Tandem Bicycle Packing or Shipping Checklist
(also for bikes with S&S like couplers)

Tandem Bicycle Disassembly/Reassembly Checklist, v07

- Looking for Bicycle Travel/Tour/Touring Checklist or a Bicycle Camping Tour Checlist (same as for Solo Bikes)?
Then go to the Bicycle Touring Checklist
- Looking for About Tandem Bicycle Travel/Tour/Touring Issues?
Then go to the About Tandem Bicycle Touring Issues

Just Before Bike Break-Down:

• Muddy Bike? A big muddy cleanup may be needed. If needed, consider borrowing a water hose or visiting a car wash or a creek. If nothing else consider using your water, water bottles, and a rag.
• Wet Bike? Always dry the bike when you can. Given enough time spent traveling, everyone is eventually faced with a situation where they have to pack a wet bike. One usually has about 24 hours before rust sets. So make cleaning, drying, and oiling a priority at the destination.

Materials and Tools (Required Beforehand):

• Optional/Reminder: Reading Glasses [from Mavis O].
• Checklist (like this one - it really helps!)
• Plastic Sheet, ~ 8 feet x 8 feet (~2x2 yards/meters) or use a Space Blanket. This also helps to claim/preserve work space when working in a public area (parking lot, dock, depot, terminal, ... )
• Multi-Tool (If not on multi-tool, then separate)
• Phillips Screw Driver (found on most multi tools)
• Flat Screw Driver (usually for accessories, found on most multi tools)
• 3, 4, 5 mm speed hex keys (regular hex keys from 2 to 6, plus 8 mm are found on bigger multi-tools but lack big torque leverage)
• Brake Rotor Hex-Bolt Key (T-25 Torx, one piece, long and short side, or sometimes on multi tool. Remove rotors from wheels for shipping and many potential risks/problems are minimized)
• Open End or Box Wrench 8, 9, and 10 mm (8 mm most common).
• Spoke Wrench (Note that different nipple nut sizes exist, be sure to precisely match your spoke nipple size(s). Be Cautious about spoke wrench tools as many nipples get rounded from misuse or by use of an incorrect size.)
• Optional: Crank Ring Removal/Pulling Tool (This is usually not needed for box shipping but it may be needed for case shipping): The tool size/type varies by bike. Often an 8 mm hex key works, usually the multi-tool 8 mm key is too short for good leverage (but it can be used, it takes force) - consider carrying and using a longer hex key (about 6 to 8 inches long, often available at Pawn Shops as one piece) or else one needs a bike or factory specific tool.
• Optional: Adjustable Wrench, Small ~ 6 inch long (Notes: Typically range up to 19 mm. Bigger multi-tools have a small variety of common metric wrench sizes, typically 8, 9 ,10 mm. 8 mm is the most common/used wrench size, other sizes may be needed. Pedals are typically 15 mm.)
• Optional: Pedal Wrench (15 mm is most typical, size can vary, not needed for quick release pedals but on occasion even quick release sockets are too wide for shipping purposes as they add about one inch width on each side). So far, we've been able to use our multi-tool wrench for this function, but there have been times that the tool extension, cheater, or foot was necessary to undo pedals. Most pedals only need 300-350 in-lbs (25-30 ft-lbs) of torque. If this became/were a continuous travel issue, I would consider carrying/purchasing an appropriated sized (usually 15 mm) narrow faced cone wrench (8-10 in long) in lieu of a formal pedal wrench (14-16 in long) for road/shipping travel. Do, put on a little grease for each install. The narrow width of the pedal wrench flats usually prevents use of a typical adjustable wrench. Remember that the right side is right-hand threaded and the left side is usually left-hand threaded.
• Coupler Tool, one notch spanner for S&S Couplers
• Plywood Block for fork on ground (3/8" deep, 7"x3"), Block for Bottom Bracket or placing under rear chain stays to keep rear derailer mount off the ground (2"x4", 7"long). Sometimes two blocks.

