Owner’s Manual
for BMX bicycles
3rd Edition, 2003
This manual contains important safety, performance and service information.
Read it before you take the first ride on your new bicycle,
and keep it for reference.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS:
This Manual contains important safety information. For your child's safety, it is your responsibility to review this information with your child and make sure that your child understands all warnings, cautions, instructions and safety topics. We recommend that you periodically review and reinforce the
information in this Manual with younger riders.
GENERAL WARNING:
Like any sport, bicycling involves risk of injury and damage. By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume the responsibility for that risk, so you need to know — and to practice — the rules of safe and responsible riding and of proper use and maintenance. Proper use and maintenance of your bicycle reduces risk of injury.
This Manual contains many “Warnings” and “Cautions” concerning the consequences of failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle and of failure to follow safe cycling practices.
•The combination of the ! safety alert symbol and the word WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death.
•The combination of the ! safety alert symbol and the word CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury, or is an alert against unsafe practices.
•The word CAUTION used without the safety alert
symbol indicates a situation which, if not avoided, could result in serious damage to the bicycle or the voiding of your warranty.
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 always repeat the warning of possible injury or death.
Because it is impossible to anticipate every situation or condition which can occur while riding, this Manual makes no representation about the safe use of the bicycle under all conditions. There are risks associated with the use of any bicycle which cannot be predicted or avoided, and which are the sole responsibility of the rider.
A special note for parents:
As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for the activities and safety of your minor child, and that includes making sure that the bicycle 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, as well as review its warnings and the bicycle’s functions and operating procedures with your child, before letting your child ride the bicycle.
! WARNING: Make sure that your child always wears an approved bicycle helmet when riding; but also make sure that your child understands that a bicycle helmet is for bicycling only, and must be removed when not riding. A helmet must not be worn while playing, in play areas, on playground equipment, while climbing trees, or at any time while not riding a bicycle. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death.
Contents
GENERAL WARNING |
p. |
2 |
A special note for parents |
p. |
2 |
1. First |
|
|
A. Bike Fit |
p. |
4 |
B. Safety First |
p. |
4 |
C. Mechanical Safety Check |
p. |
4 |
D. First Ride |
p. |
5 |
2. Safety |
|
|
A. The Basics |
p. |
6 |
B. Riding Safety |
p. |
6 |
C. Off Road Safety |
p. |
7 |
D. Wet Weather Riding |
p. |
8 |
E. Night Riding |
p. |
7 |
F. Bicycling in Traffic |
p. |
9 |
G. Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking |
p. |
9 |
H. Changing Components or |
|
|
Adding Accessories |
p. 10 |
|
3. Fit |
|
|
A. Standover Height |
p. 11 |
|
B. Saddle Position |
p. 11 |
|
C. Handlebar Height And Angle |
p. 12 |
|
D. Control Position Adjustments |
p. 13 |
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E. Brake Reach |
p. 13 |
|
4. Tech |
|
A. Brakes |
p. 13 |
B. Wheels |
p. 16 |
C. Pedals |
p. 18 |
D. Bicycle Suspension |
p. 19 |
E. Tires and Tubes |
p. 20 |
5. Service |
p. 21 |
Appendix A |
|
Teaching Your Child The Rules |
p. 24 |
Appendix B |
|
Bicycling In Traffic |
p. 26 |
Appendix C |
|
Wheel and Seat Post |
|
Quick Release Mechanisms |
p. 28 |
1. First
NOTE: All operators must read and understand all sections of this owner’s manual before their initial operation of the bicycle. If after reading this manual in its entirety you have any questions, please contact your authorized dealer for clarification or an explanation of specific topics that you are unsure about.
Please note that not all bicycles have all of the features described in this Manual. Ask your dealer to point out the features of your bicycle.
A.Bike fit
1.Is your bike the right size? To check, see Section 3.A. If your bicycle is too large or too small for you, you may lose control and fall. If your new bike is not the right size, ask your dealer to exchange it before you ride it.
2.Is the saddle at the right height? To check, see Section 3.B. If you adjust your saddle height, make sure that you follow the Minimum Insertion instructions in Section 3.B.
