22
Fit
Control position adjustments
A quill stem’s Minimum Insertion Mark
must not be visible above the top of the
headset. If the stem is extended beyond
the Minimum Insertion Mark the stem
may break or damage the fork’s steerer
tube, which could cause you to lose
control and fall.
On some bicycles, changing the stem
or stem height can affect the tension of
the front brake cable, locking the front
brake or creating excess cable slack
which can make the front brake inop-
erable. If the front brake pads move in
towards the wheel rim or out away from
the wheel rim when the stem or stem
height is changed, the brakes must be
correctly adjusted before you ride the
bicycle.
Some bicycles are equipped with an
adjustable angle stem. If your bicycle
has an adjustable angle stem, ask your
dealer to show you how to adjust if. Do
not attempt to make the adjustment
yourself, as changing stem angle may
also require adjustments to the bicy-
cle’s controls.
Always tighten fasteners to the cor-
rect torque. Bolts that are too tight can
stretch and deform. Bolts that are too
loose can move and fatigue. Either mis-
take can lead to a sudden failure of the
bolt, causing you to lose control and fall.
Your dealer can also change the angle
of the handlebar or bar end extensions.
An insuffi ciently tightened stem clamp
bolt, handlebar clamp bolt or bar end
extension clamping bolt may compro-
mise steering action, which could cause
you to lose control and fall. Place the
front wheel of the bicycle between your
legs and attempt to twist the handlebar/
stem assembly. If you can twist the stem
in relation to the front wheel, turn the
handlebars in relation to the stem, or
turn the bar end extensions in relation
to the handlebar, the bolts are insuffi -
ciently tightened.
Control position
adjustments
The angle of the brake and shift control
levers and their position on the handlebars
can be changed. Ask your dealer to make
the adjustments for you. If you choose to
make your own control lever angle adjust-
ment, be sure to re-tighten the clamp fasten-
ers to the recommended torque (“Fastener
Torque Specifi cations” on page 74 or the
manufacturer’s instructions).
Brake reach
Many bikes have brake levers which can
be adjusted for reach. If you have small
hands or fi nd it diffi cult to squeeze the brake
levers, your dealer can either adjust the
reach or fi t shorter reach brake levers.
