ASI BREEZER User manual

Owner’s Manual

Congratulations!
You have purchased a BREEZER®, a bicycle with a rich heritage and legendary performance. Since
1974 Joe Breeze has been designing and building bicycles with an emphasis on mechanical
efficiency and excellent handling qualities. Your bicycle was designed by Joe Breeze and has been
carefully handcrafted by expert machinists and welders to give you years of cycling enjoyment.
Read this entire manual carefully.
This manual includes important information on safe setup, use, care and
maintenance of your bicycle. It is very important that you read this manual in
its entirety and follow its instructions.

Bicycle Owner’s Manual
9th Edition, 2007 This manual meets EN Standards 14764, 14766 and 14781.
IMPORTANT:
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.
Additional safety, performance and service information for specific components such as suspension or pedals on your
bicycle, or for accessories such as helmets or lights that you purchase, may also be available. Make sure that your dealer has
given you all the manufacturers’ literature that was included with your bicycle or accessories. In case of a conflict between the
instructions in this manual and information provided by a component manufacturer, always follow the component manufacturer’s
instructions.
If you have any questions or do not understand something, take responsibility for your safety and consult with your dealer or
the bicycle’s manufacturer.
NOTE:
This manual is not intended as a comprehensive use, service, repair or maintenance manual. Please see your dealer for all
service, repairs or maintenance. Your dealer may also be able to refer you to classes, clinics or books on bicycle use, service,
repair or maintenance.

Contents
GENERAL WARNING p.1
A special note to parents p.2
1. First
A. Bike fit p.2
B. Safety first p.3
C. Mechanical Safety Check p.3
D. First ride p.5
2. Safety
A. The Basics p.5
B. Riding Safety p.6
C. Off Road Safety p.7
D. Wet Weather Riding p.8
E. Night Riding p.8
F. Extreme, stunt or competition riding p.10
G. Changing Components or Adding Accessories p.11
3.Fit
A. Standover height p.12
B. Saddle position p.12
C. Handlebar height and angle p.14
D. Control position adjustments p.16
E. Brake reach p.16
4. Tech
A. Wheels p.16
1. secondary retention devices p.18
2. Wheels with cam action systems p.18
3. Removing and installing wheels p.19
B. Seat post cam action clamp p.22
C. Brakes p.23
D. Shifting gears p.25
E. Pedals p.28
F. Bicycle Suspension p.30
G. Tires and Tubes p.31
5. Service
A. Service Intervals p.33
B. If your bicycle sustains an impact p.35
Appendix A: Intended Use p.36
Appendix B: Lifespan of your bike and its components p.43
Appendix C: Coaster Brakes p.50
Appendix D: Fastener Torque Specifications p.51
Appendix E: Carbon Care p.52
Appendix F: Road ID p.58
Warranty & Registration

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 ma intain or i nspect 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 i mpossible to anticip ate ev ery situation or cond ition which can occu r while ridi ng, this Manu al 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.
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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 proper ly fitted to the ch ild; that it is in go od repair and safe operating condition; that you and your child have
learned and understand the safe operation of the bic ycle; and that you a nd your child have learned, understand and obey not
only th e a pplicable loc al mot or veh icle, b icycle a nd traf fic la ws, b ut als o the comm on sense r ules of safe and r esponsible
bicycling. As a parent, you s hould re ad this manua l, as well as review its warnings a nd the bic ycle’s functions a nd 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.
1. First
NOTE: We strongly urge you to read this Manual in its entirety before your first ride. At the very least, read and make
sure th at y ou u nderstand each p oint in th is sectio n, an d refer to the cited sectio ns on an y issu e which y ou don’t
completely underst and. Please note that not all bicycles ha ve all of the featur es 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, follow the Minimum Insertion
instructions in Section 3.B.
3. Are saddle and seat post securely clamped? A correctly tightened saddle will allow no saddle movement in any direction.
See Section 3.B.
4. Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see Section 3.C.
5. Can you comfortably operate the brak es? If not, y ou may be a ble to adjust t heir angle and reach. See Section 3.D and
3.E.
6. Do you fu lly underst and h ow to op erate your ne w bicycle? If not, bef ore your first ri de, hav e your dealer e xplain any
functions or features which you do not understand.
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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.
