14
PART 1
Brakes
138692 Rev 0 (04/22)
Section 1. First
GT Bicycle Owner’s Manual
Wheel rims clean and undamaged? Make sure
the rims are clean and undamaged at the tire
bead and, if you have rim brakes, along the
braking surface. Check to make sure that any rim
wear indicator marking is not visible at any point
on the wheel rim.
WARNING
Bicycle wheel rims are subject to wear.
Ask your dealer about wheel rim wear. Some
wheel rims have a rim wear indicator which
becomes visible as the rim’s braking surface
wears. A visible rim wear indicator on the side
of the wheel rim is an indication that the
wheel rim has reached its maximum usable
life. Riding a wheel that is at the end of its
usable life can result in wheel failure, which
can cause you to loose control and fall.
Brakes
Check the brakes for proper operation (see
SECTION 4.C). Squeeze the brake levers. Are the
brake quick-releases closed? All control cables
seated and securely engaged? Do the brake pads
contact the wheel rim squarely and make full
contact with the rim? 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 by a professional bicycle mechanic.
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 by a professional bicycle mechanic.
Wheel Retention System
Make sure the front and rear wheels are
correctly secured. See SECTION 4.A
Seat Post
If your seat post has an over-center cam action
fastener for easy height adjustment, check that it
is properly adjusted and in the locked position.
See Section 4.B.
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 SECTION 3.B and 3.C.