3.Are saddle and seatpost securely clamped? A correctly tightened saddle will allow no saddle movement in any direction. See Section 3.B for details.
4.Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see Section 3.C on what you can do about it.
6.Can you comfortably operate the brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust their angle and reach. See Section 3.D and 3.E for details.
7.Do you fully understand how to operate your new bicycle? If not, before you ride, have your dealer explain any functions or features which you do not understand.
B.Safety first
1.Always wear an approved helmet when riding your bike,
and follow the helmet manufacturer’s instructions for fit, use and care of your helmet.
2.Do you have all the other required and recommended safety equipment? See Section 2. It’s your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the areas where you ride, and to comply with all applicable laws.
3.If your bike has wheel quick releases, do you know how to correctly operate them? Check Section Appendix B to make sure. Riding with an improperly adjusted wheel quick release can cause the wheel to wobble or disengage from the bicycle, and cause serious injury or death.
4.If your bike has clipless (“step-in”) pedals, make sure you know how they work (see Section 4.C.3). These pedals require special techniques and skills. Follow the pedal manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
5.Does your bike have suspension? If so, check Section 4.F. Suspension can change the way a bicycle performs. Follow the suspension manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
6.Do you have “toe overlap”? On smaller framed bicycles your toe may be able to contact the front wheel when a pedal is all the way forward and the wheel is turned.
See section 4.C.1.
C.Mechanical Safety Check
Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride.
Nuts, bolts & straps: Make sure nothing is loose. 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.
Tires & Wheels: Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see
Section 4.G.1). 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. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly inflated; and adjust if necessary.
Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.
Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly, or rubs against 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: Check the brakes for proper operation (see Section 4.A). Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases closed? All control cables seated and securely engaged? Do the brake pads contact the wheel rim squarely and make full contact with the rim? Do the brake pads touch the wheel rim within an inch of brake lever movement? Can you apply full braking force at the levers without having them touch the handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the brakes are properly adjusted.
Quick Releases: If your bike has front wheel, rear wheel or seat post quick releases, make sure they are properly adjusted and in the locked position. See Section Appendix B.
Handlebar and saddle alignment: Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s center line and clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See Section 3.B and 3.C. If not, align and tighten them.
Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in good condition. If not, replace them. Make sure the handlebar ends are plugged. If not, plug them before you ride.
! WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips can cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars can cut your body, and can cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident.
D. First ride
When you buckle on your helmet and go for your first familiarization ride on your new bicycle, be sure to pick a controlled environment, away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles or other hazards. Ride to become familiar with the controls, features and performance of your new bike.
Familiarize yourself with the braking action of the bike (see Section 4.C). Test the brakes at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying the brakes, rear brake first. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake, if your bicycle has one, could pitch you over the handlebars. Applying brakes too hard can lock up a wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Skidding is an example of what can happen when a wheel locks up.
If your bicycle has clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Section 4.C.3.
If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension responds to brake application and rider weight shifts. See paragraph B.5 above and Section 4.F.
Check out the handling and response of the bike; and check the comfort.
If you have any questions, or if you feel anything about the bike is not as it should be, take the bike back to your dealer for advice.
2. Safety
! 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.
An important note to parents: Appendix A of this Manual contains some rules and lessons which adults are already expected to know, but which children need to be taught and to have frequently reinforced. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with Appendix A as well as with the information below, and to teach these rules to your child before you let your child ride unsupervised.
A.The Basics
1.Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest certification standards and is appropriate for the type of riding you do. Always follow the helmet manufacturer’s instructions for fit, use and care of your helmet.
Most serious bicycle injuries involve head injuries which might have been avoided if the rider had worn an appropriate helmet.
! WARNING: Failure to wear a helmet when riding may result in serious injury or death.
2.Always do the Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C) before you get on a bike.
3.Be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bicycle: brakes (Section 4.A) and pedals (Section 4.C).
4.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.
5.Always wear:
•Shoes that will stay on your feet and will grip the pedals. Never ride barefoot or while wearing sandals.
•Bright, visible clothing that is not so loose that it can be tangled in the bicycle or snagged by objects at the side of the road or trail.
•Protective eyewear, to protect against airborne dirt, dust and bugs — tinted when the sun is bright, clear when it’s not.
6. Ride at a speed appropriate for conditions. Increased speed means higher risk.
7. Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand Section 2.G. Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking.
B. Riding Safety
1. Observe all local bicycle laws and regulations. Observe regulations about licensing of bicycles, riding on sidewalks, laws regulating bike path and trail use, and so on. Observe helmet
laws and special bicycle traffic laws. It’s your responsibility to know and obey the laws.
2.You are sharing the road or the path with others — motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. Respect their rights.
3.Ride defensively. Always assume that others do not see you.
4.Look ahead, and be ready to avoid:
•Vehicles slowing or turning, entering the road or your lane ahead of you, or coming up behind you.
•Parked car doors opening.
•Pedestrians stepping out.
•Children or pets playing near the road.
•Pot holes, sewer grating, railroad tracks, expansion joints, road or sidewalk construction, debris and other obstructions thatcouldcauseyou to swerve into traffic,catchyourwheel or otherwise cause you to lose control and have an accident.
•The many other hazards and distractions which can occur on a bicycle ride.
5. Ride in designated bike lanes, on designated bike paths or as close to the edge of the road as possible, in the direction of traffic flow or as directed by local governing laws.
6. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights; slow down and look both ways at street intersections. Remember that a bicycle always loses in a collision with a motor vehicle, so be prepared to yield even if you have the right of way.
7. Use approved hand signals for turning and stopping.
8. Never ride with headphones. They mask traffic sounds and emergency vehicle sirens, distract you from concentrating on what’s going on around you, and their wires can tangle in the moving parts of the bicycle, causing you to lose control.
9. Never carry a passenger, unless it is a small child wearing an approved helmet and secured in a correctly mounted child carrier or a child-carrying trailer.
10.Never carry anything which obstructs your vision or your complete control of the bicycle, or which could become entangled in the moving parts of the bicycle.
11.Never hitch a ride by holding on to another vehicle.
12.Don’t weave through traffic or make any moves that may surprise people with whom you are sharing the road.
13.Observe and yield the right of way.
14.Never ride your bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
15.If possible, avoid riding in bad weather, when visibility is obscured, at dawn, dusk or in the dark, or when extremely tired. Each of these conditions increases the risk of accident.
16.Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand Section 2.G. Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking.
C.Off Road Safety
We recommend that children not ride off-road unless accompanied by an adult. In any event, never ride alone in remote areas.
Even when riding with others, make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Always take along some kind of identification, so that people know who you are in case of an accident; and take a couple of dollars in cash for a candy bar, a cool drink or an emergency phone call.
1.The variable conditions and hazards of off-road riding require close attention and specific skills. Start slowly on easier terrain and build up your skills. If your bike has suspension, the increased speed you may develop also increases your risk of losing control and falling. Get to know how to handle your bike safely before trying increased speed or more difficult terrain.
2.Wear safety gear appropriate to the kind of riding
you plan.
3.Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others, make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
4.Learn and obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride off-road, and respect private property.
5.You may be sharing the trail with others — hikers, equestrians, other cyclists. Respect their rights.
6.Yield right of way to pedestrians and animals. Ride in a way that does not frighten or endanger them, and stay far enough away so that their unexpected moves don’t endanger you.
7.Stay on the designated trail. Don’t contribute to erosion by riding in mud or with unnecessary sliding. Don’t disturb the ecosystem by cutting your own trail or shortcut through vegetation or streams. It is your responsibility to minimize your impact on the environment. Leave things as you found them; and always take out everything you brought in.
8.Be prepared. If something goes wrong while you’re riding off-road, help may not be close.
9.Before you attempt to jump with your bike, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand Section 2.G. Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking.
D.Wet Weather Riding
!WARNING: Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both for the bicyclist and for other vehicles sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions.
Under wet conditions, the stopping power of your brakes (as well as the brakes of other vehicles sharing the road) is dramatically reduced and your tires don’t grip nearly as well.
This makes it harder to control speed and easier to lose control. To make sure that you can slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more gradually than you would under normal, dry conditions. See also Section 4.A.
