Cannondale Bicycles User Manual
CANNONDALE
OWNER’S MANUAL
FOR
This manual contains important safety, performance and maintenance
information. Read the manual before taking your first ride on your new
bicycle, and keep the manual handy for future reference.
In order to validate your warranty
and BE ENTERED TO WIN A FREE
SUPER V RAVEN 2000, please fill out
the Registration Card inside or visit
our website at
MULTI-SPEED BICYCLES
www.cannondale.com
.
CONTENTS
Warranty Registration Card . . . . . . . . . .Front of Manual
CANNONDALE Super V Raven 2000 Sweepstakes
Official Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2–3
1 About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4–5
2 What It’s Called . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6–7
3 What Kind of a Bike Is It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8–10
4 Fit and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
A. Fit 11–17
B. Safety Equipment 18–21
C. Mechanical Safety Check 21–24
5 Riding Safely and Responsibly . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
A. The Basics 25–26
B. Rules of the Road 26–29
C. Rules of the Trail 29–30
D. Downhill Mountain Biking 30–31
E. Wet Weather Riding 32
F. Night Riding 32–34
6 How Things Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
A. Wheel Quick Release 35–45
B. Seatpost Quick Release 46–47
C. Brakes 48–51
D. Shifting 52–58
E. Toeclips & Straps 58–59
F. Clipless (“step-in”) Pedals 59–60
G. Tires & Tubes 60–64
H. Bicycle Suspension 64–66
7 Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
A. Service & Maintenance Schedule 68–72
8 Getting Home When Something Breaks . . . . .73–77
9 Upgrading Your Bike and Your Equipment . . .78–82
10 About Your Dealer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Cannondale-Specific Information . . . . . . . .84–96
A Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . .
84–88
B Mountain Bike Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89–91
C Other Important Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92-93
Proper Use of Bicycle Repair Stands 93
D Pre-Ride Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94-95
E Toe Clip Overlap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
F Reading Your Serial Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
G Cannondale Warranties & Distributors . . . . .
Authorized European Distributors 101
Authorized International Distributors 102-103
98–103
Purchase Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover
Customer Service Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Please do not send products
or other correspondence to
this address.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD
Complete your
and be
Product Registration Department
P.O. Box 2127
Denver, CO 80201-2127 USA
FIRST CLASS
REQUIRED
POSTAGE
AUTOMATICALLY
ENTERED TO WIN A
CANNONDALE SUPER V RAVEN!
Fold here and tape closed before mailing.
card just might help you recover your bike if it's ever stolen.
So grab a pen, or visit us on-line at cannondale.comand get registered!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. See Official Rules on attached page in manual.
NOTE: By mailing this card, you’ll help us in working with your local
police department to match bicycle serial numbers with their
owners. Thanks!
Sure, returning warranty registration
cards is a hassle, but if you need
some extra motivation consider
this: If you send in your card you
just might score a sweet new
Super V Raven full-suspension
bike! If you prefer e-mail to
snail-mail, you can even
register your bike on-line
and automatically be
entered into the same
Super V Raven drawing.
And remember, completing
your warranty registration
CANNONDALE WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD
1. Mr. ❏ 2. Mrs. ❏ 3. Ms. ❏ 4. Miss ❏
1
First Name Last Name
Address: (Number and Street)
2
Marital Status: 1. ❏ Married 2. ❏ Single
E-mail:
3
Phone Number:
4
Date of Purchase:
5
Bicycle Model:
7
Model Color:
8
Store Name:
10
Serial Number:
11
City State
Located on underside of bottom bracket (Please see Page 97.)
BI0302
NOTE: Late model bikes will have the serial number printed adjacent to
a bar code label on the bottom bracket shell. Please write the eight-digit
SER #
What are the top three (3) features influencing your purchase?
12
1. ❏ Received as a Gift
2. ❏ Value for Price
3. ❏ Color/Appearance
4. ❏ Prior Experience
5. ❏ Quality/Durability
How many times do you ride per month?
