Public Bike User manual
Bike Owner’s Manual and Assembly Guide
www.publicbikes.com
+1 888 450 0123
Ali Valentova
PUBLIC Employee: Operations
Letter from PUBLIC
Safety and Civility: Why a Red Bell Matters
Our bikes have been specifically designed for safe city riding. We’ve included fea-
tures such as European style upright handlebars, tires with reflective strips, solid
brakes, and really strong steel frames. But these do not really make bicycling safe.
Nor does a helmet. The most important element is your own good sense and aware-
ness, and the respect you give to conditions, and to the other brothers and sisters on
the road, and maybe our Federico Red Bell (see website to order). Why? It will help
you communicate to other riders and pedestrians with a pleasant tone. It is pretty. It
is a gentle reminder to converse with respect. It may be the antidote to road rage and
confrontation. It might remind us to smile. It is a symbol of civility.
We envisage a day when bicyclists and pedestrians and cars can co-exist with a little
more respect and civility. What if car drivers’ first thought when seeing someone on
a bike was, “How great, there is one less person in a car causing congestion on my
daily commute.” What if bicyclists’ first thought upon seeing cars crowding a street
was, “Too bad those people don’t have smart public transportation as an alternative
to their cars.” The 20th century has left most of us with cities that are not as friendly
to pedestrians and bicyclists as they are to cars. But this is all changing for the better,
and we are part of this movement in our own civil way.
Thanks for being part of PUBLIC.
Rob Forbes
Founder
This Bicycle Manual and Assembly Guide
are included to help make your PUBLIC
bicycle experience as simple and safe as
possible. A lot of it is written for the indus-
try by the industry and it not so consumer
friendly. We also offer your some additional
assistance. Please call us at 1-888-450-
0123. We will always have someone on
hand to answer your call Monday–Friday
between 9AM and 5PM PST. You may also
find our website www.publicbikes.com
helpful with FAQ’s, assembly videos, and
more.
Like all bikes PUBLIC Bikes require rou-
tine maintanence. We recommend visiting
your local bike shop for a tune-up every 3-6
months depending on how often you ride.
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Contents Tech 17
Wheels 17
Front Wheel Secondary Retention Devices 17
Removing and Installing Wheels 17
•Removing a Front Wheel 17
Brakes 18
Brake Controls and Features 19
How Brakes Work 19
Shifting Gears 20
How an Internal Gear Hub Drivetrain Works 20
How a Derailleur Works 21
Pedals 22
Tires and Tubes 22
Tires 22
Tire Valves 23
Service 24
Service Intervals 24
If Your Bicycle Sustains An Impact 25
Appendix A
Fastener Torque Specifications 26
Warranty 26
Call-Out Illustration 2
General Warning 3
A Special Note to Parents 3
Bicycle Assembly Steps 4
First 8
Bicycle Fit 8
Safety First 8
Mechanical Safety Check 8
First Ride 10
Safety 10
The Basics 10
Riding Safety 11
Off-road Safety 12
Wet Weather Riding 12
Night Riding 12
Changing Components or Adding Accessories 13
Fit 14
Standover Height 14
Diamond Frame Bicycles (D, V) 14
Step-through Frame Bicycles (M, C) 14
Seat Position 14
Handlebar Height and Angle 16
Control Position Adjustments 16
Brake Reach 16
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Bicycle Owner’s Manual
MY2012 // Model Year 2012
Modified from BPSA 9th Edition, 2007
PUBLIC
www.publicbikes.com
1-888-450-0123
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1. Wheel
2. Chain
3. Chainring
4. Pedal
5. Seat Post
6. Seat
7. Fender
8. Frame
9. Steerer Tube
10. Quill Stem
11. Handlebars
12. Brake Lever
13. Fork
14. Brakes
15. Kickstand
16. Chain Guard
17. Internal Hub
18. Derailleur
19. Gear Shifter
20. Sprocket
21. Dropouts
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This Manual contains many “Warnings”
and “Cautions” concerning the conse-
quences of failing to maintain or inspect
your bicycle and failing to follow safe
urban cycling practices.
• The combination of the safety alert
symbol and the word WARNING indi-
cates 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 indi-
cates a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, may result in minor
or moderate injury. This notation may
also direct attention to unsafe practices.
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.
It is impossible to anticipate every situation
or condition that can occur while riding.
Therefore, this Manual makes no repre-
sentation about the safe use of the bicycle
under all conditions. There are risks
associated with the use of any bicycle that
cannot be predicted or avoided, and are
the sole responsibility of the rider.
