Vanraam Balance User manual

[phone]
[email protected]
www.vanraam.com
Version 21.01
Van Raam
Guldenweg 23
7051 HT Varsseveld, The Netherlands
User Manual
Balance

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Table of contents
Manufacturer contact details..................................................................................................................... 3
Conformity........................................................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Delivery.............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Indication........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Intended usage ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Safety measures............................................................................................................................................. 5
Adjustment of the bicycle............................................................................................................................ 6
Before the first use........................................................................................................................................ 8
Electro system Silent ..................................................................................................................................12
Van Raam E-Bike App.................................................................................................................................22
Accessories.....................................................................................................................................................24
Technical specifications .............................................................................................................................26
Maintenance and adjustments to be done by owner.......................................................................27
Repairs and maintenance to be done by dealer.................................................................................28
Adjustments to be done by dealer..........................................................................................................29
Disposal...........................................................................................................................................................29
Handover/sale to a new owner...............................................................................................................30
Guarantee .......................................................................................................................................................30
Frame number...............................................................................................................................................31
Service record, maintenance, modifications and warranty claims ..............................................32
Delivery and service form..........................................................................................................................35

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Manufacturer contact details
Conformity
Van Raam declares as manufacturer that the Balance bicycle, as described in this manual,
has been produced in accordance with the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745, risk
category 1. All products have been produced in accordance with the 2006/42/EG
guidelines. The signed declaration of conformity can be found on the Van Raam website.
Introduction
This user manual provides important and necessary information
about the use of your bicycle. We ask you to read this manual
thoroughly before using the bicycle. Always follow all the
instructions given in this manual.
[phone]
[email protected]
www.vanraam.com
Van Raam
Guldenweg 23
7051 HT Varsseveld, The Netherlands
READ CAREFULLY

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Delivery
Your delivery should include the following:
•Bicycle with packaging
•User manual(s)
•Possible Smart-battery including card with 5-digit code (depending on options)
•Possible chargers (depending on options)
•(Spare) keys
Check the delivery immediately after receiving it. In case of damage or incomplete delivery
we ask you to contact your dealer immediately. Upon delivery you should fill out the form
“Form service, maintenance, modifications an warranty claims” in the back of this manual.
Indication
The Balance can be used by people that have difficulty getting on and off the bicycle,
people with neck, shoulder and wrist complaints, and persons with slight balancing
problems.
Intended usage
The bicycle is designed for normal use on level and solid ground. The usual bicycle caution
should always be taken into consideration. In general, bicycle caution should always be
observed when using the bicycle. Moreover, the safety instructions as described in this
manual should be explicitly followed. Local traffic laws and regulations should also be
observed.
The bicycle is meant for one person. The driver should be independently mobile and may
not have any serious visual or other impairments, which prevent responsible participation
in traffic. The maximum user weight and luggage load (to be found in the chapter
‘Technical Specifications’) may not be exceeded.

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The manufacturer is not responsible for any damage or injury caused as a result of or
during the course of any other type of use.
Safety measures
•Ensure the bicycle is in good condition each time before using it. Check before
each ride that the brakes are in order. Check the lighting and make sure there is
enough tyre pressure.
•Regularly check if the wheels, the handlebars and the saddle are properly fixed
and also whether all screw joints are tight.
•Only use the bicycle on a solid and level surface.
•Make sure that wide trousers or lose hanging clothing don’t get caught in the
chain, spokes or pedals.
•Do not use a pressure washer or a steam cleaner for the cleaning of the bicycle.
•Always lock the bicycle when leaving it unattended.
•Make sure that you do not reach a dangerous speed when driving downhill and
entering tunnels. Brake in time and bike at a moderate speed.
•In case of pregnancy, extra care is required owing to a higher risk of injury.
•Do not leave the bicycle in direct sunlight: the temperature of some parts could
exceed 41ºC resulting in possible burns to the skin.
•If your bicycle is equipped with the Silent electric motor system, make sure that
you get used to riding with the electric support engaged. Be careful when you
turn on the electric support system and make sure you don’t get startled by
unexpected behaviour because you turned on the electric support.
Load
The maximum load should not be exceeded. See the information in the technical data table
in the ‘Technical Specifications’ section of the user manual. By permitted load we mean
the total load, including the load on the luggage rack.
Make sure that the permitted load on the luggage rack is not exceeded.
(maximum 20 kg). People may not be transported on the luggage rack.

