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5.0 Riding your TRICE
CAUTION: If your feet fall from the pedals when you are riding then
they could be dragged under the cross axle of the trike. Therefore the
trike should only be ridden with your feet securely attached to the
pedals; either with special shoes and pedals which you clip into or toe
clips and straps.
We recommend the use of ‘clipless’ pedals. There is more information in section 8 of this manual. They are a
safe way of attaching you feet to the pedals, Remember, because you are now riding a tricycle, there is no need
to put your feet down until you want to get off the trike.
5.1 Getting on and off the trike.
Getting on
Begin by standing in front of the cross axle with one
foot on either side of the front boom.
Now bend down and reach back to hold the side of
the seat to help lower yourself as you sit. Try not
to push or pull on the handle bars as you get on
and off.
Getting Off
This is much like getting on, but in reverse order. Sit
forward on the seat and put your feet firmly on the
ground. Reach behind you and hold the side of the
seat while you push yourself up into a squatting
position before standing up.
Note: It is possible to damage the hard-shell seat if these instructions are not followed. Not all
parts of it are capable of handling the weight of a full grown person trying to get out of a trike.
Seats damaged in this way are not covered under warranty.
5.2 Initial test ride
Start on a flat piece of road or drive preferably away from traffic. The front brakes are independent so the left
brake operates the left front wheel and the right brake operates the right wheel. Sit on, clip in and make sure
you know where the brakes are and that they stop you moving. Before you have ridden more than a few yards,
check the front brakes. MAKE SURE YOU CAN STOP! You should do this before each ride, as well as
checking your brakes for damage and wear.
Steering is very easy and natural and you will soon become unaware of the movements required.
Gear changing - As with any derailleur system you can only change gear when you are pedalling and moving
forward. It is easier to change if you are not putting a lot of force on the pedals, particularly when changing from
a high to a low gear. The rear derailleur is operated by the right shifter, and the front using the left shifter. You
should not try to change into the lowest gear (largest rear sprocket) unless you are on the middle or lowest
(smallest) chain wheel, because the chain will put strain on the rear derailleur.
TIP - Try to get into the habit of not crossing over the gears at the
extremes – don’t run on the biggest chain ring and the biggest rear
sprocket or the smallest chain ring and the smallest rear sprocket. This will
help prolong the life of the transmission. Also try to anticipate hills and
change to a lower (easier) gear before you get onto the steep part of the
hill hence avoiding changing gear under pressure.
Do not change gear when the trike is rolling backwards, as the chain will jam in the rear derailleur and likely
damage it. When you are riding, you can make minor adjustments to the indexing of the gears using the
adjusters located where the cables exit the shifters.
5.3 Stopping in a low gear
As with an ordinary bicycle it is best to get into the habit of finishing your journey in an easy gear so that you can
pull away easily when you start again.
Summary of Contents for TRICE 'Q'
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