36
MOUNTAIN TANdEMS
ConDITIon 2
Bikes designed for riding Condition 1, plus smooth gravel roads and improved trails with moderate grades where the
tires do not lose ground contact.
InTenDeD
the challenges of mountain biking are obvious. the added challenges of tandem riding mean that you
should limit off-road tandem riding to easy-moderate terrain.
noT InTenDeD
For very aggressive mountain bike riding. mountain tandems are most definitely nOt for downhill,
Freeriding, north shore. Choose terrain with the abilities of both the tandem’s captain and stoker in mind.
APPENdIx B
the lifespan of your bike and its components
1.
nothing Lasts Forever, Including Your Bike.
When the useful life of your bike or its components is over, continued use is hazardous.
every bicycle and its component parts have a finite, limited useful life. the length of that life will vary with the construction and materials used
in the frame and components; the maintenance and care the frame and components receive over their life; and the type and amount of use to
which the frame and components are subjected. use in competitive events, trick riding, ramp riding, jumping, aggressive riding, riding on severe
terrain, riding in severe climates, riding with heavy loads, commercial activities and other types of non-standard use can dramatically shorten
the life of the frame and components. any one or a combination of these conditions may result in an unpredictable failure.
all aspects of use being identical, lightweight bicycles and their components will usually have a shorter life than heavier bicycles and their
components. in selecting a lightweight bicycle or components you are making a trade-off, favoring the higher performance that comes with
lighter weight over longevity. so, if you choose lightweight, high performance equipment, be sure to have it inspected frequently.
You should have your bicycle and its components checked periodically by your dealer for indicators of stress and/or potential failure,
including cracks, deformation, corrosion, paint peeling, dents, and any other indicators of potential problems, inappropriate use or abuse.
these are important safety checks and very important to help prevent accidents, bodily injury to the rider and shortened product life.
2. Perspective
today’s high-performance bicycles require frequent and careful inspection and service. in this appendix we try to explain some underlying
material science basics and how they relate to your bicycle. We discuss some of the trade-offs made in designing your bicycle and what you
can expect from your bicycle; and we provide important, basic guidelines on how to maintain and inspect it. We cannot teach you everything
you need to know to properly inspect and service your bicycle; and that is why we repeatedly urge you to take your bicycle to your dealer for
professional care and attention.
wArnInG:
f
ReqUeNT
INspeCTION
Of
yOUR
bIke
Is
ImpORTANT
TO
yOUR
sAfeTy
. f
OllOW
The
m
eChANICAl
s
AfeTy
C
heCk
IN
s
eCTION
1.C
Of
ThIs
m
ANUAl
befORe
eveRy
RIde
.
p
eRIOdIC
,
mORe
deTAIled
INspeCTION
Of
yOUR
bICyCle
Is
ImpORTANT
. h
OW
OfTeN
ThIs
mORe
deTAIled
INspeCTION
Is
Needed
depeNds
UpON
yOU
.
y
OU
,
The
RIdeR
/
OWNeR
,
hAve
CONTROl
ANd
kNOWledGe
Of
hOW
OfTeN
yOU
Use
yOUR
bIke
,
hOW
hARd
yOU
Use
IT
ANd
WheRe
yOU
Use
IT
. b
eCAUse
yOUR
deAleR
CANNOT
TRACk
yOUR
Use
,
yOU
mUsT
TAke
RespONsIbIlITy
fOR
peRIOdICAlly
bRINGING
yOUR
bIke
TO
yOUR
deAleR
fOR
INspeCTION
ANd
seRvICe
. y
OUR
deAleR
WIll
help
yOU
deCIde
WhAT
fReqUeNCy
Of
INspeCTION
ANd
seRvICe
Is
AppROpRIATe
fOR
hOW
ANd
WheRe
yOU
Use
yOUR
bIke
.
f
OR
yOUR
sAfeTy
,
UNdeRsTANdING
ANd
COmmUNICATION
WITh
yOUR
deAleR
,
We
URGe
yOU
TO
ReAd
ThIs
A
ppeNdIx
IN
ITs
eNTIReTy
. T
he
mATeRIAls
Used
TO
mAke
yOUR
bIke
deTeRmINe
hOW
ANd
hOW
fReqUeNTly
TO
INspeCT
.
I
GNORING
ThIs
WARNING
CAN
leAd
TO
fRAme
,
fORk
OR
OTheR
COmpONeNT
fAIlURe
,
WhICh
CAN
ResUlT
IN
seRIOUs
INjURy
OR
deATh
.
A. Understanding metals
steel is the traditional material for building bicycle frames. it has good characteristics, but in high performance bicycles, steel has
been largely replaced by aluminum and some titanium. the main factor driving this change is interest by cycling enthusiasts in
lighter bicycles.
Properties of Metals
please understand that there is no simple statement that can be made that characterizes the use of different metals for bicycles.
What is true is how the metal chosen is applied is much more important than the material alone. One must look at the way the bike is
designed, tested, manufactured, supported along with the characteristics of the metal rather than seeking a simplistic answer.
metals vary widely in their resistance to corrosion. steel must be protected or rust will attack it. aluminum and titanium quickly
develop an oxide film that protects the metal from further corrosion. Both are therefore quite resistant to corrosion. aluminum is not
perfectly corrosion resistant, and particular care must be used where it contacts other metals and galvanic corrosion can occur.
metals are comparatively ductile. ductile means bending, buckling and stretching before breaking. generally speaking, of the common
bicycle frame building materials steel is the most ductile, titanium less ductile, followed by aluminum.
metals vary in density. density is weight per unit of material. steel weighs 7.8 grams/cm3 (grams per cubic centimeter), titanium 4.5
maXimum WeigHt limit
RideR
luggage
tOtal
lbs / kg
lbs / kg
lbs / kg
500 / 227
75 / 34
575 / 261
