Stand in front of the bike

Push on the brake levers to test if the clamps are loose

Push on shift levers to test if the clamps are loose

Push down on the bars to test if the stem bar clamp is loose

Push on bar ends to see if their clamps are loose

G rab the front wheel tightly between your legs Twist the bars to test if the stem is too loose

Place both hands on the handlebar, one on each side, Grab only the front brake lever and clamp it down tightly. Rock the bike forward and back to test if the headset is too loose.

With brake still camped rock bike back and forth and look at the brake clamp and adjustment bolts/ nuts to see if they are too loose.

Watch the brake pads, slowly clamp the front and rear brake levers, do both the pads touch both side of the rim before when the brake lever still has at least a inch of space between the lever and the bar. If not the cable is too loose.

Grasp the front brake pads and try to twist them on the brake arms. (correctly tightened brake pads will not twist)

Lift up the bike by the top tube and see if the headset is too tight. do the handle bars and wheel roll side to side easily in the headset

Grasp the front wheel between two fingers, shake rapidly to see if the bearing are too loose

Release the front wheel and see if it spins one way and then the other Testing to see if the bearings are too tight.

Spin the wheel rapidly and check the true of the wheel

Check if the brake pads are centered

With an open hand,  smack the side of the nose of the saddle to check if the seat clamp or the seat post clamp are loose

 

Stand beside the bicycle

Reach down and grasp a crank arm, rattle it side to side to see if the bottom bracket is too loose (do not hold the pedal)

With an open hand,  smack the side of the nose of the saddle to check if the seat clamp or the seat post clamp are loose

Grasp the rear brake pads and try to twist them on the brake arms. (correctly tightened brake pads will not twist)