noglider 

I've taught some classes on bike repair and on riding in traffic. I use the LAB's recommendation of "ABC Quick Check" which means air (in the tires), brakes, crank, chain, and quick release.

I don't actually do that before every ride, but I brake lightly before I build up speed to make sure they work. I recently realized that I do this without even thinking about it. It comes naturally with my breathing. And since I'm attuned to a bike's state of repair, I can tell while I'm on the bike if things like the headset are loose.

So yes, I recommend a pre-flight check, similar to yours or mine.

wphamilton

ABC-quick: air, brakes, chain (crank), quick release. I use a bigger checklist for commuting though, or I'll forget my pants or something. Seriously.

triumph.1

I admire the bike, check tire pressure, admire the bike and then go ride.

Closed Office

The parts most likely to fail are the important ones to check.

I can do the tire pressure part of that with my bikes, but the rest of it couldn't happen.

SlimRider

If only I had done these things July 3rd, 2011 at approximately 7am. I wouldn't have been out of commission from a dislocated shoulder, suffer a loss of about three square inches of hand skin, and a schin bone plum-sized contusion. Just recently got back to riding...

A few minutes lost due to checking cycling essentials, is really NOT lost, at all!

Once again children, "An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure..."

- Slim

PS.

When streaking downhill on Divisidero going towards Market Street, my front tire twisted from a crevice in the road. As it turns out, my handlebars were loose (your handlebars will work themselves loose, eventually). In my attempt to recover my line, I went further oblique and practically threw myself onto the road!

Closed Office

You think you have lived to be 80 and know who you are, then someone blows it all to hell

An old Marine Pilot sat down at the Starbucks, still wearing his old USMC flight suit and leather jacket and ordered a cup of a coffee.

As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him. She turned to the pilot and asked,
Are you a real pilot?
He replied, 'Well, I've spent my whole life flying planes, first Stearmans, then the early Grummans... flew a Wildcat and Corsair in WWII, and later in the Korean conflict, Banshees and Cougars. I've taught more than 260 people to fly and given rides to hundreds, so I guess I am a pilot, and you, what are you?

She said, 'I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about naked women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about naked women. When I shower, I think about naked women. When I watch TV, I think about naked women. It seems everything makes me think of naked women.'

The two sat sipping in silence.

A little while later, a young man sat down on the other side of the old pilot and asked: "are you a real pilot?"

He replied, 'I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a lesbian.'

Singlespeed92

Check tire pressure/condition,brakes,steering and roll out-I keep my bikes pretty well ready to go though...if my (9 year old and 15 year old) son or daughter are riding with me,I do a more thorough check on theirs

Leebo

I give a bounce test to the mt bike. If nothing falls off or makes noise, good to go. But yes, I throw it on the stand, oil chain, check tires, once over too. Beats walking or trailside fixes. I have been known to do mid flight helmet checks . These include fighting kinetic energy, with rapid bike stoppage and rider forward dismounts.