Merida BIG.NINE E-LITE 600, Руководство пользователя

Страница: 99 / 129

99
e
f
g
h
The pedals and the shoes
Cycling shoes
(e)
should be made of solid material
to provide firm support for your feet. In addition, they
should have a stiff sole so that the pedal cannot press
through. The sole should not be too wide in the area of
the heels, as the rear stays or the crank will otherwise
get in the way of your pedaling. This will prevent your
feet from assuming a natural position when pedaling
and may cause knee pain in the long run.
Special cycling shoes are obligatory if your MERIDA
bike is equipped with clipless pedals. With these shoes
cleats are fixed to the sole. They give you a firm connec-
tion between shoe and pedal and allow depending on
the model an acceptable walking position.
The main advantage is that these clipless pedals (f+g)
prevent your feet from slipping off when pedaling fast.
They enable you not only to push but also to pull the
pedals. This makes it easier to pedal fluidly and con-
siderably improves the transmission of the force as op-
posed to pedals with an open pedal cage.
The usual way to engage with the pedal is to turn it from
the lowest position of the crank to the horizontal using
the tip of the cleat and push down on the back of it.
Normally, the shoe engages with the pedal with a click
which you will hear and feel clearly.
The release force of clipless pedals is adjusted by means
of an Allen key
(h)
. If there are any creaking or squeak-
ing noises occurring, some grease applied to the con-
tact points will solve the problem in most cases. These
noises as well as lateral play of the shoe on the pedal
can, however, be also signs of wear.
Check the cleats at
regular intervals.
G
Make sure the fastening bolts of the cleats
are properly tightened, as you will find it al-
most impossible to disengage your shoe from
the pedal, if the cleat is loose. Risk of an accident!
G
Taking up the pedals, engaging and disen-
gaging the shoes should first be practiced
when stationary. Later on you can refine your
technique in a place clear of traffic.
G
Only use clipless pedals allowing you to en-
gage and disengage smoothly. A defective
pedal or a badly worn cleat can make the
shoe disengage from the pedal. Or unclipping the shoe
from the pedal is sometimes very difficult or even im-
possible. In both cases, there is the danger of an acci-
dent!
G
Make sure that the pedals and shoe soles are
always clear of mud and other foreign bodies
and grease the lock-in mechanism with lubri-
cant at regular intervals.
G
Most cycling shoes with cleats are only suit-
able for walking to a limited extent. As the
cleats are sometimes thicker than the sole,
they provide less grip even on a non-slip ground. Be
particularly careful.