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III. SAFETY & OPERATION
III. SAFETY & OPERATION
3.
Accessories:
For longer or more remote rides, we recommend that you
stay hydrated, pack some sort of identification, and carry enough cash for
emergency bike repair or public transportation.
BASIC SAFETY CHECK
You need to make a habit of checking that your bike works properly before you
ride away. An errant or failing component or part is serious and requires your
immediate attention. Let’s do a quick inspection of the bike.
Brakes:
Check the brakes before you ride (See
Brakes
on p.15). Are all of the
control cables routed properly and securely engaged? Squeeze the brake
levers. Is there complete braking power before the levers touch the handlebar?
If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bicycle until a licensed
bicycle mechanic properly adjusts the brakes.
Fasteners:
Inspect all screws, nuts, and bolts for looseness. Shake, rattle
and bounce your bike. Do you feel or hear anything strange? Visually scan
your bike. Is anything hanging off? Fix all problems before you ride. A loose
component is a potential hazard that may endanger your life.
Be careful with tightening force. If you don’t use enough force, the fastener
may slip or not function properly; if you use too much force, you risk breaking
the fastener, component, or frame. Not sure? Take your bike to a licensed
mechanic.
WARNING:
Using the proper tightening force, or
torque
, is critical.
All fasteners have torque specifications set by the manufacturer.
A calibrated torque wrench is the only method that will ensure
components are properly fastened. Have your licensed bicycle mechanic
tighten fasteners, or refer to the torque specifications (p.75).
Tires & Wheels:
Are your tires properly inflated? Can you see any cracks,
serrations, or excessive wear? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the
tread and sidewalls. Never ride on damaged tires (See
Tires & Tubes
on p.42).
Are the wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for uneven warps or bumps.
If a wheel wobbles side-to-side even slightly, or rubs against the frame or
fender, take the bicycle to a qualified bicycle shop to have the wheel
professionally trued.
Are the front and rear wheels correctly secured? (See
Wheels
on p.36).
Handlebar & Saddle Alignment:
Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem are
straight and clamped tight enough so that they can’t twist out of alignment
(See
Saddle Adjustments
on p.29 &
Handlebar Adjustments
on p.31).
ELECTRICAL OPERATION
E-Bike Etiquette:
We designed your Faraday to look and feel just like a regular
city bike—it’s simply the best city bike you’ll ever own. With pedal assist, the
motor only provides power while you’re pedaling; there is no throttle or gas
pedal. Therefore, all bicycle traffic laws apply to your Faraday.
CAUTION:
Walking your bike with pedal assist engaged is dangerous.
If your pedals are accidently struck, the bike may accelerate and cause
serious injury to you and others. Make sure the selector is set to OFF
mode before dismounting your Faraday.