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Damaged or worn out parts
The replacement and repair of parts (frame, forks, light, brakes, drive mechanism and the
handlebars) should always be performed by an authorized dealer. If not, the guarantee
ceases to be valid and you will be personally responsible in the event of possible damage.
Specific safety parts should always be replaced by new parts!
Adjustment of the bicycle
Before using the bicycle, adjust it to the measurements of the cyclist. This is of great
importance, especially the saddle and the handlebars.
If an optimal adjustment of the bicycle, as defined in the instructions, is not possible,
you can contact your dealer for a fitting solution.
The brakes are correctly adjusted and should only be adjusted by the dealer during periodic
maintenance.
Take care that fingers and limbs do not get trapped while adjusting the bicycle.
Saddle height
When the cyclist is sitting on the bicycle and can
put a foot on the pedal in the lowest position,
the saddle height is correct. Adjust the saddle
height in such a way that the leg is stretched but
relaxed in that position.

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MIN INSERT
To adjust the saddle:
1. Loosen the screw [A].
2. Slide the saddle to the correct height.
3. Tighten the screw.
Do not pull out the saddle pin further than the mark. The tube will not
go into the shank deep enough and will risk breaking off, which can
lead to serious injuries.
Handlebars height
The height of the handlebars affects the comfort of the
ride. It determines the pressure on the hands and the
position of the back. You decide the most comfortable
position yourself with some practice.
To adjust the handlebars:
1. Slightly loosen the screw by using an
Allen key.
2. Slide the handlebars to the correct
height and tighten the screw very
firmly again.
Do not pull out the handlebars further than the mark. Otherwise
the tube will not be deep enough in the shaft and will risk
breaking off, which can lead to serious injuries.
[A]
MIN INSERT
2.
1.

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Position handlebars
You can tilt the handlebars. This influences the
distance from the handlebars to the upper body.
Determine your own most comfortable position
by using the bike.
To tilt the handlebars:
1. Slightly loosen the screws [A] and [B]
with an Allen key.
2. Put the handlebars in the desired
position and then tighten the screws
considerably.
3. Slightly loosen screw [C] with an Allen key, put the
handlebars in the correct (horizontal) position and
then tighten the screw again.
Before the first use
Lighting
Normally, the lighting on your bike can be operated manually and set to different modes.
However, if your bike is equipped with the Silent Elektro system, your lighting will
automatically turn off when the electric system is activated. The controls of both the
manually operated and centrally operated lighting is explained below.
2.
3.
1.
[A]
[B]
[C]
1.

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1x = ON
2x = AUTO
3x = OFF
Manually operated headlight
The headlight has a button with three different modes: ON –ON [50%]
–OFF.
Adjust the angle of the headlight to its correct position, when the centre
of the light beam is about 10 metres in front of the bicycle.
The headlight is powered by batteries. When the batteries are nearly
empty, the LED light in the button of the headlight will turn red. Follow
the steps to change the batteries of the headlight.
1. Open the headlight by pushing down the tab on the
housing and simultaneously pulling the front of the light
outward like shown.
2. Change the two alkaline batteries (2x AA).
3. Put the light back together by first pushing the top of
the light back into the housing and then pushing the
bottom of the light back over the tab of the housing.
You can only operate the light while your bike is standing still to avoid dangerous
situations and to avoid the chance of entrapment.
Manually operated rear light
The rear light has three options which you can choose
by pressing the button repeatedly: On-Auto-Off.
The setting is as follows:
Press 1x: light is on
Press 2x: lighting is automatic
Press 3x: light is off
With the “On” or “Off“ mode, the rear light can be
manually switched on and off.

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With the “Automatic” mode the rear light automatically turns
on and off with the help of light and movement sensors. When
the bicycle stands still for a while, the light will automatically
turn off.
The rear light works on batteries. When the batteries are
almost empty, a red LED light on the top starts flashing. To
replace the batteries, follow the next steps.
1. Dismantle the cover of the holder by pressing in the
lip at the bottom of the light.
2. Replace the alkaline batteries.
(1,5 V - 1500 mA) and assemble the
cover.
Batteries cause environmental pollution.
Follow the local regulations during disposal.
Centrally Operated Lighting
The bike has been equipped with centrally operated
lighting, with the lighting being connected to the
electric system.
The lighting will turn on automatically when the electric
system is activated.
Adjust the angle of the headlight, so that the centre of
the light beam is aimed about ten metres in front of
the bike.
1.
2.