A Special Note to Parents
As a parent or guardian, you are
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 on
your bicycle, or for accessories such as
helmets or lights that you purchase, may
also be available. In case of a conflict
between the instructions in this manual
and information provided by the manu-
facturer, always follow the manufacturer’s
instructions.
If you have any questions or do not under-
stand something, give PUBLIC a call or
consult with your local qualified bicycle
shop.
NOTE: This manual is not intended as
a comprehensive use, service, repair or
maintenance manual. Please see your
local bicycle shop for all service, repairs
or maintenance.
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. You will need to know—and to
practice—the rules of safe and responsible
urban riding and of proper use and mainte-
nance, which can reduce risk of injury.
responsible for the activities and safety of
your minor child. Before permitting your
child ride the bicycle, you should read this
manual and review its warnings and the
bicycle’s functions and operating proce-
dures with your child. Be aware that some
of your responsibilities include:
• Making sure that the bicycle is properly
fitted to the child.
• Checking that the bicycle is in good
repair and safe operating condition.
• Ensuring you and your child have
learned and understand how to safely
operate the bicycle, obey applicable
local motor vehicle, bicycle and traffic
laws, and common sense rules of safe
and responsible bicycling.
WARNING: Make sure that your
child always wears a CPSC approved
bicycle helmet when riding, and that
your child understands it is for bicycling
only and must be removed when not
riding. A bicycle helmet must not be
worn while playing or while not riding
a bicycle. Failure to follow this warn-
ing could compromise the helmet and
result in serious injury or death during
bicycle operation. Any helmet that was
worn during a collision with head impact
should be replaced, even if there is no
obvious damage to the helmet.
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5a
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5b
1
UNPACKAGING
• Open box, remove bicycle, seat and seatpost, and parts
box.
• Remove all packaging. Take care when cutting zip ties
to not scratch frame.
• Remove front wheel slowly, making sure to not bend
spokes or scratch rims or crank (Figure 1).
STEM INSTALLATION
• Install stem of bicycle in fork by sliding quill of stem and
expander wedge into fork steerer tube (Figure 2). Make
sure that the minimum insert line on stem is inserted fully
in fork and is NOT visible (Figure 3). Tighten stem bolt
with a 6mm hex Allen wrench (Figure 4).
• Make sure to have cable(s) routed properly to guarantee
TOOLS NEEDED:
Scissors or Box Cutter
6mm hex Allen wrench
5mm hex Allen wrench
4mm hex Allen wrench
15mm or adjustable
wrench
Philips head screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Bicycle Assembly Steps
Your PUBLIC bicycle comes directly to you 99% assembled.
The instructions will guide you through the additional steps
necessary to complete assembly. However, PUBLIC strongly
suggests having your bicycle assembled by a qualified bicycle
mechanic or bicycle shop. We feel everyone needs a good
local bicycle shop for follow-up service and maintenance as
well. To help you find a qualified bicycle shop in your area
give us a call at 1.888.450.0123 or email us at customer-
5www.publicbikes.com
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proper function. If cables are not routed properly, remove
stem and move cables until correct, then reinstall and
tighten stem.
NOTE: The 8-speed cable is attached from below (Figure
5a), the 3-speed and 7-speed cable is attached from above
(Figure 5b).
FRONT BRAKE/FENDER INSTALLATION
• Unthread nut from front brake mounting bolt. Remove all
spacers and washers (Figure 6).
• Assemble front brake and fender by sliding brake mounting
bolt with large smooth spacer thru the upper fender mount.
Install serrated washer, and slide thru fork front brake
mounting hole (Figure 7). Tighten nut down until lightly
tightened using a 5mm hex Allen wrench (Figure 8).
• Unthread bolts from fork dropout eyelets (Figure 9).
Slide bolts thru lower fender mounting strut holes, and
tighten bolts into fork dropout eyelets with a 4mm hex
Allen wrench (Figure 10).
FRONT WHEEL INSTALLATION
• In parts box, find front wheel axle mounting nuts and
washers.
• Read the sidewall of the tire to determine proper mount-
ing direction of front wheel.
• Slide wheel into fork, placing fork dropouts onto front
wheel axle (Figure 11).
• Install front wheel axle mounting nuts and washers, and
tighten using a 15mm or adjustable wrench (Figure 12).
FRONT BRAKE ALIGNMENT
• Loosen front brake mounting nut on back of fork with a
5mm hex Allen wrench.
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• With front wheel installed and tightened, squeeze front
brake and, at the same time, tighten the brake mount-
ing nut. This aligns your front brake with the front wheel
(Figure 13).
REAR FENDER INSTALLATION
• The rear fender of your PUBLIC bike comes 75%
installed. To complete installation, first remove the
lower strut mounting bolts from rear dropout eyelets
(Figure 14).