E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous thanridingduringtheday.Abicyclistisverydifficultformotorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults should not ride at dawn, at dusk or at night unless it is absolutely necessary.
! WARNING: Reflectors are not a substitute for required lights. Riding at dawn, at dusk, at night or at other times of poor visibility without an adequate bicycle lighting system and without reflectors is dangerous and may result in serious injury or death.
Bicyclereflectors aredesignedtopick up and reflectstreet lights and car lights in a way that may help 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 reflectors or reflector brackets 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.
The reflector brackets may protect 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.
If you must ride under conditions of poor visibility, check and be sure you comply with all local laws about night riding, and take the following strongly recommended additional precautions:
•Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned and securely mounted reflectors.
•Purchase and install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory requirements and provide adequate visibility.
•Wear light colored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands, reflective stripes on your helmet, flashing lights ... any reflective device or light source that moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists, pedestrians and other traffic.
•Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does not obstruct a reflector or light.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
•Ride slowly.
•Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving traffic.
•Avoid road hazards.
•If possible, ride on familiar routes.
F. Bicycling in Traffic
•Be predictable. Ride so that drivers can see you and
predict your movements.
•Be alert. Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.
•Read Appendix B and learn the rules for riding in traffic which are illustrated there.
G.Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking
!WARNING: Although many catalogs, advertisements and articles about bicycling depict riders jumping, racing or stunt riding, this activity is extremely dangerous and increases your risk of injury or death, and increase the severity of any injury. Remember that the action depicted is being performed by professionalswithmanyyearsoftrainingandexperience.Know your limits and always wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear. Even with state-of-the-art protective safety gear, you could be seriously injured or killed when jumping, stunt riding, riding downhill at speed or in competition.
!CAUTION: Bicycles and bicycle parts have limitations with regard to strength and integrity, and this type of riding can exceed those limitations.
We recommend against this type of riding because of the increased risks; but if you ignore this recommendation, at least:
•Take lessons from a competent instructor first
•Do stunts, racing or fast downhill riding only in areas designated for this type of riding
•Start with easy learning exercises and slowly develop your skills before trying more dangerous riding
•Wear a full face helmet, safety pads, and other safety gear
•Make sure by checking with your dealer that your bike is suitable for the kind of stunt or competition riding you plan to do
•Understand and recognize that the stresses imposed on your bike by this kind of activity may break or damage parts of the bicycle and void the warranty
•Take your bicycle to your dealer if anything breaks or bends. Do not ride your bicycle when any part is damaged.
If you ride downhill at speed, do stunt riding or ride in competition, you voluntarily assume an increased risk of injury or death. Have your bicycle and equipment carefully inspected by a qualified mechanic and be sure it is in perfect condition. Consult with expert riders and race officials on conditions and equipment advisable at the site where you plan to ride. Wear appropriate safety gear, including an approved full face helmet, full finger gloves, and body armor. Know the limits of your skill and experience. Ultimately, avoiding injury is your responsibility.
H.Changing Components or Adding Accessories
There are many components and accessories available
to enhance the comfort, performance and appearance of your bicycle. However, if you change components or
add accessories, you do so at your own risk. The bicycle’s manufacturer may not have tested that component or accessory for compatibility, reliability or safety on your bicycle. Before installing any component or accessory, including a different size tire, make sure that it is compatible with your bicycle by checking with your dealer. Be sure to read, understand and follow the instructions that accompany the products you purchase for your bicycle.
!WARNING: Failure to confirm compatibility, properly install, operate and maintain any component or accessory can result in serious injury or death.
!CAUTION: Changing the components on your bike may void the warranty. Refer to your warranty, and check with your dealer before changing the components on your bike.
3. Fit
NOTE: Correct fit is an essential element of bicycling safety, performance and comfort. Making the adjustments to your bicycle which result in correct fit for your body and riding conditions requires experience, skill and special tools. Always have your dealer make the adjustments on your bicycle; or, if you have the experience, skill and tools, have your dealer check your work before riding.
Make sure the bike fits. A bike that’s too big or too small is harder to control and can be uncomfortable.
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