Pre-course bike check
In order to participate in National Standard cycle training, a trainee’s bike must be in good working order and an appropriate size. To maximize the likelihood that your child can participate using their own bike, please carry out the basic checks described here. We do not expect you to be a bike mechanic, but these simple checks will go a long way to ensuring your child’s safety.
Tyre condition and pressure
Visually inspect the condition of the tyres to ensure that there is plenty of tread. If there are severe bald patches – possibly due to skidding – there is a danger of a blow-out.
Solution: Purchase new tyres.
Squeeze each tyre to ensure that it is fully inflated. If it feels squidgy, it may be flat or even punctured.
Solution:Reinflate using a pump. If that doesn’t work, mend the puncture.
Brakes
Apply each brake in turn and release it. The brake should feel easy to operate and retract back to the starting position immediately when released. If the brakes feel stiff or slow to retract, there is almost certainly corrosion in the cabling.
Solution: Get new cables fitted to the bike.
Push the bike forward and apply the front brake (right hand). The bike should stop immediately. If the bike does not stop, there may be a problem with the front brake set-up.
Pull the bike backwards and apply the rear brake (left hand). The bike should stop immediately. If the bike does not stop, there may be a problem with the rear brake set-up.
Inspect brake cable ends. If these are badly frayed, they can cause painful cuts.
Solution: Get new cables fitted to the bike.
Chain
Visually inspect the chain for rust.
Solution: Apply a chain lubricant.
Handlebars and saddles
Hold the front wheel firmly between your knees. Push the handlebars from side to side. If they move independently of the wheel, the handlebar stem is loose.
Solution: Tighten the stem bolt.
Hold the saddle and firmly and rotate it. If it moves in the frame, the seat stem is loose or the saddle attachment is loose.
Solution: Tighten the relevant bolt.
Check the ‘Minimum Insertion’ lines are not visible above the frame tubes.
In the interests of your child’s safety, we strongly recommend getting all repairs done by a trained bike mechanic.
Bike size
When standing over the bike, the rider must have a few centimetres clearance over the crossbar while keeping both feet flat on the ground.
When seated, the rider must be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground.
Solution: Lower the saddle, without exceeding the insertion limit.
When seated, the rider should not have both feet completely flat on the ground.
Solution: Raise the saddle, without exceeding the insertion limit.
Our service
All Active Bridgend instructors are trained to carry out full bike checks to recognized standards and to make adjustments where required. Our detailed checks may uncover additional faults. We will do all we can to adjust your child’s bike to make it rideable within the time constraints of the training course. However, providing your child with a roadworthy bike is ultimately your responsibility as parent or guardian. We reserve the right to conclude that a bike may not be used for training and any repairs are conducted at our discretion.