• Slide bolts thru lower fender mounting strut holes, and
tighten bolts into rear dropout eyelets with a 4mm hex
Allen wrench (Figure 15).
FOR 3-SPEED PUBLIC BIKES ONLY: REAR
CLICKBOX INSTALLATION
• Your 3-speed PUBLIC bike needs to have the shift
mechanism for the rear hub installed, otherwise it will
not work. This is an easy process.
• First, locate the push rod in the parts box (Figure 16).
• Slide push rod into rear hub axle hole, pushing it in
until you feel it contact the internal gear mechanism
(Figure 17).
• Slide the clickbox onto the rear axle (Figure 18).
• Tighten the clickbox onto hub by using a 5mm hex Allen
wrench to tighten the bolt located at the back of the
clickbox (Figure 19).
PEDAL INSTALLATION
• Remove pedals from parts box. Check on the pedal axle
to determine which pedal is the right pedal and which
pedal is the left pedal. The right pedal will always be
marked with an “R” on the axle. This goes on the right
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side of the bike, the side with the chain.
• Using your hand, begin threading the right pedal into the
right crankarm by turning the pedal axle CLOCKWISE
(Figure 20). Once the pedal threads are engaged
(ensuring no cross-threading), use a 15mm or adjustable
wrench to tighten right pedal (Figure 21).
• Using your hand, begin threading the left pedal into
the left crankarm by turning the pedal axle COUNTER-
CLOCKWISE (Figure 22). Once the pedal threads are
engaged (ensuring no cross-threading), use a 15mm or
adjustable wrench to tighten left pedal.
SEAT AND SEATPOST INSTALLATION
• Using a 6mm hex Allen wrench, loosen seat clamp bolt
on bicycle (Figure 23).
• Slide seatpost into seat tube of bicycle, making to ensure
that the minimum insertion line of seatpost is fully in seat
tube and is NOT visible (Figure 24).
• Put seat at proper height and tighten seat clamp bolt on
bicycle using a 6mm hex Allen wrench.
REFLECTORS INSTALLATION
• Remove screw with screwdriver to open up plastic
bracket attachment of both the front and rear reflectors
(Figure 25).
• Mount the front white reflector on the center part of the
handlebars. Ensure reflector is facing out and straight
and tighten with screwdriver until snug (Figure 26).
• Mount the rear red reflector on the seat post. Ensure
reflector is facing out and straight and tighten with a
screwdriver until snug (Figure 27).
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First
All PUBLIC bicycles are intended for use
on paved roads only. Please make sure to
use your bicycle for its intended purpose.
Any other use may result in a failure of
some part of your PUBLIC bicycle.
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
do not completely understand.
BICYCLE FIT
1. Is your bicycle the right size? To
check, see p. 14 (Standover Height).
If your bicycle is too large or too small,
you could lose control and fall. If your
new bicycle is not the correct size,
contact PUBLIC (toll-free, 1-888-
450-0123) to exchange it before you
ride it.
2. Is the seat at the appropriate height?
To check, see p. 14 (Seat Position).
If you adjust your seat height, follow
the Minimum Insertion instructions
on p. 14.
3. Are seat and seat post securely
clamped? When correctly clamped,
the seat does not permit movement
in any direction. See p. 14 (Seat
Position).
4. Are the stem and handlebars at the
right height for you? If not, see p. 16
(Handlebar Height and Angle).
5. Can you comfortably operate the
brakes? If not, you may be able to
adjust their angle and reach. See
p. 16 (Control Position Adjustment
and Brake Reach).
6. Do you fully understand how to oper-
ate your new bicycle? If not, before
your first ride, contact PUBLIC (toll-
free, 1-888-450-0123) to explain any
functions or features that you do not
understand.
SAFETY FIRST
1. Always wear an approved helmet
when riding your bicycle. Follow the
helmet manufacturer’s instructions for
fit, use and care.
2. Do you have all the other required and
recommended safety equipment? See
p. 10 (Safety). 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? See
p. 17 (Front Wheel Secondary
Retention Devices) 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. Do you have “toe overlap?” On smaller
framed bicycles, your toe may be able
to touch the front wheel when a pedal
is all the way forward and the wheel is
turned. Read p. 20 (Pedals) to check
whether you have toe overlap.
MECHANICAL SAFETY CHECK
Routinely check the condition of your
bicycle before every ride.
• Nuts, bolts screws and other fas-
teners: Because component manu-
facturers use an array 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 Specifications in
Appendix A of this manual or to the
torque specifications in the instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer
of the component in question.
