Brooklyn Cruiser Bicycles User manual

Brooklyn Cruiser Bicycles
All Models
Owner’s Manual
Distributed by Brooklyn Cruiser LLC, Brooklyn, NY www.brooklyncruiser.com 800.631.0630

At Brooklyn Cruiser our design process literally starts from
the ground up with the exclusive goal of offering you the
most comfortable ride available today. From the countless
hours spent delicately tweaking the geometry of our frames,
to the tireless search for the perfect components, to the shop
that sold you your Brooklyn Cruiser, nothing has been left to
chance. Taken together, the results of our efforts speak for
themselves.
You have our pledge that you will not nd more comfortable,
better quality bikes for this value anywhere on the planet.
We know because we spent years looking, and when we
couldn’t nd them, we started Brooklyn Cruiser to build them.
That’s why every bike comes with our exclusive Brooklyn
Cruiser lifetime warranty.
Vintage inspired, built for today – that’s Brooklyn Cruiser.
Thank you for your business.
Safe Riding,
Ryan Zagata
President

Please register your bicycle under our warranty program at:
www.brooklyncruiser.com/blog/register-bike/
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brooklyncruiser
Find us on Twitter @brooklynbikes

ACCESSORIES INDICATION
1. Saddle
2. Fenders
3. Rear Carrier
4. Seat post
5. Pedal crank
6. Pedal
7. Grip
8. Handlebar
9. Stem
10. Front fork
11. Head Tube
12. Chain Stay
13. Shifter
14. Hand Brake

Upon receiving your bike, carefully open the box and ensure
you have all parts listed below. We advise that you cut the
side of the box open with a box cutter rather than trying to
remove the bike from the top.
Included in box:
Bicycle
2 Pedals
Saddle & Seat Post
Front Tire and Fender
Reector & Screw
Handlebars & Stem with shifter and handbrake cables at-
tached to bike
Touch up paint
Tools needed for assembly but not included in box:
Phillips head screwdriver
Box cutter
Scissors
4mm, 5mm, 6mm & 8mm Allen keys
Adjustable wrench or 9mm, 10mm, 14mm & 15mm open and
box end wrenches
A pair of pliers with the ability to cut cables

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 rst ride on your new bicycle, and keep it for
reference.
Additional safety, performance and service information for specic 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 conict 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 man-
ual. 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 t p. 3
B. Safety rst p. 3
C. Mechanical Safety Check p. 3
D. First ride p. 5
2. Safety
A. The Basics p. 6
B. Riding Safety p. 7
C. Off Road Safety p. 8
D. Wet Weather Riding p. 8
E. Night Riding p. 9
F. Extreme, stunt or competition riding p. 10
G. Changing Components or Adding Accessories p. 11
3.Fit
A. Standover height p. 11
B. Saddle position p. 12
C. Handlebar height and angle p. 14
D. Control position adjustments p. 15
E. Brake reach p. 15
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. 29
G. Tires and Tubes p. 30
5. Service
A. Service Intervals p. 32
B. If your bicycle sustains an impact p. 34
Appendix A: Intended Use p. 35
Appendix B: Lifespan of your bike and its components p. 41
Appendix C: Coaster Brakes p. 49
Appendix D: Fastener Torque Specications p. 51

1
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.

2
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 trafc 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.

3
1. First
NOTE: We strongly urge you to read this Manual in its entirety before your rst
ride. At the very least, read and make sure that you understand each point in this
section, and refer to the cited sections on any issue which you don’t completely
understand. 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 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, 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 brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust
their angle and reach. See Section 3.D and 3.E.
6. Do you fully understand how to operate your new bicycle? If not, before your
rst 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.
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. Do you know how to correctly secure your front and rear wheels? Check
Section 4.A.1 to make sure. Riding with an 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 Section 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

