EARLY RIDER Urban U20 User manual

User Manual
6Y
–
9Y
50CM+
115CM
Urban U20 U20FBR

The Early Rider Explorers are a group of adventurers
who love getting out on their Early Rider bikes.
They also get special discounts on Early Rider
products and you’ll activate your bike’s warranty.
Thank you for choosing one of our awesome bikes!
They are brought to you by a small team of passionate
life-long bikers based in Henley-on-Thames, UK.
We simply love what we do and we hope that shows in the
amazing Early Rider bike you have selected. If you have any
questions simply speak to your retailer or drop us a line at:
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IT’S EASY TO JOIN
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ENJOY THE BENEFITS
Discounts, ideas and freebies!
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Brake Lever
Headtube
Headset
Crank
Front Sprocket
Belt/Chain
Rear Sprocket
Seatpost Clamp
Saddle
Seatpost
Stem
A
B
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Your Early Rider will be fully assembled when purchased
from an Early Rider authorised dealer. These instructions
are intended to detail some important points vital for
the safe and ecient running of your bike and to run
through the adjustment of the bike to accommodate
your child’s development.
Please retain these instructions for future reference.
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U20
EARLY RIDER
Know your bike
U20 FBR

GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST RIDE
SEttING UP YOUR BELTER
ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION
SEAT CLAMP
Sit your child on the bike. Adjust the saddle position
so that your child can support themselves with their
feet on the ground and their legs slightly bent.
They need to be comfortable and stable when they are
getting started on the bike. Once familiar with the bike,
you can begin to raise the saddle height to enable a little
extra pedal power, but be sure to do this only as your
child’s confidence develops.
Encourage your child to pedal with the ball of their foot.
In time you can get them to a riding position where the
leg is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke for
optimum eciency.
1
Your seat post is marked to indicate the maximum
permissible height of the saddle. For safety reasons,
do not exceed the maximum extension mark.
Important Stuff
SEAT RAILS
Your bike is equipped with our epic Wing Seat.
An anatomically correct performance seat specially designed
for children. It uses rails together with a micro-adjust
seatpost to give you precise control over reach and angle.
We recommend you work with your child to find the
perfect position.
To adjust simply loosen the allen key bolt under the seat at
the top of the seat post (see pic). Once loose you will be able
to move the seat backward and forwards and angle it up and
down. Once the desired position has been found just tighten
the bolt and you’re ready to ride!
U20 & U20FBR U20 & U20FBR

GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST RIDE
CHECK YOUR WHEELS & TYRES
TYRES
Check your tyre pressure before riding, either by
hand or by using a pressure gauge. Your tyres
should be inflated to the pressure range indicated
on the tyre sidewalls. Under inflated tyres will increase
traction but will be harder to drive and will increase the
chance of punctures.
WHEELS
Spin the wheels and make sure that the brake blocks remain
clear of the wheel at all times. Rubbing can usually be fixed
by adjusting the brake balance. Interference between rim,
tyre and the brake blocks caused by a more substantial
buckle in the wheel needs to be fixed by an experienced
wheel builder. Please be aware, a brake block rubbing on
the tyre sidewall will cause a sudden and dangerous blow
out if not corrected.
3
SEttING UP YOUR BELTER
ADJUST THE HANDLEBARS
The handlebars can be adjusted to suit the
rider. The height can be altered to find the most
comfortable riding position for your child.
STEM HEIGHT
Your Belter has a “threadless” headset system which uses a
series of spacers that can be placed above or below the stem
to alter the handlebar height (see maintenance - ‘headset’ for
adjustment information).
2
U20 & U20FBR U20 & U20FBR

GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST RIDE
SEttING UP YOUR BELTER
CHECK YOUR BRAKES
(U20 & U20FBR)
You can adjust the reach to the lever using
the allen head screw as shown in the picture
to find the perfect reach for your child’s hands.
Squeeze the brakes before setting oon a ride. It’s easy to
forget to reconnect brake cables after transporting the bike
or repairing a puncture. Ensure the brake blocks are not
worn and contact the rim uniformly when the brake lever is
pulled. If in doubt, ask your dealer.
Your bike is equipped with two short reach, high
performance brakes. Encourage your child to pull the
brake lever smoothly and gradually. Remember that braking
will throw the rider’s weight forward and so when the brakes
are applied, extend or tense the arms to resist this motion.
Regularly inspect the brakes for adjustment and wear.
A worn or loose brake pad won’t work well and may be
more dangerous than no brake pads at all.
4
U20 & U20FBR
Your bike is set up so the right hand brake lever operates the front
brake. If the destination country drive on the right, the right hand
brake will operate the rear brake. Please check before the first
ride.
Important Stuff
SEttING UP YOUR BELTER
GEARS
Shift gears by turning the rotating grip.
You can shift while standing still or while riding
your bicycle. When approaching inclines shift
down in good time. The smoothest and fastest
gear change happens when changing gears while pedaling
with low force.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE TIPS,
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE MANUFACTURER’S USER GUIDE
FROM EARLYRIDER.COM/MANUALS
5
The internal gear hub should only be serviced by a
qualified dealer. There are no user-servicable parts.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE IT APART - YOU WILL
BREAK IT! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
IMPORtant stuff
U20

GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST RIDE & EVERY RIDE
Safety first
When riding a bicycle, a child should wear a correctly
fitted helmet at all times. Failure to do so may result in
serious injury. There, we’ve told you twice.
IMPORtant stuff
RIDING IN THE DARK
Your Early Rider bike comes with a full set of reflectors. Keep
them on the bike and keep them clean; they will help your
child to be seen by others.
If you and your child will be riding in dull or dark conditions
we strongly recommend that you use a set of reliable battery
powered lights. We also strongly recommend your child
wears reflective clothing when riding, but especially in low
light conditions.
BAD WEATHER
Always be aware that brakes do not work as eciently in wet
weather as they do in the dry. Even well maintained brakes
will require more pressure on the lever and a longer distance
to stop.
Make sure to remind your child to familiarise themselves with
braking when they ride in variable conditions. Also remember
that visibility is reduced in the wet.
ALWAYS WEAR
PLEASE RIDE WITH CARE!
No matter how experienced your child is,
it’s worth spending some time allowing your
child to get used to riding their new bike in
a quiet, open area, free from trac.
The Early Rider 20 is a performance
bicycle, built for speed and awesomeness.
Ensure that your child is properly
protected at all times and above all...
A HELMEt!

GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST RIDE & EVERY RIDE
INTENDED USE
The Urban 20 is a child’s bike. As such, it is not indended for
use by an adult. An adults weight on the bike could result in
damage to parts on the bike including, but not exclusive to,
the frame, forks, cranks and wheel set.
Although we test our bikes beyond their intended usage
and weight, the maximum safe combined weight for rider +
luggage is 40kg.
The U20FBR & U20 are designed to be ridden on paved
cycle paths with gentle gradients, where the wheels remain
in constant contact with the ground. They are not suitable for
use on rough terrain.
Avoid riding by any busy streets or highways and always
observe possible national legal requirements if riding on
public roads.
IMPORtant stuff
safety first
Your Early Rider bike is uniquely designed to be low maintenance but it will still benefit from care and attention.
CLEANING
Cleaning your bike regularly means you are more likely
to notice any loose or worn components and possible
frame damage. A clean, well lubricated bike will also run
more smoothly.
We recommend using a bicycle or car shampoo, a sponge
and a brush. Wash, rinse and dry before lubricating it.
DO NOT JET WASH as this may damage your bike’s
cartridge bearings.
simple maintenance
LUBRICANTS
After cleaning your bike, it is advisable to spray with a water
dispersant, let it dry and then lubricate moving parts.
The drivetrain and gear cables will benefit from regular
lubrication with a suitable bicycle specific lubricant.
Component Lubricant Frequency
Chain Oil Weekly/after washing/rain
Gear Cables Oil Weekly/after washing/rain
Rear Derailleur Oil Weekly/after washing/rain
Suspension Forks Silicone spray Weekly/after washing/rain
Although the bike uses Stainless Steel hardware - a small squirt of
a water dispersant on all bolt heads will help stop corrosion and
keep the bolts looking like new.