Correctly tightening a fastener
requires a calibrated torque wrench.
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true a wheel unless you have the knowl-
edge, experience and tools needed to
do the job correctly.
• Are the wheel rims clean and
undamaged? Check at the tire bead
and along the braking surface.
WARNING: Bicycle wheel rims are
subject to wear. Ask PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123) or your qualified bicy-
cle shop about wheel rim wear. Riding
a wheel that is at the end of its usable
life can result in wheel failure, which can
cause you to lose control and fall.
• Brakes: Check the brakes for
proper operation. See p. 18
(Brakes). Are the brake quick-
releases closed? Are all control
cables seated and securely
engaged? Squeeze the brake
levers. 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
bicycle until the brakes are properly
adjusted by a professional bicycle
mechanic.
secure them. If you’re not sure, ask
someone with experience to check.
• Tires and wheels: Make sure tires
are correctly inflated. See p. 20
(Tires). Check by first putting one
hand on the seat and the other on
the intersection of the handlebars
and stem. Then, lean your weight
on the bicycle while observing the
tire deflection. Compare what you
see with how it looks when you
know the tires are properly inflated.
Adjust if necessary.
• Are the tires in good shape? Spin
each wheel slowly and look for cuts
in the tread and sidewalls. Replace
damaged tires before riding the
bicycle.
• Are the wheels true? Spin each
wheel and check for brake clear-
ance and side-to-side wobble. If a
wheel wobbles side to side even
slightly, or rubs against or hits the
brake pads, take the bicycle to a
qualified bicycle shop to have the
wheel trued.
CAUTION: Wheels must be true
for rim brakes to work effectively. Wheel
truing is a skill that requires special
tools and experience. Do not attempt to
A professional bicycle mechanic
with a torque wrench should tighten
the fasteners on your bicycle. If you
choose to work on your own bicy-
cle, you must use a torque wrench
and the correct tightening torque
specifications from the bicycle or
component manufacturer or from a
qualified bicycle shop. 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 a qualified
bicycle shop as soon as possible.
WARNING: Correctly tightening
fasteners—including nuts, bolts and
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 lose
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 bicycle. Any
loose parts or accessories? If so,
10 +1 888 450 0123
lose control and fall. Skidding is another
example of what can happen when a wheel
locks up.
Practice shifting the gears. See p. 20
(Shifting Gears).
Check out the handling and response of
the bicycle until you feel comfortable and
ready to ride on busier roads.
If you have any questions, or if you feel
something with the bicycle is not as it
should be, consult PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123) or your qualified bicycle
shop before you ride again.
Safety
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 appli-
cable laws, including properly equipping
yourself and your bicycle as the law
requires.
Observe all local bicycle laws and regula-
tions. Observe regulations about bicycle
lighting, licensing of bicycles, riding on
sidewalks, laws regulating bicycle lanes
and paths, helmet laws, child carrier laws
• Wheel retention system: Make
sure the front and rear wheels
are correctly secured. See p. 16
(Wheels).
• Handlebar and seat alignment:
Make sure the seat and handlebar
stem are parallel to the bicycle’s
center line and clamped tight
enough so that you can’t twist them
out of alignment. See pp. 14–16
(Seat Position and Handlebar
Height).
FIRST RIDE
When you buckle on your helmet and
go for your first ride, take a minute to
familiarize yourself with your new PUBLIC
bicycle and how it rides. Be sure to pick
a controlled, quiet environment—ideally,
away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles
or other hazards. Ride to get a sense of
the controls, features and performance
of your new PUBLIC bicycle.
Familiarize yourself with the braking action
of the bicycle. See p. 18 (Brakes). Test
the brakes at slow speed, putting your
weight over the saddle and gently apply-
ing the brakes, rear brake first. Sudden
or excessive application of the front
brake could pitch you over the handle-
bars. Applying brakes too hard can lock
up a wheel, which could cause you to
and special bicycle traffic laws. It’s your
responsibility to know and obey the laws.
1. Always wear a bicycle helmet that
meets the latest CPSC 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 that might have been
avoided if the rider had been wearing
an appropriate helmet.
WARNING: Failure to wear a
helmet when riding may result in serious
injury or death.
2. Always perform the Mechanical Safety
Check (See p. 8) before you get on
your PUBLIC bicycle.
3. Be thoroughly familiar with your
bicycle’s controls: brakes (See p. 18)
shifters (See p. 20) and pedals (See
p. 20).
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
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and will grip the pedals. Make sure
that shoe laces cannot get into
moving parts. 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.
• Protective eyewear—to protect
against airborne dirt, dust and
bugs—that’s tinted when the sun is
bright, clear when it’s not.