• Fork Spacer. Plastic (PVC like) narrow pipe, to use as fork shipping/ storage spacer with skewer mounted through; pre cut to size, don't over torque with tight skewer. Note: It is possible that one may travel with two different front skewers, one for wider fender mounts and/or skewer rack mounts, and one for shipping (no rack nor fender brace mounts). Not optional, make one, ship with skewer/axel installed - prevents all kinds of bent fork, off-center wheel, bad braking destination/shipping problems.
• Tie Straps (self stick Velcro best, 12 to 15 inches length, .5 to 1.0 inch wide - Available at bigger Cloth Stores in ~3 yard/meter length)
• Black and Grey/Silver Marker Pens (Generally, use black on all colors except black, use grey/silver on black bags/items; handy even after first time). Use as position marker too (in lieu of scribe - scribes are evil, can cause stress cracks under pressure).
• Protective Storage Bags (felt or polar fleece insulated type, mark with component name if first time; easily made, buy bulk cloth from Cloth Store)
• Frame Wraps. Insulated/Padded ballistic nylon material used to wrap around the frame and self lock with Velcro; This offers the best frame protection. Can be trimmed/cut to fit around odd shaped frame objects. Mark with component's name.
• Plastic zip lock type bags (~2x3 inch, ~6x7 inch, ~10x12 inch [~approximate sizes], in lieu of no small bags, use quart and gallon sized zipper type bags). Mark with part's name (like 'front rack bolts').
• Latex or Nitrile type Gloves for hand dirt/grime/oil protection (Many people are allergic to Latex and don't know about it, Nitrile is more expensive)
• Cleaning Rags (for wiping chains/grease, rings/sprockets/cassettes, hands) Very Messy This
• Handy-Wipes (to clean hands, or similar materials)
• Fastener Management:
• Thread Lock (small bottle/tube, light or medium temporary duty, NOT permanent). About Thread Lock.
• Oil (your favorite bike type brand, NOT {WD-40, 3-in-1, sewing machine}). For fine/small threads
• Grease (small tube, bike type). For bigger/course threads.

Optional / Less Used Tour Tools:

• Any tool used to address a specific ongoing issue with your bike (not listed here)
• Headset Wrench
• Spoke Wrench (different sizes exist, be sure to precisely match your spoke nipple size(s), some bigger multi tools have some spoke nipple wrench sizes. Be cautious about spoke wrench tools with multiple wrench sizes as many nipples get rounded from misuse.)
• Needle-Nose pliers with wire cutter (not quite as good as wire snipper)
• Tongue and Groove pliers (narrow width if possible) very universal, don't cut down length but obtain light weight
• Two Pin Spanner for bike with eccentric bracket(s). In the field, We've used two different sized 'L' shaped hex keys to fit the pin holes. Pliers on the keys for initial eccentric rotation torque, but hand+keys for slack removal adjustment. Remember a key is inserted into the eccentric to lock the new eccentric setting.

Optional / Increased Bicycle Maintenance Knowledge for the Following:

• Bottom Bracket Tool(s)
• Freewheel/Hub Socket (if/as appropriate)
• Cone/Axle Wrench (if/as appropriate)

Before Disassembly:

• Wipe the Bike and Chain Clean! Run the chain(s) through a hand held rag. Wipe the Sprockets too. Clean/wipe anything with grime (avoid allowing anything to have contact with grime/dirt during the packing/shipping process). If not cleaned, Greasy Grime has a way spreading to valuable and hard to wash items
• Set Chain around Smallest Chainrings. This action facilitates two things:
  1. It keeps the rear derailer from sticking out.
  2. It allows the most slack in the chain, thus making the chain easier to clean and/or remove.
• Pre-Mark Seat Position, Handlebars (Black or Grey/Silver Marker Pens, avoid the use of scribes as a scribe mark can actually weaken/cause a stress fracture)
• Consider adding tiny marks on cable ends (for some bikes, for realignment of cables if cable have to be removed or if one or more cables disconnect into separate sections).
• Remove Water Bottles (sometimes the water is used to clean the bike)
• Clean bike (if necessary, wipe/dry well, re-oil if needed but wipe clean, only takes 24 hours for rust to set)
• Dry the bike as best you can. If possible, try to take advantage of a mid day warm sun. Sometimes bikes have to be packed wet - it happens. Remember to dry the bike and components at the other side, rust starts to set in at about 24 hours.
• Wipe all grease and oil from all chains and to the best capability cassette and crank rings

Peripheral Components Removal:

CAUTION: Only loosen bolts and retighten in place once component is removed, so as to not loose bolts in transit.
NOTE: Always keep spare component bolts (because they do disappear in transit or while on tour).