13
1. ❏ 1-5 2. ❏ 6-10 3. ❏ 11-15 4. ❏ 15+
10.❏ Advertisement
Initial
Month Day Year
example
: Super V 1000
9
6. ❏ Component Selection
7. ❏ Comfort/Fit
8. ❏ Weight of Bicycle
9. ❏ Cannondale Reputation
6
$
Frame Size:
bottom bracket
number below left:
11. ❏ Frame Design/Materials
12. ❏ Recommendation of Friend/Family
13. ❏ Recommendation of Salesperson
14. ❏ Other
Thank you for buying a Cannondale bicycle. Please complete and mail this card immediately or if you would like to register your bike via the internet you
can do so at www.cannondale.com and join our Cannondale CHAIN Gang for important product information. Prompt registration will insure that your serial
number is recorded in the event of theft and that you will receive safety notifications.
What type of cycling do you do most often? (check one)
14
1. ❏ Mtn. Biking 3. ❏ Touring 5. ❏ Commuting 7. ❏ Triathlons
2. ❏ Road Riding 4. ❏ Racing 6. ❏ Recreational 8. ❏ Other
What other types of bikes do you currently own?
Apt. #
Zip
Purchase Price:
.00
in. or cm.
GJ B1-030 180
➚
15
1. ❏ Full-suspension mountain 4. ❏ Hybrid/City bike 7. ❏ Tandem
2. ❏ Front suspension mountain 5. ❏ Road racing 8. ❏ I do not own any other bikes.
3. ❏ Rigid mountain 6. ❏ Touring
Do you plan to race your new bicycle?
16
Education (Please check which category applies):
18
1. ❏ High School 3. ❏ Completed College
2. ❏ Some College 4. ❏ Graduate School
What protective gear did you purchase with your bike, or already own and use?
19
(See owners manual and consult your retailer)
1. ❑ Helmet ❑ Already own ❑ Bought with bicycle
2. ❑ Gloves ❑ Already own ❑ Bought with bicycle
3. ❑ Protective glasses ❑ Already own ❑ Bought with bicycle
Do you plan to ride at dusk, dawn, or at night? If so, have you purchased or do
20
you already own and plan to use a lighting system as is required for night riding
in all 50 states? (See owners manual and consult your retailer)
1. ❑ Yes ❑ Already own ❑ Bought with bicycle
2. ❑ No ❑ Do not plan to ride at dusk, dawn, or night
Which best describes your family income?
21
6FL5WM149158
1. ❏ Under $15,000 4. ❏ $35,000-$49,999 7. ❏ $100,000-$149,999
2. ❏ $15,000-$24,999 5. ❏ $50,000-$74,999 8. ❏ Over $150,000
3. ❏ $25,000-$34,999 6. ❏ $75,000-$99,999
Including children, what are the ages of the other people that live in your house?
22
Males (in years)
In the last six (6) months have you or others in your household:
23
1. ❏ Purchased clothes through the mail? 5. ❏ Purchased a PC or PC software?
2. ❏ Purchased gifts through the mail? 6. ❏ Purchased two or more books?
3. ❏ Worked in your garden? 7. ❏ Purchased cassettes/CDs?
4. ❏ Traveled on vacation? 8. ❏ Donated to charities?
Thank you for filling out this questionnaire. We value your answers and input. Please check here ❏ if you would
prefer not to participate in further market research for Cannondale or obtain information on new and interesting
opportunities from other exciting companies.
❏ Yes ❏ No
Females (in years)
Date of Your birth:
17
Month Day Year
94D
CANNONDALE
Super V Raven Sweepstakes
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete and mail in the attached warranty registration card, or register your new Cannondale
bike on-line at
address, phone number, and the words “Cannondale Super V Raven Sweepstakes” on a 3” x 5” card and mailing it to: Cannondale Corporation,
16 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT 06801, Attn: Raven Sweepstakes. Limit one entry per person. No mechanically reproduced entries will be accepted.
All entries must be received by July 1, 2000 when the Sweepstakes ends.
PRIZE AND ODDS. One (1) prize will be awarded: a 2000 Cannondale Super V Raven bicycle (approx. retail value $3,000.00). Odds of
winning depend on number of entries. No substitution of prize. All taxes on prize are responsibility of winner. If winner is a minor, prize will be
awarded to parent or legal guardian.
ELIGIBILITY. Sweepstakes begins May 1, 1999 and is open to legal residents of the fifty United States and D.C., 18 years of age or older,
except employees of Cannondale Corporation, Cannondale Corporation Bethel, Connecticut, its agents, advertising agencies, promotional suppliers
and members of the households or immediate families of any of the foregoing. This Sweepstakes is void everywhere outside the United States and
wherever prohibited by law. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
SELECTION OF WINNER. Winner will be selected at random on or about July 31, 2000 from among all eligible entries received. Winner will
be notified by mail.
