Mec Bike User manual

2
For more information on warranty and
other bike services visit mec.ca/bikes MEC.CA/BIKE
BIKEMANUAL

1
MEC BIKE MANUAL
ThANKs for choosINg AN MEc BIKE.
ANd ThANKs for INvEsTINg IN AN AcTIvITy
ThAT’s pArT of A MorE sUsTAINABLE fUTUrE.
WE hopE yoUr NEW BIKE provIdEs yEArs
of fUN ANd oUTdoor ExpLorATIoN.
ENjoy ThE rIdE.
Bikes can be serviced only at MEC stores with bike shops.
Find MEC stores that sell and service bikes at mec.ca/bikes
MEC Bike Service Agreement
During its first year your bike may require minor adjustments. You can
bring your bike to an MEC store with a bike shop for free adjustments
and minor maintenance for one year after purchase. Adjustments and
maintenance include tightening of gear and brake cables, bearing
adjustments, minor wheel truing, and general check ups. The Service
Agreement covers the cost of service and labour and does not include
the cost of replacement parts or advanced repairs. Any part found to be
defective is covered by our Rocksolid Guarantee.
Rocksolid Guarantee
Like many retailers, we guarantee our products; if an item hasn’t met
your expectations, you can bring it back. Unlike most retailers, we also
guarantee the product selection advice oered through our catalogue,
website, and sta; if an item you’ve purchased based on this advice turns
out to be unsuitable, you can bring it back. In either case, simply return
the item for exchange, refund, repair, or credit.
Both the Rocksolid Guarantee and the Bike Service Agreement cover
normal use and riding conditions. Damage caused by accidents, misuse,
or abuse is not covered. Normal wear and tear on items such as tires,
tubes, cables, and brake pads is not covered. The Service Agreement
applies to the original owner only. Please provide your receipt when
bringing your bike in for service. Bikes cannot be returned or serviced
at MEC stores without bike shops.

3
MEC BIKE MANUAL
2
Contents
General warning.........................................................4
A special note to parents.................................................5
1 Prep .................................................................6
A Bike fit ...........................................................6
B Safety first........................................................6
C Mechanical safety check .......................................... 7
D First ride .........................................................9
2 Safety ..............................................................10
A The basics....................................................... 10
B Riding safety......................................................11
C O road safety................................................... 12
D Wet weather riding ...............................................13
E Night riding ......................................................13
F Extreme, stunt or competition riding ...............................14
G Changing components or adding accessories ...................... 15
3 Fit .................................................................. 17
A Standover height................................................. 17
B Saddle position .................................................. 17
C Handlebar height and angle .......................................20
D Control position adjustments...................................... 21
E Brake reach ..................................................... 21
4 Tech ................................................................22
A Wheels ..........................................................22
B Seat post cam action clamp.......................................29
C Brakes ..........................................................30
D Shifting gears....................................................32
E Pedals...........................................................35
F Bicycle suspension ...............................................36
G Tires and tubes ..................................................37
5 Service..............................................................40
A Service intervals .................................................40
B If your bicycle sustains an impact..................................42
Appendix A Intended use ...............................................43
Appendix B Lifespan of your bike and its components ....................50
Appendix C Coaster brakes ............................................58
Appendix D Fastener torque specifications ..............................59
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.

5
MEC BIKE MANUAL
4
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 fitted
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 tra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.
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 conse-
quences 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.

7
MEC BIKE MANUAL
6
6 Does your bike have suspension? If so, check Section 4F. 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 and other fasteners Because manufacturers use a wide
variety of fastener sizes and shapes made in a variety of materials, often diering
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 Specifications in Appendix D of this
manual or to the torque specifications 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 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 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 o 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 experi-
ence to check.
Tires and wheels Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see Section 4G1). 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.
1 Prep
Note We strongly urge you to read this Manual in its entirety before your first
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 fit
1 Is your bike the right size? To check, see Section 3A. 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 3B. If you adjust your
saddle height, follow the Minimum Insertion instructions in Section 3B.
3 Are saddle and seat post securely clamped? A correctly tightened
saddle will allow no saddle movement in any direction. See Section 3B.
4 Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see
Section 3C.
5 Can you comfortably operate the brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust
their angle and reach. See Section 3D and 3E.
6 Do you fully understand how to operate your new bicycle? If not, before
your first ride, have your dealer explain any functions or features which you
do not understand.
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 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 4A1 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 4E). 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 4E. to check whether you have
toeclip overlap.

9
MEC BIKE MANUAL
8
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.
D First ride
When you buckle on your helmet and go for your first 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 4C).
Test the brakes at slow 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 B4 and Section 4E4.
If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension
responds to brake application and rider weight shifts. See paragraph B6 above
and Section 4F.
Practice shifting the gears (see Section 4D). 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.
CAUTION Wheels must be true for rim brakes to work eectively. 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 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 4C). 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 4A.
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 4B.
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 3B and 3C.
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.

11
MEC BIKE MANUAL
10
Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike, read
and understand Section 2F.
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 tra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 tra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 trac flow or as
directed by local governing laws.
6 Stop at stop signs and tra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 tra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 2F,
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.
2 Safety
A The basics
WARNING The area in which you ride may require specific 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 trac
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 appropriate 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
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 1C) before you get on
a bike.
3 Be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bicycle: brakes (Section 4C);
pedals (Section 4E); shifting (Section 4D).
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 its components. Riders who insist on jumping their bikes risk
serious damage, to their bicycles as well as to themselves.

13
MEC BIKE MANUAL
12
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 4C.
E Night riding
Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding during the day.
A bicyclist is very di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 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 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 and reflect car lights and street lights
in a way that may help you to be seen and recognized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION Check reflectors and their mounting brackets regularly to make
sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your
dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that are
bent or loose.
The mounting brackets of front and rear reflectors 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 brake straddle cable catches
on the tire, it can cause the wheel to stop suddenly, causing you to lose
control and fall.
13 Don’t weave through tra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 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 con-
ditions increases the risk of accident.
C O 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 o-road riding require close
attention and specific 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
di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 identification, 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 o-road, help
may not be close.
7 Before you attempt to jump, do stunt riding or race with your bike,
read and understand Section 2F.
Off road respect
Obey the local laws regulating where and how you can ride o-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.

15
MEC BIKE MANUAL
14
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 first
–– start with easy learning exercises and slowly develop your skills before
trying more di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.
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 dierent 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 and B.
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, reflective clothing and accessories, such as a reflective
vest, reflective arm and 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 trac.
– 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:
– ride slowly.
– avoid dark areas and areas of heavy or fast-moving trac.
– avoid road hazards.
– if possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in trac:
– 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 trac often, ask your dealer about trac safety
classes or a good book on bicycle tra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 qualified mechanic and be sure it is in perfect condition.
Consult with expert riders, area site personnel and race o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 finger gloves, and body
armor. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to have proper equipment and to be
familiar with course conditions.

17
MEC BIKE MANUAL
16
3 Fit
NOTE Correct fit is an essential element of bicycling safety, performance and
comfort. Making the adjustments to your bicycle which result in correct fit 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 fit 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 height is the basic element of bike fit (see Figure 2). 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 o-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 o road should give you
four inches (10 cm) or more of clearance.
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 “Maxi-
mum 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.
WARNING Failure to confirm 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.