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15
which can make the front brake inoperable. 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 bicycle’s controls. Your dealer can also change the angle of the handlebar or bar end
extensions.
WARNING: Always tighten fasteners to the correct torque. Bolts that are too
tight can stretch and deform. Bolts that are too loose can move and fatigue.
Either mistake can lead to a sudden failure of the bolt, causing you to lose control
and fall.
WARNING: An insufficiently tightened stem clamp bolt, handlebar clamp bolt or
bar end extension clamping bolt may compromise 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 insufficiently tightened.
D. 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 adjustment, be sure to re-tighten the clamp
fasteners to the recommended torque (Appendix D or the manufacturer’s instructions).
E. Brake reach
Many bikes have brake levers which can be adjusted for reach. If you have small
hands or find it difficult to squeeze the brake levers, your dealer can either adjust the
reach or fit shorter reach brake levers.
WARNING: The shorter the brake lever reach, the more critical it is to have
correctly adjusted brakes, so that full braking power can be applied within
available brake lever travel. Brake lever travel insufficient to apply full braking
power can result in loss of control, which may result in serious injury or death.
4. Tech
It’s important to your safety, performance and enjoyment to understand how things
work on your bicycle. We urge you to ask your dealer how to do the things described
in this section before you attempt them yourself, and that you have your dealer check
your work before you ride the bike. If you have even the slightest doubt as to whether
you understand something in this section of the Manual, talk to your dealer. See also
Appendix A, B, C and D.
Small changes in saddle position can have a substantial effect on performance and
comfort. To find your best saddle position, make only one adjustment at a time.
WARNING: After any saddle adjustment, be sure that the saddle adjusting
mechanism is properly seated and tightened before riding. A loose saddle clamp
or seat post clamp can cause damage to the seat post, or can cause you to lose control
and fall. A correctly tightened saddle adjusting mechanism will allow no saddle
movement in any direction. Periodically check to make sure that the saddle adjusting
mechanism is properly tightened.
If, in spite of carefully adjusting the saddle height, tilt and fore-and-aft position, your
saddle is still uncomfortable, you may need a different saddle design. Saddles, like people,
come in many different shapes, sizes and resilience. Your dealer can help you select a
saddle which, when correctly adjusted for your body and riding style, will be comfortable.
WARNING: Some people have claimed that extended riding with a saddle which
is incorrectly adjusted or which does not support your pelvic area correctly can
cause short-term or long-term injury to nerves and blood vessels, or even impotence.
If your saddle causes you pain, numbness or other discomfort, listen to your body and
stop riding until you see your dealer about saddle adjustment or a different saddle.
C. Handlebar height and angle
Your bike is equipped either with a “threadless” stem, which clamps on to the outside
of the steerer tube, or with a “quill” stem, which clamps inside the steerer tube by way
of an expanding binder bolt. If you aren’t absolutely sure which type of stem your bike
has, ask your dealer.
If your bike has a “threadless” stem (fig. 6) your dealer may be able to change
handlebar height by moving height adjustment spacers from below the stem to above
the stem, or vice versa. Otherwise, you’ll have to get a stem of different length or rise.
Consult your dealer. Do not attempt to do this yourself, as it requires special knowledge.
If your bike has a “quill” stem (fig. 7) you can ask your dealer to adjust the handlebar
height a bit by adjusting stem height.
A quill stem has an etched or stamped mark on its shaft
which designates the stem’s “Minimum Insertion” or
“Maximum Extension”. This mark must not be visible above
the headset.
WARNING: 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.
WARNING: 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