• Place plastic sheet on ground (if not already done).
• Stand or lay the bike on the plastic sheet, leaving enough room for you to work on your knees.
• Place the tools, to use, directly below the bottom tube. Knowing which tools to use, comes with experience and varies by bike, but the Packing/Shipping Tools List (from above) contains the most commonly used tools for assembling and disassembling a bike. When through, with a particular tool, place it back to the same spot (below the bottom tube).
  Wisdom: It is wise to make the tools the last thing packed and the first thing accessed on the other side of a shipment. While traveling on the bike, always store the tools so that they are easily accessed.
• Recheck/Reset Chain around Smallest Chainrings
• Remove Saddle Bags (other bags may be optionally removed)
• Remove Pedals (wipe off grease after removal, add fresh grease for mounting, left side is left hand thread, right side is right hand thread)
• Remove Handlebar Bag and/or Map Holder
• Remove any Handlebar/Stem Attachments (Travel Computer, Light(s), Bell, GPS)
• Remove Seat Bag, Tool Kit Bag (last thing packed, first thing accessed).
  For now, set the tool bag near the tools.
• Remove Seats (Saddles) and Posts, Stoker Bar and Stem (sometimes Seats can stay on the Seat-Post, sometimes they must be removed, wipe off grease for removal, add fresh grease for mounting, Stokers handlebar stem is part of Pilot's Seat Post, 5 mm hex key for all bolts - only loosen bolts and retighten in place once component is removed, so as to not loose bolts, keep some spares. For us: Pilots seat angle 10°, length is marked. Stokers seat 6.25 cm above seat mast - marked too.
• Remove Bottle Cages and Tire Pump Mount (if mounted). Use 3 mm hex key, remove components, re-install bolts to the braze-on's
• Remove Handlebar/Steer-Tube Bar Extension, AKA Lightbar {for us: ToPeak Bar Extension, held by 4 mm hex key bolt, remove second bolt from the handle bar, leave basic mount on the handle bar, remove the extension piece holding the travel computer and light, re-install the bolt to the handlebar piece.}

Main Components Removal:

• Recheck/Reset Chain around Smallest Chainrings
• Disconnect Front Brake Cable at Brake Lever. Some bike cables also remove at the brake, most don't. Keep cable out of the way of work.
• IF there are interim Cables, THEN remove the Cables.
• Disconnect Both Brake Cables. Usually this is at Brake Lever but it can be at the Brake. Sometimes the brake cable becomes totally free, usually not.
• Disconnect Both Shift Cables. Usually this is at the handlebar shifter but it can be at the derailer or midway. Sometimes the brake cable becomes totally free, usually not
• IF there is a Master Link (highly recommended) OR IF the rear derailer cage is open and allows chain removal, THEN Remove the clean drive chain. Note: only the right side chain has master links - left side chains are removed only by (same time as) left crank removal. Place the chain and quick links into a baggie.
• IF the packing container requires Rear Derailer Removal, THEN remove the rear derailer at this time (5mm hex key). Wipe clean and store in something that is the consistency of a thick pile hiking sock.
• Pull Off/Out Both Left Side Cranks. Use a big husky 8mm hex key - not the little tool kit tool. Use right side crank arm for torque leverage. Right side crank arms stay on bike - use zip tie or Velcro ties to hold right crank arm in place. Meanwhile the chains come off at the same time and when remounting the chains, they are mounted at the same time - these chains do not have master links and therefore do not come apart, so the chains and cranks are pulled at the same time. On the side-by-side dual pawl drive sprockets, the inside ring is for the pilot/front chain placement, and the outside ring is for the stoker/rear chain placement. Un-mount the Rear/Stoker Crank and Chain First. Note: In our case, the Pilot's Crank Arm is Longer than the Stoker's.
• Remove Front Wheel: Mind the brake disk, pads, or any other fork mounted device (like a travel computer sensor).
  ISSUE: Consider adding a fork spacer (narrow plastic plumbers' pipe) mounted by skewer to hold the fork spread and dropout alignment in place.
  ISSUE: Because some fenders and/or racks require a wider skewer, a second (narrower) skewer may be necessitated just for shipping purposes. Account for optional skewer. Pack skewer into other sock. Set Wheel aside.
  IF there are two people, THEN one person can hold the bike upright, using a small piece of plywood to protect the fork dropouts. ELSE keep the bike on its side (usually on its left side).
• IF the Front Fender and/or Pannier Rack are still attached THEN remove them.
• Front Fender {for us: Right side, 4mm hex & 8mm wrench, fender braces mount to rack. Left side: 5mm hex for long bolt into disk brake boss (long bolt, 2 small washers, 1 large washer, spoke loop, large washer, and small spacer). Top bolt uses 8 mm nut wrench - remount nut on fork bolt after separating from fender bracket. User determination for removing brace from fender for storage purposes - all fender braces use 8mm wrench. Left side brace-loop is shorter than right side. Assemble the two fastening components and place them in a bag marked Front Fender.}
• Front Rack {for us: front rack sits on extra long axle skewer, if the rack is removed and the bike is to be operated then the shorter, original issue, skewer must be used, i.e., there are two skewers that should be known and maintained together in a bag marked front skewers. Usually, only the 4 mm bracket bolt mounted to the upper brake bosses need to be removed (there are interim bracket/brace 10 mm nuts and bolts, leave alone if possible) - remount/secure the 4 mm bolts to the upper brake boss when the front rack is removed.}
• Remove Rear Wheel:
• Remove rear skewer. (4 mm hex key is OK for installation but NOT for removal, else the BOB trailer mounts/rests may separate from the skewer assembly). Place into skewer storage sock (with front skewer).
• Remove rear wheel WHILE IF the chain is still attached, drape the slack over the chain stay - Mind the brake fit/angle.
• Set Wheel aside.
• IF the chain is on the bike, remove and store in plastic bag.
• IF the Rear Rack and/or Fender is/are still attached, THEN remove. When possible, hold bike upright.
• Rear Fender {for us: the rear fender (and rear pannier rack) can only be removed when the rear tire is removed - see rear tire and chain removal. Fender is held at five points: 4 mm hex bolt on top brace, two 3 mm hex head bolts holding the fender to a seat tube mount, two 4 mm hex head bolts held by 8 mm nuts on the rear rack - the fender brace loop mounts to the inside of the rear rack extender - washer on each side of rack and inside of brace. Place components in marked rear fender plastic bag. It is optional to remove the fender braces but they are held by 8 mm lock nuts - the rubber caps easily slide on/off.}
• Rear Rack {4 mm hex bolts on fender with synthetic washer, 5 mm hex on braces with 8 mm nut}
• Remove Pilot's Handlebar {4 mm hex key, may need to loosen/rotate bar ends to align components to one flat plane,}. Set aside, then snug down bolts.
• Remove Stem {5 mm hex key for Stem (and Fork) Removal}. Remove top cap (put top cap back on the stem after fork removal). Loosen ONLY the two bottom pinch bolts. After Removal from the Fork's Steer Tube, tighten the stem bolts just enough to keep them from falling out during shipping. Be Careful, the fork may want to remove itself, which is the next step.
• Remove Fork. {For removal: Mind the brake cable. As fork comes off/down, capture the spacer and synthetic washer that will remain at the top of the head tube and re-insert to top of fork tube for fork storage. Wipe grease off of fork stem. Store fork in storage bag/wrap.}
• IF crank is on the bike AND is to remain on the bike, THEN Velcro Strap one of the Crank Arms to the bike frame (usually the right side).
• Loosen S&S Couplers (when looking forward, counter clockwise to loosen, use notched spanner). Undo rear most S&S Couplers (Hold the rear frame segment which wants to fall and wants to put uneven stress on the coupler). The couplers loosen easier when there is no angular strain on the connection.
• Meanwhile, IF the bike has disk brake rotors AND they need to be removed, THEN remove them. Usually, rotors are the same size and are interchangeable, IF rotor position matters, THEN pre-indicate front or rear.
  Put rotors into plastic bag and then into a Rotor Carrier (like a bubble wrapped large mailing envelop). The rotors must be protected from any bending/stress/pressure.
• Remove remaining frame (if in a bike stand)
• Put pre-marked covers and marked bags on all bicycle components.
• Assemble and account for all tools. Put tools together in one location and bag, if possible.
• Clean hands with handiwipe/cleaner material.
• Wipe bike parts and frame from oil/grease/dirt smears.

Travel Case Packing and Placement:

First: Protect the Component Pieces (wrap or bag them in insulated/thick material) and assemble them for packing.

• Place/Mount the frame first. [Typically, all components will be removed from the frame, including crank, water bottle cages, seat, and derailer.]
• Pack larger bike components/items before smaller items. Often a packer must interweave component pieces a few items, especially when racks and suspension forks are involved.
• At first leave items loose, but when the big pieces appear to be in a secure position, tie/wrap the straps as necessary (currently Velcro cloth straps are the best ties for protection and security, but some people use plastic zip ties). Usually three or four straps in key places will secure the bike components from slipping around during shipping and just as important, Also, three or four straps allows an inspector to pick up the unit or to probe around without upsetting the packing integrity.
• Allow NO Metal on Metal rubbing: Check Ties and Bags.


• Place loose cables in a circular pattern to the outside edge of the case. Don't allow a cable to get caught in the case lips when inspecting or closing the case.
• Check total case weight not to exceed 50 pounds (a typical maximum weight before a much increased fare.)
• If two cases are needed, the Second case is for wheels and other remaining small components.
• IF the bicycle case(s) is/are to remain under 50 pounds, THEN some gear will be packed in the bike case, up to about 48~49 pounds. The remaining gear will likely be packed into the cyclist's travel luggage (which is sometimes a duffle bag, which, in turn may be carried in a bike trailer once one is on tour).

Take and Print Picture(s).

Final Shipping Validation and Suggested Documentation:

These are the final packing issues to address:

• The shipping box/case should have your name and address on the inside and the outside. Validate.
• Double check for component snugness and security. Velcro straps should already have been installed such that the main frame does not slide around loosely and such that the main components can be lifted by an inspector as a unit, felt underneath and then returned back to proper position without a major components scramble occurring. Validate.
• Cables and cloth bags should be fully inside the box/case and not where they may be pinched. Validate.




1. Place the "Bicycle Ownership-Shipping Document" (pictured to the above-right) where it will be the first thing that an inspector will see/find. This action significantly reduces the risk of long inspections (with or without the owner being present) and thusly reduces the probable length of box/case open time. The longer a box/case is open, the higher the incidence of lost parts, missing, or damaged components. All cases carrying bicycles get inspected - expect it! Remember to make your own document. Validate Document Placement.



2. Place the "Bicycle Disassembly-Assembly Checklist" (this checklist) in a clear protective waterproof cover (one gallon zipper type plastic bag works well) and set it where it will be the second thing that an inspector sees. Validate.



3. Place a copy of the "One page [Summary] Itinerary" inside the box/case. It is usually placed to the back side of the "Ownership Document" and it contains dates, nightly addresses, and telephone numbers. This action is conducted so that your luggage can find you in case of separation - it happens, be prepared. Validate.



4. Optional: Place a Large Photograph (HINT HINT) of the 'Final Packed Bicycle Contents' inside the box/case. It is often placed to the inside or back side of the Bicycle Disassembly-Assembly Checklist. This action helps the inspector and the owner with packing or re-packing. Consider. More importantly, it helps you with re-packing!


The following link details the Final Documentation (How and Why): Go to Bicycle Shipping-Ownership and Itinerary Document Explanation and Creation Page.

Bicycle Assembly:

Philosophy: As most assembly work is performed without a stand, basically the bike will be assembled on its side on top of a plastic sheet, in which case the best first objectives are to get the fork/handlebar mounted and the wheels mounted, and then address the drive train and remaining peripherals.

Warning: Always Inspect and Test the Brake System Integrity more than once before riding.
While other things can go wrong, this issue is probably the highest risk with the biggest negative consequence.

Lubrication: Place a drop of oil on small or fine threads (unless it the bolt is a thread lock candidate). Thinly grease large or course threads. Be sure to grease pedal stems/bolts, handlebar stem bolts, seat post (very thin to prevent corrosion/galvanization), rear derailer mounting bolt, upper head of fork / steer tube (very thin to prevent corrosion/galvanization). Oil the chain and wipe it clean of excess before starting a tour.
Remember:
NO grease or lube on the handlebar mount or handlebar stem mount.
NO lube or finger touching of brake pads, rims, or rotors - If done by mistake, clean with alcohol or similar oil removing compound.

• If the bicycle is to be assembled at a public area, find an out of the way location and lay down the plastic sheet. If the bicycle is to be assembled in a private residence or lodging establishment, let the owner know and ask for the best or preferred area for assembly - you will be surprised at how many times you will be shown the owners person garage or shed (with tools). Leaving someone around one's tools demonstrates a high degree of trust. Only rarely, will the bike assembly be performed in a hotel/motel bedroom. On very rare occasions, you will get the use of a bicycle stand.
• Find and layout the necessary tools, lubricants, thread lock, rags, and cleaner. Nine-tenths of the work will be done with three hex keys (3, 4, and 5 mm). It is worth having these three, or more, extra metric hex keys for the Partner to use.
• Unwrap or uncase the components. If there are two people, designate one person as the Builder and the other as the Partner. Let the partner perform this task. Eventually all of the wraps will gathered into one storage container and all of the little bags usually end up stored in the biggest bag.
• Builder: Start with the frame. Assemble frame, if in segments. When connecting the couplers, assure that the cable brackets are properly aligned with the cable paths.
• Partner: If disk brakes, mount the rotors to the wheel(s). Always tighten multiple bolts in a star pattern, in increments (of torque).
• Either: Remove fork spreader (if used). Loosely place skewers into the correct wheels.
• Builder: Mount the fork, maintain spacer integrity. Attach the handlebar stem to the fork's steer tube. Once the fork is mounted, set the frame upright on small plywood block (for alignment purposes).
• Builder: Mount the handlebar (oil on bolts, yes; oil on handlebar, never). Use pre marked indicators to true the bar (or spend more time truing the settings).
• Builder: Align handlebar, stem, and fork, for steering. Tighten bolts.
• Either/Both: If necessary, mount the fenders and racks. Often fenders and racks need to be mounted before the wheels can be mounted.
• Both: Mount the wheels. Simultaneously minding brake pad fitting, skewer setting, dropout placement, loose cables, and possibly other accessories (like a speedometer sensor). Wheel axel/skewers do not have to be run fully up the dropout opening. Sometimes there will not be a perfect 90° alignment from dropout opening to dropout opening. Some bike dropouts come from the factory a little off perfect alignment; sometimes the dropouts lose their alignment through normal bicycle handling. Sometimes it is proper to run the axel/skewer to only one dropout end and then lock down the skewer, maintaining a 90° angle. This is also a good reason to ship wheel forks with spacers between the dropouts.
  
  • On the rear wheel, IF the drive chain does NOT have any quick links, THEN wrap the chain around the smallest rear and front sprocket rings - so as to mount the chain.
  • TEST: After clamping down the axel mount skewer, give both wheels a test spin for roundness and brake rub. Address any issues. At least 50% of the time, a wheel will need to be refitted (usually the front). NOTE: whenever there is a new brake vibration, check that the wheel is mounted correctly, first (9 of 10 times, a wheel remount makes the brake vibration go away).
• Builder: Mount rear derailer. Grease the derailer mounting bolt. Mind the overall fitting, especially the stop for the 'B' Screw (Body Adjustment). Usually rear derailers hold their 'H' and 'L' settings very well for shipping. RIDE SYMPTOM: If the bike has a difficult time getting into the High Rear Drive Sprocket (the Smallest Ring) from any front ring setting, then the Rear Derailer Mount is the first suspect - Adjust the derailer (loosen and retighten the main fitting bolt) so there is no gap between the 'B' screw and the frame's/derailer's screw stop - Usually, the 'B' screw does not need to be adjusted, in fact, most bikes' 'B' screw settings will last the derailer's lifetime.
• Builder: This bicycle assembly work can be stressful. Take a deep breath. Throw a serious compliment to your Partner for putting up with yourself.
• Builder: IF necessary, mount or free the crank or crank arm on the Right Side. Mind the chain connection if the chain must be connected also, connect the chain.
• Builder: Thread the chain through the front and rear derailer cage and rear derailer pulleys. Some cages are open to chain removal, some are fully closed. This is a process to mind, but if it is done incorrectly, it's easy to identify and fix. Typical errors are threading over a cage's brace or not threading inside the cage opening. In any case, one pedal rotation will reveal that attention is needed on the chain connection or threading.
• Partner: Connect Brake(s) and Shifter Cable(s), from rear first toward the front. Remember that in the USA the default is for the front brake to connect to the left brake lever (opposite in Europe and for Motorcycle Riders). If a front disk brake exists, very often two people may [need to] work together in order to more easily assembly (where one person may hold the brake arm up or as closed/tight as practical while the other person sets the wire through the brake barrel and lock ring). Sometimes the rear brake cable cannot be easily connected until the builder is ready to move the bike from resting on its left side to its right side.
• Builder: IF necessary, move the bike from its left side to its right side.
• Partner: IF needed, finish connecting brake and connector cables.
• Partner: Mount the pedals. Mind the left and right pedal bolt threading. The Left pedal has a Left Hand thread; the Right pedal has a Right Hand thread. Some bikes use quick connects for pedals.
• Builder: Perform a chain rotation. Adjust, fix, or address any issues.
• Builder: Test the brakes. Adjust, if necessary. Sometimes a wheel remount will fix odd brake rubbing. Sometimes barrel adjustments are necessitated, however, the need for a big adjustment may indicated that a cable is not seated correctly somewhere in its run. Check the entire system to include verifying that the brake pads and mounts are secure.

• Builder: If the racks and/or fenders have not been mounted yet, do so now.
• Builder: Recheck, front wheel and steering alignment. Validate that stem and steer tube bolts are to tightness specification. Validate that the fork's steer tube is secure in the head tube and meets tightness specifications (virtually no up/down or sideways movement). Check that the wheel skewers or axels are securely, safely, and properly mounted to specs. Generally skewer camlock levers are pointed toward the rear of the bike (to avoid catching on sticks and bushes) but the actual angle is NOT as important as insuring that the skewer's camlock lever is full down without resting on anything (like a rack tube or mounting bolt head). Sometimes when pannier racks are on the bike, there may not be any way to lock the skewer lever except downward or forward (a common touring issue and solution).
• Builder: Mount the seats. This may or may not involve a seat mast mounting. IF the seat post was previously wiped clean THEN add a thin layer of fresh grease (to the seat post). Much time and frustration is saved if the seat and post is pre marked for their desired position settings.
• Partner: Add bottle cage(s) and possibly a tire pump mount. This is often a good time to fill water bottles too.
• Builder: Mount the handlebar attachments (bag, light-bar, light(s), travel computer, bell, ...).
• Either: Top off tire air pressure. Mount/store the pump.
• Builder: Mount all bags (saddlebags, map-case, tool, rack-top, frame, ...).
• Either: Mount tail light(s) and test all lights. Adjust/fix as necessary.
• Partner: If there is a trailer, then assemble the trailer.
• When applicable, assemble (by the trailers specification).
• Lubricate wheel axel and tongue mating points.
• Validate wheel assembly, mount, and condition.
• Top off wheel air pressure, as appropriate.
• Attach any paraphernalia (bottle cages, bottom cushion, straps, flag, markers, ...).
• Both: Look over the entire bike for anything amiss (Trailer too). Look at the ground/floor for any remaining items. Look over the checklist. Resolve any issues.
• Take the bike to an outdoor test ride area, specifically Check/Test:
1. Brakes (brake hard, both together and separately). No headers allowed.
2. Steering, seat, and human alignment and tightness. No loose handlebars or stems allowed.
3. Handling, this is one time where the bike is deliberately handled roughly, especially testing seat and handlebar integrity, perform a slight wheelie maneuver (safely jerk the front wheel off the ground), stand on the pedals and apply full weight/pressure to the pedals. Steer abruptly.
4. Shifting, test full range. No need to be rough.
5. IF there is a trailer, conclude the test ride by pulling the trailer. Affirm that trailer mount/connection is secure and that the trailer integrity is OK. Perform a hard brake test and left and right leaning tests.
Fix, Adjust, and Address any issues immediately.
• Collect all tools and place in tool bag/kit.
• Clean the work area, put things away (in their appropriate place)
• Clean bike, trailer, and self (selves).
• Bike and trailer storage locations vary. Most often the panniers are removed from the bike and brought inside the place of stay. The bike is locked up/secured, often in a maintenance shed, utility room, or onto some outside safe structure. The trailer is usually brought into the room of stay, unless flights of stairs are involved.
• IF there is a Partner, THEN give Thanks!
• Take a break. Start Tour Packing. Enjoy Life.