INTRODUCTION
Here is what you should look for when you inspect your bicycle for this type of riding: bent or broken components, such as the handlebar, handlebar stem, seatpost, pedals; dents, cracks, scratches, deformation, or discoloration. Because damage may be internal and hidden, if any of these signs are present, stop riding until your bicycle has been thoroughly inspected by your Specialized dealer.
WARNING! Although many catalogs, advertisements and articles about bicycling depict riders racing, jumping, riding hard off road, and/or stunt riding, this activity is extremely dangerous, increases the rider’s risk of injury or death, and potentially increases the severity of any injury. The action depicted is being performed by experts with many years of training and experience. Even with that training and experience, cyclists who engage in such activity often get seriously injured. It is also foreseeable that during some jumps or stunts, and even some races, that the rider will exceed the design capacity of the frame or components, which may result in something on the bicycle bending or breaking. If a frame or component bends or breaks, such may lead to loss of control, serious personal injury or death.
As activities such as racing, jumping, severe off road riding, and stunt riding are extremely dangerous, SAFETY should always be the first consideration. Don’t ride in the race, ride hard off road, try the jump, or do the stunt, UNLESS YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY. Here are some additional recommendations:
•Take lessons from a competent instructor first.
•Do jumps or stunts only in areas designated for this type of riding.
•Start with easy jumps and easy stunts first, and slowly develop skills before trying more dangerous jumps or stunts.
•Wear appropriate safety gear, such as a full face helmet, body armor, full finger gloves.
•Make sure by checking with your dealer that your bike is suitable for the kind of activity you intend to engage in.
•Constantly inspect your bicycle for signs of stress: cracks in the paint; dents; crushing or bending of the frame; bent components. Do not ride your bicycle if it shows such signs of stress.
•Do not seek to bend or break the frame or components. Remember, SAFETY FIRST!!!
•Understand and recognize that the stresses imposed on your bike by riding at speed, jumping or stunt riding may break or damage parts of the bicycle, which may result in loss of control, serious injury or death.
Specialized does not warrant the bicycle frame or components for such activities, and expressly disclaims all warranties, including the warranty of fitness for particular purpose and merchantability.
Stunt riding, severe off road riding, jumping, or riding downhill at speed is extremely dangerous, and the rider voluntarily assumes the risk that the bicycle frame and/or its components will bend or break, and voluntarily assumes the risk of injury or death.