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pace of innovation is increasing. It is impossible for this
manual to provide all the information required to properly
repair and/or maintain your bicycle. In order to help
minimize the chances of an accident and possible injury,
it is critical that you have any repair or maintenance
which is not specifi cally described in this manual
performed by your dealer. Equally important is that your
individual maintenance requirements will be determined
by everything from your riding style to geographic
location. Consult your dealer for help in determining your
maintenance requirements.
!
WARNING: Many bicycle service and repair tasks
require special knowledge and tools. Do not begin any
adjustments or service on your bicycle until you have
learned from your dealer how to properly complete them.
Improper adjustment or service may result in damage to
the bicycle or in an accident which can cause serious
injury or death.
If you want to learn to do major service and repair
work on your bike, you have three options:
1. Ask your dealer for copies of the manufacturer’s
installation and service instructions for the components
on your bike, or contact the component manufacturer.
2. Ask your dealer to recommend a book on
bicycle repair.
3. Ask your dealer about the availability of bicycle
repair courses in your area.
Regardless of which option you select, we recommend
that you ask your dealer to check the quality of your
work the fi rst time you work on something and before you
ride the bike, just to make sure that you did everything
correctly. Since that will require the time of a mechanic,
there may be a modest charge for this service.
A. Service Intervals
Some service and maintenance can and should be
performed by the owner, and require no special tools or
knowledge beyond what is presented in this manual.
The following are examples of the type of service you
should perform yourself. All other service, maintenance
and repair should be performed in a properly equipped
facility by a qualifi ed bicycle mechanic using the correct
tools and procedures specifi ed by the manufacturer.
1. Break-in Period: Your bike will last longer and work
better if you break it in before riding it hard. Control
cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat” when
a new bike is fi rst used and may require readjustment
by your dealer. Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section
1.C) will help you identify some things that need
readjustment. But even if everything seems fi ne to
you, it’s best to take your bike back to the dealer for a
checkup. Dealers typically suggest you bring the bike
in for a 30 day checkup. Another way to judge when
it’s time for the fi rst checkup is to bring the bike in after
three to fi ve hours of hard off-road use, or about 10 to 15
hours of on-road or more casual off-road use. But if you
think something is wrong with the bike, take it to your
dealer before riding it again.
2. Before every ride: Mechanical Safety Check
(Section 1.C)
3. After every long or hard ride: if the bike has been