• Gloves—helpful to improve grip and
delay hand fatigue.
6. Don’t jump with your bicycle. Jumping
a bicycle can be fun, but it can put
huge and unpredictable stress on the
bicycle and its components. Riders
who insist on jumping their bicycles
risk serious damage—to their bicycles
as well as to their person.
7. Ride at a speed appropriate for condi-
tions. Higher speed means higher risk.
RIDING SAFETY
1. Obey all rules of the road and local
traffic laws.
2. You are sharing the road or the path
with others—motorists, pedestrians
and other cyclists. Respect their
rights.
5. Ride in designated bicycle lanes, on
designated bicycle paths or as close
to the edge of the road as possible,
in the direction of traffic flow or as
directed by local governing laws.
6. Stop at stop signs and red traffic
lights; slow down and look both ways
at crossings. Remember, 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. Observe, wait your turn and yield the
right of way when appropriate.
9. Never ride with headphones. They
mask traffic sounds and emergency
vehicle sirens, distract you from con-
centrating on what’s going on around
you and their wires can tangle in the
moving parts of the bicycle, causing
you to lose control.
“ An urban cyclist goes through three stages: first, you’re intimidated. You try to
find out rules and follow them. The second occurs when you gain some mas-
tery, and discover freedom of movement. But that can grow a little too heady,
and lead to mistakes. The third follows all that, after you realize you are an
ambassador for cycling. What you do changes the world where you ride.”
—Bert Hill, Safety Course Instructor
—San Francisco Bike Coalition
3. Ride defensively. Ride so that others
can always see you.
4. Look ahead and be ready to avoid:
• Vehicles slowing down or turning,
entering the road or the lane ahead
of you or approaching from behind.
• Parked car doors opening.
• Pedestrians stepping out into
traffic.
• Children or pets playing near the
road.
• Pot holes, sewer gratings, railroad
tracks, expansion joints, road or
sidewalk construction, debris and
other obstructions that could cause
you to swerve into traffic, catch
your wheel or cause you to have an
accident.
• Many other hazards and distrac-
tions which can occur on a bicycle
ride.
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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 atten-
tion and specific skills. Start slowly
on easier terrain and build up your
skills. Get to know how to handle your
bicycle safely before trying increased
speed or more difficult terrain.
2. Wear safety gear appropriate to the
kind of riding you plan to do.
3. Don’t ride alone in remote areas. Even
when riding with others, make sure
that someone knows where you’re
going and when you expect to be
back.
4. Always take along some kind of identi-
fication, so that people know who you
are in case of an accident; and take
along some cash for food, a cool drink,
an emergency phone call or public
transportation.
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 unex-
pected moves don’t endanger you.
6. Be prepared. If something goes wrong
while you’re riding off-road, help may
not be close.
WET WEATHER RIDING
WARNING: Wet weather impairs
traction, braking and visibility, both for
the bicyclist and for other vehicles shar-
ing 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 p. 18
(Brakes).
NIGHT RIDING
Riding a bicycle at night is significantly
more dangerous than riding during the day.
A bicyclist is very difficult for motorists and
pedestrians to see. Therefore, children
should never ride at dawn, dusk or night.
10. 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-carry-
ing trailer.
11. 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.
12. Never hitch a ride by holding on to
another vehicle or bicycle.
13. Don’t do stunts, wheelies or jumps.
14. Don’t make any moves that may
surprise other people sharing the road.
Be predictable.
15. Never ride your bicycle while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
16. Be extra cautious when riding in bad
weather, when visibility is obscured,
at dawn, dusk or in the dark or when
extremely tired. Each of these condi-
tions increases the risk of accident.
OFF-ROAD SAFETY
PUBLIC bicycles are NOT designed for
off-road riding. Please do not use your
PUBLIC bicycle for off-road riding.
“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.” —H.G. Wells
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Adults who choose to accept the greatly
increased risk of riding at dawn, dusk or
night need to take extra care both riding
and choosing specialized equipment which
helps reduce that risk. Consult PUBLIC
(toll-free, 1-888-450-0123) about night
riding safety equipment.
WARNING: Reflectors are not a
substitute for required lights. Riding at
dawn, dusk, night or 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 ambient light in a
way that may help you be seen and recog-
nized as a moving bicyclist.
CAUTION: Check reflectors and
their mounting brackets regularly to
make sure that they are clean, straight,
unbroken and securely mounted.
Replace damaged reflectors and
straighten or tighten any that are bent
or loose.
WARNING: Do not remove the
front or rear reflectors or reflector brack-
ets from your bicycle. They are an inte-
gral part of the bicycle’s safety system.
