Vuly BMX Bike, Owner'S Manual

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7.2. STOPPING
Always ride with a safe distance between you and other vehicles or objects to give yourself
adequate stopping room. Adjust distances and brake forces to suit riding conditions and speeds.
For safest braking, use your brakes smoothly and evenly. Look ahead and adjust your speed in
advance to avoid hard braking.
DIfferent bicycles have different brake systems and different levels of brake power depending on
their use condition. Familiarize yourself with your bicycle’s braking power and don’t ride beyond it.
Wet, debris-strewn, or uneven surfaces will affect how your bicycle reacts to braking. Take extra
care when braking under less than ideal road conditions. Keep it smooth, and allow more time
and distance for stopping.
7.3. COASTER BRAKES
Parents or guardians: explain this to your child or dependent.
If your bicycle has a coaster brake (a brake activated by the pedals), apply the brake by
pedalling backwards.
For greatest braking force, the crank arms should be horizontal when you apply the brake. The
crank will rotate slightly before the brake is engaged, so be sure to start to apply the brake with
the rear pedal slightly higher than horizontal.
Hand Brakes
Before riding, make sure you know which brake lever controls which brake (front or rear).
If you have two hand brakes, apply both brakes at the same time with equal force. The front
brake provides more stopping power than the rear, so do not use it too forcefully or too abruptly.
If you must stop quickly, shift your weight brake as you apply the brakes to keep the rear wheel
on the ground.
7.4. SHIFTING GEARS
The gears on your bicycle allow you to pedal comfortably in different conditions - like riding
uphill, pedalling against a headwind, or riding fast along flat terrain. Select the gear that is most
comfortable for the conditions; a gear that lets you pedal at a constant rate.
To shift gears, you must change the position of a shifter lever (also called a shifter) which is
most commonly mounted on the handlebars. On most bicycles the left shifter controls the front
derailleur and the right shifter controls the rear derailleur.
Shift gears only when the pedals and chain are moving forward. Decrease the force on the pedals
as you shift gears. Reduced chain tension helps the chain shift gears quickly and smoothly, which
decreases chain, derailleur, and gear wear.