6
YOU-RIDE KILIMANJARO
2. Before Riding
A. Bike fit
1. Is your bike the right size? To check, see Section 4.1. If your electric bicycle is too
large or too small for you, you may lose control and fall.
2. Is the saddle at the right height? To check, see Section 4.2. If you adjust your saddle
height, make sure that you follow the Minimum Insertion instructions in Section 4.2.
3. Are saddle and seat post securely clamped? A correctly tightened saddle will allow
no saddle movement in any direction. See Section 4.2 for details.
4. Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see Section 4.3 on
what you can do about it.
5. Can you comfortably operate the brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust their
angle and reach.
B. Safety first
1. Do you have all the required and recommended safety equipment? See Section 3.
It’s your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the areas where you
ride, and to comply with all applicable laws.
2. Do you know how to check wheel. The bolts and nuts should be good tightened.
Riding with an improperly adjusted wheel can cause the wheel to wobble or disengage
from the bicycle, and cause serious injury or death.
3. If your bike has toe clips and straps or clipless (“step-in”) pedals, make sure you
know how they work. These pedals require special techniques and skills. Follow the
pedal manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
4. Does your bike have suspension? 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.
Nuts, bolts & straps:
Make sure nothing is loose. Lift the front wheel off the ground
by two or three inches, then let it bounce on the ground. Anything sound, feel
or look loose? Do a quick visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any
loose parts or accessories? If so, secure them. If you’re not sure, ask someone with
experience to check.
Tires & Wheels:
Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see Section 7.5). Check by
putting one hand on the saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem,
then bouncing your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare what
you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly inflated; and
adjust if necessary. Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts
in the tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.
