Bicycle
Owner‘s Manual
CANNONDALE
BICYCLE
OWNER’S MANUAL
131264 (07/18)
FOLLOW THIS CHECKLIST BEFORE EVERY RIDE. IF YOU HAVE ANY REASON TO SUSPECT
THAT YOUR BICYCLE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, DO NOT RIDE IT. Have it inspected
by an Authorized Cannondale Retailer. To locate your nearest Authorized Cannondale Retailer
call the 1-800-BIKE-USA. Failure to follow this checklist and to have any potential problem
inspected could lead to an accident, with risk of serious injury, paralysis or death.
Are you wearing a helmet and other
appropriate equipment and clothing, such as
protective glasses and gloves?
Do not wear
loose clothing that could become entangled in
the bicycle (See PART I, Section 2.A The Basics).
Are your seatpost and stem securely
fastened?
Twist the handlebars firmly from side
to side while holding the front wheel between
your knees. The stem must not move in the
steering tube. Similarly, the seatpost must be
secure in the seat tube (See PART I, Section 3.
Fit).
Are you visible to motorists?
If you are riding at
dusk, dawn or at night, you must make yourself
visible to motorists. Use front and rear lights
and a strobe or blinker. Reflectors alone do
not provide adequate visibility. Wear reflective
clothing (See PART I, Section 2.E Night Riding
and PART II, A. Important Safety Information).
Is it raining or wet? If so, be more cautious.
Your braking distances will increase, and
your tires’ grip on the road will decrease.
Remember that motorists’ visibility decreases
with bad weather (See PART I, Section 2.D Wet
Weather Riding and PART II, A. Important Safety
Information).
Are your tires properly inflated?
Tires must
inflated to the recommended pressure. (See
PART I, Section 4.G Tires and Tubes).
Are your wheels true?
Lift each end of the bike
and spin each wheel. Does the space between
the rim and the brake pads, or the tire and
the frame, remain nearly the same size as the
wheel turns? Are your spokes tight? (See PART I,
Section 1.C Mechanical Safety Check).
Are your wheels’ quick-releases properly
fastened?
Be sure to read the section on proper
operation of quick-release skewers (See PART I,
Section 4.A Wheels).
Are your front and rear brakes functioning
properly?
With V-brakes, the quick release
“noodle” must be properly installed. With
cantilever brakes, the quick release straddle
cable must be properly attached. With caliper
brakes the quick release lever must be closed.
With any rim brake, the brake pads must make
firm contact with the rim without the brake levers
hitting the handlebar grip (See PART I, Section
4.C Brakes).
With hydraulic disc brakes, check that the lever
feels firm, does not move too close to the
handlebar grip, and there is no evidence of
leaking brake fluid. With cable actuated disc
brakes, check that the lever feels firm and does
not move too close to the handlebar grip. With
any disc brakes, the brake pads must make firm
contact with the rotor without the brake levers
hitting the handlebar grip (See PART I, Section
4.C Brakes).
How do your clipless pedals work today?
Clip in and out of your pedals before you begin.
Experienced cyclists do. The connection between
cleat and pedal is affected by dozens of factors
including dirt, mud, lubrication, spring tension
and wear. By clipping in and out you will check
the function and have a fresh memory of how
they feel (See PART I, Section 4.E Pedals).
How recently were your frame, fork and
components inspected?
Never ride a frame,
fork or components with any crack or damage.
(See PART II, Section D. Inspect For Safety).
PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT SAFETY,
PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE INFORMATION.
Read it before you take the first ride on your new
bicycle, and keep it for reference.
