Assembled my first bike today. What could possibly go wrong..?

[bigGuyOnBike]

Today I received my new Ridgeback Voyage touring bike in a big cardboard box in the mail. My prior experience with assembling bikes is practically zero, but I figured it's hardly rocket science and it doesn't hurt to learn how to do it, so I went ahead to and put it all together. As far as I can tell all went well and I took her for a brief 45 minute ride and it seemed to go smoothly. However, I can't shake the "what if I did something wrong" feeling. I'm sorry I don't have a more specific question, just wondering if there are typical noob mistakes that could go unnoticed at first but cause problems further down the road.

The bike came in the following separate parts: frame, fork, wheels, seatpost, handle bar, pedals (left& right), rear mudguard (front attached to fork), rear derailleur, rack. I put all of those together, attached the brake cables and adjusted them until they seemed to work properly and also adjusted the front derailleur cable length a bit as it didn't want to shift down at all at first. (I used various youtube guides to find out how to make those adjustments.) Overall I tried to make sure all screws, nuts and bolts were tight.

As mentioned, it all seems to work fine, but if there are any typical mistakes people tend to make when attaching any of the above mentioned items, please let me know!

 

[PpPete]

As you say, it isn't rocket science.
If the wheels turn when you pedal, and stop when you brake then there's probably nothing much wrong.
Be prepared to tighten up brake and gear cables after a bit as they stretch.

I think I've made more mistakes on dis-assembly than assembly tbh.

 

[biggs682]

double check all has been tightened up . i always do a few 2 mile laps close to home to settle things in before going any distance

 

[simon.r]

It's worth using some sort of anti-seize (copaslip works well IME) on things like pedals, as it makes life a LOT easier if you ever need to disassemble it

 

[bigGuyOnBike]

Thank you all for the comments! I shall make sure to double check it's all tight before taking her out tonight.

There was some white greasy stuff in the holes where the pedals went that spread onto the threads of the pedal. I believe this was some sort of anti-seize added at the shop.

 

[byegad]

Copaslip, comes in different types, never use the older one on Alloy.