frogbikes.com
Frog Bikes
Owner’s Manual
3
rd
Edition
2014
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 repairs should be performed in a properly equipped facility
by a qualified bicycle mechanic using the correct tools and procedures.
1. Run-in period: Your bike will last longer and work better if you run it in before
riding it hard. Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat” when a
new bike is first used and may require readjustment by your stockist.
Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C) will help you identify some things that
need readjustment. But even if everything seems fine to you, it’s best to take your bike
back to the stockist for a checkup. Stockists typically suggest you bring the bike in
for a 30-day checkup. Another way to judge when it’s time for the first checkup is to
bring the bike in after three to five 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 stockist 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 exposed to water or grit; or
at least every 100 miles: Clean the bike and lightly lubricate the chain’s rollers
with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a
lint-free cloth. Lubrication is a function of climate. Talk to your stockist about the
best lubricants and the recommended lubrication frequency for your area. Avoid
contaminating the rims with lubricant!
4. After every long or hard ride or after every 10 to 20 hours of riding:
• Squeeze the front brake and rock the bike forward and back. Does everything
feel solid? If you feel a clunk with each forward or backward movement of
the bike, you probably have a loose headset. Ask your stockist to check it.
• Lift the front wheel off the ground and swing it from side to side. Does it feel
smooth? If you feel any binding or roughness in the steering, you may have
a tight headset. Ask your stockist to check it.
• Grab one pedal and rock it toward and away from the centre-line of the
bike; then do the same with the other pedal. If anything feels loose ask your
stockist to check it.
• Inspect the brake pads. If they are starting to look worn or not hitting the
wheel rim squarely they might need to be adjusted or replaced.
• Check the control cables and cable housings for signs of rust, kinks or
fraying? Replace if worn.
• Squeeze each adjoining pair of spokes on either side of each wheel between
your thumb and index finger. Do they all feel about the same tension? If any
feel loose, ask your stockist to check for tension and trueness.
• Check the tyres for excess wear, cuts or bruises. Replace them if necessary.
• Check wheel rims for excess wear, dents and scratches. Consult your
stockist if you see any damage.
• Check to make sure all accessories are still secure, and tighten any which
are not.
• Check the frame, particularly in the area around all tube joints; the handlebars;
the stem; and the seatpost for any deep scratches, cracks or discolouration.
These are signs of stress-caused fatigue and indicate that a part is at the end of
its useful life and needs to be replaced. See also Appendix B.
WARNING
: Like any mechanical device, a bicycle and its components are
subject to wear and stress. Different materials and mechanisms wear or fatigue
from stress at different rates and have different life cycles. If a component’s life
cycle is exceeded, the component can suddenly and catastrophically fail, causing
serious injury or death to the rider. Scratches, cracks, fraying and discolouration
are signs of stress-caused fatigue and indicate that a part is at the end of its useful
life and needs to be replaced. While the materials and workmanship of your bike
or of individual components may be covered by a warranty for a specified period
of time, this is no guarantee the product will last the term of the warranty.
Product life is often related to the kind of riding you do and to the treatment to
which you submit the bike. A warranty does not mean the bike cannot be broken
or will last forever. It only means that the bike is covered subject to the terms of
the warranty.
Please be sure to read Appendix A, Intended Use of Your Bicycle and Appendix B,
The Lifespan of Your Bike and its Components,
starting on page 35.
5. As required: If either brake lever fails the Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C),
don’t ride the bike. Ask your stockist to check the brakes. If the chain won’t shift
smoothly and quietly from gear to gear, the derailleur is out of adjustment. See
your stockist.
6. Every 25 hours of hard off-road riding or 50 hours on-road riding: Take your bike to
your stockist for a complete checkup.
B. If your bike sustains an impact:
First, check yourself for injuries, and take care of them as best you can. Seek medical
help if necessary. Next, check your bike for damage. After any crash, take your bike to
your stockist for a thorough check. Carbon composite components, including frames,
wheels, handlebars, stems, crank sets, brakes, etc. which have sustained an impact
must not be used until they have been disassembled and thoroughly inspected by a
qualified mechanic.
See also Appendix B, Lifespan of Your Bike and its Components.
WARNING
: A crash or other impact can put extraordinary stress on bicycle
components, causing them to fatigue prematurely.
Components suffering from stress fatigue can fail suddenly and catastrophically,
causing loss of control, serious injury or death.
5/ SERVICE
