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III. SAFETY & OPERATION
III. SAFETY & OPERATION
you have maximum friction available, keep the brake rotors and brake pads
clean and free of lubricants, waxes or polishes.
Most often, the left lever controls the front brake and the right lever controls
the rear. Check their operation and confirm their locations before riding. 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 a licensed
mechanic before riding the bike. The lever reach may be adjustable, or you may
need a different brake lever design.
Wheel Lock Up:
Your brakes are designed to control your speed, not just
stop the bike. You can’t just jam the levers and skid to a stop like in a car.
This can cause your wheels to “lock up” (stop rotating); the bike may skid
uncontrollably, or worse case, you will be catapulted directly over the
handlebars. Avoid wheel lock up by practicing and mastering slowly and
gradually applying pressure to the brake levers until you stop smoothly—in all
different conditions.
Weight Transfer:
Think about Sir Isaac Newton and his first law of motion:
paraphrasing—and applying inertia to bikes—you and your bicycle will stay in
motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force, such as hitting the brakes.
Since braking force is only applied to the bicycle, your body will have the
tendency to fly forward (off your bike). To avoid this, practice shifting your
body toward the rear of the bike to transfer weight back on to the rear wheel;
at the same time ease off pressure to the rear brake and increase front brake
pressure. Practice this as evenly and seamlessly as possible. Got it? This is
weight transfer. This technique is important on quick descents, as the slope
shifts your weight forward.
Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you’re ready to go. If you need
practice, make sure you ride somewhere that is free of road traffic or other
obstructions, like an empty parking lot or driveway.
Of course, be extra careful with inclement weather. The conditions may
cause your tires to lose their grip; your wheels may lock up with less brake
force. Moisture or dirt on the brake pads reduces their friction, and it will take
longer to stop. Remember to ride extra slowly; brake easier, early, and often to
maintain control.
PRO TIP:
If you are unclear about any function of your brakes or how
to properly operate them, seek help. Your local bicycle advocacy
organization, bike shop, or city transit organization may be able to direct
you to resources and classes.
GEARS
All Faraday bicycles have a drivetrain equipped with:
•
An 8-speed internal gear hub or an 8-speed derailleur
•
One shifter
•
One control cable
•
One front sprocket, called a chainring
•
Rear sprocket(s) attached to the hub
•
A drive belt or chain