A pre-ride check is a short, fixed routine: air, brakes, chain, wheel attachment, then a test roll. It takes a few minutes once it is a habit. This page gives no tire-pressure figures, because the right number depends on the tire, and the sidewall is where the manufacturer prints it.
Many cities, universities and cycling groups teach a routine called the ABC Quick Check: Air, Brakes, Chain, plus a Quick-release check. The order below follows it and adds reflectors and, for e-bikes, the battery and charger.
A: Air and tire condition
Start from the sidewall: the City of Menlo Park advises that you check your tires’ air pressure and ensure that it “matches the recommended pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.”
Sheldon Brown notes that most tires have a maximum pressure or a recommended range marked on the side, and that these ratings are established by the tire manufacturers after consultation with their legal and marketing departments. Treat the sidewall maximum as a ceiling, not a target: if you want a different pressure within that range, change it deliberately rather than guessing.
Then check how the tire sits. With you on the bike, the tire should visibly bulge out at least a bit under your weight. Menlo Park advises looking for any signs of damage or excessive wear on the tires, such as cuts or bulges. Brown says there are only two reasons for replacing old tires, and the signs he lists include fabric showing through the rubber, a lumpy, irregular appearance, and the tube bulging through the tire. If you find a puncture, see how to fix a flat tire.
B: Brakes
Pull each lever on its own and notice whether it moves cleanly and brakes firmly. Then look at the pads for wear. Menlo Park adds that the pads should make proper contact with the rim or disc, and that the ABC Quick Check is not a substitute for regular bicycle maintenance and periodic professional servicing. If a lever does not engage smoothly or a pad is worn or off the rim or rotor, have a shop look at the brake before you ride.
On disc brakes, spin each wheel and listen for rubbing. Sheldon Brown writes that a disc brake’s pads need to be adjusted as close as possible to the rotor without rubbing, that even a slightly warped rotor keeps the pads from being adjusted close enough without rubbing, and that the disc is vulnerable and easily bent. Brown also notes that hydraulic disc brakes are self-adjusting, while cable-operated discs have a screw for fine-tuning pad spacing.
For adjustment steps, see how to service your brakes.
C: Chain and drivetrain
Look over the chain for rust, caked-on dirt or visible damage, and for slack. Beactive Decatur adds that it should be free of gunk. If shifting is poor, this shifting guide covers the usual causes, and chain maintenance covers cleaning and care.
Q: Quick releases
Confirm every quick-release lever is shut, and check by eye and by hand that each is firmly locked. If a wheel or seat clamp can shift, do not ride until it is secure.
Reflectors and lights
For new bicycles sold in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission states: “Generally, bicycles must have a colorless front reflector, recessed colorless or amber reflectors on the back and front sides of the pedals, and a red reflector on the rear.” Check that yours are present and firmly attached; many riders also confirm lights are charged and mounted securely. In Great Britain, Rule 60 of the Highway Code (checked October 2026) says that at night your cycle must have white front and red rear lights lit; For lighting gear, see commuter bike lights.
E-bikes: battery and charger
UK guidance from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (December 2023) advises checking and only using the manufacturer’s recommended battery and charger, and never attempting to tamper with or alter the battery or charger. More in e-bike battery care.
Finish with a test roll
A short, slow spin away from traffic is a final check that everything works as it should.
| Check | Pass | Stop and fix or see a shop |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | Matches the recommended pressure indicated on the sidewall; bulges slightly under your weight | Cuts or bulges; fabric showing through the rubber; lumpy, irregular tire; tube bulging through |
| Brakes | Levers engage smoothly; pads not worn | Lever does not engage smoothly; worn pads; pads not making proper contact with rim or rotor |
| Chain | Not rusty, loose or full of gunk | Rust, dirt buildup or damage; loose chain |
| Quick releases | Closed and locked in tight | Not closed, or not locked in tight |
Sources
- City of Menlo Park: Tip of the month, Get ready for spring with an ABC Quick Check
- University of Maine Outdoor Leadership: ABC Quick Check
- Be Active Decatur: Give Your Bicycle an ABC Quick Check
- Sheldon Brown: Bicycle Disc Brakes
- GOV.UK: The Highway Code, Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)
- Sheldon Brown: Tires
- U.S. CPSC: Bicycle Requirements
- GOV.UK: Important safety message for e-bike or e-scooter owners or buyers
Last reviewed: October 2026.