GENERAL. All Sweepstakes materials are subject to validation. Judges decisions are final. By entering, you agree to be bound by these Official
Rules and all decisions of the judges. The potential winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, a prize release and a
publicity release. Failure to do so when requested may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Sweepstakes materials are
not valid if illegible, incomplete, forged, duplicated, mutilated or otherwise reproduced or tampered with in any way. All entries become property of
sponsor, and none will be returned. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, stolen, misdirected or postage due mail or unavailability or
malfunctioning of on-line connections or communications.
WINNER’S LIST. For name of winner, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by August 31, 2000 to Cannondale Corporation,
16 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT 06801, Attn: Raven Sweepstakes.
cannondale.com.
You’ll be automatically entered when we receive your registration. You may also enter by hand-printing your name,
1
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING A CANNONDALE.
No assembly instructions are in this manual. Your new bicycle should be delivered to you only
in a completely assembled and properly adjusted condition, complete with all CPSC required
safety equipment.
YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL
To help you get the most out of your Cannondale, we’ve included this owner’s manual with your
purchase. The manual is organized into two sections. The first section is a generic guide to the proper
function and use of bicycles. The second section covers information specific to Cannondale bicycles.
Both are important.
OWNER’S MANUAL SUPPLEMENTS
Many Cannondale bicycles (especially models equipped with front and/or rear suspension) require
specific instructions in addition to this Owner’s Manual. If your new bicycle is equipped with suspension, your dealer must supply you with an Owner’s Manual supplement in addition to this Owner’s
Manual. This supplement has instructions covering proper use, maintenance, and adjustment of your
bike’s suspension components, and may include important warnings and warranty information.
If your new Cannondale bicycle is equipped with front and/or rear suspension, and you did not receive
an Owner’s Manual supplement or additional instructions with the Owner’s Manual, please call your
Cannondale dealer immediately, or call us at one of the numbers listed on the back cover of this
manual. Do not ride your new bicycle until you receive and read these additional instructions.
2
YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED CANNONDALE RETAILER
Along with this manual, your key source of information and assistance is the shop where you
purchased your bicycle. Your local Authorized Cannondale Retailer is your primary contact for
service and adjustment of your bicycle, instruction in its use, and any warranty questions. To find
the Cannondale retailer closest to you, call 1-800-BIKE-USA.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Technological breakthroughs have made bicycles and bicycle components more complex than ever
before, and the pace of innovation is increasing. This on-going revolution makes it impossible for
this manual to provide all the information required to properly repair and/or maintain your bicycle.
In order to help minimize the chances of an accident and possible injury, it is critical that you have
all repair and maintenance work performed by an Authorized Cannondale Retailer.
Equally important, establish and adhere to a periodic maintenance schedule. Your individual
maintenance requirements will be determined by everything from how often and how far you ride
to your riding style to geographic location. Consult your Authorized Cannondale Retailer for help in
determining your maintenance requirements.
3
4
!
1
ABOUT THIS
MANUAL
WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL
This manual was written to help you get the most performance, comfort,
enjoyment and safety when riding your new bike.
It’s important for you to understand your new bike, its features and its
operation, so that, from your first ride, you get maximum enjoyment with
maximum safety. By reading this manual
ride, you’ll know how to get the most from your new bicycle.
It is also important that your first ride on a new bicycle is taken in a
controlled environment, away from cars, obstacles and other cyclists.
GENERAL WARNING:
Bicycling can be a hazardous activity even under the best of
circumstances. Proper maintenance of your bicycle is your
responsibility as it helps reduce the risk of injury. This Manual
contains many "Warnings" and "Cautions" concerning the consequences of failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle. Many of the
Warnings and Cautions say "you may lose control and fall". Because
any fall can result in serious injury or even death, we do not repeat
the warning of possible injury or death whenever the risk of falling
is mentioned.
before
you go out on your first
When all else fails . . . it’s too late to read the manual
Even if you’ve been riding a bike all your life, you probably need an updating
of your bicycling habits, knowledge and assumptions. Why? Because bicycles
are going through some pretty dramatic changes in the technology which
affects function, handling, comfort, performance and safety.
