn them almost all the way in. Normally if you are making them loser it is with the front derailleur to fine trim it when you are in the lowest (easiest) cog in the back.
The other reason is if you adjusters are all the way out there is more chance of them breaking off in a wreck, in transport or under heavy shifting. I also do the same with the brakes, again this is for fine tuning while riding, I’ll do most of the cable adjustment at the caliper.
3. Check your limit screws.
Limit screws are one of those things that you do once and unless the screws back out on their own, you move the part on a new bike or replace your rear wheel and/or cassette you won’t have to mess with them ever again. Learn how to check your limit screws with out dropping your chain or throwing your derailleur in to your spokes.
4. Remove your reflectors.
This is a personal opinion but I find so many reflectors on the local trails that removing them might save someone from a flat. If you are riding after dark you should have a light anyways. Take care in removing the ones from your spokes. If you try and twist them off you can bend or break one the spoke that it is attached to.
5. Make sure your tires are seated.
I touched on seating a tire in this post about tires.
6. Hand check all of your bolts.
I highly recommend a torque wrench for many of the bolts (like you cranks or suspension linkage) but hand tightening while knowing you CAN over tighten will get the job done. When I say all of your bolts, I mean all of them. From brakes, to chainring bolts, to derailleurs, stem, handlebars, cables, etc., etc.
This post is part of my on going build up and review of the ‘08 Trek Fuel EX 5.5. Check it out.
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This is all good advice, but I have to take exception to the reflectors statement, especially if you ride near traffic. While lights help with your forward and rear visibility, the side reflectors can help a lot with traffic that approaches you from a perpendicular angle, such as from a side street. I ride a lot in urban areas, where they can make a lot of difference.
I would also recommend repeating the brake cable and derailleur cables adjustment/inspection every 6 months or so. Check it for smoothness of operation, and if you see any fraying, replace it immediately. Nothing is worse than a brake cable that snaps just when you need it.
I have also had chainring bolts work their way loose over time, so re-torquing those now and again is a good idea.
Andrew, I agree about side reflectors for urban use but as my original posts was about mountain bikes I still stand next to my advice to take them off. After your first or second good ride the things are going to be laying on the side of the trail.
For dual purpose bike, such as my cross bike - I use 3m reflective tape for the side view of my bike.
Andrew, I forgot to ask.
What do you ride as an urban bike? And thanks for reminding everyone to check things periodically!