Road-worthiness
Safety begins with the road-worthiness of your bike. A few simple checks before you start could save you an awful lot of trouble.
The “ABC Check” is the best way to check quickly before every ride. The “M-Check” used regularly, say once every month or two months, will ensure that you cover the essential parts to give long term safety.
Oiling bike chains
The bicycle chain is arguably the most technically advanced piece of engineering on a bicycle, but it gets very little respect from some people. Without a chain it would not be possible to have gears, and to be able to go fast as we do we’d still be stuck on big-wheeled Penny Farthings.
Worn bike chains
Looking after your chain will help it last longer, but at some point it will wear out. Chains don’t actually stretch – the rollers and pins wear out making them loose, so under pressure they are able to move apart. If left unchecked it can accelerate wear on other components.
Saddle
This is your most intimate point of contact with your bike and having the right saddle, correctly set up is most important for your comfort and safety.
Tyres
Correctly inflated tyres will last longer and give better performance.
Gears
Most cycles will have derailleur gears and their correct set-up is crucial to an easy ride.