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS:
It is a tragic fact that most bicycle accidents involve children. As a parent or
guardian, you bear the responsibility for the activities and safety of your
minor child. Among these responsibilities are to make sure that the bicycle
which your child is riding is properly fitted to the child; that it is in good
repair and safe operating condition; that you and your child have learned
and understand the safe operation of the bicycle; and that you and your
child have learned, understand and obey not only the applicable local motor
vehicle, bicycle and traffic laws, but also the common sense rules of safe
and responsible bicycling. As a parent, you should read this manual before
letting your child ride the bicycle. We have tried to make this manual
interesting and instructive for both you and your child.
Make sure that your child always wears an approved bicycle helmet when
riding (see Section 4 B).
5
6
2
WHAT IT’S
CALLED
40
43
28
29
6
30
25
39
43
37
41
1 frame
2 top tube
3 down tube
4 seat tube
5 chain stay
6 seat stay
7 head tube
8 fork
9 wheel
10 tire
11 tread
12 sidewall
13 valve stem
14 tube
15 rim
16 spokes
17 hub
18 quick release
19 bottom bracket
20 crank
21 chainrings
31
14
32
33
38
41
7
8
18
16
13
42
40
39
17
43
9
10
11
12
15
43
36
26
19
21
20
1
2
27
34
24
23
35
5
22
fig. 1a Dropped Bar Bike
28
29
30
25
43
39
6
40
43
41
5
37
36
35
4
26
19
22
fig. 1b Flat Bar Bike
20
21
22 chain
23 pedal
24 toeclip/strap
25 rear derailleur
26 front derailleur
41
38
39
40
43
42
34
9
10
11
12
32 33
1
3
31
2
27
7
8
27 shifter
28 shifter cable
29 adjusting barrel
30 freewheel/rear
cluster/cassette
31 headset
32 stem
33 handlebar
34 bar end extension
35 seatpost
23
16
18
17
43
13
14
15
36 saddle
37 seat binder
38 brake lever
39 brake
40 brake shoe
41 brake cable
42 adjusting barrel
7
43 reflectors
3
WHAT KIND
OF A BIKE
Adult bicycles can be broadly categorized into four types, according to
the intended use for which the bike was designed: Road Bikes, Mountain
Bikes, Cross Bikes and City or Cruiser Bikes. While there is a lot of use
overlap in bike design, each type of bike is designed to provide optimum
performance, comfort and safety under specific use conditions. Which
your
type is
new bike?
IS IT
8
?
fig. 2 Road Bike
The Road Bike, sometimes called a
from the bikes used by bicycle road racers and triathletes, is for fast
travel, hard training and competition on paved surfaces. It is the lightest,
most aerodynamic and “fastest” type of bike. Because it is generally
ridden on relatively smooth paved roads, its frame is made as stiff and
light as possible, and its frame geometry is designed to give it quick,
very precise response to rider input. Its components, especially wheels,
tend to be lighter than those for other categories, again because they are
not designed to get banged around as much. Its dropped handlebars,
sometimes equipped with aero bar extensions, are designed to give the
rider good leverage for climbing and sprinting, and to position the rider
in an aerodynamic "tuck" for speed. Its high-pressure, narrow tires
reduce rolling resistance to a minimum.
But: The ride tends to be too stiff for comfort on rougher surfaces. The
frame and components are too light to take the pounding of off-road
excursions. The handlebars position the rider in a way that many find
racing bike
because it is derived
fig. 3 Mountain Bike
uncomfortable for more casual riding. The narrow tires are not recommended
for use on loose surfaces.
The Mountain Bike is designed to give the rider maximum control and
durability on a wide variety of harsh terrain. Everything about the Mountain
Bike is more rugged. Its frame geometry provides maximum ground
clearance and allows you to quickly and easily shift your weight to change
the balance of the bike as terrain conditions demand. Its wide, high-volume
tires absorb shock and provide a bigger, more stable footprint on loose or
slippery surfaces. Its wide-range gearing, usually with 18 or more speeds,
provides the right choice for almost any condition. Many Mountain Bikes
come equipped with suspension systems which help absorb the shocks and
vibrations of rough trails.
