83
G
A too strong damping of the fork can result in a sluggish
rebound movement with a suspension fork that will not re-
cover when exposed to a quick series of impacts.
danger of
an accident!
G
Do not turn any screws in the vague hope of adjusting them
somehow. You could release the fastening mechanism,
thus causing an accident. All manufacturers normally mark
the adjustment devices with a scale or with “+” signs
(for
stronger damping/harder suspension) and with “-“ signs
(a+b)
.
G
When mounting a new front tyre, make sure there is enough
clearance between tyre and fork crown as the fork com-
presses entirely. The front wheel can get jammed.
danger
of an accident!
A
Do not ride your bicycle, if the suspension fork often bot-
toms out. This could damage the suspension fork itself as
well as the frame.
A
Do not actuate the lockout function
(c)
when riding over
rough terrain, but only when riding over smooth terrain
(such as roads or field tracks).
I
Contact your WHEELER bicycle dealer and follow the re-
spective instructions in the fork manufacturer’s operating
instructions, which you can find on the enclosed CD.
Maintenance
The suspension forks
are components of sophisticated design that
require regular maintenance and care. This has led almost all suspen-
sion fork manufacturers to establish service centres where you can
have your forks thoroughly checked and overhauled at regular intervals
according to use, e.g. once a year. Be sure to have all the bolted con-
nections checked at regular intervals by your WHEELER bicycle dealer.
The following routines are essential for maintenance:
1. Make sure the sliding surfaces of the stanchion tubes are abso-
lutely clean.
2. Clean the fork, if soiled, with water and a soft sponge
(d)
.
3. After washing your bicycle, spray the stanchion tubes with a little
grease spray
(e)
or apply a very thin film of hydraulic oil. Compress
the fork several times and wipe off excess lubricant with a clean
rag before you set off for your next ride.
4. Do not use a steam jet or aggressive cleaning agents for cleaning!
Ask your WHEELER bicycle dealer for suitable cleaning material.
5. If your suspension fork has an elastomer filling, you should regu-
larly clean and lubricate the synthetic springs with a non-corrosive
resin-free grease
(f)
. Some fork manufacturers supply special
greases for fork maintenance. Strictly observe the recommen-
dations of the manufacturers. Suspension forks with pneumatic
springs must be checked regularly for air pressure, since the air
escapes over time.
A
Suspension elements are of sophisticated design. The
maintenance routines and above all the disassembly of the
suspension elements are jobs best left to your WHEELER
bicycle dealer.
I
Be sure to have your suspension fork of your WHEELER bi-
cycle checked by a service centre of the fork manufacturer
once a year at least.
REAR SHoCK
Full suspension WHEELER bikes
(g)
are not only equipped with a sus-
pension fork but also with movable rear stays which are sprung and
damped by a rear shock
(h)
. This feature gives you better control of
your WHEELER bicycle when riding cross-country or on rough road sur-
faces. It noticeably reduces the strain on you and your bicycle caused
by the mechanical shocks from the terrain.
The rear shock normally works with an air spring element or – less fre-
quently – with coil springs. Damping is usually done by oil. Depending
on the system the rear shock has one or more bearing axles.
i
For more information see the suspension glossary heading
this chapter.
What to Bear in Mind when Adjusting the Seating Position
According to the rear shock adjustment the saddle can tilt a little back-
wards. Keep this in mind when adjusting the saddle tilt. If you have
trouble sitting, try lowering the nose of the saddle a little compared to
your usual position.
i
Full suspension WHEELER bicycles have a greater ground
clearance than bicycles without rear suspension. If the sad-
dle is adjusted to its proper height you will normally not
be able to reach the floor with your feet. Set the saddle a
little lower to begin with and practise getting on and off the
saddle.
a
b
c
d
82
e
f
g
h
Summary of Contents for Cross
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