Ask your supplier to show you how to operate quick release clamps if fitted to wheels Use good quality grease on bearings. On other places requiring lubrication use a or seat post clamp. spray lubricant or a mineral oil (some popular light oils are vegetable based and Obey the rules of the road. unsuitable). Wipe off excess oil - in joints it lubricates but on flat surfaces it only Expect the unexpected. Many drivers are not trained to recognize the rights of collects dirt. cyclist and to give them special consideration. The brake system allows you to control the speed of your bicycle, and this Do not ride ‘no hands’. function is critical to your safety. The brake system can be difficult to adjust Do not ride double. Standard bicycles are not designed to carry the additional load properly without the proper tools and training. If you are unsure of the brake of a second rider. They also are much harder to balance, steer and stop with the adjustment, or suspect any problem, do not ride your bicycle. Take your additional weight of a second rider. bicycle to your local qualified professional bicycle mechanic for service. Replacement parts for your bicycle are readily available throughout Ireland. Always keep a safe stopping distance between you, other vehicles or objects. Adjust stopping distances and braking forces to suit riding conditions. If your bike has two hand brakes apply both brakes at the same time. No brakes, whatever their design, PERIODIC MAINTENANCE work as effectively in wet weather as in dry. Anticipate the extra time it will take to stop. This maintenance schedule is based on normal usage. If you ride your bike more than average or in rain, snow, or off-road conditions, service your bicycle more often Your bicycle is equipped with a full set of reflectors; keep them clean and in position. than the schedule suggests. Use a working headlight and a taillight when you ride at night. Wear bright, reflective clothing to make yourself more visible. If you are not sure how to carry out these checks or rectify any faults please consult your local qualified professional bicycle mechanic for service. Jumping your bicycle, performing bicycle stunts, off road riding or any abnormal bike riding can be very dangerous because they increase the stress on your frame. CHECK BEFORE EVERY RIDE: Frames or components under high stress can fatigue prematurely which can lead to Secure attachment of both wheels - check nuts and/or quick release. Failure to sudden failure. tighten wheel axle nuts, or failure to have wheel quick release retention mechanisms Protect your bicycle from theft. Keep a record of the serial number in a safe place. properly adjusted and closed, may cause loss of control. Young children may not be able to ride a bicycle without assistance so some Correct tyre inflation. To make cycling easier and avoid damage inflate your bicycles come equipped with stabilizers. Make sure the child has the skills necessary tyres to the air pressure recommended on the tyre sidewalls. Use a hand-operated to stop the bike. Until this skill is mastered, the child should never ride the bike without pump with an appropriate gauge. supervision. Tyres for wear, replace if necessary Some bicycles include bar-ends attached to MTB type handlebars. These bar-ends That wheels are straight. Spin each wheel and watch the rim as it passes are designed for climbing only. Remember that it is hard to reach your brakes in an through the brake pad. It should not wobble up and down or from side to side. If one emergency when holding bar-ends. Never allow your bar-ends to come Into or both wheels fail this test, consult your local qualified professional bicycle contact with objects that may cause you to lose control of your bicycle. mechanic for service. Press each brake lever to make sure that the brakes move freely and stop the CARE & MAINTENANCE bike. The brake pads should be adjusted so they are 2 mm away from the rim when the brakes are not applied. Brake pads should be centred on the rim. If one or both Keep your bicycle clean. Salts spread on the roads in frosty conditions are corrosive brakes fail this test, consult your local qualified professional bicycle mechanic and should be cleaned off you bicycle as soon as possible. Bicycles used in seaside for service. areas will need frequent cleaning because of the corrosive effect of salty sea air. Check for loose spokes Warm water with washing up liquid is effective and cheap for cleaning