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Check Before You Ride

A Pre-Ride Checklist for Every Bike

Before you hit the road—or the trail—on your e-bike, taking a few minutes to check over your ride can make all the difference in your safety, comfort, and battery performance.

Whether you’re commuting to work, cruising through Carlsbad Village, or heading out on a longer adventure along the coast, this pre-ride checklist will help ensure your e-bike is ready to roll.

While we’re focusing on e-bikes, most of this list also applies to traditional pedal bikes.

Check your ride and hit the road!

accesories for your bike in carlsbad ca

✅ 1. Battery Charge & Connection

  • What to check: Make sure your battery is fully charged or has enough range for your planned ride. Confirm it’s properly connected and locked into place.

  • Service it: Clean battery contacts regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water near ports and plugs.

  • Seek help if: Your battery isn’t holding a charge, disconnects mid-ride, or the range seems to drop suddenly—these are signs it may need repair or replacement.

✅ 2. Tire Pressure & Condition

  • What to check: Inspect both tires for wear, embedded debris, and proper inflation. E-bike tires often require higher pressure than standard bikes.

  • Service it: Use a floor pump with a pressure gauge to keep tires at the recommended PSI listed on the sidewall.

  • Seek help if: You notice bulging, cracking, or constant deflation—these could indicate a slow leak or a tire ready to be replaced.

✅ 3. Brakes

  • What to check: Squeeze both brake levers to ensure they engage smoothly and stop the wheels effectively. Look at brake pads for wear and alignment.

  • Service it: Clean rotors with rubbing alcohol and replace pads when they’re worn below 1.5 mm.

  • Seek help if: You hear squealing, grinding, or feel sponginess when braking. These could signal misalignment, contamination, or worn parts.

✅ 4. Chain & Drivetrain

  • What to check: Look for a clean, lubricated chain that moves smoothly through the gears. Watch for rust, stiff links, or too much slack.

  • Service it: Apply e-bike-specific chain lube every 100-150 miles, or more often if riding in dusty or wet conditions.

  • Seek help if: The chain skips, derails easily, or your shifting feels clunky. These could point to a misadjusted derailleur or worn cassette.

✅ 5. Lights, Horn & Display

  • What to check: Test all your lights—especially if you’ll be riding at dusk or dawn. Check that your horn or bell works, and that the display is showing accurate speed, battery level, and assist settings.

  • Service it: Replace batteries if needed. Wipe down lights and screen with a dry microfiber cloth.

  • Seek help if: Any electrical components flicker, won’t turn on, or behave erratically.

✅ 6. Bolts & Attachments

  • What to check: Give the handlebars, pedals, saddle, and wheels a quick shake to make sure everything feels tight and secure.

  • Service it: Use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to manufacturer specs. Check racks, baskets, and panniers for stability.

  • Seek help if: Anything feels loose and you’re unsure how to fix it—especially parts connected to your steering or drivetrain.

 

Want the Cliff Notes?

If you just want a super quick version of an inspection – check the items in the graphic below.

Remember if you have an e-bike, check the battery, and if you have hydraulic brakes, check that they work. (This graphic shows caliper brakes.)

 

When in Doubt, Stop by Our Shop!

At Carlsbad e-Bikes & More, we offer quick safety checks, tune-ups, and full service for all types of bikes—electric or otherwise. If your e-bike needs professional attention or you’re due for routine maintenance, our expert team is here to help.

🚲 Local Tip: Planning a long ride along the coast or tackling the La Costa hills? Haven’t had your bike on the road in a while? Schedule a safety inspection and tune up. It could save you a lot of trouble later!