| Steering Components | | | | time caused it to shear off at the post right where it |
| Article 3 | | | | went into the crank arm. She fell, hurt her shoulder and |
| | | | had to go get an x-ray to make sure everything was |
| The front fork and handlebars should be tight and lined | | | | OK. Checking your pedals on a regular basis should be |
| up properly with the front wheel to allow the bike to | | | | automatic, but it is something that most riders never do, |
| travel a straight path. Recently my neighbor Jim who | | | | unless they have a problem. Since this little incident, I |
| owns the book store here in Moultrie brought over two | | | | check pedals before every ride. |
| bicycles for me to repair. Both were high end Mountain | | | | You may know that my grandson races BMX as a 9 |
| Bikes. One was a Janus and had been in a wreck. | | | | Year Old Rookie. Before each State Qualifying Race |
| The front tire did not line up with the handlebars. | | | | he has to have his bike checked. One of the things |
| This is a very easy repair as long as there is no major | | | | they check is the pedals. Can you imagine a pedal |
| damage which you can even do when you are out on | | | | shearing off during a race? That could be real bad. |
| the trail. If you have the proper wrench it makes it | | | | Check any bolt, nut or anything that looks like it might |
| much easier. You can often do this repair without any | | | | need tightened, tighten loose bolts. If anything comes |
| tools. If you have a wrench that fits, you simply loosen | | | | loose during a ride it could fly under a tire give you a |
| the handlebars from the bike. Hold the front tire; align | | | | flat and then you need to go back to article one in this |
| the front end so that your front tire is at a 90 degree | | | | series. |
| angle to your handlebars. Then tighten up the screw, | | | | Check especially for looseness in the front and |
| on most newer model bikes this will be a large Allen | | | | headset bearings, tighten as needed or if severe you |
| Screw. If you have no tools you can often simply hold | | | | may need to take it to a shop and have them |
| the front wheel between your legs and jerk the | | | | replaced. It never hurts to be a little too careful when it |
| handlebar into position. | | | | comes to maintenance. If you aren't sure get a shop |
| Also make sure the seat is good and tight and the | | | | to look your bike over. I have my main racing bike and |
| pedals are in good condition. My wife and I were out | | | | my mountain bike checked by a real shop annually. It |
| on a ride one day. I usually ride behind her because if I | | | | cost 45.00 and they do a great job at Cycle World in |
| ride in front I tend to go too fast and lose her. This day | | | | Albany Georgia. I am sure you can find a good shop |
| we were climbing a small hill when one of her pedals | | | | near you that will be happy to go over your bike and |
| literally broke off. I was told she was a victim of pedal | | | | make sure it is in top working condition. |
| shear. This simply means that when the pedal was | | | | Watch for the next article which will be coming out |
| made it probably had some defect and stress over | | | | soon. We will be discussing the brakes. |