4
wide variety of fastener sizes and shapes made in a variety of materials, often
differing by model and component, the correct tightening force or torque cannot
be generalized. To make sure that the many fasteners on your bicycle are
correctly tightened, refer to the Fastener Torque Specications in Appendix D
of this manual or to the torque specications in the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the component in question. Correctly tightening a fastener
requires a calibrated torque wrench. A professional bicycle mechanic with a
torque 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 specications from the bicycle or component manufacturer or from your
dealer. If you need to make an adjustment at home or in the eld, we urge you to
exercise care, and to have the fasteners you worked on checked by your dealer
as soon as possible.
WARNING: Correct tightening force on fasteners –nuts, bolts, screws– on
your bicycle is important. 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 component
failure, which can cause you to loose control and fall.
 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 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 inated (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
deection. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are
correctly inated; 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 qualied 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 experience. Do not
attempt to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge, experience and
tools needed to do the job correctly.
 Wheel rims clean and undamaged? Make sure the rims are clean and
undamaged at the tire bead 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 side of the wheel rim is an indication that the wheel rim has

5
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 control
cables seated and securely engaged? If you have rim brakes, do the brake
pads contact the wheel rim squarely and make full contact with the rim? Do the
brakes begin to engage 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 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 seat post has an over-center cam action fastener for easy
height adjustment, check that it is properly adjusted and in the locked position.
See Section 4.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 Sections 3.B and 3.C.
 Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in good
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 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 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
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

6
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 require specic safety devices. It is
your responsibility to familiarize 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.
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 trafc laws. It’s
your responsibility to know and obey the laws.
1. Always wear a cycling helmet which meets the latest certication 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.C.); pedals (Section 4.E.); shifting (Section 4.D.)
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. 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 with your bike. Jumping a bike, particularly a BMX or mountain
bike, can be fun; but it can put huge and unpredictable stress on the bicycle and

7
its components. Riders who insist on jumping their bikes risk serious 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 trafc 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
trafc, 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 trafc ow or as directed by local
governing laws.
6. Stop at stop signs and trafc 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 trafc 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 do stunts, wheelies or jumps. If you intend to do stunts, wheelies,
jumps or go racing with your bike despite our advice not to, read Section 2.F,
Downhill, Stunt or Competition Biking, now. Think carefully about your skills
before deciding to take the large risks that go with this kind of riding.
13. Don’t weave through trafc 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 inuence 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.

8
C. Off Road Safety
We recommend that children not ride on rough terrain unless they are
accompanied by an adult.
1. The variable conditions and hazards of off-road riding require close attention
and specic 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 difcult 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 someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
4. Always take along some kind of identication, so that people know who you
are in case of an accident; and take along some cash for food, a cool drink or an
emergency phone call.
5. Yield right of way to pedestrians and animals. Ride in a way that does not
frighten or endanger them, and give 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 private 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: 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.C.
E. Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding during the day. A
bicyclist is very difcult for motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children
should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults who chose to accept the

9
greatly increased risk of riding at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra
care both riding and choosing specialized equipment which helps reduce that
risk. Consult your dealer about night riding safety equipment.
WARNING: Reectors 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 reectors is dangerous and
may result in serious injury or death.
Bicycle reectors are designed to pick up and reect car lights and street lights
in a way that may help you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION: Check reectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make
sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have
your dealer replace damaged reectors and straighten or tighten any that
are bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reectors 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 reectors or reector brackets
from your bicycle. They are an integral part of the bicycle’s safety system.
Removing the reectors reduces your visibility to others using the
roadway. Being struck by other vehicles may result in serious injury or death.
The reector brackets may protect you from a 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 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 colored, reective clothing and accessories, such as a reective
vest, reective arm and leg bands, reective stripes on your helmet, ashing
lights attached to your body and/or your bicycle ... any reective device or light
source that moves will help you get the attention of approaching motorists,
pedestrians and other trafc.
• Make sure your clothing or anything you may be carrying on the bicycle does
not obstruct a reector or light.
• Make sure that your bicycle is equipped with correctly positioned and
securely mounted reectors.
While riding at dawn, at dusk or at night:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving trafc.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in trafc:

