Bignay Gi Fly, Owner'S Manual

Page: 53 / 82

51
4.
5.
6.
7.
The bicycle brakes are equipped with a brake force modula-
tor: a small, cylindrical device through which the brake control
cable runs and which is designed to provide a more progressive
application of braking force. A modulator makes the initial brake
lever force more gentle, progressively increasing force until full
force is achieved. Take extra care in becoming familiar with its
performance characteristics. Some brake force modulators are
adjustable. If you don’t like the feel of your brakes, ask your dealer
about adjusting the brake force modulation.
Disc brakes can get extremely hot with extended use. Be careful not to
touch a disc brake until it has had plenty of time to cool.
See the brake manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care
of your brakes, and for when brake pads must be replaced. If you
do not have the manufacturer’s instructions, see your dealer or
contact Bignay Inc.
If replacing worn or damaged parts, use only manufacturer-
approved genuine replacement parts.
i. Brake controls and features
It’s very important for your safety that you learn and remember which brake lever controls which
brake on your bike. Gi Fly’s brake controls are as follows: the right brake lever controls the rear
brake and the left brake lever controls the front brake. It is important to check and familiarize
yourself with the sensitivity of Gi Fly’s brakes.
Make sure that your hands can reach and squeeze the brake levers comfortably. If your hands
are too small to operate the levers comfortably, consult your dealer or Bignay Inc. before riding
the bike.
ii. How brakes work
The braking action of a bicycle is a function of the friction between the braking surfaces. To make
sure that you have maximum friction available, keep your wheel rims and brake pads or the disk
rotor and caliper clean and free of dirt, lubricants, waxes, or polishes.
Brakes are designed to control your speed, not just to stop the bike. Maximum braking force for
each wheel occurs at the point just before the wheel “locks up” (stops rotating) and starts to skid.
Once the tire skids, you actually lose most of your stopping force and all directional control. You
need to practice slowing and stopping smoothly without locking up a wheel. This technique is
called progressive brake modulation. Instead of jerking the brake lever to the position where you
think you’ll generate appropriate braking force, squeeze the lever, progressively increasing the
braking force. If you feel the wheel begin to lock up, release pressure just a little to keep the wheel
rotating just short of lockup. It’s important to develop a feel for the amount of brake lever pres-
sure required for each wheel at different speeds and on different surfaces. To better understand