Why the bike needs a proper look
After a fall, most riders check themselves first and then notice a scuffed lever or twisted saddle and carry on. The trouble is that crash damage is not always visible. A bike can look nearly fine and still have a bent part, a cracked component or a loose fixing that fails later, often at a bad moment.
This article gives a general routine for a basic inspection. It cannot replace a mechanic’s judgement. If you are unsure about anything, the safe approach is not to ride the bike and to have a bike shop look at it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular parts, and do not attempt repairs you are not confident about.
First, check yourself
Before touching the bike, check yourself properly. Sit down for a moment if you can, and if you have pain, dizziness, a head impact or anything that does not feel right, seek medical help. The bike can wait. The steps to take straight after a fall are covered in the article on what to do right after a crash.
Do the inspection somewhere safe
If the crash happened on a road, get yourself and the bike clear of traffic first. A quick roadside look is useful, but a full inspection is better done at home on a flat surface with good light. A stand makes it easier, but you can also lean the bike or hold it by the saddle and bars.
What to look at
Work from front to back and look slowly. Run your hands over parts as well, because you can feel cracks, dents and play that are hard to see.
Frame and fork
- Look for cracks, dents, creases or paint that has lifted or wrinkled, especially around joints and near the head tube, where the fork meets the frame.
- On a carbon frame or fork, be extra cautious. Damage can be hidden below the surface, and marks, chips or a soft spot are reasons to get an expert opinion.
- Look at the fork from the side. It should look straight and symmetrical, and the front wheel should sit centrally between the blades.
- Check that the rear triangle looks aligned. If the rear wheel sits off-centre, something may be bent.
Handlebars and stem
- Check that the bars sit square to the front wheel. A twisted bar can be corrected if it is just loose, but never force a bar that seems bent.
- Look for scratches, dents or bends on the bars and stem. A deep gouge or a kink in the metal is a warning.
- Hold the front wheel between your knees and try to twist the bars. If they move without the wheel, the stem clamp may be loose.
- Check the headset. Headset play shows up as a knock or looseness when you rock the bike with the front brake on.
Wheels and tyres
- Lift each wheel and spin it. It should turn freely and run reasonably straight, without wobbling side to side or rubbing on the brakes. Wheel truing is a job for someone with the right tools.
- Look for dents or flat spots in the rim, loose or bent spokes, and cracks around the spoke holes.
- Check how the wheel is held in. Make sure quick releases or thru-axles are properly closed and seated, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A wheel retention check is worth repeating after any fall.
- Look at the tyres for cuts, bulges or embedded glass. A good tyre inspection includes checking the pressure, since a crash can make a slow leak worse.
Brakes and levers
- Squeeze both levers. They should feel firm, not soft or sticking, and return when released.
- Check that brake pads or rotors have not shifted. Rim brake pads should hit the rim squarely, and disc brakes should not rub or squeal in a new way.
- A bent disc rotor or a leaking hydraulic hose are reasons to stop and see a shop. Do not ride with a brake you do not trust. A simple brake test at slow speed in a safe space comes before any normal riding.
- If brake pads look uneven or low, consider brake pad wear while you are looking.
Drivetrain and pedals
- Check that the rear derailleur hangs straight. A bent hanger or derailleur is common after a fall on the drive side, and it affects gear shifting and can damage the wheel.
- Look at the chain, cranks and pedals. A bent pedal axle or crank arm affects how the bike feels and should be replaced.
- Spin the cranks. Anything that scrapes or clicks in a new way deserves attention.
Saddle, seat post and accessories
- Check that the saddle has not twisted and the seat post has not slipped. Re-tighten only according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check lights, bags, racks and any computer or phone mount for cracks or loosened fixings.
A final bounce test
Pick the bike up a few centimetres and drop it gently on to its tyres, listening for rattles. A bounce test can reveal loose bolts and accessories that you did not spot visually. Then ride very slowly in a quiet, flat place and listen and feel for anything odd before returning to normal riding.
Your helmet and other gear
Do not forget the gear. A helmet that has taken a hit may be damaged even if it looks fine, and the manufacturer’s guidance is to follow on replacement. The article on when to replace a helmet after a fall covers the reasoning. Check gloves, shoes and straps too.
When to see a shop
Have a bike shop look at the bike if you see or feel any of the following:
- Cracks, deep dents, bent tubes or a crooked fork.
- A bent bar, stem, crank, derailleur hanger or rotor.
- A wheel that wobbles or rubs, or has missing or loose spokes.
- Brakes that feel soft or inconsistent.
- Any carbon part that took an impact.
- Anything you cannot judge confidently.
A shop mechanic can check alignment, bolt tension and hidden damage, and can tell you whether a part should be replaced. If in doubt, replace rather than patch up safety-critical parts such as bars, forks and brakes, and follow professional advice.