
A brand-new bike purchased from a retailer isn't always operational. When you purchase a bike in a box, you should anticipate that it is only about eighty percent constructed. Thus, it won't be too hard for you to assemble certain items yourself. Furthermore, the brakes or gear shifters could not be properly adjusted. It could be necessary to perform a few minor adjustments in order to restore the bike's functionality. All of this will be covered in this post.
First, we'll go over what needs to be done with a brand-new bike straight out of the box:
- bicycle assembly;
- checking air pressure in wheels, pumping;
- checking gear shifting, adjustment;
- checking brakes, adjustment;
- checking threaded connections;
- checking oil level in oil shock absorbers, adjusting shock absorbers;
- lubrication of units;
- purchasing necessary accessories, tools and equipment.
At least some of the aforementioned procedures will undoubtedly need to be carried out; possibly even all of them. More information is provided below.
1. Assembly.
Frequently, the bike comes partially built from the packaging. Ask the employees at the department store or sports store to fully assemble it if you purchase it there.
It is simple to assemble a bike that you ordered in a box and had delivered to your home. The front wheel, handlebars, and seat post with saddle must be installed. Usually, the box contains the necessary tool for this task. If not, you will want spanners and a basic set of Allen keys.
2. Checking the air pressure in the tires, pumping up.
Seek permission from the vendor to take a short ride on the bike and shift gears. Remember that without pedaling, this cannot be accomplished. If not, you risk breaking something.
There should be a clear and seamless gear transition. One star shouldn't be crossed by the chain. Ask to get them adjusted if something is off. New derailleurs are usually simple to adjust, but the right technique is required. Damage to cables or a bent derailleur hanger itself can occasionally be the source of gear shifting issues. This is uncommon on a new bike, but it does occur.
After adjusting the gear to the cassette's huge star, try to push the derailleur toward the spokes with your hand. If it's not adjusted well, you'll be successful.
You will need to learn how to adjust the derailleurs on your own if you brought a new bike home without any adjustments made. You must watch training videos to accomplish this, and there are several available online. It is not difficult in the slightest.
3. Checking brakes, adjustment.
When purchasing a bike from a retailer, we advise inspecting the brakes. Press the brake handle slightly until the brake pads come into contact with the rim if the brakes are rim brakes. The planes of the pad's working surface and the rim should line up such that both pads touch the rim simultaneously. For forceful pushing, there should be some handle motion after the pads make contact with the rim. Ask the store personnel to make the necessary adjustments if something isn't right.
You will need to learn how to adjust the rim brakes on your new bike if you acquired it without any adjustments. You must watch training videos to accomplish this, and there are several available online. It is not difficult in the slightest.
Furthermore, bear in mind that modern disc brakes do not offer the maximum amount of braking force. The disc and pad surfaces have microscopic roughnesses on them, which prevents the braking elements from making full contact with the surface. The braking force is sufficient for stopping at low and medium speeds, however it might not be sufficient for racing. Remember that the brakes require time to break in, so don't accelerate too quickly on your initial rides. The rotor, pad material, rider weight, and frequency of braking all affect how long a brake system takes to break in.
For rim brakes, a few heavy applications is sufficient to break them in.
4. Checking threaded connections.
Any bike, new or used, should have its threaded connections checked. Of course, there is a greater chance of a loose nut or bolt in the latter scenario, but new bikes are not immune to this.
As a result, grasp the Allen keys and the keys themselves, inspect every connection, and tighten any that need be. There are tightening torque restrictions for every connection, so be careful not to tighten too much. Having a torque wrench that allows you to adjust the force is useful. However, standard keys can also be used to carefully tighten them. Never use a pipe or other extension for a key.
5. Suspension fork and rear shock absorber.
It is advisable to check the oil level if the shock absorber is an oil one. There are occasions when oil in factory-made forks is underfilled. If insufficient, you must purchase and replenish.
Remember to modify the preload, rebound, and other settings based on your weight and riding preferences.
6. Lubrication.
In particular, it is crucial to check for grease in the bicycle units and lubricate them directly when purchasing old bicycles. The secondhand bike needs to be disassembled, cleaned with specialized cleansers, lubricated, and then reassembled. Specialized lubricants must be used.
Although a new bike's components are constantly lubricated at the factory, issues might still arise. It's possible that not enough or the improper amount of grease was applied. Therefore, it is a good idea to disassemble the new bike, check all the areas that require lubrication, and then reassemble. However, taking the bike apart entirely and reassembling it is a difficult task that calls for specialized tools and expertise. Go ahead and do it if you have no issues with it. If there is an issue, move on.
7. Purchase of necessary accessories, tools and equipment.
At the very least, every biker should have a basic assortment of tools, accessories, and equipment. You should be aware that the bike you purchase will come with its basic setup. Each cyclist then brings his bike "to mind" after making the purchase, finishing it up with different parts at his own discretion.
Initially, you must purchase:
- bicycle helmet;
- pump;
- spare inner tube;
- inner tube patches;
- mini tool kit (multi-tool);
- saddle bag;
- bottle and bottle cage.
You also need to purchase mudguards if there aren't any already. You require both a headlight and a taillight while riding at twilight or in the dark.
Purchasing cycling apparel, a bike computer, contact pedals and shoes, a hydration bag, handlebar horns, and high-grade tires is also advised.
8. Stop surfing the internet and go for a ride, but don't rush.
Wait until you've gotten the hang of your bike's controls and handling before riding at your maximum speed. Accelerating without experience is risky.