Removing reflectors will reduce your
visibility to others using the roadway and
increases your risk of being struck by other
vehicles, which may result in serious injury
or death.
If you choose to ride under conditions of
poor visibility, check that you comply with
all local laws about night riding and take
the following strongly recommended addi-
tional precautions:
• Purchase and install battery- or
generator-powered headlights and
taillights that meet all regulatory
requirements and provide adequate
visibility.
• Wear light-colored, reflective cloth-
ing and accessories, such as a
reflective vest, reflective armbands
and legbands, reflective stripes on
your helmet, flashing lights attached
to your body and/or your bicycle.
Any reflective device or moving light
source will help alert your presence
to approaching motorists, pedestri-
ans and other traffic.
• Make sure your clothing or anything
you may be carrying on the bicycle
does not obstruct a reflector or
light.
• Make sure that your bicycle is
equipped with correctly positioned
and securely mounted reflectors.
While riding at dawn, dusk or night:
• Ride slowly.
• Avoid dark areas and areas of heavy
or fast-moving traffic.
• Avoid road hazards.
• If possible, ride on familiar routes.
If riding in traffic:
• Be predictable. Ride so that driv-
ers can see you and predict your
movements.
• Be alert. Ride defensively and
expect the unexpected.
• If you plan to ride in traffic often,
ask your dealer, local bicycle
advocacy organization or city transit
organization about traffic safety
classes or a good book on bicycle
traffic safety.
CHANGING COMPONENTS OR
ADDING ACCESSORIES
There are many components and acces-
sories available to enhance the comfort,
performance and appearance of your
PUBLIC bicycle. However, if you change
components or add accessories, you do
so at your own risk. The components and
14 +1 888 450 0123
accessories sold by PUBLIC have been
tested for compatibility with your bicycle,
reliability and safety. You should be aware
that components from other manufactur-
ers may not be suited for your PUBLIC
bicycle. Before installing any component or
accessory—including a different size tire—
make sure that it is compatible with your
bicycle by checking with PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123) or a qualified bicycle
shop. Be sure to read, understand and
follow the instructions that accompany the
products you purchase for your bicycle.
WARNING: Failure to confirm
compatibility, properly install, operate
and maintain any component or acces-
sory can result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Replacing the compo-
nents on your bicycle with other-than-
genuine parts may compromise the
safety of your bicycle and may void the
warranty. Check with PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123) before changing the
components on your bicycle.
Fit
NOTE: Correct fit is an essential ele-
ment of bicycling safety, performance
and comfort.
WARNING: If your bicycle does
not fit properly, you may lose control and
fall. If your new bicycle doesn’t fit, ask
PUBLIC (toll-free, 1-888-450-0123) to
exchange it before you ride it.
STANDOVER HEIGHT
Diamond Frame – PUBLIC D & V
Standover height is the basic element of
bicycle fit (see Fig. 1). 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 bicycle. To check for
correct standover height, straddle the
bicycle while wearing the kind of shoes in
which you’ll be riding. Bounce vigorously
on your heels. If your crotch touches the
frame, the bicycle is too big for you. (Don’t
even think about riding the bicycle around
the block.) A bicycle should give you a
minimum standover height clearance of
two inches (5 cm).
Step-through Frame – PUBLIC M & C
Standover height does not apply to
bicycles with step-through frames. Instead,
the limiting dimension is determined by
seat height range. You must be able to
adjust your seat position as described
below in the Seat Position Section 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.
SEAT POSITION
Correct seat adjustment is an important
factor in getting the most performance
and comfort from your bicycle. Small
changes in seat position can have a sub-
stantial effect on performance and comfort.
Figure 1 Figure 2
15www.publicbikes.com
riders like the seat nose angled up
or down just a little. If you choose to
make your own seat angle adjustment,
it is critical that you loosen the clamp
bolt sufficiently to allow any serra-
tions on the mechanism to disengage
before changing the seat’s angle,
and then that the serrations fully re-
engage before you tighten the clamp
bolt to the recommended torque (see
Appendix A or the manufacturer’s
instructions).
WARNING: When making seat
angle adjustments, 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 seat 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.
WARNING: After any seat adjust-
ment, be sure that the seat adjusting
mechanism is properly seated and
tightened before riding. A loose seat
clamp or seat post clamp can cause
Appendix A or the manufacturer’s
instructions).
Once the seat 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 (see Fig. 3).
WARNING: If your seat post is not
inserted in the seat tube as described
in (1) above, the seat post may break,
which could cause you to lose control
and fall.
