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PART I
Suspension can increase control and comfort by
allowing the wheels to better follow the terrain. This
enhanced capability may allow you to ride faster;
but you must not confuse the enhanced capabilities
of the bicycle with your own capabilities as a rider.
Increasing your skill will take time and practice.
Proceed carefully until you have learned to handle
the full capabilities of your bike.
WARNING
Not all bicycles can be safely retrofitted with
some types of suspension systems. Before
retrofitting a bicycle with any suspension, check
with the bicycle’s manufacturer to make sure
that what you want to do is compatible with the
bicycle’s design. Failing to do so can result in
catastrophic frame failure.
4.G TIRES AND TUBES
1. Tires
Bicycle tires are available in many designs and
specifications, ranging from general-purpose designs
to tires designed to perform best under very specific
weather or terrain conditions. If, once you’ve gained
experience with your new bike, you feel that a
different tire might better suit your riding needs,
your dealer can help you select the most appropriate
design.
The size, pressure rating, and on some high-
performance tires the specific recommended use,
are marked on the sidewall of the tire (see fig. 17).
The part of this information which is most important
to you is Tire Pressure.
But some wheel rim
manufacturers also specify maximum tire pressure
with a label on the rim.
WARNING
NEVER INFLATE A TIRE BEYOND THE
MAXIMUM PRESSURE MARKED ON THE TIRE’S
SIDEWALL
OR THE WHEEL RIM.
If the maximum pressure rating for the wheel
rim is lower than the maximum pressure
shown on the tire, always use the lower rating.
Exceeding the recommended maximum pressure
may blow the tire off the rim
or damage the
wheel rim
, which could cause damage to the bike
and injury to the rider and bystanders.
Figure 17.
The best and safest way to inflate a bicycle tire to the
correct pressure is with a bicycle pump which has a
built-in pressure gauge.
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