2. Do you have all the other required and recommended safety equipment? See Section 2. It’s your response- bility to familia
rize yourself with the laws of the areas where you ride, and to comply with all applicable laws.
3. Do you kno w how to c orrectly s ecure your front a nd r ear wheels? C heck Secti on 4 .A.1 to make s ure. Rid ing with a n
improperly secured wheel can cause the wheel to wobble or disengage from the bicycle, and cause serious injury or death.
4. If your bike has toeclips and straps or clipless (“step-in”) pedals, make sure you know how they work (see Secti on 4.E).
These pedals require special techniques and skills. Follow the pedal manufacturer’s instructions for use, adjustment and care.
5. Do you have “toe overlap”? On smaller framed bicycles your toe or toeclip may be able to contact the front wheel when a
pedal is all the way forward and the wheel is turned. Read Section 4.E. to check whether you have toeclip overlap.
6. 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.
C. Mechanical Safety Check
Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride.
□Nuts, bolts screws & other fasteners: Because manufacturers use a wide variety of fastener sizes and shapes made in a
variety of mate rials,often differing by mod el and c omponent, the correct tighten ing force or torq ue ca nnot be generalized. To
make sur e tha t the man y fa steners o n your bic ycle ar e correctl y tig htened, refer to the F astener Torque Specifications i n
Appendix D of this manua l or to the torque s pecifications in the instruct ions provided by the manufac turer of the comp onent in
question. Corr ectly tig htening a fastener requir es a calibr ated torq ue wrench. A profes sional bic ycle mecha nic with a torqu e
wrench should torque the fasteners on you bicycle. If you choose to work on your own bicycle, you must use a torque wrench and
the correct tightening torque specifications from the bicycle or component manufacturer or from your dealer. If you need to make
an adjustment at home or in the field, we urge you to exercise care, and to have the fasteners you worked on checked by your
dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING: C orrect tig htening fo rce o n f asteners –n uts, b olts, screw s– o n y our bicycle is imp ortant. Too little
force, and the fastener may not hold securely. Too much force, and the fastener can strip threads, stretch, deform
or break. Either way, incorrect tightening force can result in co mponent failure, which can cau se you to loo se control
and fall.
□Make sure nothing is loo se. Lif t the front wheel of f the gr ound b y two or three in ches, then let it bounce on the groun d.
Anything sound, feel or look loose? Do a visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any loose parts or accessori es? If so ,
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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 rim brakes to work effectively. Wheel trueing is a skill which requires special
tools and experien ce. Do n ot attemp t to tru e a wheel u nless you have th e kn owledge, exp erience an d tools
d to do the job correctly. neede
side o
□Wheel rims clean a nd undamaged? Make sure the ri ms are cl ean and undamaged at the tire be ad and, if you have rim
brakes, along the braking surface. Check to make sure that any rim wear indicator marking is not visible at any point on the wheel
rim.
WARNING: Bicycle wheel rims are subject to wear. Ask your dealer about wheel rim wear. Some wheel rims have
a rim wear indicator which becomes visible as the rim’s braking surface wears. A visible rim wear indicator on the
f the wheel rim is an indication that the wheel rim has reached its maximum usable life. Riding a wheel that is at
the end of its usable life can result in wheel failure, which can cause you to loose control and fall.
□Brakes: Check the brakes for proper operation (see Sections 4.C). Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases
closed? All c ontrol cab les se ated a nd sec urely engaged? If y ou hav e ri m brakes, do t he brak e p ads cont act the wheel rim
squarely and make full cont act with the rim? Do the brake s begin to eng age within an i nch of brake le ver 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 by a professional bicycle mechanic.
□Wheel retention system: Make sure the front and rear wheels are correctly secured. See Section 4.A
□Seat post: If your s eat p ost has an ov er-center cam action fastener f or eas y height adj ustment, c heck that it is properly
adjusted and in the locked position. See Section 4.B.
□Handlebar a nd s addle alignment: Make sure the sadd le an d han dlebar stem are p arallel to the bike ’s center line an d
clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See Sections 3.B and 3.C.
□Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in goo d condition. If not, have your dealer replace them.
Make sure the handlebar ends and extensions are plugged. If not, have your dealer plug them before you ride. If the handlebars
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have bar end extensions, make sure they are clamped tight enough so you can’t twist them.
WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged
handlebars or extensions can cut you and cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident.
VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
Please also read and become thoroughly familiar with the important information on the lifespan of your bicycle and
its components in Appendix B on Page 43.
D. First ride
When you buc kle on your helmet and go for your first familiarizati on ride on your new bicycle, be sure to pick a controlle d
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 Sect ion 4.C). Test the brakes at sl ow speed, putting your weight
toward the rear and gently applying the brakes, rear brake first. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake 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 toeclips or clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Section
4.E.4.
If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension responds to brake application and rider weight
shifts. See paragraph B.6 above and Section 4.F.
Practice shifting the gears (see Section 4.D). Remember to never move the shifter while pedaling backward, nor pedal
backwards immediately after having moved the shifter. This could jam the chain and cause serious damage to the bicycle.
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, consult your dealer before you ride
again.
2. Safety
A. The Basics
WARNING: The area in which you ride may re quire specific s afety d evices. It is your responsibility to fa miliarize
yourself with the laws of the area where you ride and to comply with all applicable laws, including properly equipping
yourself and your bike as the law requires.
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Observe all local bicycle laws and regulations. Observe regulations about bicycle lighting, licensing of bicycles,
riding on sidewalks, laws regulating bike path and trail use, helmet laws, child carrier laws, special bicycle traffic laws.
It’s your responsibility to know and obey the laws.
1. Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest certification standards and is appr opriate 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 he ad injuries which might have b een avoi ded 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.C.); pedals (Section 4.E.); shifting (Section 4.D.)
4. Be careful to keep bod y parts and other obj ects away from t he sharp teeth of chainri ngs, the moving chain, the turnin g
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. Make sure that shoe laces cannot get into moving parts, and never
ride barefoot or in 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. Don’t jump w ith your bike. Jumping a bik e, p articularly a BMX or mou ntain bik e, can be fun; but it can put hug e an d
unpredictable stress on the bic ycle and its components. Riders who insist on jumpi ng their bikes risk serio us damage, to their
bicycles as well as to themselves. Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand Section
2.F.
7. Ride at a speed appropriate for conditions. Higher speed means higher risk.
B. Riding Safety
1. Obey all Rules of the Road and all local traffic 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:
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• 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 traffic, catch your wheel or cause you to 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 sm all child wearing an approved helmet and secured in a correctly mounted child
carrier or a child-carrying trailer.
10. Never carr y anything which obstruct s your visio n or yo ur compl ete control of the bi cycle, or which cou ld bec ome
entangled in the moving parts of the bicycle.
11. Never hitch a ride by holding on to another vehicle.
12. Don’t do stunt s, wheelies or jump s. If you intend to do stunt s, wheelies, jumps or go racing with your bike desp ite our
advice not to, read Secti on 2.F, Downhill, Stunt or Comp etition Biking, now. Think carefully about your skills befor e deciding to
take the large risks that go with this kind of riding.
13. Don’t weave through traffic or make any moves that may surprise people with whom you are sharing the road.
14. Observe and yield the right of way.
15. Never ride your bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
16. 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.
C.Off Road Safety
We recommend that children not ride on rough terrain unless they are accompanied by an adult.
1. T he variable cond itions a nd haz ards of o ff-road riding r equire cl ose attention an d specific ski lls. Start slo wly on e asier
terrain and build up your skills. If y our bike has suspension, the increased speed you may develop also increases your risk o f
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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 to do.
3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even when riding with others, make sure that some one knows where you’re going and
when you expect to be back.
4. Always take along some kind of i dentification, so th at people know who you are in case of an accident; and t ake along
some cash for food, a cool drink or an emergency phone call.
5. Yield ri ght of way to pedestrians a nd a nimals. Rid e in a way th at do es not frig hten or en danger t hem, an d giv e them
enough room so that their unexpected moves don’t endanger you.
6. Be prepared. If something goes wrong while you’re riding off-road, help may not be close.
7. Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read and understand Section 2.F.
Off Road respect
Obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride off-road, and respect privat e property. You may be sharing the
trail with others — hikers, equestrians, other cyclists. Respect their rights. 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.
D. Wet Weather Riding
WARNING: W et weather im pairs traction, braking and visibility, bot h for t he bic yclist and for other vehicles
sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions.
Under wet c onditions, the sto pping power o f your brak es (as well as t he brak es of ot her ve hicles s haring th e roa d) 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.C.
E. Night Riding
Riding a b icycle at n ight is m uch more d angerous than ri ding d uring the da y. A bic yclist is ver y d ifficult for motorist s and
pedestrians to see. Therefore, children should never ride a t dawn, at dus k or at night. Adult s who chose to accept the greatly
increased risk of riding at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both riding and choosing specialized equipment which
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helps reduce that risk. Consult your dealer about night riding safety equipment.
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.
Bicycle reflectors are designed to pick up a nd reflect car li ghts and street l ights in a way that may help you to be se en and
recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION: Check reflectors and their m ounting bracket s regularl y t o 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 re flectors 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 reduces 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 a brake straddle cable catching on the tire in the event of brake cable
failure. If a b rake st raddle cab le cat ches o n th e tire, it can cau se th e wheel to sto p su ddenly, cau sing y ou to loo se
control and fall.
If you choose to 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:
• Purchase and install battery or generator powered head and tail lights which meet all regulatory requirements and provide
adequate visibility.
• Wear light co lored, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a refl ective vest, reflec tive arm an d leg bands, reflective
stripes on your helmet, flashing lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... 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.
• Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned and securely mounted reflectors.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
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• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving traffic.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in traffic:
• Be predictable. Ride so that drivers can see you and predict your
movements.
• Be alert. Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.
• If you plan to ride in traffic often, ask your dealer about traffic safety classes or a good book on bicycle traffic safety.
F. Extreme, stunt or competition riding
Whether you call it Aggro, Hucking, Freeride, North Shore, Downhill, Jumping, Stunt Riding, Racing or something else: if you
engage in this sort of extreme, aggressive riding you will get hurt, and you voluntarily assume a greatly increased risk of injury or
death.
Not all bicycles are designed for these types of riding, and those that are may not be suitable for all types of aggressive riding.
Check with your dealer or the bicycle’s manufacturer about the suitability of your bicycle before engaging in extreme riding.
When riding fast do wn hill, you can r each speeds ach ieved by motorcycles, and t herefore face similar hazar ds and ri sks.
Have your bicycle and equipment carefully inspected by a qualified mechanic and be sure it is in perfect condition. C onsult with
expert riders, area site p ersonnel and race officials on conditions and eq uipment advis able at the site where you pl an to ride.
Wear ap propriate safety gear, including an approved fu ll face he lmet, ful l finger g loves, and b ody armor. Ultimately, it is you r
responsibility to have proper equipment and to be familiar with course conditions.
WARNING: Although ma ny c atalogs, a dvertisements and a rticles about bic ycling de pict rid ers engaged in
extreme rid ing, th is acti vity is e xtremely d angerous, in creases your risk o f in jury o r d eath, an d in creases the
severity of a ny injury. Re member tha t th e a ction de picted is be ing pe rformed by profes sionals with ma ny years of
training a nd experience. Kno w y our l imits a nd a lways wear a he lmet a nd othe r a ppropriate safety gea r. Ev en with
state-of-the-art protecti ve safety gear , you cou ld be seriously inju red or killed when j umping, stunt ridi ng, rid ing
downhill at speed or in competition.
WARNING: 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 the increased risks; but if you choose to take the risk, at least:
• Take lessons from a competent instructor first
• Start with easy learning exercises and slowly develop your skills before trying more difficult or dangerous riding
• Use only designated areas for stunts, jumping, racing or fast downhill riding
• Wear a full face helmet, safety pads and other safety gear
• 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 spee d, do stunt ridi ng or ride i n competition, know the limits of your skill an d experience. Ultimately,
avoiding injury is your responsibility.
G. `Changing Components or Adding Accessories
There are man y com ponents and accesso ries avai lable to enhance the comfort, performance an d a ppearance of yo ur
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. See also Appendix A, p.
35 and B, p. 41.
WARNING: Failure to conf irm compatibility, properly install, operate and maintain any component or accessory
can result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Changing the components on your bike with other than genuine replacement parts may compromise
the safety of your bicycle and may void the warranty. 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 cor rect fit for y our body and riding conditions requir es 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.
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WARNING: If y our bicycle does not f it properly, you may lose control and fall. If your new bike doesn’t fit, ask
your dealer to exchange it before you ride it.
