S -
84
| English
English |
S -
85
Things Worth Knowing about Bicycles
Cycling Helmets and Glasses
Cycling helmets are highly recommended. Your STEVENS dealer has a variety
of styles and sizes. Make sure that the helmet complies with the European stand-
ard EN 1078. Cycling helmets are only approved for use during cycling. Observe
the manufacturer’s instructions.
Apart from a cycling helmet and suitable clothing, cycling glasses are abso-
lutely essential when you set off on your bicycle. They do not only protect your eyes
from the sun and the wind, but also keep out flies and other impurities that may
impede your vision when they fly into your eyes. Risk of accident! Good cycling
glasses should fit tight on your face not allowing any wind to affect your eyes.
Cycling glasses come in a wide range of models, such as glasses with clear lenses
and without UV protection for cycling in the dawn and at night or glasses with
maximum UV protection for cycling under extreme sunlight conditions.
Danger:
Never ride without a helmet and glasses! But remember that even the
safest helmet is useless unless it fits properly and is correctly adjusted and
fastened.
Danger:
Never ride with wide-cut trousers or skirts that might get caught in the
spokes, chain or chainrings. To avoid any such mishap, use suitable clips
or straps, if necessary.
Danger:
For increased visibility to
other road users be sure
to wear bright-coloured
clothing!
Pedals and Shoes
Cycling shoes 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 pedalling. This will prevent your feet from
assuming a natural position when pedalling and may cause knee pain in the long run.
Special cycling shoes are obligatory if your road racing bicycle is equipped with
clipless pedals. With these shoes small cleats are fixed to the sole. They give you
a firm connection between shoe and pedal and allow depending on the model an
acceptable walking position.
The main advantage is that these clipless pedals prevent your feet from slip-
ping off when pedalling fast. Due to the fix connection the pedal can either be
pushed or pulled. This makes your pedalling more smooth and increases the
power transmission compared to normal pedals.
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.
Creaking or squeaking noises can often be removed by applying some grease
to the contact points. But they could also be signs of wear, just like a wobbling
feeling. Check the cleats at regular intervals.
Danger:
Make sure that pedals and shoe soles are always free of mud and other
impurities and grease the lock-in mechanism with lubricant at regular
intervals.
Caution:
Most cycling shoes with cleats are only suitable for walking to a limited
extent. As the cleats, in particular when mounted to road bike shoes, are
thicker than the sole, they provide less grip even on a non-slip ground.
Note:
Ask your STEVENS dealer to inform you about the various shoe models.
Cycling shoes come in various styles for specific uses.
Note:
Read the operating instructions of the pedal manufacturers. If you are in
doubt or if you have any questions, contact your STEVENS dealer.
Danger:
Make sure that the
fastening bolts of the
cleats are properly
tightened. If they are
loose, disengaging your
shoe from the pedal is
nearly impossible. Risk
of accident!
Danger:
Taking up the pedals,
engaging them and
releasing the foot should
first be practised in
stationary. Later you can
refine your technique in
a place free of traffic.
Danger:
Only use clipless pedals
allowing you to engage
and disengage smoothly.
A defective pedal or a
badly worn cleat can
make the shoe disen-
gage from the pedal. In
some cases, it may be
difficult or impossible
to disengage. In both
cases there is the risk of
an accident!