But: A Mountain Bike is heavier than a road bike. Its wide tires have
greater rolling resistance than road bike tires. While more comfortable for
many people, the rider's more upright riding position is aerodynamically
inefficient. A Mountain Bike is not the best choice for long, fast rides on
paved surfaces.
NOTE: While the rugged appearance of Mountain bikes might suggest that
they're indestructible, they are not. They are tough and sturdy; but as with
any machine, abuse will soon take a toll on their ability to perform.
9
10
fig. 4A City Bike
fig. 4 Cross Bike
The Cross Bike, also often called a Hybrid, Cross Terrain Bike or Fitness
Bike, is like a Swiss Army Knife: it's a versatile tool that does many
things well. The Cross Bike is a good choice for the rider who isn't looking for the ultimate in performance either on or off the road, but who
wants a bike that will handle paved roads, bike paths, graded fire trails
and dirt roads. It's not as fast on pavement as a Road Bike; nor is it
designed for hard off-road use on “single track” or rocky, rutted, rugged
terrain like a Mountain Bike.
By changing tires, handlebars and shifting and braking controls, your
dealer can alter a Cross Bike's performance range to favor either paved
road performance or dirt road performance, to suit your intended use.
The City Bike, also called a Cruiser, is designed for comfortable, lowmaintenance, casual riding. It is often equipped with three, five, seven
or more gears which are housed in the rear wheel hub. Its frame is
designed for comfort rather than for high performance, and its fat tires
are designed for solid, rather than loose, surfaces. The Cruiser is ideal
for around town, for gently rolling or flat rural roads, for a ride around
the park, or for a quick trip to the store.
A. FIT
!
4
FIT AND
SAFETY
fig. 5 Standover Height
Make sure the bike fits. A bike that’s too big or too small for the rider is
harder to control and can be uncomfortable.
WARNING: If your bicycle does not fit properly, you may lose control
and fall. If your new bike doesn’t fit, ask your dealer to exchange it
before your ride it.
Frame size: Your dealer will have recommended the best frame size for
you, based on the information provided. If you picked your own bike at
the dealership, your dealer took the time to fit you to the correct frame
size at the time. If someone else selected the bike for you, as a gift, for
example, it’s important for you to make sure that it fits before you ride it.
The first check for correct size is standover height. Standover height is
the basic element of bike fit. It is the distance from the ground to the
top of the top tube at that point where your crotch would be if you were
straddling the bike by standing half way between the saddle and the
handlebar stem. To check for safe standover height, straddle the bike
while wearing the kind of shoes in which you'll be riding, and bounce
vigorously
too big for you. Don't even ride the bike around the block. A bike which
on your heels. If your crotch touches the frame, the bike is
11
12
fig. 6A
fig. 6B
fig. 6C
you ride only on paved surfaces and
never, ever
take off-road should
give you a minimum standover height clearance of one to two inches. A
bike that you'll ride on unpaved surfaces should give you a minimum of
three inches of standover height clearance. And a bike that you'll use for
real mountain biking on difficult, rough terrain should give you four or
more inches of clearance.
Saddle position: Correct saddle adjustment is an important factor in getting the most performance and comfort from your bicycle. Your dealer
will have positioned the saddle where experience tells him
most
people
find it comfortable. If you find the saddle position is not comfortable,
there are adjustments you can make.
Look at Figures 6A, B and C, and determine which one illustrates the
type of saddle attachment on your bicycle.
A saddle can be adjusted in three directions:
1. Up and down adjustment. Your leg length determines the correct saddle height. The saddle is at the correct height for you when, while seated
on the saddle and with the crank arms parallel to the seat tube, you can
just
reach the “down” pedal with one heel. To check for correct saddle
height:
fig. 7A
Standard Binder
open
close
fig. 7B
QR Binder
open
close
!
fig. 8
◆ sit on the saddle;
◆ place one heel on a pedal;
◆ rotate the crank until the pedal with your heel on it is in the
down position and the crank arm is parallel to the seat tube.
If your leg is not completely straight and just touching the center of the
pedal, your saddle height needs to be adjusted. If your hips must rock
for the heel to reach the pedal, the saddle is too high. If your leg is bent
min insert
mark
t
r
e
s
n
i
n
m
i
at the knee with your heel on the pedal, the saddle is too low.