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You can manually turn the lighting on and off by
briefly pushing the on/off button on the display. When
the electric system is turned off, the lighting will turn
of automatically.
Make sure there is always a battery on the bike when you are cycling after dark!
Once the battery is nearly empty, the motor will no longer provide pedal support power
assistance while cycling. The lighting will still be powered by leftover power.
The USB port in the headlight has no function.
Gears
Standard the bicycle has eight gears. The gear is
operated by turning the grip.
Do not use the pedals when turning the grip.
Check before every ride:
•The brakes
•The tyre pressure
•The lights
•That all parts are fitted properly
•That the battery is adequately charged (depends on options)
Contact your dealer and stop using your bicycle as soon as you observe irregularities
during the check!
On/off button

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As with all mechanical parts, the bicycle is subject to wear tear and high loading. If a
component fails, it can lead to very dangerous situations. This can lead to damage or
injuries to the user of the bicycle. Any form of cracks, scratching or change in colour in
heavily loaded parts or a component indicates that the component must be replaced.
Important safety points for the cyclist
•Be very careful during the first ride.
•When riding the bicycle hold both hands firmly on the handlebars and feet on the
pedals.
•Test the riding style of the bicycle on rough ground at moderate speed. This way
the cyclist learns how to react to unexpected movements of the bicycle and the
handlebars during use.
•Small obstacles should be cycled over with appropriate speed.
•Obstacles higher than five centimetres should be avoided.
•Ensure that no dangerous speed develops while driving downhill and entering
tunnels. Brake on time and cycle at a moderate speed.
Electro system Silent
The Silent Electric motor system is a special developed support system by Van Raam for
the rehabilitation market. The system is characterized by:
1. A simplicity of operation
2. Individually adjustable support for cycling
3. Modern and efficient electronics
4. The powerful electric motors
5. High quality and safe batteries
6. Highly reliable system
The Silent system comes standard with a basic support mode individually programmed for
your bike. In most cases, it gives precise and smooth cycling characteristics with a good
compromise between support and radius of action.

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In special cases, an individually tailor-made cycling program is necessary. You can obtain
information from the dealer about the possibilities of a customized cycling program.
Functions:
The electric system has the following functions:
•Pedal support while cycling
•Start support
•Intergrated lighting contol
1. On/off button
Using the on/off button, the electrical system
can be switched on or off.
•Switching on: Push the button briefly.
•Switching off: Push the button for
two seconds.
After the system is turned on, the electric motor is active in level 1.
When the system is not used, it will automatically turn off after a certain time.
Always turn off the electric system before getting on and off the bike, and when
you are walking while holding the bike.
Make sure that the switch under the luggage carrier is
always pressed toward the side where the battery is
located. Note that with some models the battery
switch has a middle (neutral) position as well. That
means the battery is switched off.
1. On/off button
3. Start assist
2. Degree of
support (1,2,3)
4. Indication lights

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2. Degree of support 1, 2 and 3
The desired support can be set by using one of the support
levels 1, 2 or 3.
1. Light support, maximum range.
2. Average support, average range.
3. Maximum support, low range.
You can change the level while cycling.
The behaviour of the battery depends on a lot of different factors and is strongly
influenced by: capacity and voltage of the battery, degree of support that is used,
temperature, wind speed, tyre pressure, cycling speed, weight of the user and the
luggage, use of gearing etcetera.
3. Start assist
The Silent electric motor has a start support. This allows the driver to pull-away without
pedalling up to a speed of 6 km/h over 6 seconds. To accelerate, press the start assist
button and keep it pressed down. The function will only activate again, when the support
button has been pressed down again. If you peddle normally, the function works for up to
6 seconds, each time the button is pressed, up to maximum speed of the bicycle (20
km/h).
The start assist is used for:
•Extra support when starting.
•Extra support for cycling uphill.
When cycling a steep climb, you can use support in level 3 and push the start assist
repeatedly for 6 seconds to achieve maximum support.

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4. Indication lights
The level of charge in the battery is given by five LED lights: four of these are green, the
one on the left can show either green or red, if charge is low.
The battery is fully charged. When in use, the number of green LED
lights on the battery will decrease.
The battery is 50% charged when two green LED lights are on.
The battery is almost empty if only the last red LED light is on. The
battery needs to be recharged or replaced by a (new) fully charged
battery.
When the last red LED light flashes, the battery is empty and the
motor will no longer support while cycling. The integrated lighting
continues to work.
The battery is equipped with a button and indicator
that makes it possible to check the charge by briefly
pressing the button [A]. The status of the battery is
shown with five green indicator LEDs, of which the left
most one can blink. That means the battery is nearly
empty. During charging, the battery displays the
progress of the charging.
Centrally Operated Lighting
The bike is equipped with centrally operated lighting, with the lighting automatically
turning on when the electric system is activated. Further instructions can be found in the
chapter 'Before the first use’.
Other functions
The smart display has an automatic dimming function. With an inbuilt light sensor the
lights of the display will automatically creating less distraction for the cyclist in darker or
more shadowy conditions.
[A]

