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Check Your Tire Pressure
WARNING: Never inflate a tire beyond the maximum tire pressure marked on the tire’s sidewall. Exceeding the recommended maximum tire pressure (35 psi) may blow the tire off the rim, which could cause damage to the trike and injury to the rider and bystanders. Make sure the tires are inflated to the minimum recommended pressure (28 psi) as tires with low pressure can cause loss of control issues, with potential for accident and injury. When using a gas station air hose or an air compressor, there’s a safety risk. These machines aren’t intended for bicycle tires. They move a large volume of air very rapidly and will raise the pressure in your tire rapidly, which could cause the tube to explode.
Liberty Trike tires are required to have 28-35 PSI. Putting more or less PSI will depend on the rider’s weight, terrain and riding preferences. The best and safest way to inflate a tire is with a bicycle floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge. The Liberty Trike uses a Schrader valve just like a car tire. To inflate your tire, unscrew the valve cap and clamp the floor pump fitting onto the end of the valve stem and pump the tire to either 28-35 psi. Filling the tires to the correct pressure will prevent damage to the tires and rims.
Oil the Chain
WARNING: To lube the Liberty Trike chain, you MUST support the trike so that the rear wheels don’t touch the ground. Ensure that the trike is secure and doesn’t rock or move while pedaling the trike forward. If the trike isn’t safe, it can fall and result in an injury.
TECH TIP: Wear disposable gloves to avoid getting dirty and greasy hands.
NOTE: Several bicycle companies now supply e-bike chain oil. Ask a bike shop or other electric trike friends for suggestions. Although WD-40 now makes a bike chain lube, AVOID all other WD-40’s oils.
Since the Liberty Trike uses a coaster brake and you can’t pedal backwards, you’ll need to support the rear wheels off the ground. To lube the chain, you’ll need to move the pedals forward so that the chain freely moves.
Place newspaper under the chain line to avoid a mess. Take a shop rag, grasp the chain lightly with your left hand, and use your right hand to pedal forward. The chain will lightly run through your shop rag hand. Doing this will help remove grime, old oil and dirt from the chain. Spin the chain a few rotation.
Apply a bead of dry chain lube along the chain line and spin the chain for a few rotation. Grab a clean shop rag and lightly grab the chain, as it runs through the rag. You are trying to remove any of the excessive chain lube.
Check the Cables & Connections
WARNING: DO NOT use or charge the Liberty Trike if you see any corrosion, nicked, or damaged cables. Contact customer service at 1-866-894-4620 for further assistance. If you ignore a loose or damaged cable or connection, it will damage the trike even further and possibly result in a fall or an injury.Check the cables and connections that they don’t exhibit any damage, nicks, or cuts. Avoid using the Liberty Trike if you see any of these issues and contact customer service. Check all cable connections are tight and secure.
Check the Seat, Stem and Frame Quick-Release Levers
WARNING: Riding with an improperly tightened stem, seatpost quick-release lever will move or drop down into the frame. This will cause you to lose control of the trike, fall and be injured.
Check the tightness of the seatpost and stem quick-release levers. Less than a half a turn of tension on the quick-release lever or nut can make a difference between a safe and unsafe clamping force. Also check for tightness at the frame quick-release lever. If you don’t know how to tighten a quick-release lever then follow these rules:
(How to) Tighten a Quick-Release Lever
Hold the adjusting nut in place with one hand to keep it from turning and turn the quick-release lever clockwise with the other hand. Move the lever parallel to the clamp in the closed position. The closed position for a seat post and stem quick-release levers can be upward or parallel to the frame.
Sometimes when tightening the quick-release lever clockwise too much, the lever won't be in the closed position. You will need to release the lever by turning it counterclockwise, one full revolution at a time, until you can close the lever into the closed position. Check to confirm that the seatpost or stem is securely tight and there is no movement.
(How to) Loosen a Quick-Release LeverPull the lever to the open position, and turn the lever counterclockwise while your other hand is holding onto the adjusting nut.
Have any additional questions on maintenance? Feel free to email us at support@libertytrike.com. We're here to help!
