Eye Protection; Mechanical Safety Check; Tires And Wheels - RIDLEY Bicycle Use And Maintenance Booklet

4.2.5. Eye protection

Any kind of riding, but particularly off-road riding, involves airborne
dirt, dust and bugs, so it's a good idea always to ride with protective
eyewear – tinted when the sun is bright, clear when it's not. Most
bike shops carry protective
interchangeable lens systems.

4.3. Mechanical Safety Check

Here is a simple, sixty second mechanical safety check that you
should get in the habit of carrying out every time you're about to get
on a bike.
WARNING: Any loose part or bolt should always be tightened
according to the manufacturer's
specifications for that fastener or part.
4.3.1. Nuts, bolts & straps
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
quick visual and physical inspection of the whole bike. Any loose
parts or accessories? If so, secure them. If you're not sure, consult
your Authorized Dealer for assistance.
4.3.2. Tires & Wheels
Tires correctly inflated? Check by putting one hand on the saddle,
one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing
your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare
what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly
fashion eyewear, some
instructions and torque
inflated, and adjust if necessary. See Section 6.7.1 for details and
recommended tire pressures.
Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the
tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.
with
Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and
side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side or hits the brake
pods, take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel trued.
CAUTION: Wheels must be true for the brakes to work effectively.
Wheel truing is a skill that requires special tools and experience. Do
not attempt to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge and tools
needed to do the job correctly. Consult your Authorized Dealer for
assistance.
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