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PART I
SECTION 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:
PART I “Coaster Brakes”
PART II, SECTION B., INTENDED USE
PART II, SECTION D., INSPECT FOR SAFETY
PART II, SECTION E., MAINTENANCE
4.A - Wheels
Bicycle wheels are designed to be removable for easier
transportation and for repair of a tire puncture. In
most cases, the wheel axles are inserted into slots,
called “dropouts” in the fork and frame, but some
suspension mountain bikes use what is called a
“through axle” wheel mounting system.
If you have a mountain bike equipped with through
axle front or rear wheels, make sure that your dealer
has given you the manufacturer’s instructions, and
follow those when installing or removing a through
axle wheel. If you don’t know what a through axle is,
ask your dealer.
If you do not have a bicycle with a through-axle
mounting system, it will have wheel secured in one of
the following three ways:
• A hollow axle with a shaft (“skewer”) running
through it which has an adjustable tension nut on
one end and an over-center cam on the other (cam
action system, fig.8a & 8b).
• A hollow axle with a shaft (“skewer”) running
through it which has a nut on one end and a
fitting for a hex key, lock lever or other tightening
device on the other (through bolt, fig. 9)
• Hex nuts or hex key bolts which are threaded on to
or into the hub axle (bolt-on wheel, fig. 10)
WARNING
RIDING WITH AN IMPROPERLY SECURED
WHEEL CAN ALLOW THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE
OR FALL OFF THE BICYCLE,
OR SUDDENLY
STOP THE WHEEL,
WHICH CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THEREFORE, IT IS
ESSENTIAL THAT YOU:
1. Ask your dealer to help you make sure you
know how to install and remove your wheels
safely.
2. Understand and apply the correct technique
for clamping your wheel in place.
3. Each time, before you ride the bike, check
that the wheel is securely clamped. The
clamping action of a correctly secured wheel
must emboss the surfaces of the dropouts.
Some bicycles are equipped with a quick
release lever and a disc brake. If the bicycle
is ridden with the lever incorrectly adjusted
or open, and the lever contacts the disc or
wheel (next figure), the front wheel could stop
suddenly, causing the rider to fall. Always make
sure your wheels are correctly attached, and
the attachment mechanisms closed and locked,
before riding the bicycle.
Quick Release
Lever
Brake Disc