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Your MERIDA dealer will have assembled and
adjusted your bike ready for use when you
come to collect it. Nevertheless, you should
service it regularly. Have your local MERIDA
dealer do the scheduled maintenance work
This is the only way to ensure that all its com-
ponents function safely and reliably and that
you can use it safely and with joy for many
years.
Cleaning and caring for the bike
Dried sweat, dirt and salt from riding during
the winter or in sea air harm your bike. You
should therefore make it a habit to regularly
clean all its components to protect them from
corrosion.
The easiest way to remove dirt and miner-
als would be with a steam jet. This cleaning
method is quick, but it also has serious draw-
backs. As the water is ejected at high pres-
sure in a narrowly focussed jet, it may pass
through seals and penetrate bearings. This
leads to the dilution of lubricants and conse-
quently to greater friction. This destroys and
impairs the functioning of the bearing races
and the smooth running of bearings in the
long term.
. Cleaning and caring
A much more gentle way of cleaning your
bike is with a soft water jet or with a bucket
of water and a sponge or large brush, e.g.
a glue brush.
Cleaning your bike by hand has another
positive side-effect: you may discover defects
in the paint or worn or defective components
at an early stage.
Do not use solvent-containing cleaners for
powder-coated frames.
After your bike has dried, you should touch
up damaged areas in the paint, if necessary.
Impregnate the painted and metal surfaces of
your bike by regularly applying hard wax.
Apply the hard wax to spokes, hubs etc., as
well. Use a hand-held atomizer for parts with
small surfaces.
Inspect the chain after you have finished
cleaning and grease it if necessary (see chap-
ter 10.3
“Chain maintenance”
).
When working on your bike, restrict
yourself to jobs you are equipped for
and have the necessary knowledge.
Do not clean your bike with a strong
water or steam jet from a short dis-
tance.
While cleaning, watch out for cracks,
scratches, dents as well as bent or dis-
coloured material. If in doubt, contact your
MERIDA dealer. Have defective components
replaced immediately.
