What is everyone's pre-ride maintenance checklist? I've just been checking general stuff... tire pressure, shock pressure, lube chain, general cleaning. Are there other things I should be doing to avoid any mechanical failure and just general preventative maintenance? ~D
I add in check crank tightness, and headset play (squeeze front brake and rock the bike front to back)
This is my typical PFI: Clean/lube chain & cables as needed. With a dry rag & toothbrush: clean around pivots/bearings, check for loose hardware, or lateral movement. check/clean shock and linkages. clean wipers on forks clean hubs (around bearings) check for looseness/tightness spokes and wheels, looseness-trueness check tires, look for tears/cuts all over tire Check pack for pump, tools (chain breaker, powerlink etc.), ID, money, cell phone If driving: check car for helmet, shoes, gloves (I'm always forgetting gloves), pack, bike, lights (if night ride). Repeat everything 3-4 times for OCD/ADD...
I no longer rely on mental checklists. I print them out. I've gotten to the skatepark with all my gear (except a skateboard). I've gotten to the trailhead without bike shoes before. Since I started using printed checklists I rarely forget any essentials.
FITCAL: Feel, Inspect, Tighten, Clean, Adjust, Lubricate As you're cleaning everything meticulously, you have the opportunity to visually inspect every miniscule detail of your bike. Last night's clean/polish session revealed a tie wrap that wasn't up to snuff, and a hairline crack in the seatpost. It's far better to fix those items in the garage, rather than try to paste things back together on the trail with Clif Bars and pine sap.
I prefer to do most maintenance work after a ride. It saves time before the next ride and gives the lube time to dry. Before a ride I usually just check the tire pressure and brakes. After forgetting my shoes at VQ this year I do have a little printed list reminding me what to bring.