To adjust the saddle height, loosen the seat binder bolt (fig. 7A &B; see
also Section 6. B on Seat Post Quick Releases) and move the seat post
up or down as required. Then, make sure that the saddle is parallel to
the top tube of the bike, and retighten the seat binder bolt tight enough
so that you cannot twist the saddle out of alignment. Check the adjustment as described above. Under no circumstances should the seat post
project from the frame beyond its "Minimum Insertion" or "Maximum
Extension" mark (fig. 8).
WARNING:
If your seat post projects from the frame beyond the Minimum
Insertion or Maximum Extension mark (see fig. 8) the seat post
may break, which could cause you to lose control and fall.
13
14
!
2. Front and back adjustment. Loosen the saddle clamping mechanism
(see fig. 6A, B or C) and slide the saddle back or forward on its rails.
Start with the saddle clamped in about the middle, then adjust forward
or back until you find the position which is most comfortable for you.
Then, retighten the saddle clamping mechanism as tight as you can.
3. Saddle tilt adjustment. Most people prefer a horizontal saddle; but
some riders prefer to have the saddle nose tilted up just a little, and
others prefer it to be tilted down just a little. You can adjust saddle tilt
by loosening the saddle clamping mechanism, tilting the saddle to the
desired position, and retightening the saddle clamping mechanism tight
enough so that you cannot move or jiggle the saddle.
Very small changes in saddle position can have a substantial effect on
performance and comfort. Consequently, whenever you make a change
to your saddle position, make only one directional change at a time, and
make the changes in small increments until you have found the position
at which you are most comfortable.
WARNING: After any saddle adjustment, be sur e to tighten the
saddle adjusting mechanism properly before riding. A loose
saddle clamp or seat post binder can cause damage to the seat
post, or can cause you to lose control and fall. A corr ectly tightened saddle adjusting mechanism will allow
in any direction
adjusting mechanism is properly tightened.
. Periodically check to make sure that the saddle
no saddle movement
!
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
will
correctly adjusted for your body and riding style,
CAUTION: It has been alleged that extended riding with a saddle
which is incorrectly adjusted or which does not support your
pelvic area corr ectly can cause short-term or long-term injur y to
nerves and blood vessels. If your saddle causes you pain or numbness, adjust the saddle position and your riding position. If pain or
numbness persist, talk to your dealer about fitting a differ ent
saddle to your bicycle.
Handlebar height and angle: If your bike is equipped with a stem which
clamps directly on to the outside of the steerer tube, your dealer may be
able to change bar 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.
But on many bikes, you can raise or lower your handlebars a bit by
adjusting stem height yourself. Loosen the stem binder bolt by turning
it counterclockwise three or four full turns. If the bolt rises but the stem
be comfortable.
15
16
!
!
min
insert
mark
fig. 9
stem
binder
handlebar
binder
doesn't, get a piece of wood or a soft mallet and give the bolt a good whack to
release the wedge. Adjust the stem position as desired, align stem with tire,
and retighten the binder bolt tight enough so that you cannot twist the stem
and handlebars out of alignment. Under no circumstances should the stem be
retightened with its "Minimum Insertion" or "Maximum extension" mark visible.
Now check to make sure that the handlebars rotate freely in both directions
without the brake cables catching or binding on anything.
CAUTION: On some bicycles, changing the stem or stem height can
affect the tension of the fr ont brake cable, locking the fr ont brake or
creating suf ficient cable slack to make the fr ont brake inoperable. If
the front brake shoes move in towar ds the wheel rim or out away fr om
the wheel rim when you change the stem or stem height, take your
bicycle to your dealer for correct brake adjustment befor e riding it.
WARNING: The stem's Minimum Insertion Mark must not be visible
above the top of the headset (see fig. 9). If the stem is extended
beyond the Minimum Insertion Mark the stem may br eak or damage
the fork's steerer tube, which could cause you to lose control and fall.
You can change the angle of the handlebar or bar end extensions by loosening
their binder bolt, rotating the bar or extension to the desired angle, recentering it and retightening the binder bolt tight enough so that the bars or extensions can't move in relation to each other and the stem.
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WARNING: Failur e to pr operly tighten the stem binder bolt, the handlebar binder bolt or the bar end extension clamping bolts 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, tur n the handlebars in r elation
to the stem, or turn the bar end extensions in relation to the handlebar, tighten the bolts.