ENJOYING YOUR BIKE EVERY RIDE
BELT TENSIONING (U20FBR)
Unlike a chain your belt will not suer from stretching,
meaning no reduction of performance. Occasionally however,
you may need to tension the belt, for example after having
repaired a puncture. Tensioning the belt is made very simple
with ‘tensioners’ located in the front of the rear dropouts on
either side (between the chain stay and seat stay).
To tighten the belt loosen the four dropout-plate bolts (A),
loosen the lock nuts on the tensioner screws (B), and turn
the belt tensioner adjustment screws using a 3mm allen key
clockwise as shown right. Alternate adjusting the left and
right belt tensioners to ensure the rear wheel remains aligned
centrally with the frame of the bike. Your belt should have
no more than 20mm vertical movement when pressed in the
middle point of the drive train. Do not over-tighten the belt
as this will aect performance. Turn the pedals/cranks and
watch to ensure the belt is running correctly centred on the
front and rear sprocket.
If for example the belt is running too far to the right on
the rear sprocket then turn the right tensioner adjustment
screw clockwise or the left tensioner screw anti-clockwise
dependant on what is required to maintain optimum belt
tension. Once correct alignment and tension have been
achieved tighten all four drop-out plate bolts to 6nm,
re-check alignment and then secure tensioner screw
lock nuts.
U20FBR
B
A
simple maintenance
THREADLESS HEADSET
Your Early Rider Belter uses a ‘threadless headset’.
Threadless headsets use a stem that clamps around an
unthreaded steerer tube of a fork. Adjustment of these
headsets (or re-tensioning after re-positioning of spacers
to adjust the stem height) is relatively straightforward –
threadless headsets can be adjusted with a simple Allen key.
If the headset is loose, first loosen the stem bolts so that it
can move on the steerer. Tighten the bolt in the centre of the
top cap that sits on top of the stem until the play is taken up.
Do not over tighten this top bolt. Rock the bike back and
forth with the front brake on to check for play and tighten
a quarter turn until the play is eliminated. Then tighten the
stem bolts correctly ensuring that the stem is lined up with
the front wheel.
Correct tensioning of these bolts involves adding a half
turn to each bolt in turn until the correct level of torque is
reached. Rotate the bars from side to side – the headset
should feel smooth, not lumpy or sti. If it is undo the
stem bolts and loosen the top cap bolt a quarter turn
and try again.
Bearing damage caused by lack of maintenance or by riding
the bike with a loose headset may mean that a smooth feel
is not possible – in this case please consult your local dealer
for advice.

ENJOYING YOUR BIKE EVERY RIDE
simple maintenance
HEADSET & STEM
Although the bearings of a headset don’t rotate as frequently
as the other bearings on a bike they are among the most
important as they control the accurate steering of your bike.
A loose headset can quickly damage the bike making it hard
to control. Check your headset every time you ride. To check
headset tightness, put the front brake on and rock the bike
back and forth. If you feel movement tighten the headset.
WARNING! A loose headset can cause a serious
accident – ensure that any play here is eliminated
before the bike is ridden. Consult a dealer if in doubt.
IMPORtant stuff
U20 & U20FBRU20 & U20FBR
V-BRAKES (U20)
To disconnect the brakes (to remove the wheel for example)
you need to release the curved metal tube (the lead pipe or
noodle) from it’s retainer connected to the brake arm. Grab
both brake arms with one hand and squeeze the brakes onto
the rim. There should now be enough slack in the cable to
unhook the lead pipe. If not, use the barrel adjuster on the
brake lever to add a little slack, but remember to take up
this slack before riding.
The brake pads on V-brakes have grooves in them to clear
water from the rim, replace pads before the pad is worn to
the bottom of these grooves. The pads can be simply
unbolted to replace. When unbolting be sure to keep the
washers and shims in the correct order. Slip these onto the
post of the new pad.
Hold the bed flat against the rim and tighten up the Allen
bolt. Double check the pad hits the rim squarely without
overlapping the edge of the rim.
To reconnect the brakes, squeeze the brakes against the rim
and hook the lead pipe back into the retainer. Make sure that
the lead pipe is correctly located and that the outer cable is
properly seated in the brake lever. As the pads wear, you can
take up additional cable slack with the barrel adjuster on the
brake lever. Keep an eye on the pads though, make sure that
they still hit the rim squarely. It only takes a few moments to
correct and may avoid problems later.
U20 U20
It is important that the parents or carers ensure that
the child is properly instructed in the use of the bicycle,
particular in the safe use of the braking systems.
IMPORtant stuff