2. Front and back adjustment. The seat
can be adjusted forward or back to
help you find your optimal position
on the bicycle. If you choose to make
your own adjustment, make sure that
the clamp mechanism is clamping on
the straight part of the seat rails—not
on the curved part of the rails—and
that you are using the recommended
torque on the clamping fastener(s)
(see Appendix A or the manufac-
turer’s instructions).
3. Seat angle adjustment. Most people
prefer a horizontal seat; but some
To find your best seat position, make only
one adjustment at a time. If the seat posi-
tion is not comfortable for you, contact a
qualified bicycle shop.
The seat can be adjusted in three
directions:
1. Up and down adjustment. To check
for correct seat height (see Fig. 2):
• Sit on the seat.
• 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 paral-
lel to the seat tube.
If your leg is not completely straight,
your seat height needs to be adjusted. If
your hips must rock for the heel to reach
the pedal, the seat is too high. If your leg
is bent at the knee with your heel on the
pedal, the seat is too low.
If you choose to make your own seat
height adjustment:
• Loosen the seat post clamp.
• Raise or lower the seat post in the
seat tube.
• Make sure the seat is straight fore
and aft.
• Re-tighten the seat post clamp
to the recommended torque (see
Figure 3
16 +1 888 450 0123
“The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets.” —Christopher Morley
HANDLEBAR HEIGHT AND ANGLE
Your bicycle is equipped with a “quill”
stem, which clamps inside the steerer tube
by way of an expanding binder bolt.
You can adjust the handlebar height
slightly by adjusting stem height. You can
also change the angle of the handlebar.
A quill stem has an etched or stamped
mark on its shaft which designates the
stem’s “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum
Extension.” This mark must NOT be visible
above the headset.
WARNING: A quill stem’s
Minimum Insertion Mark must not be
visible above the top of the headset.
If the stem is extended beyond the
Minimum Insertion Mark, the stem may
break or damage the fork’s steerer tube,
which could cause you to lose control
and fall.
WARNING: Always tighten fasten-
ers 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. (See Appendix A)
damage to the seat post, or can cause
you to lose control and fall. A correctly
tightened seat adjusting mechanism will
allow no seat movement in any direction.
Periodically check to make sure that the
seat adjusting mechanism is properly
tightened.
If, in spite of carefully adjusting the seat
height, tilt and fore-and-aft position, your
seat is still uncomfortable, you may need
a different seat design. Seats, like people,
come in many different shapes, sizes and
resilience. PUBLIC (toll-free, 1-888-450-
0123) can help you select a seat that,
when correctly adjusted for your body and
riding style, will be comfortable.
WARNING: Some people have
claimed that extended riding with an
incorrectly adjusted seat or one that
does not support your pelvic area cor-
rectly can cause short-term or long-term
injury to nerves and blood vessels, or
even impotence. If your seat causes you
pain, numbness or other discomfort,
listen to your body and stop riding until
you talk to PUBLIC (toll-free, 1-888-
450-0123) about seat adjustment or a
different seat.
WARNING: An insufficiently
tightened stem clamp bolt or handlebar
clamp bolt may compromise steering
action, which could cause you to lose
control and fall. Place the front wheel
of the bicycle between your legs and
attempt to twist the handlebar/stem
assembly. If you can twist the stem in
relation to the front wheel or turn the
handlebars in relation to the stem, the
bolts are insufficiently tightened. (See
Appendix A).
CONTROL POSITION
ADJUSTMENTS
The angle of the brake and shift control
levers and their position on the handlebars
can be changed. If you choose to make
your own control lever angle adjustment,
be sure to re-tighten the clamp fasten-
ers to the recommended torque (See
Appendix A).
BRAKE REACH
PUBLIC bicycles have brake levers that
can be adjusted for reach. If you have
small hands or find it difficult to squeeze
the brake levers, a qualified bicycle shop
can either adjust the reach or fit shorter-
reach brake levers.
17www.publicbikes.com
Therefore, it is essential that you:
1. Understand and apply the correct
technique for clamping your wheel in
place.
2. Each and every time before you ride
the bicycle, check that the wheel is
securely bolted.
The clamping action of a correctly secured
wheel must emboss the surfaces of the
dropouts.
Front Wheel Secondary Retention
Devices
Your bicycle has a front fork that utilizes
a secondary wheel retention device to
reduce the risk of the wheel disengaging
from the fork if the wheel is incorrectly
secured. Secondary retention devices are
not a substitute for correctly securing your
front wheel.
The integral type is molded, cast or
machined into the outer faces of the front
fork dropouts.
Figure 4
WARNING: Do not remove or dis-
able the secondary retention device. As
its name implies, it serves as a back-up
for a critical adjustment. If the wheel
is not secured correctly, the secondary
retention device can reduce the risk of
the wheel disengaging from the fork.
