At LittleBig bikes, one of our main aims is to keep your child’s bike running as long as possible, giving them years of enjoyment. Part of keeping a bike running properly is regular maintenance, which only takes some simple tools and a few minutes of your time. It’s a small price to pay for keeping your bike running smoothly and safely, and for the joy of your child having a nice clean shiny bike that works perfectly.
Tools you will need
3mm / 4mm / 5mm / 6mm allen keys
8mm spanner or adjustable wrench
15mm spanner
Step 1 - Cleaning and visual inspection
Check your bike is clean without excess dirt. Wash it down with bike wash or use gentle dish detergent diluted with water. Rinse well, then towel or air dry. Don’t use a pressure wash as the water might get into the bearings.
Wipe off any excess grease or oil using a rag and check for any defects, wobbles, knocking or rattles.
Top Tip!
For all bolts on the LittleBig bike, turn clockwise to tighten, and anticlockwise to loosen. Apply a firm pressure with the tool until the nut or bolt is snug. For torque settings, please see our Balance Bike Instruction Leaflet.
Step 2 - Front Wheel and brake calipers
Using a 15mm spanner/ wrench provided with your bike, check the two front wheel nuts.
Check the tyres are pumped up to 25/30psi. You should just be able to flex the center of your tyre using your thumbs. Spin the wheel to check it rotates freely.
Check brake pivot bolts, and the bolt holding the cable to the black brake arm (caliper). Hold the brake pad to prevent it rotating, then check the nut on the back of the pad. Check the brake pads are not excessively worn. Ensure the cable end cap is in place and the cable is not frayed. If the pads are rubbing the rim, learn how to adjust the brakes here.
Step 3 - Handlebar, Stem and brake Levers
Check the handlebars are perpendicular to the front wheel before tightening the two bolts on the side and 4 on the front stem using the 6mm allen key provided. You can see how to raise the handlebars here.
Hold the front brake lever while rocking the bike back and forth; there should be no roughness or fore/aft movement in the headset (steering) bearings.
Hold the front wheel between your legs and check the handlebars cannot turn independently of the front wheel.
Using a 4mm allen key (not provided), check the clamp holding the brake lever to the handlebar. Using an 8mm spanner or adjustable spanner (not provided), check the 8mm nut on the underside of the brake lever. Holding the brake lever, check the brakes stop the front wheel and the rear wheel.
Check the rubber grips do not slide or rotate, and are not torn or excessively worn
Step 4 - Frame Connecton, Saddle and Seat Clamp
Using a 5mm allen key, check the two frame bolts are tightened firmly. Check there is no movement in the frame.
Check the seat clamp is pushed toward the frame in its fully closed position.
Using a 3mm allen key (not provided), check the two bolts on the underside of the saddle, and the bolt joining the saddle to the seatpost. Check the saddle doesn’t twist or rock back and forth.
Step 5 - Rear Brake Calipers and Rear wheel
Using a 15mm spanner/ wrench provided with your bike, check the two rear wheel nuts are sufficiently tightened. Check the wheel is aligned central to the frame.
Check the tyres are pumped up properly to 25/30psi. It should just be possible to flex the center of the tyre using your thumbs. Spin the wheel to check it rotates freely.
Check brake pivot bolts and the bolt holding the cable to the black brake arm (caliper). Hold the brake pad to prevent it rotating, and check the nut holding the back of the pad is secure. Check the brake pads are not excessively worn and don’t run off the rim when the lever is pulled. Check the cable end cap is in place and tucked away inside the brake caliper.
Have any questions?
If you have any questions on the above, please contact us contact us, or bring your LittleBig to your local bike shop for checking by an experienced mechanic.
Simon Evans
Round the world cyclist, mountain bike racer, engineer and all round bike geek, Simon Evans clearly loves all things BIKE.
Simon worked as a Structural Engineer in Cambridge for a number of years before setting off on an 18 month, 30,000km cycle around the world, testing his bike, body and mind to the limit and giving a wealth of wonderful experiences.
Coming home in 2010, he wanted to combine his engineering with his love of bikes to create a better and more sustainable bike for kids. In 2015 he launched LittleBig bikes which have now been sold to 77 countries around the world giving thousands of kids the best start on two wheels.
