Where tricks wear a bike
Practising tricks involves repeated landings, skids, scrapes and sudden loads. A bike used this way does not wear evenly: some parts simply take more of the punishment. Knowing which ones are likely to go first lets you look at them often and replace them before they let you down.
This is general information. Riding tricks carries a real risk of injury, so use a helmet and suitable protection, practise in small steps on flat, traffic-free ground, and leave moves such as flips and tailwhips to trained riders with qualified instruction. For any repair you are unsure about, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and visit a bike shop.
The main trick bike wear points are tyres, grips, pedals, brake parts and the chain, with wheels and frame tubes worth a closer look after hard hits.
Tyres
Tyres touch the ground and take skids, landings and sharp edges. Look for:
- flat or squared-off patches where a rider has skidded;
- cuts, cracks or bulges in the sidewall;
- tread worn so smooth that the pattern has disappeared;
- objects such as glass or thorns stuck in the rubber.
A worn tyre can grip less and may be more prone to punctures. If you find a bulge or deep cut, replace the tyre. Knowing how tyre tread and grip relate to each other helps explain why worn rubber feels different on loose or wet ground. A quick tyre inspection before each session takes seconds. Fixing a flat is also a skill worth learning, though riding on a damaged tyre is not worth the risk.
Grips and bars
Grips take sweat, scuffs and falls. Rubber can wear thin or twist, and a grip that turns on the bar is a hazard because your hand may slip at the wrong moment. Check that grips are firm, that bar ends are plugged or capped so there are no sharp edges, and that levers have not shifted. After a crash, look at the bars for bends or cracks and check they are still in line with the front wheel. A bent or cracked bar should be replaced rather than straightened.
Pedals and cranks
Pedal surfaces and pins wear down, which reduces grip for your feet. Bearings in the pedals can also loosen. Pedals that wobble, feel rough or have lost pins should be serviced or replaced, and cranks should be tight. If something clicks with each pedal stroke, find the cause before riding further.
Chain and drivetrain
The chain is a wear item on almost every bike. Dirt, lack of lubrication and heavy pedalling accelerate the process. A worn chain can slip, skip or break, none of which you want in the middle of a move. Regular chain cleaning and lubrication slow wear, and understanding chain wear helps you judge when to replace it with the right tool or at a shop. If the chain keeps coming off or skipping gears, there may be a bent tooth, a bent derailleur or a stretched chain.
Brakes
Brake pads wear with use, and tricks that involve a lot of stopping and bailing can wear them faster. Look at brake pad wear indicators if your pads have them, and replace pads before they reach the metal. Check cable ends for fraying. If a lever feels softer than it used to, or the bike takes longer to slow, have it checked.
Wheels, frame and fork
Hard landings can bend rims, loosen spokes and put stress on welds. Spin each wheel and watch for a wobble, a flat spot or a dent in the rim. Wheel truing is best done by a shop. Look over the frame and fork near the head tube, around welds and at the dropouts for cracks, dents or paint that has split. A cracked frame or fork should not be ridden.
Spotting problems early
Many problems announce themselves before they become dangerous:
- a new noise, such as clicking, grinding or creaking;
- a part that feels different, like a looser lever or a wheel that hops;
- marks, rust streaks or shiny rubbed areas on metal;
- bolts that need tightening more often than before.
A simple pre-ride bike check done every time is the best defence, and a more thorough inspection after a heavy crash or hard landing is worth the time. Keep spare tyres, grips or pads that you know fit your bike so that worn parts can be swapped out promptly.
Parts are cheap compared with an injury, but no inspection can promise a trouble-free session. If you are not sure whether something is safe, treat it as not safe until a professional has looked at it.