SECTION: I First
5
C. Mechanical Safety Check:
Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before
every
ride.
1.
Nuts, bolts & straps:
Make sure nothing is loose. Lift the front
wheel off the ground by two or three inches, then let it bounce on
the ground. Anything sound, feel or look loose? Do a quick visual
and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any loose parts or acces-
sories? If so, secure them. If you’re not sure, ask someone with
experience to check.
2.
Tires & Wheels:
Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see Section
IV.G.1.). Check by putting one hand on the saddle, one on the
intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing your
weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare what
you see with how it looks when you
know
the tires are correctly
inflated; and adjust if necessary.
3.
Tires in good shape?
Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the
tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.
4.
Wheels true?
Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and
side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly,
or rubs against or hits the brake pads, take the bike to a qualified
bike shop to have the wheel trued.
CAUTION:
Wheels must be true for the brakes to work effectively. Wheel
truing is a skill which requires special tools and experience. Do not attempt
to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge, experience and tools needed
to do the job correctly.
5.
Brakes:
Check the brakes for proper operation (see Sections IV.C.).
Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases closed? All
control cables seated and securely engaged? Do the brake pads
touch the wheel rim within an inch of brake lever movement? Can
you apply full braking force at the levers without having them
touch the handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment.
Do not
ride the bike until the brakes are properly adjusted
.
6.
Quick Releases:
Make sure the front wheel, rear wheel and seat
post quick releases are properly adjusted and in the locked posi-
tion. See Section IV.A. and IV.B.
7.
Handlebar and saddle alignment:
Make sure the saddle and
handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s center line and clamped
tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See
Sections III.B. and III.C. If not, align and tighten them.
8.
Handlebar ends:
Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in
good condition. If not, replace them. Make sure the handlebar ends
and extensions are plugged. If not, plug them before you ride. If the
handlebars have bar end extensions, make sure they are clamped
tight enough so you can’t twist them. If not, tighten them.
WARNING:
Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can cause
you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars or extensions can cut your
body, and can cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident.
28
SECTION: IV Tech
The Shraeder valve (Fig. 23) is like the valve on a car
tire. To inflate a Shraeder valve tube, remove the valve
cap and clamp the pump fitting onto the end of the
valve stem. To let air out of a Shraeder valve, depress
the pin in the end of the valve stem with the end of a
key or other appropriate object.
The Presta valve (Fig. 24) has a narrower diameter and
is only found on bicycle tires. To inflate a Presta valve
tube using a Presta headed bicycle pump, remove the
valve cap; unscrew (counterclockwise) the valve stem
lock nut; and push down on the valve stem to free it up.
Then push the pump head on to the valve head, and
inflate. To inflate a Presta valve with a Schraeder
pump fitting, you’ll need a Presta adapter (available at
your bike shop) which screws on to the valve stem
once you’ve freed up the valve. The adapter fits into
the Schraeder pump fitting. Close the valve after infla-
tion. To let air out of a Presta valve, open up the valve
stem lock nut and depress the valve stem.
WARNING:
Patching a tube is an emergency repair. If you do not apply the
patch correctly or apply several patches, the tube can fail, resulting in
possible tube failure, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Replace
a patched tube as soon as possible.
V. Service
WARNING:
Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle
components more complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing. It is
impossible for this Manual to provide all the information required to properly
repair and/or maintain your bicycle. In order to help minimize the chances of
an accident and possible injury, it is critical that you have any repair or
maintenance which is not specifically described in this manual performed by
your dealer. Equally important is that your individual maintenance require-
ments will be determined by everything from your riding style to geographic
location. Consult your dealer for help in determining your maintenance
requirements.
WARNING:
Many bicycle service and repair tasks require special knowl-
edge and tools. Do not begin any adjustments or service on your bicycle
learned from your dealer how to properly complete them. Improper adjust-
ment or service may result in damage to the bicycle or in an accident which
can cause serious injury or death.
If you want to learn to do major service and repair work on your bike, you
have three options:
1.
Ask your dealer for copies of the manufacturer’s installation and
service instructions for the components on your bike, or contact the
component manufacturer.
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