bicycles. Do Check correct operation of suspension forks. If suspension fails this test, consult not use high pressure washing systems. your local qualified professional bicycle mechanic for service. When not in use, keep your bike in a place where it will be protected from rain, Check that the rear suspension, if fitted, is operating properly, that there are no snow, sun, etc. Rain and snow can cause your bicycle to corrode. The ultraviolet loose parts. If suspension fails this test, take your bike to radiation from the sun can fade the paint, or crack any rubber or plastic on the your local qualified bicycle. professional bicycle mechanic for service. Check rear suspension bolts for tightness. If suspensions fail this test, consult 2 your local qualified professional bicycle mechanic for service. 3 SHOULD YOU RETUN YOUR BICYCLE WHERE YOU PURCHASED IT, PLEASE DO SO IN USING ORIGINAL BOX AND CHECK MONTHLY: INCLUDING ALL PARTS. Chain and freewheel, lubricate if needed Gear mechanisms, lubricate if needed Seat post clamp lever, make sure it is tight Saddle fixing bolt, make sure it is tight Handlebar stem expander bolt, make sure it is tight, over tightening will damage your fork column Handlebar clamp bolt, make sure it is tight Wheel bearing adjustment, watch for looseness or binding Headset bearing adjustment, apply the front brake, rock the bike back and USER’S MANUAL forward and correct any looseness Check brake and gear cables for kinks, rust, broken strands, and frayed ends. CONGRATULATIONS Check the casing for bent ends, cuts, stretched coils, and wear. Replace any part of your brake cables or casing that does not pass inspection. Congratulations on choosing your new bicycle. It is designed and built to meet the Inspect for any loose nuts or bolts highest standards. Now it is yours, enjoy and look after it! If you give it the normal care and attention it deserves it will serve you faithfully for many years. CHECK EVERY 3 MONTHS Clean and polish finish BEFORE YOUR FIRST OUTING Inspect and lubricate brake levers and callipers Inspect crank set Preparation of your new bicycle for use requires special tools, knowledge Inspect pedals Inspect and clean reflectors and skills; a qualified professional bicycle mechanic should only do it. When stationary you should be able to comfortably sit on the bicycle saddle with CHECK EVERY 6 MONTHS one foot on the road surface. Have suspensions, front and rear, checked and serviced by a qualified Your weight should be distributed between handlebars, saddle and pedals. professional bicycle mechanic for service. Handlebars should be level with or slightly lower than the saddle. Your hands should be comfortable and able to easily operate all controls. CHECK EVERY YEAR Make sure that the “minimum” insertion mark on the seat post and handlebar stem Re-grease bottom bracket bearings (also called the “maximum” height mark) remains inside the frame. This mark is Re-grease wheel bearings approximately 5-7cms from the lower end of the seat post and handlebar stem. Re-grease headset bearings Riding with the mark visible is unsafe. Re-grease pedal threads and bearings Learn the use of the mechanisms on your bicycle. Practice riding at slower speeds in Lubricate wheel quick releases a safe and traffic-free environment. Lubricate seat post Foot sizes and bicycle designs vary and at very slow speeds it may be possible for Lubricate handlebar stem your foot to contact the front wheel or mudguard when the wheel is turned to the Have suspensions, front and rear, checked and serviced by a qualified side and your pedal is fully forward. This could cause loss of control. At slow speeds, professional bicycle mechanic. keep your crank arms vertical while turning. Ensure that the bar-ends face forward and away from you and that the bar-ends LIMITED WARRANTY are pointing upwards at an angle of not less than 15 degrees. PLEASE CAREFULLY CHECK YOUR PRODUCT PRIOR TO RIDING FOR YOUR SAFETY YOUR BICYCLE HAS BEEN BUILT AND QUALITY CONTROLED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS WITH COMPONENTS CHOSEN BY YOUR SUPPLIER. Wear at all time standards compliant protective garment NORMAL WEAR OF MOVING PARTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN WARRANTY (Helmet, elbow, wrist & knee). BUCKLED & BENDED WHEELS, FRAMES AND HANDLEBARS ARE THE RESULT OF BAD HANDLING AND CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR WARRANTY – PLEASE CAREFULLY CHECK YOUR PRODUCT PRIOR TO RIDING .