Control position adjustments: The brake and shifting controls on your bike
are positioned where they work best for most people. The angle of the controls and their position on the handlebars can be changed. Ask your dealer
to show you how, or to make the adjustments for you.
Brake reach: Many bikes have brake levers which can be adjusted for reach.
If you have small hands and find it difficult to squeeze the brake levers,
your dealer can either adjust the reach or fit shorter reach brake levers.
WARNING: The shorter the brake lever reach, the more critical it is
to have correctly adjusted brakes, so that full braking power can be
applied within available brake lever travel. Brake lever travel insufficient to apply full braking power can result in loss of control, which
may result in serious injury or death.
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fig. 10 Wearing a Helmet
B. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
WARNING: Many states require specific safety devices. It is your
responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the state
where you ride and to comply with all applicable laws, including
properly equipping yourself and your bike as the law requires.
Helmet: While not all States require bicyclists to wear approved
protective headgear, common sense dictates that you should wear an
ANSI, Snell or other approved helmet whether the law requires it or not.
Most serious bicycle injuries involve head injuries which might have
been avoided if the rider had worn a helmet. Your dealer has a variety of
attractive helmets, and can recommend one to suit your needs. But the
"right" helmet is not just a fashion statement. It must fit correctly, be
worn correctly and be properly secured to do its real job. Ask your dealer
to help you with the fit and adjustment of your helmet, and refer to the
owner’s manual provided with the helmet.
WARNING: Always wear an approved helmet when riding your bike.
Always keep the chin strap securely buckled. Failure to wear a
bicycle helmet may result in serious injury or death.
(fig. 10)
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Reflectors: Reflectors are important safety devices which are designed as an
integral part of your bicycle.
Federal regulations require every bicycle to be equipped with front, rear,
wheel and pedal reflectors. The size, performance and location of each
reflector is specified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
The reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect street lights and car lights
in a way that helps you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION: Check reflectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make
sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have
your dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that
are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reflectors are often designed as
brake straddle cable safety catches which prevent the straddle cable from
catching on the tire tread if the cable jumps out of its yoke or breaks.
WARNING: Do not remove the front or rear reflector brackets from your
bicycle. They are an integral safety device which protects you from the
brake straddle cable catching on the tire in the event of brake cable failure. If a brake straddle cable catches on the tire, it can cause the wheel
to stop suddenly, causing you to loose control and fall.
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WARNING: Do not remove the reflectors from your bicycle. They are
an integral part of the bicycle's safety system. Removing the
reflectors may reduce your visibility to others using the roadway.
Being struck by other vehicles may result in serious injury or death.
Remember: reflectors are not a substitute for lights. Always equip
your bicycle with all state and locally mandated lights.
Lights: If you ride your bike before dawn or after dusk, your bicycle
must
be equipped with lights so that you can see the road and avoid
road hazards; and so that others can see you. Vehicle laws treat bicycles
must
like any other vehicle. That means you
red rear light operating if you are riding after dusk. Your bike dealer can
recommend a battery or generator powered lighting system appropriate
to your needs.
WARNING: Reflectors are not a substitute for proper lights. It is
your responsibility to equip your bicycle with all state and locally
mandated lights. Riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times
of poor visibility without a bicycle lighting system which meets local
and state laws and without reflectors is dangerous and may result
in serious injury or death.
have a white front and a
Pedals: (See also Section 6.E and 6.F.) Some higher performance model bicycles
come equipped with pedals that have sharp and potentially dangerous surfaces.
These surfaces are designed to add safety by increasing adhesion between the
rider's shoe and the bicycle pedal. If your bicycle has this type of high-performance pedal you must take extra care to avoid serious injury from the pedals’
sharp surfaces. Based on your riding style or skill level, you may prefer a less
aggressive pedal design. Your dealer can show you a number of options and
make suitable recommendations.
Eye protection: Any kind of riding, but particularly off-road riding, involves airborne dirt, dust and bugs, so it's a good idea always to ride with protective eyewear -- tinted when the sun is bright, clear when it's not. Most bike shops carry
protective fashion eyewear, some with interchangeable lens systems.
