How to Check Your Bike – ABC Quick Check Video
CAN-BIKE is a cycling education program that teaches cycling skills to children and adults. A national program directed by Cycling Canada Cyclisme, CAN-BIKE courses offer a wide variety of courses, from Kids and Adult Learn to Ride up to CAN-BIKE 2, which teaches advanced defensive cycling skills to adults who already ride on busy roads. A number of SCU members are CAN-BIKE instructors, and we are now teaching courses in Sudbury, as well as doing shorter workshops in local schools.
CAN-BIKE, along with a number of other cycling organizations and cycling education programs, teaches the ABC Quick Check. This check should be done prior to all rides, and is a great way of ensuring you don’t get stuck somewhere with a bike failure that could easily have been prevented. Learn to do the ABC Quick Check and teach your kids to do it as well – in fact, your kids may already have heard about the ABC Quick Check from cycling workshops at their school.
ABC Quick Check
- A: Air – check tires and wheels
Check inflation, tube valves; look for loose hub bearings and worn tires; are wheels “true” - B: Brakes and bars
Brake levers at least 2 “ from handlebars, worn brake pads, pads that touch only the rims, effective brake grabbing (front wheel locks up and back wheel locks and skids), worn cables - C: Chain and crank
Chain on and lubricated, pedals spin freely, gear deraillers in correct position, check for looseness in bottom bracket - Quick: Quick release
On wheels and seat - Check: Final check
Drop bike to listen for or see loose parts
For a great video on doing the ABC Quick Check, check out this awesome video by the Active Transportation Alliance of Chicago: