1. Tires: Look for signs of wear and damage.

2. Spokes: Check for bends or breaks.

3. Rims: Check for cracks or bulging spoke holes.

4. Freewheel: Take to the road and pedal head in each gear to check for skipping gears.

5. Rear Derailleur: Put the bike on a stand and check the derailleur for proper operation while you pedal the bike with your hand.

6. Crank set and Bottom Bracket: Creaking noises in this area are due to a loose chain ring or crank arm and the bolts.

7. Front Derailleur: Put the bike on a stand and check its operation.

8. Chain: A dozen links, pin to pin should measure no more than 12 1/8 inches.

9. Headset: With both wheels on the ground, squeeze the front brake while you rock the bike back and forth any sound is not good.

10. Pedals: Rotate each one by hand and feel for roughness that would require having them repacked with grease.

11. Handlebar: Does the stems and bar creak?

12. Frame and Fork: Closely inspect tube junctions, particularly under the down tube where it meets the head tube.

13. Brakes: Squeeze each lever and look inside its body at the cable, if it's frayed, replace it.

14. Hubs: Remove each wheel, and grasp its axle, and check for looseness.