Raleigh 2008 User Manual
Owner’s Manual
for single-speed bicycles
3rd Edition, 2003
This manual contains important safety,
performance and service information.
Read it before you take the rst 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.
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GENERAL WARNING:
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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
the word WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death.
• The combination of the
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.
safety alert symbol and
safety alert symbol and
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 tted 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 trafc 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.
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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 Trafc 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
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 Trafc p. 26
Appendix C
Wheel and Seat Post
Quick Release Mechanisms p. 28
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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
clarication or an explanation of specic 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 specic bicycle.
A. Bike t
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 rst
1. Always wear an approved helmet when riding your bike,
and follow the helmet manufacturer’s instructions for t, 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.
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Tires & Wheels: Make sure tires are correctly inated (see
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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 inated; 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 qualied 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 rst
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 rst. 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
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the suspension responds to brake application and rider weight
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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 specic 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 certication standards and
is appropriate for the type of riding you do.
Always follow the helmet manufacturer’s
instructions for t, 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 trafc laws. It’s your responsibility to
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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
that could cause you to swerve into trafc, catch your wheel 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 trafc ow or as directed by local governing laws.
6. Stop at stop signs and trafc 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 trafc 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 trafc 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 inuence 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 identication, 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 specic 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 difcult terrain.
2. Wear safety gear appropriate to the kind of riding
you plan.
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3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with
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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.
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
than riding during the day. A bicyclist is very difcult for motorists
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: Reectors 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 reectors is dangerous and may result in serious
injury or death.
Bicycle reectors are designed to pick up and reect street
lights and car lights in a way that may help you to be seen
and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
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.
CAUTION: Check reectors 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 reectors 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.
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WARNING: Do not remove the front or rear reectors or
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reector brackets from your bicycle. They are an integral part
of the bicycle’s safety system.
Removing the reectors may reduce your visibility to others
using the roadway. Being struck by other vehicles may result
in serious injury or death.
The reector 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 reectors.
• Purchase and install battery or generator powered
head and tail lights which meet all regulatory requirements
and provide adequate visibility.
• Wear light colored, reective clothing and accessories,
such as a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands,
reective stripes on your helmet, ashing lights ... any reective
device or light source that moves will help you get the attention
of approaching motorists, pedestrians and other trafc.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying
on the bicycle does not obstruct a reector or light.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving trafc.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
F. Bicycling in Trafc
• 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 trafc
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
professionals with many years of training and experience. 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.
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We recommend against this type of riding because of
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the increased risks; but if you ignore this recommendation,
at least:
• Take lessons from a competent instructor rst
• 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 p ads, 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 qualied mechanic and be sure it is in perfect
condition. Consult with expert riders and race ofcials on
conditions and equipment advisable at the site where you plan
to ride. Wear appropriate safety gear, including an approved
full face helmet, full nger gloves, and body armor. Know the
limits of your skill and experience. Ultimately, avoiding injury is
your responsibility.
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 conrm 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 t is an essential element of bicycling safety,
performance and comfort. Making the adjustments to your
bicycle which result in correct t 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.
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
Make sure the bike ts. A bike that’s too big or too small is
harder to control and can be uncomfortable.
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