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4.
Charging the Battery
For the best performance and to prolong the life
of the battery, we recommend that you charge
the battery at home at room temperature.
Gebruik de lader alleen als de omgevingstemperatuur tussen de 0 en 35 graden
ligt.
To charge the battery:
1. Unlock the battery by turning the key a
quarter.
2. Pull the handle forward.
3. Take the battery pack from the holder.
4. Take the battery pack inside. First plug the
charger into the socket. The green LED will
light up. The charger is now on stand-by.
5. Then insert the charging connector of the
charger into the charging point of the battery.
The red LED will light up. The charger is now
charging.
Please note! If the battery is not connected
properly, the green LED will light up (standby
mode). If the connection is poor, unplug the plug
from the socket and clean the charger's
connector with a dry cloth.
6. Depending on the battery level, the charging
time is about 2,5 hours.
7. Once the battery is fully charged, the green
LED will be solid. Now first remove the
charging connector of the charger from the
connector of the battery
8. Then unplug the charger from the socket.
3.
1.
2.
5.

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9. Put the battery back in the holder of the
cycle. Slide it behind bar [A] and press it
firmly on strip [B].
10. Pull the handle backwards and push the
top of the battery to connect as shown in
the drawing and close the lock.
11. Push the handle forward and close the
lock.
It is also possible to charge the battery
while it is still in the holder.
Do not wait until the battery is
completely empty. It is better to
recharge the battery interim.
10.
11.
9.
[A]
[B]

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Charger:
LED
indication
Status
Green
Standby
Red
Charging
Green
Battery full
Red, blinking
Safety: Polarity inversion; Short; Over temperature; Over power;
Over voltage
Backup battery (optional)
The bike can be supplied with a second battery.
To activate the second battery (when the first
battery is empty) turn the switch under the luggage
carrier to the side of the second battery.
Battery Deep Sleep Mode
When the battery is nearly empty and has not been used for a week, the battery will enter
deep sleep mode. In this mode the battery uses as little power as possible, to increase the
lifespan of the battery.
When the battery is in deep sleep mode, it cannot be used. By pressing the button on the
battery, the battery will be woken up from deep sleep mode, and it can be used again. It is
recommended to first charge the battery before using it in that scenario.

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Charging and maintenance tips for the battery
•Never leave the bike with an empty battery! We advise you charge the battery as
soon as possible before it’s totally empty.
•The best storage-charge of the battery is when three to five LED lights are lit.
•Check the battery every month in the winter. If fewer than three LED lights burn,
recharge the battery.
•Preferably store and use the battery in environments of 5 to 20 ºC. Avoid higher or
lower temperatures.
•Do not charge the battery in sunlight and make sure that the battery is not charged
at a temperature of less than 5ºC.
•Only use the charger indoors and in non-humid environments, the charger should
not get wet.
•Only use the Van Raam supplied battery.
•Only charge the battery with the supplied charger!
•The battery housing and charger housing may never be opened! When there is a
problem, contact your dealer.
•The Van Raam battery may not be revised due to serious safety risks and the
incorrect functioning of the electric system as a whole.
•Don’t drop the battery, this can cause external and internal damage.
If your bicycle has a fault, the battery should be disconnected from the bicycle.
Keep in mind that your bike provides less support when it’s cold (0ºC and less) and the
battery will discharge faster. Charging also takes more time at lower temperatures.
Every battery discharges automatically over time. This process is called self-discharge.
A battery that is empty and not charged, will self-discharge and will be deep
discharged. The battery can be permanently damaged during this process. In case of
deep discharge, the warranty will be void.

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Please note that any battery will wear over time. The wearing process of the battery is
inevitable and depends on several factors, such as usage, number of charge cycles and
the ambient temperature. Even if the battery is not used, its capacity will decrease. A
worn battery can still be used, but please bear in mind that its charge level may
decrease.
Possible malfunctions
•The system does not turn on:
1. Make sure that the battery is properly attached.
2. Check if the switch under the luggage carrier is pressed towards the
side of the battery.
3. Check the status of the battery. If it is empty, recharge the battery.
4. If the above action does not help, contact your dealer.
•If the battery indicator LED lights on the display are flashing:
The motor may be overheated by continuous high load. For protection, the
system will reduce the support.
1. The system is in temperature-protection. You can continue cycling with
reduced support.
2. After cooling down, the normal support and indication will restore
automatically.
•If the support LED lights on the display are flashing: This indicates motor failure.
You will need to contact your dealer.
•If a red LED light on the charger starts flashing, remove the plug form the mains
outlet and do not longer use the charger. In this case, contact your dealer.