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7. Tech.indd
Last Modifi ed June 23, 2014 5:18 PM
Tech
Bicycle suspension
make it more diffi cult for you to insert or
remove your foot should not be used with
toeclips and straps.
Getting into and out of pedals with toe-
clips and straps requires skill which can
only be acquired with practice. Until it
becomes a refl ex action, the technique
requires concentration which can dis-
tract your attention and cause you to
lose control and fall. Practice the use
of toeclips and straps where there are
no obstacles, hazards or traffi c. Keep
the straps loose, and don’t tighten them
until your technique and confi dence in
getting in and out of the pedals war-
rants it. Never ride in traffi c with your
toe straps tight.
Clipless pedals (sometimes called
“step-in pedals”) are another means to keep
feet securely in the correct position for max-
imum pedaling effi ciency. They have a plate,
called a “cleat,” on the sole of the shoe,
which clicks into a mating spring-loaded
fi xture on the pedal. They only engage
or disengage with a very specifi c motion
which must be practiced until it becomes
instinctive. Clipless pedals require shoes
and cleats which are compatible with the
make and model pedal being used.
Many clipless pedals are designed to
allow the rider to adjust the amount of force
needed to engage or disengage the foot.
Follow the pedal manufacturer’s instruc-
tions, or ask your dealer to show you how
to make this adjustment. Use the easi-
est setting until engaging and disengag-
ing becomes a refl ex action, but always
make sure that there is suffi cient tension
to prevent unintended release of your foot
from the pedal.
Clipless pedals are intended for use
with shoes specifi cally made to fi t them
and are designed to fi rmly keep the foot
engaged with the pedal. Do not use
shoes which do not engage the pedals
correctly.
Practice is required to learn to engage
and disengage the foot safely. Until engag-
ing and disengaging the foot becomes a
refl ex action, the technique requires con-
centration which can distract your atten-
tion and cause you to lose control and fall.
Practice engaging and disengaging clip-
less pedals in a place where there are no
obstacles, hazards or traffi c; and be sure
to follow the pedal manufacturer’s setup
and service instructions. If you do not have
the manufacturer’s instructions, see your
dealer or contact the manufacturer.
Bicycle suspension
Many bicycles are equipped with sus-
pension systems. There are many different
types of suspension systems — too many
to deal with individually in this Manual. If
your bicycle has a suspension system of
any kind, be sure to read and follow the sus-
pension manufacturer’s setup and service
instructions. If you do not have the manu-
facturer’s instructions, see your dealer or
contact the manufacturer.
