
3
www.xtracycle.com
C. Mechanical and cargo check
Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride and make sure that cargo is securely
attached.
Nuts, bolts screws & other fasteners: To make sure that the many fasteners on your bicycle are correctly
tightened,refertotheFastenerTorqueSpecicationsintheAppendixofthismanualortothetorque
specicationsintheinstructionsprovidedbythemanufacturerofthecomponentinquestion.Correctly
tighteningafastenerrequiresacalibratedtorquewrench.Aprofessionalbicyclemechanicwithatorque
wrenchshouldtorquethefastenersonyourbicycle.Ifyouchoosetoworkonyourownbicycle,youmustuse
atorquewrenchandthecorrecttighteningtorquespecicationsfromthebicycleorcomponentmanufacturer
orfromyourdealer.Ifyouneedtomakeanadjustmentathomeorintheeld,weurgeyoutoexercisecare,
and to have the fasteners you worked on checked by your dealer as soon as possible. Note that there are
some components which require special tools and knowledge. In Sections 3 and 4 we discuss the items
which you may be able to adjust yourself. All other adjustments and repairs should be done by a qualied
bicycle mechanic.
WARNING: Correct tightening force on fasteners –nuts, bolts, screws– on your bicycle is
important. Too little force, and the fastener may not hold securely. Too much force, and the
fastener can strip threads, stretch, deform or break. Either way, incorrect tightening force can
result in component failure, which can cause you to loose control and fall.
Make sure nothing is loose. Lift the front wheel off the ground by two or three inches, then let it bounce
on the ground. Anything sound, feel, or look loose? Do a visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any
loose parts or accessories? If so, secure them. If you’re not sure, ask someone with experience to check.
Tires&Wheels:Makesuretiresarecorrectlyinated(seeSection4.G).Checkbyputtingonehandon
the seat, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing your weight on the bike while
lookingattiredeection.Comparewhatyouseewithhowitlookswhenyouknowthetiresarecorrectly
inated;andadjustifnecessary.
Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace
damaged tires before riding the bike.
Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles
sidetosideevenslightlytakethebiketoaqualiedbikeshoptohavethewheeltrued.
WARNING: Bicycle wheel rims are subject to wear. Riding a wheel that is at the end of its
usable life can result in wheel failure, which can cause you to loose control and fall.
Brakes:Checkthebrakesforproperoperation(seeSection4.C).Squeezethebrakelevers.Arethe
brakequick-releasesclosed?Allcontrolcablesseatedandsecurelyengaged?Dothebrakesbeginto
engage within an inch of brake lever movement? Can you apply full braking force at the levers without
having them touch the handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the brakes
are properly adjusted by a professional bicycle mechanic.
Wheel retention system: Make sure the front and rear wheels are correctly secured. See Section 4.A
Seat post: Check that it is properly adjusted and in the locked position. See Section 4.B.
Handlebar and seat alignment: Make sure the seat and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s center
line and clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See Sections 3.B and 3.C.