ENJOYING YOUR BIKE EVERY RIDE
simple maintenance
CALIPER BRAKES (U20FBR)
The U20 FBR is fitted with dual pivot Tektro caliper brakes.
There may be some stretching of the cable during the first
few rides. You can adjust this slack by using the barrel
adjusters on the brake lever and at the top of the caliper
brake.
BRAKE PAD WEAR & ADJUSTMENT
The brake pads on the caliper brakes have grooves in them
to clear water from the rim. If the grooves are no longer
visibile, the pads should be replaced.
Adjust the brake pad position so that the shoe surface aligns
with the rim surface as shown in the illustration below, and
tighten the shoe fixing bolt to 5-7Nm using a 4mm allen key.
Ensure that the cable barrel adjuster is seated in place and
that the quick release locking lever is seated in the closed
position inside the brake arm.
You can make minor adjudstments by using the centering
adjustment bolt using a 2mm allen key.
U20FBR
WHEELS
The condition of your wheels is key. The best maintenance
for a wheel is preventative maintenance. Watch for these
potential usage-created problems:
DIRTY RIMS
Dirty or greasy rims can render your brakes ineective. Do not
clean greasy rims with solvents. Wipe your rims with a clean
rag or wash with soap and water, rinse and let air dry. When
lubricating your bike, be sure not to get oil on the braking
surfaces. If this happens, use a bike specific degreaser to
remove any traces of lubricant before riding or operating the
brakes as it’s easier to remove lubricants from the rims than
the pads.
BUCKLED WHEELS
Bike wheels withstand great forces and weight. Watch for
bent, loose or broken spokes that can cause your wheel to
go ‘out of true’. If your wheels rub noticeably on the brake
pads or you feel a pulsing or juddering when you brake,
your wheels may need truing. Because wheel truing is a
complicated procedure we recommend you take your bike to
an authorised Early Rider dealer if you feel the wheels need
some attention. This is always better done sooner rather
than later, as once a wheel looses it’s ‘balance’ or even spoke
tension, it will deteriorate to a point where it is not possible
to repair it.

ENJOYING YOUR BIKE EVERY RIDE
simple maintenance
Never ride your bike with loose cranks or pedals as this
could damage your cranks which will never tighten up
properly again.
IMPORtant stuff
PEDALS
It is important to ensure your pedals are tight in the crank
before every ride. Using the bike when loose would result in
damage to the crank arm and possibly yourself!
NOTE: Remember that pedal threads are dierent from
left side to right side. The right side pedal has a right-hand
thread (removes counterclockwise, installs clockwise). The
left side pedal has a left-hand thread (removes clockwise,
installs counterclockwise). Our pedals are printed ‘L’ and ‘R’
for left and right.
TIGHTEN PEDALS
Using a 6mm Allen key and following the direction guide
above, locate the hex hole at the crank end of the pedal and
tighten the thread so it is locked in.
SPROCKET, CRANK & FREEWHEEL
These are components that come under significant stress.
The crank and front sprocket fit onto the bottom bracket
of your bike and is held on at either side by a bolt. These are
among the most important bolts to check regularly – once a
week. Make sure you have the right size tool (8mm Allen key)
to fit the bolt. Tighten to 35nm. It is not uncommon for the
cranks to settle on the axle of the bottom bracket during the
first few rides. This can cause the cranks to loosen (indicated
by a once a revolution creak or clicking sound under
pressure) and could permanently damage the cranks.
U20 & U20FBR
SPARES AND REPLACEMENT PARTS
We carry a stock of replacment parts for your Early Rider
bike including grips, tyres and inner tubes. Please visit the
Early Rider website for a list of readily available parts.
www.earlyrider.com/collections/spares
If you can’t find what your looking or for any questions
regarding the compatibility of parts please contact our
customer services by phone or email.
FRAME NUMBER
Please keep a record of your frame number. The frame
number is located on the underside of the frame and consists
of letters and numbers stamped into the frame.
U20 & U20FBR
U20 & U20FBR
Frame
number

