If, in spite of carefully adjusting the saddle height, tilt and fore-and-aft position, your saddle is still uncomfortable, you may need a different saddle design.
Saddles, like people, come in many different shapes, sizes and resilience. Your dealer can help you select a saddle which, when correctly adjusted for your body
and riding style, will be comfortable.
!
WARNING
: Some people have claimed that extended riding with a saddle which is incorrectly adjusted or which does not support your pelvic
area correctly can cause short-term or long-term injury to nerves and blood vessels, or even impotence. If your saddle causes you pain, numbness
or other discomfort, listen to your body and stop riding until you see your dealer about saddle adjustment or a different saddle.
C. Handlebar height and angle
Your bike is equipped either with a “threadless” stem, which clamps on to the outside of the steerer tube, or with a “quill” stem, which clamps inside the steerer
tube by way of an expanding binder bolt. If you aren’t absolutely sure which type of stem your bike has, ask your dealer. If your bike has a “threadless” stem,
your dealer may be able to change handlebar height by moving height adjustment spacers from below the stem to above the stem, or vice versa. Otherwise,
you’ll have to get a stem of different length or rise. Consult your dealer. Do not attempt to do this yourself, as it requires special knowledge. If your bike has
a “quill” stem, you can ask your dealer to adjust the handlebar height a bit by adjusting stem height. A quill stem has an etched or stamped mark on its shaft
which designates the stem’s “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum extension”. This mark must not be visible above the headset.
!
WARNING
: On some bicycles, changing the stem or stem height can affect the tension of the front brake cable, locking the front brake or creat-
ing excess cable slack which can make the front brake inoperable. If the front brake pads move in towards the wheel rim or out away from the wheel
rim when the stem or stem height is changed, the brakes must be correctly adjusted before you ride the bicycle.
!
WARNING
: The stem’s Minimum Insertion Mark must not be visible above the top of the headset. If the stem is extended beyond the Minimum
Insertion Mark the stem may break or damage the fork’s steerer tube, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Your dealer can also change the
angle of the handlebar or bar end extensions.
!
WARNING
: An insufficiently tightened stem binder bolt, handlebar binder bolt or bar end extension clamping bolt may compromise steering
action, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Place the front wheel of the bicycle between your legs and attempt to twist the handlebar/
stem assembly. If you can twist the stem in relation to the front wheel, turn the handlebars in relation to the stem, or turn the bar end extensions in
relation to the handlebar, the bolts are insufficiently tightened.
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