A. Standover height
1. Diamond frame bicycles
Standover hei ght is the basic el ement of bike fit (see ). It is the dist ance from the
ground to the top of the bic ycle’s frame at that point where your crotch is w hen straddling
the bike. To check for correct standover height, straddle the bike while wearing the kind of
shoes in which you’ll be riding, and bounce vigorously on your heels. If your crotch touches
the frame, the bike is too b ig for you. Don ’t even rid e the bike ar ound the block. A bike
which you ride only on paved surfaces and never take off-road should give you a minimum
standover height clearance of two inches (5 cm). A bike that you’ll ride on unpaved surfaces
should give you a minimum of three inches (7.5 cm) of st andover height clearance. And a
bike that you’ll use off road should give you four inches (10 cm) or more of clearance.
2. Step-through frame bicycles
to b icycles with step-thr ough frames. Instead, th e
limit
tment is an important factor in getting the most performance and
com
t saddle height (fig. 3):
a pedal;
dal with your heel on it is in t he do wn position and th e
cran
ht, your saddle height needs to be adju sted. If your
hips
Standover hei ght do es not a pply
ing dimension is determi ned by saddle height range. You must be able to adjust your
saddle position as described in B without exceeding the limits set by the height of the top of
the seat tube and the ”Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension” mark on the seat post.
B. Saddle position
Correct saddle adjus
fort from your bicycle. If the saddle position is not comfortable for you, see your dealer.
The saddle can be adjusted in three directions:
1. Up and down adjustment. To check for correc
• sit on the saddle;
• place one heel on
• rotate the crank until the pe
k arm is parallel to the seat tube.
If your leg is not completel y straig
must rock for the heel to reach the ped al, the saddle is too high. If your leg is b ent at
12

the knee with your heel on the pedal, the saddle is too low.
Ask your dealer t o set the sadd le for your optimal ridi ng position an d to sho w you h ow to
mak
n the seat tube
commended torqu e (A ppendix D or the
man
correct height, make sure that the seat post does not project fro m
the
h is to make it
seat tube, as is the case on some suspension bikes, you must
also
in th e se at tu be as d escribed in B.1
.get
the
e the saddl n
just
e this adjustment. If you choose to make your own saddle height adjustment:
□loosen the seat post clamp
□raise or lower the seat post i
□make sure the saddle is straight fore and aft
□re-tighten t he seat p ost clamp to th e re
ufacturer’s instructions).
Once the saddle is at the
frame beyond its “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension” mark (fig. 4).
NOTE: Some bicycles have a sight hole in the seat tube, the purpose of whic
easy to see whether the seat post is inserted in the seat tube far enough to be safe. If your
bicycle h as s uch a sig ht hole, u se it instead o f th e “Min imum In sertion” o r “Ma ximum
Extension” mark to make sure the seat p ost is inserted in t he seat t ube far enough to be
visible through the sight hole.
If your bike has an interrupted
make sure that the seat post is far enough into the frame so that you can touch it through the
bottom of the interrupted seat tube with the tip of your finger without inserting your finger beyond
its first knuckle. Also see NOTE above and fig. 5).
WARNING: If your seat p ost is n ot in serted
above, the seat post may break, which could cause you to lose control and fall.
Front and back adjustment. The saddle can be adjusted forward or b ack to help you 2
optimal position on the bike. Ask your dealer to set the saddle for your optimal riding position
and to show you how to m ake this a djustment. If you choose to mak e your own front and back
adjustment, make sure th at the clam p mechanism is clamping on th e straight part of the sad dle
rails and is not touchi ng the curved p art of the rails, and that you are using the recom mended
torque on the clamping fastener(s) (Appendix D or the manufacturer’s instructions).
3. Saddle angle adjustment. Most people prefer a horizontal saddle; but some riders lik e nose angled up or dow
a little. Y our dea ler ca n adjust sadd le angle or te ach you ho w t o d o it. If y ou ch oose to mak e your o wn sa ddle a ngle
13

adjustment and you have a singl e bolt sad dle clamp on your seat post, it is critical t hat you loos en the clamp bolt sufficiently to
allow any s errations on the mechanism to dise ngage bef ore chan ging the sadd le’s an gle, and th en that the serrati ons full y
re-engage before you tighten the clamp bolt to the recommended torque (Appendix D or the manufacturer’s instructions).