Removing or disabling the second-
ary retention device may also void the
warranty.
Secondary retention devices are not a sub-
stitute for correctly securing your wheel.
Failure to properly secure the wheel can
cause the wheel to wobble or disengage,
which could cause you to loose control
and fall, resulting in serious injury or death.
Removing and Installing Wheels
WARNING: If your bicycle is
equipped with an internal gear rear hub,
do not attempt to remove the wheel. The
removal and re-installation of most inter-
nal gear hubs requires special knowl-
edge. Incorrect removal or assembly can
result in brake or gear failure, which can
cause you to lose control and fall.
REMOVING A FRONT WHEEL
1) Disengage the brake’s quick-
release mechanism to increase the
clearance between the tire and the
brake pads. See Fig. 5 on p. 19.
WARNING: The shorter the brake
lever reach, the more critical it is to have
correctly adjusted brakes, so that full
braking power can be applied within
available brake lever travel. Insufficient
braking power can result in loss of con-
trol, which may result in serious injury or
death.
Tech
It’s important to your safety, performance
and enjoyment to understand how things
work on your bicycle. If you have even the
slightest doubt as to whether you under-
stand something in this section of the
Manual, talk to PUBLIC (toll-free, 1-888-
450-0123). Also, see Appendix A.
WHEELS
Bicycle wheels are designed to be remov-
able for easier transportation and for repair
of a tire puncture. The wheel axles are
inserted into slots—called “dropouts”—in
the fork and frame.
Wheels are secured with hex nuts which
are threaded onto the hub axle (see Fig. 4).
WARNING: Riding with an
improperly secured wheel can allow the
wheel to wobble or fall off the bicycle,
which can cause serious injury or death.
18 +1 888 450 0123
2) Loosen the bolt-on fastener(s) of
your front wheel a few turns coun-
ter-clockwise—using an appropriate
tool—enough to allow removing the
wheel from the fork dropouts and
integral secondary retention device.
You may need to tap the top of the wheel
with the palm of your hand to release the
wheel from the front fork.
INSTALLING A FRONT WHEEL
1) With the steering fork facing for-
ward, insert the wheel between the
fork blades so that the axle seats
firmly at the top of the fork drop-
outs. Be sure the wheel is installed
in the correct direction. Refer to
p. 21 (Tires).
2) Tighten the fasteners to the torque
specifications in Appendix A or
take to a qualified bicycle shop.
3) Re-engage the brake’s quick-
release mechanism to ensure cor-
rect brake pad-to-rim clearance.
4) Spin the wheel to make sure that it
is centered in the frame and clears
the brake pads; then squeeze the
brake lever and make sure that
the brakes are operating correctly.
REMOVING A REAR WHEEL
1) If you have an internal gear rear
hub, consult PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123), a qualified
bicycle shop or the hub manufac-
turer’s instructions before attempt-
ing to remove the rear wheel.
2) Disengage the brake’s quick-
release mechanism to increase the
clearance between the wheel rim
and the brake pads (see Fig. 5 on
p. 19).
3) Loosen the fastener(s) with an
appropriate wrench. Then, push
the wheel forward far enough to be
able to remove the chain from the
rear sprocket.
4) Lift the rear wheel off the ground a
few inches and remove it from the
rear dropouts.
INSTALLING A REAR WHEEL
1) If you have an internal gear rear
hub, consult PUBLIC (toll-free,
1-888-450-0123), a qualified
bicycle shop or the hub manufac-
turer’s instructions before attempt-
ing to install the rear wheel.
2) Remove the chain from the front
chainring, so that you have plenty
of slack in the chain. Put the chain
on the rear wheel sprocket.
3) Then, insert the wheel into the
frame dropouts and pull it all the
way in to the dropouts.
4) Replace the chain on the chainring.
Pull the wheel back in the dropouts
so that it is straight in the frame
and the chain has about 1/4 inch of
up-and-down play.
5) Tighten the fasteners to the torque
specifications (see Appendix A
or the hub manufacturer’s
instructions).
6) Re-engage the brake quick-release
to restore correct brake-pad-to-rim
clearance.
7) Spin the wheel to make sure that it
is centered in the frame and clears
the brake pads. Then, squeeze the
brake lever and make sure that
the brakes are operating correctly.
BRAKES
Your PUBLIC bicycle is equipped with
rim brakes that are operated by way of a
handlebar mounted lever.
WARNING:
1. Riding with improperly adjusted
brakes, worn brake pads, or wheels
on which the rim wear mark is visible
is dangerous and can result in serious
injury or death.
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