Brakes
38
HP
Velotechnik
Handling of the brakes
Your bicycle is equipped with a powerful high-
quality brake system. You may choose be-
tween rim brakes and disc brakes.
Please read the separate manual from the
brake manufacturer that comes with your
bike for details. Make yourself familiar with
the braking system. Remember which lever
pulls the front brake and which the rear
brake.
If the arrangement of the levers does not
correspond to what you are used to, please
have a bicycle mechanic change it. Please
contact your local bike dealer to find out if
there is any legal requirement for the ar-
rangement of the brake levers in your coun-
try. For optimum handling you can adjust the
distance between the brake lever and the
handlebar on some brake lever models. Please
see the respective manual for details.
Note that the front brake is the most effec-
tive brake on the bicycle. With the front
brake, you achieve a much higher braking
effect than with the rear brake. The rear
wheel has a tendency to lock up and slip on
the pavement even under low braking forces.
The braking effect of modern brake systems
can be more powerful than what you have
been used to until now. Do brake carefully.
When braking too much with the front brake
the rear wheel may lift off the street and the
bike may tumble over.
Do not brake in a bend, always brake before a
bend. Braking increases the risk of slipping.
Especially when it is wet the rear wheel im-
mediately slides out of the bend while braking.
This will result in a serious fall!
Danger!
Please note that the braking
distance is much longer when it is wet or
when the bike is heavily loaded. When rid-
ing on wet, sandy, icy or slippery roads you
have to use the front brake very carefully
to avoid that your front wheel slips. If it
does so you will no longer be able to han-
dle your bike, which may lead to a serious
fall.
If you should hear any unusual sounds while
braking, the brake pads might be worn. Do
not use your bike any further until you have
checked the brake pads according to the
manual of the brake manufacturer or ask your
local dealer.
Danger!
Always make sure that the
disc or rims and brake pads are free of oil
and grease. If these parts are dirty please
do not use your bicycle. You can clean oily
discs with alcohol or a special spray. Oily
brake pads have to be replaced. If you are
in doubt, please have your specialist dealer
maintain your braking system. Riding with
contaminated braking systems can result in
serious accidents!
Danger!
Disc brakes can overheat on
long down hill rides, fade and fail! On
down hill rides, do not brake constantly,
but in several intervals with higher pres-
sure. If you notice that the brake power
starts to fade, stop immediately and let
your brakes cool down.
Brakes