WARNING: When making saddle angle adjustments with a single bolt saddle clamp, always check to make su re
le
on seat post, the suspension mechanism may require periodic service
best saddle position,
mak
justment, b e su re th at the sad dle adju sting mech anism is p roperly se ated a nd
se
any di
nee
many different shapes, sizes and resilience. Your dealer can help you select a saddle which,
whe
a saddle which is incorrectly adjusted or which
e
readless” stem, which clamps on to the outside of the steerer tube, or with a “quill” stem,
that the serrations on the mating surfaces of the clamp are not worn. Worn serrations on theclamp can allow the
to move, causing you to lose control and fall. Always tighten fasteners to the correct torque. Bolts that are too
tight can stretch and deform. Bolts that are too loose can move and fatigue. Either mistake can lead to a sudden failure
of the bolt, causing you to lose control and fall.
Note: If your bicycle is equipped with a suspensi
sadd
or maintenance. Ask your dealer for recommended service intervals for your suspension seat post.
Small changes in saddle position can have a substantial effect on performance and comfort. To find your
e only one adjustment at a time.
WARNING: After an y sad dle ad
tightened b efore rid ing. A lo ose sad dle clamp o r seat post clamp can cau se d amage to th e seat p ost, o r can
you to lose control and fall. A correctly tightened saddle adjusting mechanism will allow no saddle movement in
rection. Periodically check to make sure that the saddle adjusting mechanism is properly tightened.
If, in spite of careful ly adjusting the saddle height, tilt and fore-and-aft position, your saddle is still uncomfort able, you may
cau
d a different saddle design.
Saddles, like people, come in
n correctly adjusted for your body and riding style, will be comfortable.
WARNING: Some people have claimed that extended riding with
does not support your pelvic area correctly can cause short-term or long-term injury to nerves and blood vessels,
n impotence. If your saddle causes you pain, numbness or other discomfort, listen to your body and stop riding
until you see your dealer about saddle adjustment or a different saddle.
C. Handlebar height and angle
or ev
Your bike is equipped either with a “th
14

whic
dlebar
heig
k your dealer to adjust the handlebar height a
bit b
d or stamped mark on its shaft which designates the stem’s
“Min
b .
sion of the fro nt brake cab le, lo cking th e fro nt b rake o r cre ating excess ca ble
the wh
our bicycle has an adjustable angle stem, ask your dealer to
sho
s tighten fasteners to the correct torque. Bolts that are too tight c an stretch and deform. Bolts
c
o change the angle of the handlebar or bar end extensions.
bolt or bar end extension clamping bolt
l
h clamps inside the steerer tube b y way of an expanding binder bolt. If y ou aren’t absolutely
sure which type of stem your bike has, ask your dealer.
If y our bike h as a “threadles s” stem (fig. 6 ) your d ealer ma y b e abl e to chan ge ha n
ht 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.
If your bike has a “quill” stem (fig. 7) you can as
y adjusting stem height.
A quill stem has an etche
imum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension”. This mark must not be visible above the headset.
WARNING: A quill stem’s Minimum Insertion Mark must not be visibleabove the top
of the headset. If the stem is extended beyond the Minimum Insertion Mark the stem
reak or damage the fork’s steerer tube, which could cause you to lose control and fall
WARNING: On so me b icycles, ch anging th e stem o r stem h eight can affect th e
ten
may
slack which can make the front brake inoperable. If the front brake pads move in towards the wheel rim or out away from
eel rim when th e stem o r stem h eight is ch anged, the b rakes mu st b e co rrectly ad justed b efore you rid e th e
bicycle.
Some bicycles are equipped with an adjustable angle stem. If y
w you how to adjust if. Do not attempt to make the adjustment yourself, as changing stem angle may also require adjustments
to the bicycle’s controls.
WARNING: Alway
that are too lo ose can move and fatigue. Either mistake can lead to a sudden failure of the bolt, causing you to
ontrol and fall.
Your dealer can als
lose
WARNING: An insufficiently tightened stem clamp bolt, handlebar clamp
may compromise steering action, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Place the front wheel of the
e between your legs and attempt to twist the handlebar/stem assembly. If you can twist the stem in relation to bicyc
15