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3.0 Adjusting your ICE B1
Fine-tuning for leg length, seat angle, handle bar width / angle, brake lever reach, tyre pressure etc are all well
worth taking time to set to your personal preference.
TIP - Experiment but always go for a reasonable (a mile or two) test ride
to decide if an adjustment is right for you.
3.1 Tyre pressure
Typical tyre pressure for the standard tyres is about 70psi (4.6 bar). Do not inflate the tyres more than the
maximum pressure recommended on the tyre sidewalls. You will need to experiment a bit to find the tyre
pressure that suits you best. Higher pressures will allow the bike roll more easily, but will transmit more road
shock to the rider. Lower pressures will feel much more comfortable, but there can be more rolling resistance
and the bike can feel less connected to the ground. Also try experimenting with tyres; there are now large
cruiser tyres available which can provide a comfortable ride and reasonably low rolling resistance, as well as
small high-pressure racing tyres that offer very-low rolling resistance and sports-car type handling
3.2a Mesh seat cover
When new both the seat cover and the straps stretch a little, and in the first few weeks of use you may need to
re-tension the seat by tightening up the straps. In time it will settle down. For maximum comfort you may need
to tighten the cover more in some places than in others. In general, the base of the seat should be tight, and the
back looser.
3.2b Fitting the hard-shell seat to you
The hard-shell seat is supplied with adhesive-backed foam. Try experimenting with cutting out pads and sticking
them on. You should be trying to pad any spaces where you do not touch the seat. Don't pad the pressure
points; pad around them. You can temporarily hold the pads in place with a bit of adhesive tape. Don't peel off
backing of the foam sheet until you are certain of their position. The adhesive is very strong.
3.3 Suspension adjustment
The suspension adjusted is accomplished by the selection
of elastomers and mounting positions. To adjust the
suspension, remove the elastomer by pulling and twisting
it off of the shock pin. Unscrew the pin and move it to the
new hole. Press the elastomer into place on the pin again.
The elastomers have different compression characteristics,
and you may find other combinations of elastomer
hardness and pin position which suit the roads you ride on
and your riding style better; it is just a matter of trying
different combinations. The elastomer system is simple
and small enough that you can carry a couple of
elastomers in your pocket and change them when you are
out on a ride.
If you carry a significant amount of luggage (perhaps you
are going on a long tour), re-tune the suspension with the
bike loaded; you will definitely notice the difference. It is
possible to fit 2 lighter elastomers side-by-side if you find
one elastomer doesn’t provide the ride characteristics you
want.
Elastomers will become stiffer in cold weather, and may
take a couple of miles before warming up from use. In
very cold weather, it would be possible to remove the
elastomer and keep it warm (in your pocket) while you are
away from the bike. Riding with a cold, stiff elastomer will
not harm the bike or the elastomer; you just won’t feel all
the benefits of riding with suspension.
