Bike Checks
Dates for 2025
5/17-5/31 - for the Menlo Park Kids Tri on June 1st
6/28-7/12 - for the East Bay Kids Tri on July 13th
8/2-8/16 - for the Silicon Valley Kids Tri on August 17th
Bike checks done for any race will be honored for future 2025 races. But if you child has a bike crash, you should get a new helmet and if they grow a lot between races, you might want to get their bike checked again.
Pre-Race Mandatory Bike and Helmet Check
Your child’s bike and helmet must be checked before they race. Checks done for the Menlo Park Kids Triathlon will count for this race.
Please bring your child with their bike and helmet to one of the participating stores listed below for a mandatory bike and helmet check. You will not be able to get your race packet unless you have the proper stickers proving your bike and helmet have been checked.
- At the Pre-Race Bike Check, your child’s bike and helmet will be inspected for:
- General condition with an emphasis on tires and free movement of the chain ring system
- The ends of the handlebars have plastic plugs (called bar-end plugs)
- Bike helmets are approved by CPSC or SNELL (label inside)
- Helmets must fit properly and the straps adjusted so no more than two fingers can fit inside
- There are no overly sharp edges on the pedals that could cut a leg in a fall
- The brake(s) work
- No aero-bars (if you don’t know what that is, the bike doesn’t have them)
- If the bike is much too small or much too large for your child, it is up to the bike check technician to determine if this is a safety hazard. A small child on a bike who can’t touch the ground while seated is unsafe.
USA Triathlon rules specify that all bikes must have two wheels and each wheel must have a brake. Also, motors are not allowed. Disc brakes are fine as are electronic shifters. This means:
NO FIXIES • NO UNICYCLES • NO RECUMBENTS • NO E-BIKES • NO SCOOTERS
EXCEPTIONS: Children 6 and under may ride a balance bike or a tricycle and anyone may have training wheels on their bike. If the bike is for a younger child and comes with only a rear brake, we will make an exception.
We strongly recommend taking the bike to the pre-race inspection BEFORE the race (see above information). If the bike is deemed unsafe at the race your child will not be allowed to participate.
Attending one of the Pre-Race Bike Checks will help speed up the packet pickup process on the morning of the race. The bike technician will give you stickers that show you have passed the pre-check safety inspection.
You MUST get the stickers from one of the Bike Check locations in order to bypass the “Bike and Helmet Check” station on Race Day. The line in the morning could be an HOUR LONG in addition to the registration line. It is highly recommended to go to the Pre- Race locations!
NOTE: Please make sure your child’s footwear is suitable for running and riding. No flip-flops or sandals or other open-toed shoes. We recommend shoes with no laces or you purchase lace lockers as most falls in the race are caused by loose shoe laces.
Bike Check Locations
All Sports Basement stores
Enjoy 20% off shopping the day of your bike check!
Sports Basement – Redwood City
202 Walnut Street
Redwood City, CA, 94063
(650) 421-7440
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm
Sports Basement – Sunnyvale
1177 Kern Ave
Sunnyvale, CA, 94085
(408) 598-4240
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm\
Sports Basement – Campbell
1875 S Bascom Ave, Suite 240
The Pruneyard Shopping Center
Campbell, CA, 95008
(408) 899-5783
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm
Sports Basement – San Francisco Bryant Street
1590 Bryant St.
San Francisco, CA, 94103
(415) 575-3001
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-pm
Sports Basement – San Francisco Presidio
610 Old Mason St.
San Francisco, CA, 94129
(415) 934-2900
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am-6pm
Sports Basement – San Francisco Stonestown
3251 20th Avenue, Suite 390
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 934-2922
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10:30am-6:30pm
Sports Basement – Berkeley
2727 Milvia St
Berkeley, CA, 94703
(510) 984-3907
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm
Sports Basement – San Ramon
1041 Market Place
San Ramon, CA, 94583
(925) 498-6130
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm
Sports Basement – Walnut Creek
1881 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA, 94598
(925) 941-6100
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm
Sports Basement – Santa Rosa
1970 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 921-3147
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm
Sports Basement – Novato
100 Vintage Way
Novato, CA, 94945
(415) 493-2623
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm
