How To Check Your Mountain Bike Before You Ride - GMBN's Pre-Ride Bike Check

Checking your bike before you ride is essential from a safety point of view and it should also stop your bike falling apart mid-ride.

Pre-ride bike checks should be an important part of your pre-ride routine. A quick check of your bike and components before you get out the door will allow you to safety check you components, keep on top of ongoing maintenance and also allow you to fix anything that needs fixing before you get out on the trail. Because everyone hates mid-ride mechanicals, right?

This check, the 'M' check is a simple routine, and, on balance, we think it'll even save you riding time; 5 minutes spent looking after your kit will keep you on the trails rather than at the trailside, fixing things.

Give this one a share if you agree!

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[Meehifff]

Please make a video on how to wash and lube a mtb

[edgartheunready]

Pre-ride checks are super important. I used to skip them all the time and I never noticed that my chain had popped off of my rear derailleur cog. Somehow I managed to ride it for 100+ miles like that and ruined the cogs, but somehow saved the RD and chain (though the chain could probably stand to be replaced soon now).

[wilsontorda]

How about checking the front suspension?
Make sure pressure (psi) corresponds to riders weight.
Check the rebound as well.

[letsgocamping]

How about eyeballing the brake pads? I suppose you would feel through the lever if they were quite worn

[dantos]

I think you should do a video about after ride maintenance too ie after a wet ride cleaning and using something like wd40 on the chain. Saves getting a rusty chain.

[UndCon]

Did a M-check out on the trail yesterday - the cage for the waterbottle was all loose without me knowing it...

[fozrisca]

Useful tips cheers! What's that rear rim all about by the valve? Looks like a chunk of metal missing? 😦

[AdamH]

Any chance you guys could do a video telling us what to look for when buying a used mountain bike?

[TreaHuggs]

I see you are using the KS LEV Integra, How did you overcome the cable housing issue? Was it hard with the nomad? I am buying a Nomad soon and I want that as my dropper but I heard to many horror stories saying to not use it.

[klarkolofsson]

Call the police, GMBN has broken into GCN's workshop!

[AfroAttack]

can you please do a video about chain guides or chain tensioners please!
Thanks

[BugMonsters]

What if one spoke is a bit looser than the other spokes but the wheel is straight on my road bike?Do you need to service it then?

[phorest]

another thing to check is play in the hub bearings. 

[hugog]

Neil I thought you where all for flat pedals but I can't help from notice that they are spd pedals on your bike has Mark managed you join the dark side :)

[vybtom]

Hey Neil, could you please send me all your used tyres?

[jjelambi]

I have a little play in the rear wheel. what could it be ?

[MichaelQuilatan]

Brooo I need you to check my bike hahahaha

[Le_Guigster]

Good vids and good tips there! Good for any kind of pre ride check (commuting, road, off road...)

On a completely different subject though. I was wondering what kind of accent Neil has. Where does it come from? :)

[harryshort]

You forgot that there should be movement in the front with the brake on as the pads move inside the calliper

[adrianzaharia]

Expensive bike but nice bike. Renthal handlebars that you got there: 140euros :}