6
4.C - BRakes
WaRninG
1. RidinG With imPRoPeRly adJUsted
BRakes oR WoRn BRake Pads is
danGeRoUs
and
Can
ResUlt
in
seRioUs inJURy oR death.
2. aPPlyinG BRakes too haRd oR too
sUddenly Can loCk UP a Wheel, WhiCh
CoUld CaUse yoU to lose ContRol
and fall.
Sudden or excessive application
of the front brake may pitch the rider over the
handlebars, which may result in serious injury
or death.
3. some BiCyCle BRakes, sUCh as
disC BRakes (fiG. 11) and lineaR-
PUll BRakes (fiG.12), aRe eXtRemely
PoWeRfUl.
take
eXtRa
CaRe
in
BeCominG familiaR With these BRakes
and eXeRCise PaRtiCUlaR CaRe When
UsinG them.
4. disC BRakes Can Get eXtRemely
hot With eXtended Use. Be CaRefUl
not to toUCh a disC BRake Until it
has had Plenty of time to Cool.
5. see the BRake manUfaCtUReR’s
instRUCtions
foR
installation,
oPeRation and CaRe of yoUR BRakes.
If you do not have the manufacturer’s
instructions, see your dealer or contact the
brake manufacturer.
1. Brake Controls and features
It’s very important to your safety that you learn
and remember which brake lever controls which
brake on your bike.
For example:
In the US and Europe, The rear brake is controlled
by the right-hand brake lever; the front brake is
controlled by the left-hand lever.
In the United Kingdom and Japan, the rear brake
is controlled by the left lever; the front brake is
controlled by the right lever.
Confirm with your dealer how your bike is set up.
Make sure that your hands can reach and squeeze
the brake levers comfortably. If your hands are too
small to operate the levers comfortably, consult
your dealer before riding the bike. The lever reach
may be adjustable; or you may need a different
brake lever design.
Most brakes have some form of quick-release
mechanism to allow the brake pads to clear the
tire when a wheel is removed or reinstalled. When
the brake quick release is in the open position, the
brakes are inoperative. Ask your dealer to make
sure that you understand the way the brake quick
release works on your bike (see figs. 11, 12, 13,
14 & 15) and check each time to make sure both
brakes work correctly before you get on the bike.
2. how Brakes Work
The braking action of a bicycle is a function of the
friction between the brake surfaces — usually the
brake pads and the wheel rim. To make sure that
you have maximum friction available, keep your
wheel rims and brake pads clean and free of dirt,
lubricants, waxes or polishes.