ENJOYING YOUR BIKE EVERY RIDE
Warranty coverage on your Belter frame, forks and components
extends for ONE YEAR from the date of purchase while owned by
the original retail purchaser.
This warranty does not cover:
1. Normal wear and tear. Including consumables such as tyres,
grips, brake pads, inner tubes and cables.
2. Any damage, failure or loss caused by accident, misuse, neglect,
abuse, failure to follow instructions or warnings in the owners’
manual or manuals supplied with the bike referring to original
equipment fitted.
3. Any damage, failure or loss caused by use of bicycles for stunt
riding, acrobatics or other similar activities or in any other
manner for which they were not designed. Bending of frames,
forks, handlebars, seat posts or wheel rims can be a sign of
misuse or abuse.
4. The original owner shall pay all labour charges connected with
the repair or replacement of all parts. Under no circumstances
does this limited warranty include the cost of shipment or
transportation to or from an authorised Early Rider distributor
or retailer.
limited warranty
Useful product life cycle
Every Early Rider bike and frame set has a useful life cycle. The
useful life cycle is not the same as the warranty period. The warranty
identifies the period of time that Early Rider will replace the product
if this becomes necessary, this does not guarantee that the product
will last forever. The length of the useful life cycle will vary depending
on the type of bike, riding conditions and care the bike receives. Any
non-standard use can substantially shorten the useful product life cycle
of an Early Rider bicycle or frame set. All Early Rider bicycles and frame
sets should be annually checked by an authorised Early Rider dealer
for indications of potential failures including cracks, corrosion, dents,
deformation, paint peeling and any other indications of potential
problems, inappropriate use or abuse. These are important safety
checks and very important to help prevent accidents, bodily injury to
the rider and shortened useful product life cycle of an Early Rider
frame set.
As with all mechanical components, the bicycle is subjected to wear
and high stresses. Dierent materials and components might react to
wear or stress fatigue in dierent ways. If the design life of the compo-
nents has been exceeded, it may suddenly fail, possibly causing injuries
to the rider. Any form of crack, scratches, or change of colouring in
highly stressed areas indicate that the life of the component has been
reached and it should be replaced.
Limitations
Only bikes sold, assembled and collected from an authorised Early
Rider dealer will be eligible for warranty. The foregoing warranties are
in lieu of and exclude all other warranties not expressly set forth herein,
whether express or implied by operation of law or otherwise, including
but not limited to any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. Early Rider shall in no event be liable for incidental
or consequential losses, damages or expenses in connection with its
bicycle products. Early Rider’s liability hereunder is expressly limited
to the replacement of goods not complying with this warranty or, at
Early Rider’s discretion, to the amount equal to the purchase price of
the product in question.
Procedures
đŏ Warranty service will be performed by Early Rider or an Early Rider
authorised dealer. Proof of purchase must be provided.
Transportation to and from the Early Rider authorised dealer is
the responsibility of the purchaser.
đŏ Early Rider will have the option of either repair or repayment of an
amount equal to the purchase price of the product.
đŏ In the event Early Rider elects to replace a defective frame, a new
frame of equal or greater value will be provided. The new frame
may not be the exact model purchased. Early Rider is not responsible
for dealer labour charges for component changeovers when a frame
is replaced.
đŏ If you elect to repair a defective product yourself or use the services
of someone other than an Early Rider authorised dealer, Early Rider
will not be liable for any damage, failure or loss caused by the use of
such unauthorised service or parts.

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đđČŏ
© 2018 EARLY RIDER LIMITED
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property of their respective owners.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.