C. MECHANICAL SAFETY CHECK
Here is a simple, sixty-second mechanical safety check which you should get in
the habit of making
Nuts, bolts & straps: Lift the front wheel off the ground by two or three inches,
then let it bounce on the ground. Anything sound, feel or look loose? Do a quick
visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any loose parts or accessories? If
so, secure them. If you're not sure, ask someone with experience to check.
every time
you're about to get on a bike.
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Tires & Wheels: Tires correctly inflated? Check by putting one hand on
the saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then
bouncing your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection.
know
Compare what you see with how it looks when you
correctly inflated; and adjust if necessary. See Section 6.G.1 for details
and recommended tire pressures.
Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the
tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires
Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and sideto-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side or hits the brake pads,
take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel trued.
CAUTION: Wheels must be true for the brakes to work effectively.
Wheel truing is a skill which requires special tools and experience.
Do not attempt to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge,
experience and tools needed to do the job correctly.
Brakes: Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick releases closed?
The straddle cable securely engaged? Are the brake shoes contacting
the wheel rim within an inch of brake lever movement? Can you apply
before
riding the bike.
the tires are
full braking force at the levers without having them touch the handlebar? If
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not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the brakes are
properly adjusted. See Sections 6.C.1 and 6.C.2 for details.
WARNING: Riding with improperly adjusted brakes or worn brake shoes is
dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.
Quick Releases: Are the front wheel, rear wheel and seat post quick releases
properly adjusted and in the locked position? See Section 6.A and 6.B for
details.
WARNING: Riding with an improperly adjusted wheel quick release can
cause the wheel to wobble or disengage from the bicycle, which can
cause damage to the bicycle and serious injury or death.
Handlebar and saddle alignment: Are the saddle and handlebar stem correctly parallel to the bike's top tube and tight enough so that you can't twist
them out of alignment?
Handlebar ends: Are the handlebar grips secure and in good condition? If not,
replace them. Are the handlebar ends and extensions plugged? If not, plug
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them before you ride. On a Mountain bike or Cross bike, are the bar end
extensions tight enough so you can’t twist them? If not, tighten them.
WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can
cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars or extensions can cut your body, and can cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident.
OK: now buckle on your helmet and enjoy your ride.
fig. 10 Wearing a Helmet
5
RIDING
SAFELY AND
RESPONSIBLY
fig. 10 Wearing a Helmet
NOTE: Like any sport, bicycling involves risk of injury and damage. By choosing
to ride a bicycle, you
sold you the bike. Not the people who made it. Not the people who distribute it.
Not the people who manage or maintain the roads or trails you ride on. Y
you need to know -- and to practice -- the rules of safe and responsible riding.
A. THE BASICS
1. Always do the Mechanical Safety Check (Section 4.C) before you get on a bike.
2. Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest Snell or ANSI
standard. (see fig. 10)
3. Be careful to keep body parts and other objects away from the sharp teeth
of chainrings; the moving chain; the turning pedals and cranks; and the spinning wheels of your bicycle.
4. Always wear shoes that will stay on your feet and will grip the pedals.
Never ride barefoot or wearing sandals.
5. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bicycle.
6. Wear bright, visible clothing that is not so loose that it can catch on moving
parts of the bicycle or be snagged by objects at the side of the road or trail.
assume the responsibility for that risk. Not the people who
ou. So
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7. Don't jump with your bike. Jumping a bike, particularly a BMX or
mountain bike, can be fun; but it puts incredible stress on everything
from your spokes to your pedals. Perhaps most vulnerable to jumpingrelated damage is your front fork. Riders who insist on jumping their
bikes risk serious damage, to their bicycles as well as to themselves.
8. Think about your speed, and keep your speed at a level which is
consistent with conditions. Always keep in mind that there is a direct
relationship between speed and control, and between speed and
component stress.
B. RULES OF THE ROAD
1. Learn the local bicycle laws and regulations. Many communities
have special regulations about licensing of bicycles, riding on sidewalks, laws regulating bike path and trail use, and so on. Many states
have helmet laws, child carrier laws and special bicycle traffic laws. In
the U.S. and in most foreign countries, a bicyclist is required to obey
the same traffic laws as the driver of a car or motorcycle. It's
responsibility to know and obey the laws.
your
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2. You are
pedestrians and other cyclists. Respect their rights, and be tolerant if
they infringe on yours.
sharing
the road or the path with others -- motorists,
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