Check your Bike
by Sandra Kleppe
Fellow cyclists and friends,
We will be riding at the Delky Dozzi track on Tuesdays and
Thursdays at 6:00pm for our weekly practices. It is important
to make sure that you machine is good to go. So please,
if you haven't had a chance to already, do your bike check
or arrange at a local bike shop, including for a tune-up.
Don't forget that our coaches may also be able to provide
this service as some of them have the necessary tools and
provide this service at a reasonable cost to members.
This is an important part of keeping the training sessions
safe as well, mechanical fitness can prevent crashes and
accidents.
A rule of thumb is to replace your bike chain each season,
and if your bike is new, watch for cable stretch at the
gears and brakes which can cause gears to skip and brakes
to not grip well.
Read below for some good information about the bike check.
Some of the things you may not be familiar with and we can
certainly guide you with instruction.
Thanks, and see you soon!
Sandra Kleppe, Secretary, Sudbury Cycling Club
BIKE CHECK:
TIRES:
Clinchers: Check Pressure, Treads for wear/slashes
etc., positioning on rim.
Tubulars; Check Pressure, Properly Positioned
and glued on rim, Treads for wear/slashes etc.
WHEELS:
Check if wheel is dished, round and true,
and that spokes are in good condition and at the proper
tension (no big wobbles when the wheel is spinning.)
HUBS:
Check for play and smoothness (no gritty or
sandy feeling), check flanges for cracks.
QUICK RELEASE:
Check centering of wheel to the frame and
tightness of the quick release skewer.
BOTTOM BRACKET:
Check for play and smoothness (no gritty or
sandy feel ing)
HEADSET:
Check for play and smoothness (no gritty or
sandy feeling), also check for “S.I.S." movements
in headset.
STEM & HANDLEBAR:
Check for lateral stem movements and up and
down handlebar movements.
SADDLE &
SEATPOST:
Check for lateral and up and down movements
of the saddle and seatpost.
BRAKES:
Check brakes for centering, closeness to rim,
and wear on the brake pads.
CABLES:
Check all cables for wear, fraying, and lubrication.
DERAILERS:
Check for proper alignment and for chain Jumping
off of the chain rings, and freewheel when shifting gears.
FRAME:
Check for cracks at lugs/Joints and bent tubes.
*NOTE: Ensure that all nuts and bolts are
tight.
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT
YOUR BIKE IS MECHANICALLY FIT AT ALL TIMES. MAKE AN EFFORT
TO LEARN HOW TO PERFORM A SATISFACTORY BIKE CHECK ON YOUR
OWN. COACHES AND EXPERIENCED RIDERS WILL BE PLEASED TO ASSIST
YOU IN LEARNING THESE SKILLS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO ASK.
BASIC TOOLS
FOR EVERY RIDER;
1) 4,5,6 mm Alan Wrenches
2) Spoke Wrench
3) Tire Irons - for those with clincher tires
4) Cone Wrenches
5) Chain Lubricant
6) Patch Kit - either for tubular or clinchers
7) Chain Breaking Tool
8) Tire Pressure Gauge (Optional)
BASIC BIKE EQUIPMENT:
1) Bicycle (Ha Ha!!)
2) Spare Tire (Tubular) or Inner Tube (Clincher)
3) Frame Pump
4) Water Bottle Cage(s) and Water Bottle(s)
5) Helmet (Mandatory)
BASIC BICYCLE
CLOTHING;
1) Cycling Shoes
2) Cycling Shorts with Chamois (*Approved
Shorts When Racing)
3) Cycling Jersey (»Approved Jersey
When Racing)
4) Cycling Gloves
Foul Weather Riding
i) Cycling Jacket/Rain Jacket
ii) Cycling Tights (Lycra or Wool)
iii) Thick Gloves
iv) Cycling Boot Covers
v) Lifa Underwear
vi) Long Sleeve Wool Jersey
vi i) Wool Soc ks
v i i i)Balac1ava
ix) Wind Briefs
OPTIONAL BICYCLE
EQUIPMENT;
1) Glasses
2) Computer
3) Racing Wheels
4) Headset/Bottom Bracket Tools
5) Time Trial Bars
6) Truing Stand
