Make sure your bicycle fits you properly.
Your dealer has fitted you with the bicycle that will suit your needs best, one that can be
ridden safely.
There should be at least 1 inch (25 mm) clearance between the top tube and the rider when
standing over the bicycle (Fig. 3). For BMX or all terrain bicycles we recommend 2-3 inches (50-
75 mm) clearance.
You can also adjust the seat and handlebars to offer the best comfort and performance
possible. Read pages 12-15 of this manual before attempting to make these adjustments.
Make sure you are familiar with your bicycle.
Your new bicycle is a wonder of technology. Its mechanisms provide enhanced control, more
efficient pedaling, increased comfort, and great stopping power. However, these same features,
if misused, can cause you to lose control of the bike.
Familiarize yourself with the use of the mechanisms on this bike. Practice
riding the bike at slower speeds in a flat, empty parking lot before
attempting to ride fast, or riding in more difficult conditions.
When riding slowly, do not turn the handlebars while the arms of the
crankset (Fig. 2) are parallel to the ground. Modern high performance
bicycles use a short wheelbase design where the front wheel may be close
to the crankset. With this design it is sometimes possible at very slow
speeds for your foot, or toe clips, to contact the front wheel or fender
when the wheel is turned to the side and your foot is fully forward. At
normal riding speeds this does not happen. At slow speeds, keep your
crankarms vertical while turning. These and more riding tips are offered at
the end of this chapter.
In very rare cases some riders, particularly heavier riders on larger bikes,
may experience a "shimmy" or "harmonic oscillation" or "frame vibration"
at certain speeds. Experts disagree on what can cause the phenomenon
but some believe it can be caused by a loose headset, improper spoke tension, frame alignment.
Riding "no-hands" or front wheel impact are among other possible causes. If you believe you
are experiencing a shimmy, slow down immediately and take your bicycle directly to an
authorized dealer for inspection and repair.
3
page
Chapter 1 -- Guide to Safe Road Riding
Important- Read Before You Ride!
Before your first ride
Make sure your bicycle fits you properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Make sure you are familiar with your bicycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Before every ride: Checklist
Make sure your bicycle is in proper working condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Check that your wheels are straight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Check your tire inflation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Check your brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Check attachment of both wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
During every ride
Ride safely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Before, during, and after every ride
Take care of your bike. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Child safety and training wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Understand the use of your pedaling system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Note: To remove and install your wheels, read
Check Attachment of Both Wheels
on pages 4-5 and
Tire Installation
on page 27.
Chapter 2 -- Periodic Maintenance
Periodic maintenance schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Recommended tools for proper bicycle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Chapter 3 -- Inspection, Adjustment, and Lubrication
A word about torque specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Handlebars, bar-ends, and stem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13
Seat and seatpost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15
Headset and fork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Drivetrain--pedals, crank, chain, and cassette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17
Shimano Nexus 7 speed shift system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Derailleur system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-23
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25
Reflectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Care of your aluminum or carbon frame or fork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Tire installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Suspension forks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Rear suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-30
Trekking accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Lifetime Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Because a bicycle is smaller and less powerful than other vehicles,
safety cannot be
overemphasized.
Chapter 1 contains suggestions that will help you ride as safely as
possible. Read this entire chapter before you ride your new bicycle.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BEFORE YOUR FIRST RIDE
Fig. 3
25mm
WARNING
Never allow your foot or toe clip to contact the front wheel or fender
when turning. This may cause loss of control resulting in personal injury.
If you believe you are experiencing a shimmy, slow down immediately
and take your bicycle directly to an authorized dealer for inspection and
repair. Shimmy may lead to loss of control resulting in personal injury.
BEFORE EVERY RIDE- CHECKLIST
Make sure your bicycle is in proper working condition.
Spend a few moments before each ride to check your bike's systems
against the following checklist:
Check that your wheels are straight.
Spin each wheel to check that the rim doesn't wobble up and
down or from side to side, and that the wheels are centered in the bicycle
frame and fork. To do this, watch the rim as it passes through the brake
pads, or the frame. If one or both wheels fail this test, take your bike to
your dealer for service.
Check your tire inflation.
Inflate your tires to the air pressure recommended on the tire
sidewalls (Fig. 4). Within the recommended range, higher pressures usually give the best
performance on hard surfaces like pavement while lower pressures work best for off-road riding.
The weight of the rider (and any load) is also a consideration in selecting tire pressure. Within
the recommended inflation rates, lighter riders may find lower pressures more comfortable, while
higher pressures may better support larger loads or heavier riders and help prevent pinch flats.
Use a hand-operated pump with an appropriate gauge. Gas station hoses inflate bicycle tires
too rapidly and the pressure they indicate is often inaccurate.
Fig. 4
ENGLISH
