Work instruction
Bike assessment
Author
David Eales
David Eales
David Eales
David Eales
Date
11/12/2011
15/03/2012
27/02/2013
13/01/2014
Version
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
Comment
Initial version
Bike assessment criteria
Overview
Bike assessment is an important process to determine the state of a bike, this
applies to both new and second hand bikes.
The over arching goal of bike assessment is two fold:
Determine the initial state of a given bike
Determine what work is required for a given bike.
It cannot be stressed enough that a bike must be fully assessed before any work is
carried out, there is no point in replacing components and expending resources on
a bike that may later be written off due to faults found during later assessment.
This document describes the process involved in assessing a bike but not how to
physically correct faults.
Initial stage
First a bicycle must be identified, this is by attaching a bar code sticker:
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The sticker is used to avoid having to locate the frame number every time the bike
needs to be worked on.
The bike is also weighed.
Assessment criteria
The bike assessment form is used as a check list for individual aspects that need
checking for each and every bike. Each criteria is rated under one of three ratings
with a comment too.
N/A – the criteria is not relevant for the bike, e.g. the bike does not have mud
guards
Poor – the criteria is below standard
Fair – the criteria is of an acceptable standard but needs some work
Good – the criteria is a of high standard
Front/rear wheel
Poor – missing spokes, badly out of true, rim worn
Fair – slightly out of true, lightly worn rim
Front/rear tyre
Poor – tyre perished, badly cracked
Fair – puncture, rim tape missing
Front/rear hub
Poor – severe play or grinding. Missing axle nuts.
Fair – slight play
Front fork
Poor – damaged, not true
Fair – suspension not working
Front/rear mudguard
Poor – cracked, very loose, sharp edges, stays exposed
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Fair – loose
Front/rear brake blocks
Poor – missing pads, badly worn, not aligned
Fair – lightly worn
Front/rear brake
Poor – missing, not returning
Fair – slightly stiff
Front/rear brake lever
Poor – missing, badly damaged, cable corroded/frayed
Fair – badly aligned, cable lightly corroded, missing end cap
Headset/steering
Poor – bad play, does not turn or notchy
Fair – slight play
Handlebar/stem
Poor – loose, missing end protectors, above safety line
Frame
Poor – bent, cracked
Fair – chipped paint, light corrosion
Bottom bracket
Poor – severe play
Fair – slight play, lock right loose
Pedals/cranks
Poor – cracked, do not spin freely, crank bent
Fair – light damage
Chain ring(s)
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Poor – missing multiple teeth, bent
Fair – missing tooth
Chain guard
Poor – hanging loose
Fair – slightly bent
Chain
Poor – corroded, >.75% wear
Fair – up to .75% wear, not oiled
Saddle
Poor – badly damaged, above safety lines
Fair – lightly damaged
Gears
Poor – do not change, rear mech bent, cables frayed, cables corroded, chain
thrown, worn sprockets
Fair – lazy changing, missing end caps, cables lightly corroded
Rack/carrier/bags
Poor – missing fixtures, fouling moving parts
Fair – lightly corroded
Lights
Poor – loose, no batteries, obscured by other components
Reflectors
Poor – missing
Fair - loose
Parts used
When parts are used a note should be made of what has been used, and whether
they are new or re-cycled parts.
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Time expended
It is important to note how much time has been spent, this does not need to be
precise but is used to give an indication of effort expended on a bike. It might also
be recorded in a time-bank.
Parts re-used
When components are removed a note should be made of any parts removed.
Final stage
If the bike is to be sold a “Bike hub sticker” is attached:
Summary
The following criteria need to be recorded in order of priority
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Bike assessment criteria
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Bike number
Frame number
Condition
Make
Model
Colour
Wheel size
Type
Brakes
Gears
Weight
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