10
• 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 trafc often, ask your dealer about trafc safety classes
or a good book on bicycle trafc 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 down hill, you can reach speeds achieved by motorcycles,
and therefore face similar hazards and risks. Have your bicycle and equipment
carefully inspected by a qualied mechanic and be sure it is in perfect condition.
Consult with expert riders, area site personnel and race ofcials 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. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to have proper equipment and to be
familiar with course conditions.
WARNING: Although many catalogs, advertisements and articles about
bicycling depict riders engaged in extreme riding, this activity is extremely
dangerous, increases your risk of injury or death, and increases 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.
WARNING: 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 choose to take the risk, at least:
• Take lessons from a competent instructor rst
• Start with easy learning exercises and slowly develop your skills before trying
more difcult 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 speed, do stunt riding or ride in competition, know the
limits of your skill and experience. Ultimately, avoiding injury is your responsibility.

11
G. `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. See also Appendix
A, p. 35 and B, p. 41.
WARNING: Failure to conrm 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 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.
WARNING: If your bicycle does not t properly, you may lose control and
fall. If your new bike doesn’t t, ask your dealer to exchange it before you
ride it.
A. Standover height
1. Diamond frame bicycles
Standover height is the basic element of bike t (see ). It is the distance
from the ground to the top of the bicycle’s frame at that point where your crotch
is when 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 big for
you. Don’t even ride the bike around 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 standover height
clearance. And a bike that you’ll use off road should give you four inches (10 cm)
or more of clearance.

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2. Step-through frame bicycles
Standover height does not apply to
bicycles with step-through frames. Instead,
the limiting dimension is determined 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 adjustment is an
important factor in getting the most performance and comfort 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 correct saddle height (g. 3):
• sit on the saddle;
• place one heel on a pedal;
• rotate the crank until the pedal with your heel on it is in the down position and
the crank arm is parallel to the seat tube.
If your leg is not completely straight, your saddle height needs to be adjusted.
If your hips must rock for the heel to reach the pedal, the saddle is too high. If
your leg is bent at the knee with your heel on the pedal, the saddle is too low.
Ask your dealer to set the saddle for your optimal riding position and to show
you how to make this adjustment. If you choose to make your own saddle height
adjustment:
 loosen the seat post clamp
 raise or lower the seat post in the seat tube
 make sure the saddle is straight fore and aft
 re-tighten the seat post clamp to the recommended torque (Appendix D or
the manufacturer’s instructions).
Once the saddle is at the correct height, make sure that the seat post does not
project from the frame beyond its “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension”
mark (g. 4).
NOTE: Some bicycles have a sight hole in
the seat tube, the purpose of which is to
make it easy to see whether the seat post
is inserted in the seat tube far enough to be
safe. If your bicycle has such a sight hole,
use it instead of the “Minimum Insertion” or
“Maximum Extension” mark to make sure
the seat post is inserted in the seat tube far
enough to be visible through the sight hole.
If your bike has an interrupted seat tube,
as is the case on some suspension bikes,
you must also make sure that the seat post

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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 nger without inserting your nger
beyond its rst knuckle. Also see NOTE above and
g.5).
WARNING: If your seat post is not inserted in
the seat tube as described in B.1 above, the
seat post may break, which could cause you
to lose control and fall.
2. Front and back adjustment. The saddle can be
adjusted forward or back to help you get the optimal
position on the bike. Ask your dealer to set the
saddle for your optimal riding position and to show
you how to make this adjustment. If you choose
to make your own front and back adjustment,
make sure that the clamp mechanism is clamping
on the straight part of the saddle rails and is not
touching the curved part of the rails, and that you
are using the recommended 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 like the saddle
nose angled up or down just a little. Your dealer
can adjust saddle angle or teach you how to do
it. If you choose to make your own saddle angle adjustment and you have a
single bolt saddle clamp on your seat post, it is critical that you loosen the clamp
bolt sufciently to allow any serrations on the mechanism to disengage before
changing the saddle’s angle, and then that the serrations fully 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 sure that the serrations on the mating
surfaces of the clamp are not worn. Worn serrations on the clamp can
allow the saddle 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 suspension seat post, the suspension
mechanism may require periodic service 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 nd your best saddle position, make only one
adjustment at a time.