The bike check at Loyalist KOS Triathlon is to ensure that every athlete competing is riding a bike that is in the proper condition to be on the road. Our aim is not to prevent an athlete from competing but to see that the bike is in good working order. Here is what we look for:

1. Are the handlebars loose? You should not be able to turn the handlebars if the front wheel is held in a fixed position (stand in front of the bike, hold the wheel between your knees and try to turn the handlebars.) Do they turn? If so they need to be tightened.
   
   
2. Is the seat secure on the bike? If you can grab the seat and turn it in the seat tube the seat needs to be tightened. Likewise you should not be able to tilt the seat from front to back, the seat should be securely fastened to the seat post and pointing straight at the handlebars.
   
   
3. Are the brakes working properly? Squeeze the brake levers and try to push the bike forward. Do the wheels turn? If so the brakes need to be tightened. Spin the wheels, do they spin freely? They should always be able to spin freely unless the brakes are applied. They should not rub or bind against the brake pads when spinning. When you are checking the brakes, check to see that the brake pads are lined up with the wheel rim, they can easily be adjusted if they are not in alignment.
   
   
4. Are the tires inflated to the correct pressure? If you do not have a pump with a pressure gauge just pump the tires up until it is hard to squeeze the tire between your thumb and index finger. While checking the tire pressure look at the condition of the tires, if they are quite worn and/or the sidewalls have cracks in them it is time to replace the tires. The last thing any athlete wants is to be stopped on the side of the road because of a flat tire due to the tire popping.
   
   
5. The pedals should spin freely on their axle and be firmly tightened to the pedal arm. Check that the pedal arms are tightly fastened to the pedal axle. If you can wiggle the pedal arms from side to side they should be tightened, there should not be any looseness in the pedal or the pedal arms (cranks).
   
   
6. Test the gears on the bike. Have someone hold the bike's rear wheel off the ground and turn the pedals. As you turn the pedals change the gears on the bike. You should be able to run through all the gears from highest to lowest (there are some hills on most KOS bike courses and if your bike has gears it is nice to be able to use them.) This is also a convenient time to look at the chain and see if it needs oiling. It should run through the gears smoothly without any bumps or stiffness.
   
   
7. Check that the wheels are securely fastened to the bike. Tighten any loose connections and close any quick release levers.
   
   

Is there a kickstand on the bike? The best thing is to remove it for the race. This is especially important if the kickstands is mounted on the rear axle and sticks out from the back of the bike when it is in the up position. This type of kickstand poses a hazard to other athletes when the athletes are in the transition zone trying to get their bikes on and off the bike racks and are moving around with their bikes. If the kickstand is not removed before the race, the bike check personnel will remove it and give it to you to be put back on afterwards. Kickstands that are mounted directly under the pedal axle are not as much of a hazard and can be left in place and tied to the lower bar leading from the pedal axle to the rear wheel axle (called a chainstay). The bike check personnel can do this for you. They will use a cable tie that can easily be removed after the race.

The last thing you can do is pick the bike up and shake it. Does anything sound loose or rattle. If so find it and tighten or fix it.

NOTE: The bike check at the Loyalist KOS Tri is not a tune up. If your bike needs major repairs or parts replaced you will have to cover any costs incurred. Typically this occurs with a couple of bikes each year and the athletes and parents should be aware of this.

HELMET: The other item that will be examined at the bike check is your helmet. We will check the helmets on the morning of the race. Have your helmet with you when you go to get body marked prior to entering the Transition Zone. We want to ensure that your helmet is the correct size and is fitted properly for your head.

If you have any questions about the bike check please contact the Race Director.
Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer the bike check during the week preceeding the race. All bike checks will be done at the race site.

Updated: Sunday, June 15, 2008 @ 09:47 PM