27
always check for changes in the handling and braking
characteristics of the bicycle after a suspension adjustment
by taking a careful test ride in a hazard-free area.
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.
!
CAUTION: Not all bicycles can be safely retrofi tted
with some types of suspension systems. Before retrofi tting
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.
G. Tires and Tubes
1. Tires
Bicycle tires are available in many designs and
specifi cations, ranging from general-purpose designs
to tires designed to perform best under very specifi c
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 specifi c recommended use, are
marked on the sidewall of the tire (see fi g. 17). The part
of this information which is most
important to you is Tire Pressure.
!
WARNING: Never infl ate a tire
beyond the maximum pressure
marked on the tire’s sidewall.
Exceeding
the
recommended
maximum pressure may blow the
tire off the rim, which could cause
damage to the bike and injury to
the rider and bystanders.
The best and safest way to
infl ate a bicycle tire to the correct
pressure is with a bicycle pump which has a built-in
pressure gauge.
!
WARNING: There is a safety risk in using gas station
air hoses or other air compressors. They are not made
for bicycle tires. They move a large volume of air very
rapidly, and will raise the pressure in your tire very
rapidly, which could cause the tube to explode.
Tire pressure is given either as maximum pressure
or as a pressure range. How a tire performs under
different terrain or weather conditions depends largely
on tire pressure. Infl ating the tire to near its maximum
recommended pressure gives the lowest rolling
resistance; but also produces the harshest ride. High
pressures work best on smooth, dry pavement.
Very low pressures, at the bottom of the recommended
pressure range, give the best performance on smooth,
slick terrain such as hard-packed clay, and on deep,
