Raleigh Bike, Owner'S Manual, Page: 4 / 44

4
1. FIRST
NOTE:
All operators must read and understand all sections of this owner’s manual before their initial
operation of the bicycle. If after reading this manual in its entirety you have any questions, please
contact your authorized dealer for clarification or an explanation of specific topics that you are
unsure about. Please note that not all bicycles have all of the features described in this manual.
Ask your dealer to point out the features of your specific bicycle.
A. Bike Fit
1. Is your bike the right size? To check, see Section 3.A. If your bicycle is too large or too small
for you, you may lose control and fall. If your new bike is not the right size, ask your dealer to
exchange it before you ride it.
2. Is the saddle at the right height? To check, see Section 3.B. If you adjust your saddle height,
follow the Minimum Insertion instructions in Section 3.B.
3. Are saddle and seatpost securely clamped? A correctly tightened saddle will allow no saddle
movement in any direction. See Section 3.B.
4. Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see Section 3.C.
5. Can you comfortably operate the brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust their angle and
reach. See Section 3.D and 3.E.
6. Do you fully understand how to operate your new bicycle? If not, before your first ride, have
your dealer explain any functions or features which you do not understand.
B. Safety First
1. Always wear an approved helmet when riding your bike, and follow the helmet manufacturer’s
instructions for fit, use and care.
2. Do you have all the other required and recommended safety equipment? See Section 2. It’s
your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the areas where you ride, and to
comply with all applicable laws.
3. Do you know how to correctly secure your front and rear wheels? Check Section 4.A. to make
sure. Riding with an improperly secured wheel can cause the wheel to wobble or disengage
from the bicycle, and cause serious injury or death.
4. If your bike has toeclips and straps or clipless (“step-in”) pedals, make sure you know how
they work (see Section 4.E). These pedals require special techniques and skills. Follow the
pedal manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
5. Do you have “toe overlap”? On smaller framed bicycles your toe or toeclip may be able to
contact the front wheel when a pedal is all the way forward and the wheel is turned. Read
Section 4.E. If you have toeclip overlap.
6. Does your bike have suspension? If so, check Section 4.F. Suspension can change the way a bicycle
performs. Follow the suspension manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
C. Mechanical Safety Check
Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride.
1.
Nuts, bolts, screws & other fasteners: Because manufacturers use a wide variety of fastener
sizes and shapes made in a variety of materials, often differing by model and component,
the correct tightening force or torque cannot be generalized. To make sure that the many
fasteners on your bicycle are correctly tightened, refer to the Fastener Torque Specifications
in Appendix D of this manual or to the torque specifications in the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the component in question. Correctly tightening a fastener requires a